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Hi Everyone! I've recently purchased my new (to me) 2015 Tuxedo Black Fiesta ST! After looking for a suitable car for a long while, I finally found one and ultimately bought it.
Background
So to begin I want to speak a bit about myself and my history with the Fiesta ST. Back when I was 21 years old, I purchased a Kona Blue Fiesta ST off the lot. I wanted something sporty, learn how to drive stick, and overall have a fun car that didn't break the bank. At 21k OTD (I think my price before taxes was 18 or 19k) with 0% APR for 72 months it was a fantastic deal, especially considering I had just joined the workforce and was making all of 47k a year in a NOC tech support role. I lived with my KB FiST for 6 years, moving from Maryland to Massachusetts to California. It survived multiple brutal winters and overall was a great car. After I moved to Cali, I was getting older and wanting something more. I bought a bigger more comfortable sedan (Kia Stinger GT) and sold my Fiesta ST (for 17.5k, thanks Carvana). It was...okay. Then I moved to a Tesla Model 3 because of the tax incentive and interest in not buying premium gas for a twin-turbo V6. Since I've bought the Tesla, I was more and more longing for something manual and /fun/. One way I describe the Tesla is that it's a Washing Machine with wheels. It's certainly quick, but it's boring. It's an appliance. I'm now older, have disposable income and a driveway where I can park fun things.
I started looking at cars. First I looked at Miatas, specifically the NC. I thought it had the most potential for upgradability, and having a CARB compliant turbo kit was a huge boon. But, after test driving one I realized I don't really...fit. I'm to tall. It also didn't give me a smile when I drove it. Then I looked at Veloster Ns. Went up to Irvine and tested one on a Carmax lot. It was fun, but the price was high and out of my "fun cheap fun car" budget. Looked at a few rebuilt salvage title cars. I loved the concept, it felt like a Fiesta ST that had grown up a bit and gotten more electronic niceties. But reading into it the VN had tons of electrical gremlins that would pop up, so I passed. And then, back to Fiestas. Had a few bought out from under me before finding this one. A MY2015 Tuxedo Black Fiesta ST with Recaros and the Moonroof. I would have preferred a slicktop but this was priced right and had some nice features that I wanted.
My Goals
I know a lot of people say this, but OEM+ is the goal. I want to preserve the spirited driving style but won't be against adding extra power. Reliability is important to me, I want to take it out on the weekends for a spirited drive and not worry about "will this be the day the FiST dies". That being said, I'm not against something like a Hybrid Turbo, as long as the car remains fun. I do want to limit/remove the tripoding if possible, as its a safety concern in my eyes.
The Car
Okay so enough backstory. Here it is! My 2015 Tuxedo Black Fiesta ST!
I lifted these photos off the Facebook Marketplace listing. Mod List when purchased:
- Boomba Wing Spacer Kit
- Mountune Radiator
- Cobb Rear Motor Mount
- Cobb Access Port with Stage 1 91 Octane Tune (Thanks California)
- Enkei RPF1 16 Inch Wheels
- Straight-Piped Exhaust
- Spare Parts Included with Purchase: Replacement Water Pump, Powerflex Rear Spring Bushings
Here's what I've done so far in terms of repairs:
- Replacement Door Handles (Interior): Passenger side was broken on purchase, with driver side really loose. 60$ off amazon later and some time with my power drill and they work better than ever!
- Ford OEM Rubber Fiesta ST floor Mats: The cloth ones where in rough shape, and the Ford OEM ones were pretty inexpensive so I picked up a new set on amazon for $160.
Planned Fixes/Changes:
- Remove the Boomba Wing Spacers: Not a fan to be honest, it also makes the hatch rattle and I'm not a fan.
- Replace LEDs for interior cabin and License Plate Lights: Rear lights and the license plate lights are dead.
- Left and Right Rubber Windshield Gaskets/seals: Dry rotted, needs to be replaced.
- Rear Door Window Motors: Driver Side Rear Window does not roll, and the passenger rear door has been going slower and slower. Likely both motors need to be repaired/replaced.
- Tint: Its bubbling, turning purple. Probably going to go with a less-absurd tint like 30% or 50%, instead of the 5% that's currently on the car.
- Exhaust: Straight Pipes are loud. I love the burble when decelerating, but highway drone and overall livability is impacted. I don't want to be pulled over by the police if I am on the highway driving to a curvy road.
