dojj

iTrader: (3)

the mk6 versions with the mondeo lump in the front?

Starting to like them so if I'm looking what should I be looking for?

And why are the prices all over the place on all year ranges?

gcfcos

I've driven one, handled superb and was like a go kart but was very disappointed in the power for a 2.0 engine

dojj

iTrader: (3)

It's got a mondeo engine in it, I've got a mondeo, and a fiesta, just not combined lol

The fiesta can handle much more power, the mondeo needs more

fatboy billy

I had one and loved it with a few engine mods exhaust and induction kit and some lowering springs it helps them no end

Fudgey

iTrader: (4)

i done a few laps of the ring in one a few years back, it need antoher 200bhp imo.

handled well, but not very quick.

i also tracked a group n ST at silverstone/fordfair years ago too.

that also lacked power, then the cam pulley slipped and killed the engine as i was going back to the pits while taking it easy...

Dal_

iTrader: (2)

It's got a Mazda L engine in it for your reference - all alloy and quite light for it's class.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_L_engine

O/H had one and was a great little car - very chuckable and nippy.

chris cdti

I have one as a daily drive and done a good few miles in it. Other than replacing a radiator and tyres its been trouble free. As said above for a 148bhp Fiesta its a bit dull and the engine IMO lacks a bit of character. On the upside it is willing to rev and the short gearing can quickly get to the redline. The short gearing although great for a b road blast can also be a pain in the arse and sit at 3500rpm in 5th @70mph. My particular car and driving can see 250-300 miles to a full tank of fuel 36/37ltr-£40-42 and the trip display says I average 32-37mpg (not gospel as its a ford computer) The handling as standard is ok but I changed the springs to eibach ones and that improved things. The ride with both standard springs and eibachs can be a bit harsh but not to the point your teeth are chattering.

Things to look out for are
Gearbox wine
Engine rattle/knock
Blue smoke
Rear brake discs corroded and a result of a seized caliper guide
Strut top mounts
Noisy power steering pump and or oil from pump reservoir as this may indicate abuse
Rust on tailgate edges

Options to look out for
Climate control
Travel plot nav
Bluetooth
Leather
Esp

On my car as its a 58 plate it had the later radio. I used the radio from my old Focus St 2 and swapped the fronts over. This have me DAB radio and Bluetooth/voice telephone (once a loom added.for the BT and aerial for the DAB)

I am also looking into replacing the engine for either a Duratec 2.3 or even a Duratec 2.5/MZR25 engine as they will give around 170bhp as standard and more torque. But my dad also have a Mazda MPS in the workshop along with its engine so this may be another option if I can make it work with a duratec he cylinder head.

frsjon

loved mine and would have another

dojj

iTrader: (3)

So how are they "out of the box" then? Not as exciting as they could be or is it just that they need more power? I've got a diseaseal 1.4 14 plate as a daily and that could handle twice the power easily but they are expensive to buy in the first place and ice seen ST's going for rather low money a couple of k which is why I'm tempted

I'll suffer with the one I've got until it dies but it's always nice to have a car to go out and look for when the time is right rather than figure out what to get when you are in a rush

chris cdti

I think you would be best off having a go in one tbh dojj

clairendave

We have the similar engine in Claires Mazda 3. The vvc must make a difference as i actually think it goes quite well for what it is.

chris cdti

The Fiesta uses a non VVT version.

gcfcos

That'll be why they feel so gutless then :-( they missed a trick there!

muz

I used to drive a mates a lot and my brother in law owns one and was a nice car to drive. But that was the problem with it, it was just 'nice'.

It handled well but felt crashy around town.

Car felt underpowered and, as said, close geared to make up for it. Made the car pretty poor to drive on the motorway, high revs, noisy and thirsty on a run as well as around town. My 220 mile commute I can do on £20 of diesel in my Golf, £30 of petrol in my old Clio but the ST was nearer £40, and that wasn't thrashing it either.

They are cheap enough to buy, though, and nice looking, but I don't think I'd ever own one.

Other things to look out for;
Centre caps always get stolen.
Front bumpers are easily removed and stolen.
Springs tend to break a lot. I know this seems common on a lot of cars but both the ones I've had experience with the springs have snapped.

matts1

They do seem to be pretty robust but as others have said, we found ours not so much lacking power - but more not the performance that you would have expected from a 2.0 petrol lump that was thirsty and in a little car.

Wing mirror motors going, and the wire in the seats allowing them to tip forward seize.

gcfcos

Jumping in an Astra gte 2.0 16v feels 10 times quicker than a fiesta St to me

mjh1989

I had an ST500 for 3 years, did lack a bit of power, an induction kit and an upgraded flexi pipe made the engine rev a bit more freely. Also fuel pumps like going on these and can be costly. I thought they handled really well and I'd definitely recommend one.

cossie330

iTrader: (1)

Ive got a fiesta t500 as my daily, its great just get in and drive with no worries, had it 2 years and not had any problems

massivewangers

iTrader: (1)

I drove one a few years ago and wasn't blown away by it. It felt fairly solid, but just lacked a bit of sparkle for me, whereas my Clio 172 makes me grin every time I drive it.

I would think that with a few choice tweaks they're quite fun, but it didn't jump out at me like some cars do. I'd sooner have a Clio 197 myself.

dojj

iTrader: (3)

I'm still looking, maybe getting something that's already had some goodies done to it
Thing is, I love my 1.4 zetec and all it needs is a little more power
Just not sure about budget, do I buy a cheap hammered one or pay for something that's been pampered?

chris cdti

Hammered one will likely have either a gearbox wine or a tapperty knocky engine

muz

I drove one of these for the first time a few weeks back and wasn't overly struck on that either. Seats were nice but the interior looked and felt cheap (well, it is a Renault) Handled well, if a little over assisted and the brakes were good. But, the clutch was hideous and, again, felt underpowered, especially when overtaking. The gearbox, although a 6 speed, was no better than the ST either on the motorway either and neither was the fuel consumption.

I guess I'm used to VW build quality and diesel torque and economy these days or I just expected too much of it the way everyone raves about them.

It's a shame because I really like the look of them, just didn't do it for me if I was looking for a daily.

Eigdoog

They just have no power They do handle very nice though.

maxest

iTrader: (1)

The zetec s was the better car imo

Oranoco

Friend had one with the Mountune 185 kit on it, Was just about ok.


Standard or mildly tweeked car is like a limp dick

wildheart

iTrader: (4)

Only been a passenger in two of them.

Mrs has a standard one and it's a nice enough car but i hate the high seating posistion.

And been out in the old Fast Ford magazines one with Mountune 185 kit, Bilsteins etc and it felt like the car should have come like this from the factory.