SPhilli911's Fiesta ST

  • Thread starter SPhilli911
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Whoops, I didn't mean to imply that I've owned the STI since I was 15. I wish I did! When I was 15ish the 2005 STI came out and I begged my dad to take me to the dealer for a test drive, so we did and that's where that picture came from. Fell in love with the car and I had to have one. I bought the STI only 2 years ago when I was 23, my first car was an Audi A4 (sadly not an S4 like Clark thought!)
 
Well it looked like a B5 S4 from my memory.
 
Hey SPhilli!

So, yes - I've been lurking. Hopefully it helps to know your sti is well loved in its new home! As promised, here are a couple of photos of it with the Turbo (just iPhone shots so definitely not up to par with the ones you have taken!)

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And one from the back:
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I hope you keep this thread running with your new car - definitely interested to hear how the passat treats you!
 
I'm definitely enjoying the car - love it! I'm convinced I want to keep it for a long time and I'm plotting ways to make sure it makes it reliably into high mileage.

Do you remember how long ago you last changed the oil? Just want to make sure I don't miss a change.
 
Glad you are enjoying it! Keep it as long as possible, I know I was planning too. Just keep an eye on the clutch as you approach 105k miles. Personally I would replace the timing belt at the same time as the clutch, because I can't say for sure when the belt was replaced. I treated that car well, it will last forever. :sly:

I can't recall what the mileage was or the exact date of the last oil change was, but I did change the oil about a week before you came up to look at the car. If you didn't reset the trip odometer, that will tell you exactly how many miles ago I changed the oil.
 
Awesome - that's great advice. I haven't touched the trip odometer, so I'll use that to judge the oil change.

And I'll replace the timing belt and clutch at ~105k.

Thanks again!
 
Hi ya'll! It's been a long time since I've been here, the STI is gone forever (tears) and I've moved on. It's actually hard to remember what it was like to drive.

Anyways, that's not why I'm here. As many of you know I cut the STI loose to help ease the pressure of paying for school out of pocket. As a result I picked up a 1990 B3 Passat for dirt cheap that had over 200k miles on the clock. The VW has been way more reliable than you would think for a car that mileage and it's still running perfect... well there is an oil leak and need for timing belt, so the car is a ticking time bomb I do not want to fix. And it's extremely boring to commute in and I drive a lot. Time to buy a new car.

I considered Subaru again, but the WRX is a little more expensive than I like and I'm still not big on the new styling. Looks boring, and I often confuse it for a Toyota (I do love the new STI, but that's WAY to expensive). The BRZ is a wicked fun car, but again, too expensive for my taste, the options I want on the car put it up in the $30k range, and even with good snow tires, it's not ideal for the snow. I am thinking more like a $25,000 or less car. That leaves some "hot hatches", like the Mini, Fiat 500 Abarth, Focus ST, Fiesta ST, and GTI.

Car has to be:
New
Less than $25,000
Sporty/ fun to drive, but still comfortable long distance daily driver
Able to autocross
Hatchback for da groceries

My criteria does not leave a lot of options, but after some thought, I narrowed it down to 3:

2015 GTI: The hatch that set the bar, I suppose. Fits right in my price range (base model), ~200hp, with the option to APR Stage 1 ECU tune it from the dealer to make 300hp ish! My brother just got one a few weeks ago, I drove it and it's very solid, feels very well built, and it was quick. The problem is that everyone in the world has a GTI, and as much as I like it, it felt more luxurious than sporty. Don't get me wrong, it's a sporty car, but to me it feels out of place on an autocross course (my personal opinion). The build quality and comfort driving is a plus though.
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The 2015 Focus ST: Higher in the price range thanks to dealer markups it seems, though I can get nice Ford discounts thanks to a family member who works at Ford. The rival to the GTI with 50 more horsepower out of the box. Better looking too if you ask me, it screams performance, with dramatic styling and ST logos everywhere (like the damn STI). The 2015 model is just coming out now, and I've been waiting to test drive one. Everything screams "better than the GTI" to me, except it's price. Optional Recaros seats, a must have, are a $2400 option.
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2015 Fiesta ST: The cheap option. Besides the fact that this car is "adorable" according to everyone I know (look at those headlight eyelashes), this little Ford is high up on my want list. It's got about the same horsepower as the GTI (though less torquey), but weights about 400lbs less and costs significantly less too. I haven't heard bad things about this car, review after review praises this car for sheer driving pleasure. That is a big positive. And even after the optional $2000 Recaro seats I must have, it still costs less than the GTI and Focus ST. And with family and employer discounts, this is about the most fun I can have in a new car for the money.
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All are good options, but which one would I be happy with for the next few years? That's the hard part. If anyone has any experience with these cars and can sell me on one, please feel free. All opinions are welcome. Thank you all!
 
