Fiesta SFE 999cc 3cyl turbo, or maybe ST

M

Matt Gruber

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Feb 8, 2007
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First i tested a Mustang GT, wanted a V6, but only the GT had a stick.
not for me. steers like a truck (in a parking lot).
Likes:
great shifter
comfy seat
ruby red tint
even the v6 has 300hp, reports say 102 in 1/4
Dislikes:
mystery clutch has no feel, high pedal, impossible for me to drive off smooth.
hard truck like steering, comfort mode did nothing.
flat spot in light acceleration.
In the lot, it was an ANTI-sports car. no fun at all.
This all was a big surprise as it often gets rave reviews
.
So after much research, i like what everyone says about the Fiesta! A car that gets 40 mpg and is fun to drive appeals to me. Only 3 cyl and climbs hills in top gear, so they say. in stock locally $15k.
 
Considered Mazda 3
Likes: only $ 19k, 40mpg, Unlike mustang, it is on list FUN TO DRIVE
Dislikes: wheelhop on shift to 2nd, attempt to blip throttle for downshift, does nothing, high numb clutch like mustang
 
Great reviews on Fiesta ST and Focus ST
I like the Fiesta 3cyl turbo, gets 45 mpg, some reports 50+.
$15k new
Only drawback, not yet available in 2 door version(is in UK)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OISFrU4I_7s ST
 
People like them because they look cool. They're designed to look cool, not drive well.
I mean, hell.. for such a long time, Ford was putting in the same motors they'd put in trucks into those things.

Also, they're not electric, so they suck by default ;0
 
You only have to look at one thing and know that they are crap: the rear axle.

Cars moved to independent suspension for handling benefits decades ago, but they are still stuck in the past with the 'covered wagon'-esque handling.

I guess when most of the people buying the Mustang don't give a damn about anything other than straightline performance, they put their money where it 'matters'.

Only thing I find nice about the car is that the motor can do 30mpg and peaks at 300 hp
 
slacker said:
cal,2015 ford mustang has independent rear suspension :D
Click to expand...

HOLY mackeral!! I have a new respect for the car. :D
 
Hillhater said:
That's quite a range of cars you are testing/considering...Mustang-----Fiesta !
What are you basically looking for, low cost ?, handling ?, appearance ?, performance ?, economy ?, reliability ?, etc ???
Click to expand...
1. FUN TO DRIVE
2. some other feature that grabs my attention.
the Fiesta has its' low price and great mpg offset by less than magnetic looks.
the 2015 Mustang is not on any fun to drive list, and it is off mine.
.
So i'm open to anything that is FUN TO DRIVE and available locally.
Here is a video of a 400hp V8 Camaro racing a Focus ST.Note how the focus leaps ahead of the v8 0-60. That looks fun. The V8 blasts by at 100+ mph. Since i don't drive fast, i like the 0-60 performance of the ST, and the more nimble handling.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2EdYpE0KRY
 
It makes sense: the Focus is about 250kg lighter, but aerodynamics starts to dominate at higher speeds, and absolute horsepower becomes more important than power-to-weight.

That said, the 0-60 time for the Camaro is around 1 second faster than the Focus. Perhaps it's all down to the drivers.
 
Punx0r said:
It makes sense: the Focus is about 250kg lighter, but aerodynamics starts to dominate at higher speeds, and absolute horsepower becomes more important than power-to-weight.

That said, the 0-60 time for the Camaro is around 1 second faster than the Focus. Perhaps it's all down to the drivers.
Click to expand...
I eagerly await the NEW 2016 camaro. it will be built on the Caddy ATS chassis, the ats/cts is a top pick by CR. Could have a turbo 4.
Hillhater
need a turbo as having to downshift to go over a hill is not my type of fun. I like the mx5, but it is tiny.I don't think it has a turbo. Saw one with a 302 V8, that looked fun!
A new mazdaspeed is due soon, could be fun!
.
Thanks for the replies!
 
i'm intrigued by tiny engines, as i already have thirsty V8's with more power than needed for the street
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sxUx6qi0I_k
 
Matt Gruber said:
need a turbo as having to downshift to go over a hill is not my type of fun. I like the mx5, but it is tiny.I don't think it has a turbo. !
Click to expand...
I would bet the MX5 would get over the hill better than that 999cc Turbo !
That ford has to be the complete opposite to any EV powered car....all revs and gear shifts.
I find it funny that 30 years ago my father had a 1 ltr Fiesta that got better fuel economy than this latest version !
 
