Ford Fiesta Thread: MK8 ST with 200 BHP 3cyl EcoBoost

[niky]

I respectfully disagree...I'm not huge on the 2/Demio's design myself. It's SUPERHAPPY. I don't need SuperHappy.

Strangely enough... it just makes me like it even more.

Owning a car? Great. Owning an internet meme? Priceless.

 

[ND4SPD]

Haha. Nice. Here's another.

 

[CDailey]

I crack up every time I see a new Mazda on the road. The world's happiest car!

 

[a6m5]

You guys are funny. <-lol'd

But I still like the pre-happy Mazda's better. Mazda 2 still looks good though. I do like it just slightly more than the Fiesta so far. I wouldn't know for sure until I got to see both cars in person.

 

[Omnis]

Haha. Nice. Here's another.

Al principio era así, entonces me LOL'd. For some reason, the new Mazda3 speaks Conando-style spanish in my mind. Mazda Tres? Si! MAZDA TRES!

 

[Moglet]

We were cozy but it wasn't that bad. I've had 4 people in the car before too and while tight you could manage as long as no one was fat.

Is it really that small inside? I was told the 500 was bigger on the inside but not by much, and yet the other week I took my whole family (4 of us) to a friend's house and on the way back we were carrying a big sack of potatoes, a tray of chickens (dead ones ), 4 coats and a stack of magazines in the boot/trunk. All of my family are the same height as me or thereabouts (5'10") and my dad is a fairly large guy, too. They were fine for the 2 hour trip, with no complaints from anyone at all. I was pleasantly surprised!

 

[Joey D]

Is it really that small inside? I was told the 500 was bigger on the inside but not by much, and yet the other week I took my whole family (4 of us) to a friend's house and on the way back we were carrying a big sack of potatoes, a tray of chickens (dead ones ), 4 coats and a stack of magazines in the boot/trunk. All of my family are the same height as me or thereabouts (5'10") and my dad is a fairly large guy, too. They were fine for the 2 hour trip, with no complaints from anyone at all. I was pleasantly surprised!

We're American, we're used to cars the size of Texas. It's probably not as small as I think it is but I was used to the Blazer where I could take four people and their crap pretty handily. The MINI's interior isn't the best designed in the world which probably doesn't help.

I'm really curious to compare it to the Fiesta though, everything I've read the Fiesta is basically a MINI with more space and not a ludicrous price tag. I have to imagine they'll show up at dealer here in the next couple months and I can go test drive one.

 

[Moglet]

We're American, we're used to cars the size of Texas. It's probably not as small as I think it is but I was used to the Blazer where I could take four people and their crap pretty handily. The MINI's interior isn't the best designed in the world which probably doesn't help.

I'm really curious to compare it to the Fiesta though, everything I've read the Fiesta is basically a MINI with more space and not a ludicrous price tag. I have to imagine they'll show up at dealer here in the next couple months and I can go test drive one.

The Fiesta is visibly bigger from the outside, so it should be quite a bit more spacious. They're fairly big for the type of car really!

 

[homeforsummer]

That small cars keep growing is one of the reasons they keep inventing even smaller classes below them. The Fiesta, MINI and others that we're discussing are all in the "C" segment. I think Mog's 500 is technically in the "B" segment as the Panda it's based off certainly is, and below that you have the Toyota iQ, the Smart, the classic Mini, the old Seicento and Cinquecento and so on. Though the last three blur the boundaries a bit. The Smart and Toyota are definitely "A" segment.

 

[ExigeEvan]

That small cars keep growing is one of the reasons they keep inventing even smaller classes below them. The Fiesta, MINI and others that we're discussing are all in the "C" segment. I think Mog's 500 is technically in the "B" segment as the Panda it's based off certainly is, and below that you have the Toyota iQ, the Smart, the classic Mini, the old Seicento and Cinquecento and so on. Though the last three blur the boundaries a bit. The Smart and Toyota are definitely "A" segment.

The clio being the biggest culprit in my opinion. I saw a current-gen 5 door parked next to a current-gen Focus and the size difference was marginal.

 

[Famine]

I saw what appeared to be a current-gen Clio estate a couple of days ago. Not only did I not know these existed, but it was huge and terrifyingly ugly.

 

[CaptainHarlock]

I saw one parked on the street in Oslo last year. It's really a nice car close up. I see this aimed at younger buyers. I might even consider one myself.

