Thinking about selling the Insight (I know) and getting a Fiesta 1.0L, Thoughts?

So we were assembling our first crib last night and doing baby room prep last night and I started thinking, which is usually a bad thing. If I sell my suburban, that leaves me a gaggle of motorcycles, an Insight, and a Galaxie that has been on jack stands forever. Those aren't good options for baby hauling. I can probably disable the Insights passenger bag but then I am hauling a kid around in a car with 20 year old safety tech. The Honda is reliable but it is still getting up there in age and I am tired of having old cars for DD duty. The best part about the Fiesta is that there are dealers near me that have the 1.0L Hatch package LISTED on their site for $14.6k. New! That is a grand less than Truecar and likely capable of being had for cheaper.

Anyone have any other suggestions of a 40 MPG highway commuter that doesn't suck to drive for equal or less money? I am planning on looking for Fits to drive but used ones are that much around here. Used is definitely acceptable but need to be much cheaper (like 10K) or dramatically better for commuting. I had a 2011 Mazda2 for a while and it was great but just not sure I want another.

I hear all kind of good things about the Fiesta. Turbo, manual transmission, Great 40+ mileage.

We have a 2012 mazda3 hatch with the Skyactiv drivetrain, looks like they're mid teens at a glance. Plenty of space, fun, mileage as advertised. I even tracked it a few times when my track car was down. We've had no issues in 30k miles and I recommend these cars whole heartedly.

The only reservation I would have is that the back seat of the Fiesta is a little small for back facing baby seats.

In reply to Rusted_Busted_Spit:

Yeah, that is a worry of mine too. The 2012 Focus we had was not the best for that. However, the Fiesta is more upright seating and our primary car (2010 Saab 9-3 Sportcombi) will be the primary baby hauler. The Fiesta will be better than the Insight.

In reply to singleslammer:

True. I was really surprised at how small the back of the FiST really was, I think my 12 year old had more room in the back of a Fiat 500 than the Fiesta. But for once in a while trips your are correct and should be OK.

Heading to the dealer shortly!

take your carseat with you!

I have Internet evidence that the graco snug ride fits and that is what we are planning to buy once the little guy arrives.

Also this :

Ok now immediately tell us your impressions!

Nice. We have an '08 Honda Fit and it's been a great baby-carrying appliance. Even works with two kids. Only complaints I have: it's both a little buzzy and a little darty on the freeway at 80mph. The seats aren't the best for longer trips. I think that's it. We paid about $14k but that was 6 years ago now.

Let us know how you like the Fiesta when the little one arrives. If you don't mind, what price does a base Fiesta run?

I've spent quite a bit of time on the non-turbo models sliding around on dirt and they are a HOOT.

Time to practice your left foot braking.

Ok, First impressions:

"This thing has a 1.0L motor? Really?! Am I sure I got the 1.0L motor?" opens hood, sees TINY motor with three COPs. "I'll be damned..."

"This thing has a turbo? Where's the lag??? It drives like a 1.8L or lower HP 2.0L" opens hood, sees TINY turbo bolted to motor. "I'll be damned"

Gets in seat, "these are comfy and supportive." Drives down Interstate with Semis, trucks, and cars. Nothing strange happens. Feels really planted and the motor is only turning 2500 rpm at 70 mph.

Ok, fun over. It is great! Very quiet, at least as quiet at the wife's Saab. Not buzzy, doesn't feel low spec in most respects. Makes great torque even though the gearing is E36 M3 from a performance standpoint. I really think that a closer ratio 6 speed would REALLY wake this thing up in 2nd and 3rd. That said it is plenty spritely for an econobox. Shifting throws are a little long and the clutch engages immediately but both are feeling better as I drive. The seats lack too much adjustment (only height on the drivers side in addition to fore/aft/tilt) but are nicely contoured. Better than the Saab seats, hands down. My pregnant wife said that the Fiesta is much more comfy than her 9-3. They also have decent bolsters.

Price: $14,785 OTD. MSRP is $17,465 for this model. I got $1,500 in incentives plus what I was able to negotiate out. I am quite happy overall with my deal. Truecar is at $15,600 for this model.

Finding one of these was a chore. I lucked out and a dealer had one that had been sitting for a while (manufacture date was 9/14). There were only 3 in Missouri with the other 2 in St. Louis. None in Kansas City or Springfield. I think that these aren't selling too well due to the manual transmission only. This motor is going (already in?) the Focus with a 6 speed box. It should have plenty of grunt to haul a Focus around.

Bastomatic - The ecoboost is only available on the SE model so I did get a lot of good stuff but when you select that option is forces you into steel wheels. These will turn into snow tires once the OE tires are toast and I will get some ST wheels or something similar. Kosei has a couple nice options.

Kosie K8R 15.9lbs

Kosie K5R 15.9lbs

TRMotorsports FF10 14.7 lbs!

Nice! How does it compare to your old Mazda 2?

Spec wise, it is heavier and quite a lot more powerful. I can't say that I really notice the weight so much but the improved interior, ride quality, and power if great!

How much extra boost can it take? Boost is good for babies, right?

Is this the first turbo 1.0/manual fiesta on GRM forums? I feel like we've been waiting for this for a long time already. I'll definitely be following this.

It might be, I haven't seen any others.

The stock turbo is appropriately sized as I am not sure how much more it can take. HOWEVER, click the link. 36,001 miles will be getting a tuner. Then rods and pistons. Them turbo and retune! 200 hp madness. MAAAADDDDD!

Well, there's endless rapturous exultation on the internet about how great a 200hp Fiesta is, so i'd say you're on the right track. I bet there'll be enough stock ST take-off equipment floating around that by the time the warranty is up you'll have had the chance to purchase some of the other stuff an ST gets.

I have a 1.0, I just havent posted it here. I am thinking of going with White 16in Sparco Terras when I need tires. Mine has the comfort package which has heated cloth seats, heated mirrors, and the auto climate control. The heated seats are amazing.

I am at 7750 Miles since February 17th. My lowest mpg(indicated on the dash) was 38.1 mpg and that was the first tank when I picked it up from the dealer and they filled it with regular. I run premium(93 octane) and my average is 41mpg with 75% highway in the mountains of western NC.

edit I also average 450 miles a tank but I fill up at 50 or 75 miles to empty.

In reply to MrChaos:

Well get them now, they are on closeout at tire rack for 99 bucks. Those are a little portly for 16s IMO.

In reply to singleslammer:

not in the budget atm. I need a 4x4 for winter, so that is where the $$$$ is going right now.

I need to have my transmission looked at when I take it for its first oil change because it pops out of reverse or doesnt go into reverse on occasion, Which is a known issue with the 1.0's not many affected but they are out there.

as far as wheels K8Rs are my vote