Hello to all members. I’m just looking for a bit of advice. At the moment I drive a 1.0 litre 1998 Polo (lol). I’m currently 18; 19 in October, and I’m planning on buying a Fiesta ST once I’m 19. This is primarily due to insurance reasons etc although I will have 2 years no claims (touch wood). I’ve been vaguely researching the vehicle but there are still a few things I want to know – what is the difference between the pre 05 models and the 05 onwards models (from what I can see, front and rear lights appear different and the dash also appears to be a bit different). What’s the average age of most members here – I’m thinking insurance would be ridiculous for a 19 year old, not to mention finance. Is there anything I should know about the 2 different models (<05 and 05 onwards) and I’m torn between performance blue and panther black! So what’s the favoured colour?

Thanks a lot.

Hi there

Welcome to the forum.

There are a few other changes to the facelift ST other than the lights:
Dials now include analogue fuel and temp guages rather than digital ones; onboard computer which has outside temp, mpg, miles left, average speed and other settings; 1 touch down electric window; gear lever surround and interior door handles are now shiney not matt; vents for side windows have been moved onto the dash; sidelights switch on when unlocked (home safe lights); new style cdplayer; steering wheel airbag reshaped; lane change indicators (1 touch 3 flashes).

New optional extras:
Bluetooth hands free phone with voice control system; portable music connection socket; electric folding mirrors; rain sensor including auto headlights activation; EATC - Electronic Auto Temperature control; second remote key.

They're all little things on their own, but still quite a bit, although the lights are the most obvious visual change.

Take care
Chris

Colours down to personal choice at the end of the day they all look good

Not sure anout the average age but i know my insurance at 21 is silly so i dread to think what it would be like for you, have you had any quotes yet for insurance?

As for the pre facelift and facelift models thats pretty much all it is better looking lights and better dials o plus you get an in-dash computer in the facelift. is there anything else ive missed guys n gals?

Have you actually driven a ? because its going to be one hell of a jump performance wise from a normal 1.0 to a pretty much tuned 2.0 engine, i had a 106 gti before this and i thought that was fast!

Hello Aubergines...

Welcome to FordFiestaST.co.uk, hope you enjoy the site and that you will be able to get all the information you need on the car before you decide to go for it.

The "facelift", as we refer to it here, took place on 06 MY cars, so 05 MY are still the "pre-facelift" cars. As you already pointed out the differences on the outside of the car are mainly the headlights and rear lights clusters. The more noticeable difference is the inside and the dash which was completely redesigned. With the dash redesign came also many refinements which were not available on the pre-facelift cars. For details I'll leave it up to owners of the facelift cars to give their input as they are certainly in a better position than me to do that... I have a pre-fecelift car.

As for the average age on the site I'm not sure it's really ever been calculated but my bet is that it's arount 25.

hello Aubergines welcome to the site! I do own a facelift version and compared to a pre facelift version is the same at what other members have put on!Do prefered the facelift dashboard look nicer than the pre face version and also have a better built quality and more colorful as well and also have much gadjet which not always working! As for color thats your choice I own a White ST with full stripe on. When I bought my car last year I was 23 years old! As for insurance cannot help you because I don't live in the UK!

hello aubergines welcome pal,i own a facelift model its standard apart from its panther black with full side and ott stripes and mp3 socket,my only gripes are the plastic gear gaitor,and the frog lights,and the flimsey catch for pulling out to lift the bonnet.the blue facia and seats are great,computer seems to work ok,all in all i have to say its the best car i have ever owned,on the other hand my experiance of ford customer service is dire.can,t help you with insurance as i am no spring chicken

iceman is your black with white OTT stripes did i read that right?

you got any pictures? would love to see that

tony yes it is black with full ott and side stripes,however at the moment i do not have a digital camera,i was supposed to get one for crimbo but it did not prevail,that said i will be buying one soon,and when i do i will need serious help from u guys for me to upload them,thanks.

Iceman I didn't know either that you did own a panther black with stripes! I though because of the picture you own a blue ST!

Insurance at 19 is totally mad... It's a Grp 13 car and they wanted a 40% premium ontop of the quote to insure me at that age :O

As for the finance, it depends on your job, your credit history and how much deposite you put down.

It would be a VERY EXPENSIVE choice having an at 19. Your better off with a Zetec S or just waiting until your 21. Depends if you have money to burn or not though.

Welcome to the site

Enjoy

Scotty

Hi Aubergines

I'm pretty new on here too! I totally agree with what Fiesta RS says.

I am 21 years old now and am looking to get an ST in a couple of months. However when I was 19, I bought a new Zetec S which I currently drive now. This was mainly because the insurance on an ST was stupid money. I must say although the Zetec S isn't as quick as the , it is still a great fun car to drive and I would recommend one. It's only an insurance group 7 so that is a big difference, even I face a jump in a few months time to group 13! For now though I think it would be best if you got your no claims up a few more years with something not quite as expensive.

End of the day it's your call though.

I agree. I had my first ST at 19 with 2 years no claims and it cost me about £1100 (converted from 1550 euros as I live in germany). I am now 20 with 3 years no claims and the cost has fallen to 1411 euros a year. I have no idea what sort of difference there would be between english and german insurance groups but hopefully that gives u some idea. When i was 18 i had a sportka which cost be 1850 euros to insure and my first car at 17 was a ka and that cost me 2300 euros (£1550) for the year. So you can see the difference as the no claims begins to build. I think that £940 for my ST now (at 20 years old) isnt to bad a figure.

Thats £4800 in total, to insure 4 cars over 4 years