After parting with my Clio 172 which was going to be my track car project, my heart still lays with the fords having had them all my life !!

My question is what to buy ??

Mk6 Fiesta ST

Mk6 Fiesta Zetec S

or a Focus st 170

Any sugestions of whats best would be appreciated

I get told Zetec S as more punchy being a 1.6 but feel is it too under powered


Marc

 

Zetec-S will be way too slow, Fiesta ST we had was very good and on track they are surprisingly quick for 150bhp.

Another suggestion for cheap fun would be the 1.7 Puma

 

None of those cars are on par with your Clio do the right thing and move up to a 182 or later Clio. When my ZR160 was running the standard 160ps engine we could pass any of those on straights on track and only the ST150 was close though the bends

 

I would buy something rear wheel drive.

 

Alfa Romeo 147 2.0 twin spark. Don't let the name fool you, these are very capable cars with plenty of after market parts available. You can pick one up for next to nothing too.

 

Small hatchback lads is all i can purchase due to Garage space !!

Spoke with someone today and they say MK6 fiesta zetec S forget and Mk6 fiesta ST okish but need toget them breathing better its a ford hatch that is what
im after have considered focus st170 as they are a lot for very low money

Head is spinning lol

At 52 you would think wtf am i doing but life is too short not to enjoy

 

Out of the ones you mentioned I'd pick the st170. But they do have their issues.

 

The most sense on this topic,, your going backwards with any of your suggestions.. for the money theres not much that can touch them

 

Maxest what do mean mate

 

Think what he saying is basically the truth..... Those cars rubbish to the car you just sold Get it back asap

 

After doing a track day on tues at Snettertons 300 in my mates clio 172 i have to confess what a car we ragged it all day long and it never missed a beat and all these years being a Ford man saying French is shit i now feel very different .

My first choice for looks would be a mk6 fiesta and not knowing what they go like as none were at Snetterton to compare to the Clio it makes it hard.

There was around 8no Clios at the track and now feel is this to be my toy in garage so many out there fore sale and nothing between performance between 172 or the 182 cars

in all Renault you have blown me away a truly awesome car for very small money

 

You should have kept what you had, sod worrying about the badge

 

good to hear you want to do something like this, never too old.

Keep us updated with what you decide on

 

im biased to a st170. iv done lots of track days and only clio that iv ever had to move over for was on throttle bodies.

but i will say a st170 is not a fast car for power but will put in exceptional lap times for what it is if set up well. a clio should be faster its just iv never found a fast driver in one.

 

i have a 17stone passenger too.

 

Steve can you post up some pics of your ST170 please mate

 

That goes very well looks fun

 

youve just sold one of the best cheap track cars out there, in my opinion youd be pissing in the wind with any of your choices, id be inclined to opt for the clio 182 or the megane rs.
im a purist ford fan but those cars are untouchable in their performance vs cost on track

 

From my very limited experience 130bhp was no where near enough and 200bhp would be a good target figure, we are not too old I hope but beware once you have started you will want to do more
Getting a fiesta or other small ford to that power is going to cost, what's the budget and do you want off the shelf or converted? if off the shelf then the st170 is the only real Ford option

anyway for something different how about a golf vr6? type in VW Mk3 Golf VR6 2.8 Dragon Green FAST/ROAD track car on eBay

 

160bhp will do fine for trackdays....

 

click on my build thread in my sig

 

I had a 1.7 puma with a 2ltr throttle body,cone filter,20 mm rear axle spacers,front under strut brace and 300mm discs and mk3 mondeo pads. It handled and stopped well but for track days it needed more power.

I sold the Puma and got a ST17O. People say they arnt quick. I thought mine went very well.

 

I had a fiesta with a 1.7 puma engine and that was great fun on track. It did need more power down the straights but was epic in the bends

 

Yeh my puma was class through the bends. I would keep up with 325 bms in the corners but as soon as we got on the straights the bm would be off.

 

172 will run rings around any Ford offerings.

I've got a ph1 172 at the minute, they're way quicker than the numbers suggest!

 

The clios have a fairly powerful engine and they weigh nowt.

 

Think that settles it really

 

Of the cars on your list, the MK6 Fiesta ST would be my choice! Forget the ZS, won't pull the skin off a rice pudding

Fairly cheap to buy, parts are 10 a penny and if its not quick enough you can always add a turbo into the mix

 

Eve Lads

I thank you all for your feedback well my mind is now made up its to be another clio and when the right 182 turns
up i will get the wallet out