Why buy a non-EV?

You convinced yourself of some justification to spray toxins to poison yourself and others? You like gas stations and breaking the US economy? You like paying for people's kids to bleed out in the sand for Halliburton's shareholder profits?

Or wait let me guess, sometimes you would need to wait 30min at a CHAdeMO.

You vote with your dollar for what you want more of it in the world.
 
Yeah, do you hate babies, ice cream, and rainbows, too? :mrgreen:
 
But on a serious note, if you can afford a mustang, you can probably afford an EV after all the tax rebates, etc.

There will be some bitchin' 200 mile range EVs at decent prices coming in during 2016-2017.
Go drive an EV car if you haven't already. It might make you think about holding off on a purchase or what not.

Gasoline is so passe.. and the guy who got on your case above knows that, he's built some insane gas powered things and had his fun.. if he can be converted, maybe you can be too :lol:
 
Six months ago we purchased a new car.

Test drove:-
1. Volkswagon Polo turbo
2. Ford Fiesta turbo
3. Holden Barina turbo
4. Suzuki Swift Sport

Should have test drove:
Honda Jazz

Bought: Suzuki Swift Sport.

Why:-
1. Volkswagon has had recalls re DSG gearboxs. Whilst this wasn't an issue as we were buying a manual, the timing on the recall was way too slow. Further, the sales person was full of it and the new polo had issues with the switches on the steering wheel on a brand new car!!! "You can pay another $1,500 for a super duper kit" - no thanks. It's a pity, because it was very nice to drive and had the option of a towbar (for carrying bikes) and a full spare wheel.

2. Ford was terribly underpowered and totally gutless. No doubt this is how the high economy is achieved. Also has the most hideous, bulbous dash sticking out in the middle. It was so terrible to drive, we got out of the test drive and just left. Did not test drive a ST Fiesta as the dealer did not have one. Focus ST locked pretty neat, but was more than we needed and more $$. ST models have had some pretty good reviews. If mpg is your only consideration, the ford is hard to beat. based model otherwise - utter crap and I wouldn't consider it.

3. Holden Barina was great to drive, very peppy. Has been resold else where under Daihatsu originally? was put off by this and concerned about reliability. Wasn't cheap enough to justify the perceived risk

4. Test drove both base and sport models. Base was a gutless dog, sport acceptable. Ended up buying it to get Suzuki Japanese build quality and an overall light car. Since then would criticise the roughness of the gearbox, lack of automatic drivers window up, 'cheap' feel of interior and lack of any spare wheel (fitting is there and mini hidden truck can be used for a spare with the bolt to hold it in as per usual). However, have done 7,000+ kms in it now with no issues whatsoever. Consider it good value.

We really questioned the idea of a small engine with enough turbo to justify it's existence. We assumed they work reasonably hard and debatable as to how long a turbo will last. On the other hand, the swift had worse economy, but adequate power and less to go wrong.

Would test drive a Honda Jazz if I was making the decision again for the sake of completeness. Others have had good success with them and apparently the model with the full factory bodykit also looks ok with some decent aftermarket wheels.
 
Then I would be test driving a polo, fiesta ST and Honda Jazz..... to easy.

Sucks you guys dont get Suzuki vehicles... skipping the US market seems like a massive market to miss out on to me... although I wonder if micro/cheapo cars are not to traditional american tastes/ might have limited appeal...
 
I'm with LFP. Gassers suck. Build you own electric car instead. Gear it for a top end of 80-90mph and slaughter that Fiesta's 0-60 time.
 
polo, jazz, not sold here, not on any fun to drive list!
i use ELECTRIC bike for transportation! my cars are just for fun!
still plan to test fiesta, made the "best drivers car" list at motor trend. judged more fun than Jag that costs $132k! and 3 others.
see test before commenting: skip to 45 minutes for summary. "fiesta likes to party"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg1fY1fVYNk
hillhater, fiesta said to get 54 mpg 65mph cruise. maybe old ones did better, but didn't have AC or 7 air bags or compete with cars costing 3-10 times as much!
 
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