 

[Jondot]

The clio being the biggest culprit in my opinion. I saw a current-gen 5 door parked next to a current-gen Focus and the size difference was marginal.

Still not as big as the new Ibiza, which I'm fairly certain you could crash and simply not realise. Doesn't help that SEAT have designed it to look like the accident has already occurred, either.

I saw what appeared to be a current-gen Clio estate a couple of days ago. Not only did I not know these existed, but it was huge and terrifyingly ugly.

Mmmhmhmhm, they are indeed rather a treat. What's particularly cheeky is that they're calling it a 'Sport Tourer' - two of the last words I'd associate with a Clio, shortly followed by 'Exciting' and 'Bagpuss'.

But just for funzies:

 

[Jim Prower]

That may actually outdo the AMC Pacer...I didn't know you could do ugly and bland at once.

I'll say this much, though...the only way the Clio can be a "Sport-Anything" is if "Renault" is smooshed onto the front of "Sport."

 

[Famine]

My eyes! Ze goggles do nussink!

 

[YSSMAN]

If you've been keeping a watchful eye out on the streets, Fiestas should be arriving at your local dealer now-ish. Our local Ford dealer has a loaded SE on the lot (over $19K!), which I found to be rather nice, but I'm waiting for a stripper SES and the Mazda2 to show up, hopefully to drive both.

However, this is pleasing news:

Ken Block Special Edition Fiesta in the Works?

The duo of Fiesta and Ken Block is less than a year old, but already there are some rumblings that Block edition Fiesta could be in the works. How about a DC Shoes edition Fiesta? In a recent radio interview with KROQ, Block was asked if there was a KB Fiesta on the way, and he responded with "we're discussing those types of things but there's nothing set in stone at this point." Block went on to add that for now, he wants to concentrate on racing and developing new competition cars.

I'd vote "YES" to that. A DC Shoes version would be pretty sweet (probably wouldn't be more than a sticker/interior pack with some fancy wheels), but an actual "Block Edition" with a stiffer suspension, bigger wheels with better rubber, and an exhaust would be awesome. I can only hope.

 

[eSZee]

This whole time I was awaiting the release of the mazda2 thinking that it was basically a fiesta with better sheetmetal. Now with the specs and feature lists released, I can cross the car off the list. What a let down.

I'd vote "YES" to that. A DC Shoes version would be pretty sweet (probably wouldn't be more than a sticker/interior pack with some fancy wheels), but an actual "Block Edition" with a stiffer suspension, bigger wheels with better rubber, and an exhaust would be awesome. I can only hope.

Or you could just change those things yourself. Just sayin'.

 

[niky]

Slightly stiffer, same size wheels, better rubber and a turbo. That's all it needs.

 

[Tornado]

That may actually outdo the AMC Pacer...I didn't know you could do ugly and bland at once.

Subaru's been doing that for, what, 3 years now? When did they redesign the B9 Tribeca?

 

[homeforsummer]

This whole time I was awaiting the release of the mazda2 thinking that it was basically a fiesta with better sheetmetal. Now with the specs and feature lists released, I can cross the car off the list. What a let down.

The Fiesta is just a Mazda2 with 100kg of extra weight and an interior designed like a 1990s Alba stereo.

I haven't been keeping track of the Mazda's US specs but over here I'd be hard pressed to choose the Ford over it. The 1.5 in the Mazda in particular is a great engine, out performs and out-economies the equivalent Fiesta. For less money, too.

The best Fiestas over here are the quick(ish) one and the economical one. Zetec-S and Econetic. The rest are a bit "meh".

 

[YSSMAN]

FoMoCoNA wouldn't let the Mazda2 get anywhere close to the Fiesta in terms of content and so on, so they've done a good job slashing and cutting here and there to make the cars be able to exist in the same segment... But not totally compete with one another. The loss of 20 BHP is offset by the lower weight in the Mazda, but you get a significantly smaller option list, a much more spartan interior, and a choice of only the 5-door model.

I'd have to drive a Mazda2 Touring against a Fiesta SES to make a legitimate call, but considering that there is still over $1000 MSRP between the two right there... It's something to think about. I just wish I could get SYNC in the Mazda.