Welcome back! The focus ST are great cars and have some good modding potential. I know someone that has nearly 400wtq and over 330whp on meth. Why only new cars? You could probably get a pretty good used STI with an extended warranty for that cash.
 
The sensible option would obviously be the Fiesta.

But I'd go for the Focus. :P
 
Welcome back! The focus ST are great cars and have some good modding potential. I know someone that has nearly 400wtq and over 330whp on meth. Why only new cars? You could probably get a pretty good used STI with an extended warranty for that cash.

Looking into only new cars for a few reasons. Thinking long term reliability for one, a car I will keep for years. Sure I can spend time finding the perfect used car, but I simply don't have that time. I'd like to get into a new car asap.

I strongly considered a used 996 Porsche 911, the "pre-facelift" version no one likes, because the prices are good. I'd just keep my Passat as a secondary car. But that would be a poor long term decision. I drive 300 miles a week about, I need something I don't have to worry about.
Why no RWD? :(

RWD isn't out of the question, though I can't think of a whole lot in my price range that I like. The BRZ and FRS are great options, even the new Miata, but they are just too high in the price range to consider.

If you sign this petition and cross your fingers you may be able to put the new 206kW Honda Civic Type R on your list :P
http://blog.caranddriver.com/bring-it-honda-enthusiasts-petition-to-bring-civic-type-r-to-america/

Hey that'd be pretty cool, but I suspect it won't happen for a while, if at all. 💡

The sensible option would obviously be the Fiesta.

But I'd go for the Focus. :P

Ahhh, it's a tough choice. The Focus is nice, but it's hard to find reasons why to pay more for it when the Fiesta ST can be just as fun or more. Sensible is smart right? Then again how far will will a Fiesta go with modding? I wonder how long I can accept 200 horsepower in an adorable little car. :lol:

Thanks for the responses everyone, tomorrow I am going to test drive a Focus and a Fiesta ST. Who knows, maybe I'll hate them both a rethink this.
 
So. I placed an order for the 2015 Fiesta ST! In Performance Blue with the Recaro Seats as the only option. I got a pretty good deal on the car, but will have to wait 6-8 weeks for delivery. I'm pretty excited, it's my first new car. I'll be sure to post pictures when I get the car!

I suppose I can change the thread title, how do I do that? Just take the "I" off to "SPhilli911's ST" haha

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Congrats Sean I'm sure you'll love it.
I hope so, I've actually never driven one or worse yet even seen one before. They seem to be super rare around here. I called all the dealers in my area, no one has one on the lot! 2 of the 4 dealers I called have a single car on the way each and the other 2 order them only by request from buyers.

It's very likely the first one I see and drive will be my own.

I'm already looking into car parts, I mean what else am I supposed to do while waiting for the car? Thinking within the first few months I will at least start with the Cobb Accessport, and maybe an intake. Catback exhaust will be further on. Otherwise I don't have a whole lot of plans for the car except to just autocross it and enjoy it.
 
Does it feel like it needs an LSD?
 
So no updates on the Fiesta. It's on a train or something on its way, nearly 3 months since I ordered it. I should get it in 3 weeks. Should.

But wait there's more! I did buy a long term "project" car. A 1998 Subaru 2.5 RS! My other dream car! Why you ask? I have a spare WRX motor lying around from a 2003 WRX a friend of mine is going to help implant into the RS.

This is not the actual car, but the car I got is a 2 door, blue with the same gold wheels. Just picture it a little more beat up and rust over the rear wheels like all these cars suffer from. I'll take pictures sometime this week once I get it home.
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