Ford Fiesta ST Friday Reveal

Shralper

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I had a 2016 Focus ST3 great car, fund to drive, if you ever get bored I highly recommend a tune, I had a Cobb Stage 1 and it really woke the car.

I have a feeling a lot of people who would have bought Sis are gonna go with the GTI or ST since they will own it on the streets and the track.

Most die hard Hondafantics won't care though...
I waited for years for a worthy replacement to my RSX. I followed the new Coupe Si story every day for over a year with super excitement. Then they blew it with the 1.5T announcement.

I considered myself a die hard Hondafanatic, but Honda failed me. Even today still no word on the Si specs either. Maybe by some miracle they are reconsidering the 2.0T. Auto mfrs approached Pres. Trump on his very first day in office to request he kill Obama's new draconian CAFE/CO2 regs. Odds are he will kill them, making a 2.0T Si more feasible. https://twitter.com/auto_alliance/status/834241074629582848



Anyway, I'm planning on flashing my ST with the Ford Racing tune, plus snorkel air intake. Bumps the torque up to a crazy 360 lb/ft. Only $700 installed and it keeps the warranty intact.
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zx2down

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I like Ford, and agree they have a great lineup for enthusiasts. If I had to replace my TSX today, I'd probably get a Focus ST. I've tested a few, and it's a fantastic driver's car with real personality. But, based on my experience with a 2010 Fusion, I would be concerned about reliability.

I got the Fusion in November 2015 from my dad, who bought it new in fall 2009. It had about 60,000 miles, and now has about 66,000. I bought my Acura new in fall 2009, and it now has about 106,000 miles.

In the 15 months I've owned the Fusion:

1. Both rear blinkers have burned out.
2. The climate control blower needed to be replaced.
3. The parking brake twice failed to release, burning out the rear brake the first time, which required replacement of both rear brakes. Apparently this is caused by water leaking into "boots" at the ends of the cable, and then freezing. My Ford dealer knew nothing about this phenomenon, but folks on Fusion forums do. My dad says this happened on one of his previous Fords.
4. A tire pressure monitor sensor failed.
5. It suffers from odd vibrations at some highway speeds, which were not cured by wheel balancing and alignment. My dad reported this, and said his dealer could never figure it out.

In the seven years and four months I've owned my TSX, other than normal wear like one brake replacement and front struts that succumbed to Philly potholes:

1. The AC needed to be recharged once.
2. A plastic trim piece near the moonroof control was vibrating, which was easily fixed.

Yeah, that's it.

I do think Fords have improved since 2010, and many of their recent problems relate to infotainment. They still have awful body panel fitment too. Even so, I'd have much more confidence in anything from Honda.

Back on topic, I'm very curious about this three-cylinder Fiesta ST. Can't wait to try it.
Having owned 4 Fords over the course of 14yrs, I have not has a many issues totaled as you have had with that one.

1991 Taurus
2000 Escort ZX2
2001 Escort ZX2
2003 Mustang Mach1

I had 1 hose break on the Taurus. The previous owner (my grandmother) only ever had a squeaky pulley replaced on it.

Nothing on the 2001 ZX2 went wrong but traded it on a 2000 manual. I wanted to learn stick. It was new when I bought it.

2000 had a water pump start to leak, but it was 7yrs old at the point, and heavily modified, dealer covered labor on it for free and just charged parts since I alway took my cars there for inspections. and had bought my 2000 and 2001 from them. Not sure what previous owner had done maintenance wise.

2003 Mustang Mach1, again modified, and frequent trips to the track. The rear main seal got a leak when it was about 8yrs old, they replaced it and cut me a deal on labor. previous owner had all records and no service needed other than oil changes and inspection.

That is roughly 1991-2013, 4 Fords, and 20+yrs with only 4 issues.I beat the SHIT out of those cars.

My brothers 1995 Accord and mother 2003 Civic have both had more than that go wrong on them. In comparison, my 2014 Nissan Altima has been in twice for trim bits falling off, and 3 times just for the hood latch.


TLDR:: Every brand has cars that have issues more than others.
 
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Shralper

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TLDR:: Every brand has cars that have issues more than others.
When it comes to brand reliability, it really all comes down to statistical data. With certain brands, the odds are much higher you will have problems, based on long-term and extensive surveys of thousands of owners.

Of course, it's possible to beat those odds. It does happen. But that doesn't change the fact that certain brands are more likely to have problems, statistically-speaking.

Thanks for the history on your Fords. Good to hear, having just bought a new ST.
 

zx2down

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When it comes to brand reliability, it really all comes down to statistical data. With certain brands, the odds are much higher you will have problems, based on long-term and extensive surveys of thousands of owners.

Of course, it's possible to beat those odds. It does happen. But that doesn't change the fact that certain brands are more likely to have problems, statistically-speaking.

Thanks for the history on your Fords. Good to hear, having just bought a new ST.
You also have to factor in HOW those people drive, and the areas they live. If say Ford sells more cars in more poor areas than Honda it's likely that those areas have shit roads and those cars get more abuse over the same 60K miles than say the same Honda car that is more sold in areas with better roads. it also depends on son how the average owner treats their car. Regular service, drive like an asshole, ect. It's REALLY hard to account for all of this stuff.

Enjoy the ST, I'd like a FoST myself, but I'm waiting to see just what the Si delivers and if I can find a Green 6sp ex-t coupe in my area. Just LOVE the color.
 

Apeks

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You also have to factor in HOW those people drive, and the areas they live. If say Ford sells more cars in more poor areas than Honda it's likely that those areas have shit roads and those cars get more abuse over the same 60K miles than say the same Honda car that is more sold in areas with better roads. it also depends on son how the average owner treats their car. Regular service, drive like an asshole, ect. It's REALLY hard to account for all of this stuff.