- Remove the Tow Hitch: I don't understand why someone would put a tow hitch on a FiST. I must right the wrong.
Background
So to begin I want to speak a bit about myself and my history with the Fiesta ST. Back when I was 21 years old, I purchased a Kona Blue Fiesta ST off the lot. I wanted something sporty, learn how to drive stick, and overall have a fun car that didn't break the bank. At 21k OTD (I think my price before taxes was 18 or 19k) with 0% APR for 72 months it was a fantastic deal, especially considering I had just joined the workforce and was making all of 47k a year in a NOC tech support role. I lived with my KB FiST for 6 years, moving from Maryland to Massachusetts to California. It survived multiple brutal winters and overall was a great car. After I moved to Cali, I was getting older and wanting something more. I bought a bigger more comfortable sedan (Kia Stinger GT) and sold my Fiesta ST (for 17.5k, thanks Carvana). It was...okay. Then I moved to a Tesla Model 3 because of the tax incentive and interest in not buying premium gas for a twin-turbo V6. Since I've bought the Tesla, I was more and more longing for something manual and /fun/. One way I describe the Tesla is that it's a Washing Machine with wheels. It's certainly quick, but it's boring. It's an appliance. I'm now older, have disposable income and a driveway where I can park fun things.
I started looking at cars. First I looked at Miatas, specifically the NC. I thought it had the most potential for upgradability, and having a CARB compliant turbo kit was a huge boon. But, after test driving one I realized I don't really...fit. I'm to tall. It also didn't give me a smile when I drove it. Then I looked at Veloster Ns. Went up to Irvine and tested one on a Carmax lot. It was fun, but the price was high and out of my "fun cheap fun car" budget. Looked at a few rebuilt salvage title cars. I loved the concept, it felt like a Fiesta ST that had grown up a bit and gotten more electronic niceties. But reading into it the VN had tons of electrical gremlins that would pop up, so I passed. And then, back to Fiestas. Had a few bought out from under me before finding this one. A MY2015 Tuxedo Black Fiesta ST with Recaros and the Moonroof. I would have preferred a slicktop but this was priced right and had some nice features that I wanted.
My Goals
I know a lot of people say this, but OEM+ is the goal. I want to preserve the spirited driving style but won't be against adding extra power. Reliability is important to me, I want to take it out on the weekends for a spirited drive and not worry about "will this be the day the FiST dies". That being said, I'm not against something like a Hybrid Turbo, as long as the car remains fun. I do want to limit/remove the tripoding if possible, as its a safety concern in my eyes.
The Car
Okay so enough backstory. Here it is! My 2015 Tuxedo Black Fiesta ST!
I lifted these photos off the Facebook Marketplace listing. Mod List when purchased:
- Boomba Wing Spacer Kit
- Mountune Radiator
- Cobb Rear Motor Mount
- Cobb Access Port with Stage 1 91 Octane Tune (Thanks California)
- Enkei RPF1 16 Inch Wheels
- Straight-Piped Exhaust
- Spare Parts Included with Purchase: Replacement Water Pump, Powerflex Rear Spring Bushings
Here's what I've done so far in terms of repairs:
- Replacement Door Handles (Interior): Passenger side was broken on purchase, with driver side really loose. 60$ off amazon later and some time with my power drill and they work better than ever!
- Ford OEM Rubber Fiesta ST floor Mats: The cloth ones where in rough shape, and the Ford OEM ones were pretty inexpensive so I picked up a new set on amazon for $160.
Planned Fixes/Changes:
- Remove the Boomba Wing Spacers: Not a fan to be honest, it also makes the hatch rattle and I'm not a fan.
- Replace LEDs for interior cabin and License Plate Lights: Rear lights and the license plate lights are dead.
- Left and Right Rubber Windshield Gaskets/seals: Dry rotted, needs to be replaced.
- Rear Door Window Motors: Driver Side Rear Window does not roll, and the passenger rear door has been going slower and slower. Likely both motors need to be repaired/replaced.
- Tint: Its bubbling, turning purple. Probably going to go with a less-absurd tint like 30% or 50%, instead of the 5% that's currently on the car.
- Exhaust: Straight Pipes are loud. I love the burble when decelerating, but highway drone and overall livability is impacted. I don't want to be pulled over by the police if I am on the highway driving to a curvy road.
- Remove the Tow Hitch: I don't understand why someone would put a tow hitch on a FiST. I must right the wrong.
