Is the Fiesta ST THAT much fun?

By that, I mean to replace a Mazdaspeed Miata with the Flyin Miata Little Enchilada.

I made the mistake of driving a Fiesta ST today, and I'm really surprised how much I like that car. I didn't get a chance to really flog it, but did a few quick launches, accelerations from 3000 RPM, and braking in corners. The center of gravity definitely feels higher than a Miata, but the grip and cornering feel is great. Power is about the same, but the Fiesta weighs about 200 lbs. more. Fit and finish is good, but didn't blow me away. Then again, about even with the Miata. The Recaro seats are perfect (for me). I could daily drive this car with no regrets. I'm not sure how much I'd miss the Miata at an autocross. If I get into SCCA autocross (which I've been wanting to do), the Fiesta seems like an OK choice for G-stock. It's certainly classed better than a modded Mazdaspeed Miata. Then there's the Mazdaspeed ECU which has been driving me crazy for years. The answer is $2000+ and changing out the ECU/injectors every two years for emissions. The Fiesta motor beats the Mazdaspeed Miata motor all day long in the tuning department, and I understand there's more potential still to be had. That, and the Miata is 10 years old and getting a little tired.

The Right Thing To Do would be to hang on to the Miata until I'm certain the Fiesta can really replace it. I've been driving a Miata for 25 years, so maybe I'm just a little bored with it. Plus, with owning a complete TR6 and 1.5 others in parts, I've got the convertible thing covered.

If cost was not an issue, I'd buy a Porsche Cayman S or Jag F-type. But that's a different level of crazy for a DD.

The right answer to change the things you hate about the MSM are less than $1000, and would be PNP.

Just to maybe help lean one way?

That said, we never really clicked with our MSM even after having two different standalone ECUs on it. The new owner seems to be utterly infatuated with it, so that's nice at least.

I picked up a 2000 Miata from someone in the NE that picked me up from the airport in his new Fiesta ST. Seemed like a decent daily driver, but it also did nothing for me. Felt heavy and slow, even compared to the MSM.

If you're serious about buying, drive the Focus ST first for a comparison. The prices are pretty darn close and it's an all-around more capable car.

Or wait for the new Miata (ND) to come out here in a few months..........well depending on what you hear and/or believe anyway. Rumors have it better in almost every way, much like the new WRX is to the old. Relax, I said rumors.

For what a Fi/Fo ST's cost, a few grand more buys a Mustang GT.

for us, the mustang GT might be a viable alternative. I bet to the majority of car shoppers.. those shopping the fiesta/focus would never look at the 'stang.

And be honest, I wouldn't either. pony and muscle cars never appealed to me

There was a stock Fiesta ST at local autocross on Sunday. Didn't get a chance to talk to then about it but it looked good for a stock car.

You could buy TWO mirages for that money and have some left over.

I think the Fiesta ST is really cool.

I can't get over the Focus's driving feel. The steering is totally disconnected and the controls are way too light. Plus, all you see is a big square windshield with no sense of where the corners are. It's like driving a very quiet Winnebago that doesn't smell like moth balls and crushed ideals.

I might go for a '68 Mustang fastback, but the new ones are just too much car for me. Not that I don't like the way they look, it's just not the right car for me. Same with a Corvette. Hell, I autocross a TR6 when there are much easier cars to go fast in. For me, the Focus is too heavy. It may be faster than the Fiesta, but it's hard to get over an extra 500 lbs. I may try one just to make sure. The one thing I won't accept is excessive torque steer. This was barely noticeable in the Fiesta.

One problem with the Fiesta is that they all seem to have a moonroof. It's not too big, but probably adds 30 lbs. (at least) to the roof. I suppose I could always special order a 2015 but would lose any chance of taking it to an autocross this year.

My other option is to prep a basket case TR6 project for FSP. Those damn VWs are pretty fast, though.

Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire can't stop raving about his (and he swears up and down he's not getting paid by Ford--he's still critical of other cars in their lineup). They've done a couple of prototype upgrades with Cobb Tuning and the thing turns into a torquey little bugger.

Seems like a neat little car to me.

Moon roof shows as optional..... That Fiesta looks like a nice car...

The moonroof is optional, but the dealers seem to not think so when ordering inventory. I think the only way I'll get one without that and a nav. system is to order a 2015. I could probably haggle down the cost to not pay so much for options I don't want, but the moonroof is extra weight where I don't want it. Plus, with the steeply raked windshield, it's more over the back seat than the front. The only way I'd use it is to vent hot air from the car, and it would be useful for that.

unless you are autoXing the car or taking it to the track.. moonroofs are great. As somebody who does not use Aircon either at home or in the car, being able to open a hole in the roof makes any trip all the more pleasurable.

Sad thing is.. the dealers all want cars with moonroofs.. how many do you actually ever see open?

Everyone I know that drives it and is fans of FWD cars compares it to the Integra Type R or the first gen of the BMW Mini Cooper.

mad_machine wrote: unless you are autoXing the car or taking it to the track.. moonroofs are great. As somebody who does not use Aircon either at home or in the car, being able to open a hole in the roof makes any trip all the more pleasurable. *snip*

My Wife thought the mooroof in our 1992 Maxima was great also... Till one winter after the car had gotten up in years when the drain tubes clogged and dumped cold water on her...

gamby wrote: Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire can't stop raving about his (and he swears up and down he's not getting paid by Ford--he's still critical of other cars in their lineup). They've done a couple of prototype upgrades with Cobb Tuning and the thing turns into a torquey little bugger. Seems like a neat little car to me.

I thought that he tested one, not bought one. I watched his review and I think that he bitched out of saying that the Fiesta ST is a better driver's car than an E46 M3.

I bet you'd be happy with a Fiesta ST.
25 years of driving Miata's? You might like the change of pace with a different/newer car.

Life is too short not to try something else! There are so many great automotive choices these days.

Mr_Clutch42 wrote:

gamby wrote: Matt Farah from The Smoking Tire can't stop raving about his (and he swears up and down he's not getting paid by Ford--he's still critical of other cars in their lineup). They've done a couple of prototype upgrades with Cobb Tuning and the thing turns into a torquey little bugger. Seems like a neat little car to me.

I thought that he tested one, not bought one. I watched his review and I think that he bitched out of saying that the Fiesta ST is a better driver's car than an E46 M3.

He bought one. They have weekly updates on what he's been doing to it.