 

[homeforsummer]

I'm still yet to drive the Fiesta. Believe it or not I'm actually coming around to the car - when it was released I flat-out didn't like it. I do have a bit of a soft-spot for Fiestas having owned one, but the Mazda seems the more appealing car to me. The interior is a bit more basic but the design is more pleasing to me, and the high-mounted gear change is a nicer idea than the Fiesta's more standard one.

I'd like to drive the two models I mentioned before - the Zetec S and the Econetic. You've got one car with a reasonable amount of power to make use of the good chassis, and another that's one of a rare breed of "eco" cars that's fun as well as being economical... again because of a good chassis.

The only Mazda2 I've driven was a brief go in a 1.5 Sport model. It's a nice revvy engine, sounds good, performs well enough and still gets good economy. The 2 really reminds me of a front-drive NC Mazda MX5, all the controls feel so similar and the interior has echoes of the MX5 and RX8 too.

 

[JCE]

FYI, I sat in a Fiesta SES w/sync last weekend and I love it! It rocks! If an ST/SVT comes out with the EcoBoost I4 turbo I'd seriously buy one. I am amazed at the space! It has as much space as much as I can tell as my Focus--which is larger. I want to test drive a manual one.

Pros:

• Great quality feel on the interior
• Comfortable seats
• Good driving position
• No really bad blind spots
• Looks great inside and out
• Affordable
• Good options list
• My fiancée likes it (minus the green) and her mom is seriously considering buying one

Cons:

• Do not like the skinny skinny tires, yuck
• No true sport model yet with power and a manual transmission in the US
• Highly doubtful even with EcoBoost that it will be faster than my SVT Focus (ST170) <-- big one for me

I'd hate to think that my SVT Focus is the pinnacle of the hot hatch in the US in terms of overall performance in that 7+ years later nothing is better. And no, there isn't. I've never driven a better hot hatch in my life.

 

[niky]

The Fiesta is just a Mazda2 with 100kg of extra weight and an interior designed like a 1990s Alba stereo.

I haven't been keeping track of the Mazda's US specs but over here I'd be hard pressed to choose the Ford over it. The 1.5 in the Mazda in particular is a great engine, out performs and out-economies the equivalent Fiesta. For less money, too.

The best Fiestas over here are the quick(ish) one and the economical one. Zetec-S and Econetic. The rest are a bit "meh".

More sound insulation, probably a few more welds here and there... and that huge lump of iron of a six speed box...

Actually... people are of the opposite opinion in the US... because official EPA numbers put the Fiesta as being more economical... though in real life, I find that hard to believe. Usually EPA highway numbers merely show which car has the longer cruising gear, not which is more economical in real world conditions.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Case in point, the 2011 Mustang V6 get's better highway MPG than a 2011 Escape 4 cylinder. The Escape is lighter!

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

The Mustang has less drag.

 

[niky]

Case in point, the 2011 Mustang V6 get's better highway MPG than a 2011 Escape 4 cylinder. The Escape is lighter!

The Mustang has less drag.

Less frontal area, slippery shape, most likely longer gearing and... are we talking the AWD Escape?

It's easy to get a big car with a big engine to pull low EPA highway numbers with astronomically long gearing (especially if it's an AT... the EPA test allows ATs to shift themselves, but imposes arbitrary shift points and acceleration profiles on manuals). BUT: a car with a smaller engine will still run more economically (manual to manual, same drivetrain) in the city or on the highway at... gasp... lower speeds.

Case in point: the FD Civic gets 38 mpg highway and the first generation Fit only got 34. In truth, you can get 40+ mpg out of a Civic. It really is that economical. But you can also get over 50 mpg from a first generation Fit.

 

[GT_Prologue5]

To YSSMAN's post, yes it is true Ford won't let MAzda anywhere near the Fiesta. The Fiesta has Ford's 6 Speed Dual Clutch, while Mazda is limited to an archaic 4-Speed Auto. Mazda, then again, doesn't really have the resources to match the Ford Fiesta SES. Still, the Fiesta isn't the best on the market, that job goes to the Honda Fit, who beats it on practicality, one of the main reasons we buy small cars.

 

[niky]

Actually... if practicality were all that counted, the Fit would still be selling like hotcakes.

Unfortunately it isn't. So there goes that idea.

People want style, they want power and they want more metal for their money. As soon as gas prices went down, people got back out of their Fits and into Civics and Accords again.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Less frontal area, slippery shape, most likely longer gearing and... are we talking the AWD Escape?

Nope, the FWD Escape.