Enjoy the ST, I'd like a FoST myself, but I'm waiting to see just what the Si delivers and if I can find a Green 6sp ex-t coupe in my area. Just LOVE the color.
It definitely difficult to account for all those factors. But not impossible to get a fairly accurate assessment of how each brand fairs. These surveys and stats gathering account for details like regions, demographics, climate etc. Multiple sources and outlets gather data and come to similar conclusions which helps corroborate the findings. Overall Hondas and generally much more reliable than Fords on average. There are outliers in any situation but in general a consumer can expect a car from Honda to be more mechanically sound than a Ford product.

The gap has definitely closed with more modern cars. Companies like Hyundai used to be terrible and are now neck and neck with Toyota in some cases. Also, if you take care of a modern car you should be ok overall. Regardless, that does not change the data. I really enjoyed my time testing the Focus ST, and the GTI. For the focus the driving position and the seats were a big demerit and I'm actually more worried about the reliability of the VW since repairs are usually cheaper for American cars.
 


Aero2001

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You also have to factor in HOW those people drive, and the areas they live. If say Ford sells more cars in more poor areas than Honda it's likely that those areas have shit roads and those cars get more abuse over the same 60K miles than say the same Honda car that is more sold in areas with better roads. it also depends on son how the average owner treats their car. Regular service, drive like an asshole, ect. It's REALLY hard to account for all of this stuff.
Could be, and I left that factor out of my TSX/Fusion comparison. My TSX has been pounded by Philly area roads, and is still rock solid. Until I got the Ford in November 2015, it lived in an upscale suburb in Connecticut, and received no abuse whatsoever at the hands of my 70+ year old parents. Oh, and after my post above, the left blinker bulb burned out again. Good thing I'd bought a two-pack!

Anyway, you're right that all manufacturers have issues in some cars. No doubt, some folks have more problems with Hondas than others do with their VWs, for example.

I'd trust a Focus ST, because it's been in production for awhile, and the Focus line's overall reliability has been hurt by the DCT in the regular Focus -- which of course the ST doesn't have. Car and Driver had an ST for a long-term test, and said it was still tight at the end of the test. And I'm sure they drove it hard, in and around Detroit.
 

Design

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It definitely difficult to account for all those factors. But not impossible to get a fairly accurate assessment of how each brand fairs. These surveys and stats gathering account for details like regions, demographics, climate etc. Multiple sources and outlets gather data and come to similar conclusions which helps corroborate the findings. Overall Hondas and generally much more reliable than Fords on average. There are outliers in any situation but in general a consumer can expect a car from Honda to be more mechanically sound than a Ford product.

The gap has definitely closed with more modern cars. Companies like Hyundai used to be terrible and are now neck and neck with Toyota in some cases. Also, if you take care of a modern car you should be ok overall. Regardless, that does not change the data. I really enjoyed my time testing the Focus ST, and the GTI. For the focus the driving position and the seats were a big demerit and I'm actually more worried about the reliability of the VW since repairs are usually cheaper for American cars.
I have the same reservations. But Ford has done a terrific job with the Ecoboost family of motors. There 2.0 and 2.3 were both derived from Mazda's L3VDT direct injection powertrain during their co-ownership period. So Ford has about a decade of experience in turbo direct injection. The stock Ecoboosts have been reported to run clean well past 100K (sans a few early ones). Very little carb buildup unlike Mazda's design. But ergonomics were a dealbreaker on the ST. I just couldn't get past the seating position, dash layout, or the unusually narrow bolstering.

I test drove several GTIs and had zero complaints. Just an all around great car for the daily grind. But I can't get past the German build philosophy (over-engineered components) and long term reliability.

The Si seems to strike the right balance between fun, build quality, ergonomics, and reliability. Unless Honda screws the pooch with this generation, it will probably end up being my next car.
 

jd2157

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The Si seems to strike the right balance between fun, build quality, ergonomics, and reliability. Unless Honda screws the pooch with this generation, it will probably end up being my next car.
The Si does seem to be a great balance of all those things. I'm still mourning the loss of the Si hatchback. IMO it's the best balance of the 3 body styles (and arguably the best looking)... it's very unfortunate that you need to go to the Type R to get the hatch with a good bit of power and performance goodies (not to mention LED headlights). The sedan Si will probably be fine but it's arguably the least appealing body style of the 3... and the wing they choose could easily make things worse.

Try as I have, I can't justify the cost of the Type R. I'll likely not be thrilled with the ride quality as a DD. Then there's the times I need to park outside overnight... don't like the attention that car is likely to get. The insurance bill will likely be painful as will parts when the time comes. Also painful will be the apparent overuse of red in the interior, would rather skip that bloodbath... all this for a car I'll drive less than 10k/yr. An Si hatch would solve most of those issues... at least to a point I can justify it to myself. Oh Honda...
 

Aero2001

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The Si seems to strike the right balance between fun, build quality, ergonomics, and reliability. Unless Honda screws the pooch with this generation, it will probably end up being my next car.
Same here, but by the time I replace my TSX, we'll probably have new generations of the WRX and Focus ST that I'd consider as well. Though it's probably too extreme for me, I'm not ruling out the Type-R either. All depends on the price, steering feel, and whether its adaptive/adjustable suspension has enough compliance for Philly roads.
 

Shralper

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Car and Driver had an ST for a long-term test, and said it was still tight at the end of the test. And I'm sure they drove it hard, in and around Detroit.
I read that same article. It helped me make my decision. 40k "hard miles" (as they put it). Only one wiring issue near 40k. Body and engine still rock solid.
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