My MK5 GTI was getting long in the tooth, 150K miles, 11 years. I've been looking at the FiST since 2016, but once the Orange Spice color came out in 17, I was hooked, had to have one. Being a paint upgrade and new color, the dealers were all wanting RIDICULOUS amounts for the car here in SoCal when the cars hit their lots. So, I waited. And waited. And... Started chatting with an internet guy at Mossy Ford in PB once Ford slapped that year-end 3000 dollar discount on the car in September. He kept at me until I finally pulled the trigger on Haloween. The only color they were selling that day. Kidding even if a bit true, since this was the last FiST on the lot. They were super motivated to move the car, they have lots of ginormous SUVs to sell to 'Muricans. Got it for just over $18k!
Despite all the press and ENDLESS repeats of FiST Youtubes that I had consumed, I was completely unprepared for how well this car handles. First hard turn I took, I actually burst out in giggles, I shit you not. The difference between the GTI and the fist was like the difference between steering a sled downhill and steering skis.
Here's the crazy part. I had signed up for my very first Autocross, a novice day, about a month before the purchase, had every intention of running my GTI in it, not knowing the VW would be a trade-in before Autocross day arrived. Probably should NOT have run a car with only 600 miles on it in an AutoX, but did anyway! I immediately gained an even greater appreciation for the very, very high limits of handling and grip in the car. Holy crap thats the most amount of fun you can have with your clothes on. Plus helmet. Highly recommend it. There were three other FiSTs running, two white and one black, so shout out if you were one of those dudes. Glad to be part of the club. Cheers!
Despite all the press and ENDLESS repeats of FiST Youtubes that I had consumed, I was completely unprepared for how well this car handles. First hard turn I took, I actually burst out in giggles, I shit you not. The difference between the GTI and the fist was like the difference between steering a sled downhill and steering skis.
Here's the crazy part. I had signed up for my very first Autocross, a novice day, about a month before the purchase, had every intention of running my GTI in it, not knowing the VW would be a trade-in before Autocross day arrived. Probably should NOT have run a car with only 600 miles on it in an AutoX, but did anyway! I immediately gained an even greater appreciation for the very, very high limits of handling and grip in the car. Holy crap thats the most amount of fun you can have with your clothes on. Plus helmet. Highly recommend it. There were three other FiSTs running, two white and one black, so shout out if you were one of those dudes. Glad to be part of the club. Cheers!
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