#66422 - 22/01/07 12:22 AM
A noob reports in...
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Hello all, I've just registered and I'm after some honest advice. I currently drive a Toyota Yaris T-Sport - it's a decent enough car and pleasantly brisk but later this year I'll be looking for something a bit quicker.
It has to be:
Small (under 4m long)
Under 14 grand.
Quick!
Neat styling (love the Fiesta ST's crisp, chubby looks)
But I'm no longer in the first flush of youth (53 Oh God...) and I'm wondering if the ST might be a bit boy-racer-ish for my tastes - you know, a bit noisy, a bit lairy, a bit chavvy (sorry, but fast Fords do have that kind of image).
So I'm also looking at the VW POLO GTI, which looks classy but is a wee bit slower and it's also pushing the budget.
Also on the list is the SEAT IBIZA FR (not Cupra), which uses the VW engine and has almost the same performance but the dash is cheesy, cheap and old-fashioned.
OK, I know you are all ST fans and you are going to rave (quite rightly) about it, bur remember we're not all 21-year-olds and us middle-agers sometimes want to drive quickly without having our eyes shaken out.
No offence meant, over to you .....
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#66423 - 22/01/07 12:28 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 11/01/07
Posts: 140
Loc: Scotland
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I hear ya, but I wouldn't write off the ST as a "chav" or "boy-racer" car. It has a bit more class than that! For instance, I saw a Fiat Punto today with four exhaust pipes on the back which were fit for a Lambo or some other super-car. THAT'S a chav car! The ST is a sporty little number, sure, but it can be driven sensibly too, as I have found out. And to be honest, if you already drive a Yaris Sport, I don't really see the problem? It's a similar kind of car: small, sporty and quick. But the ST is cooler  .
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#66424 - 22/01/07 12:28 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: richie_c]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 11/01/07
Posts: 140
Loc: Scotland
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#66425 - 22/01/07 12:35 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: richie_c]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Thanks Richie. Sorry, I didn't mean to insult you or your car  - it's just that back in the days of the XR"'s and 3's, they all seemed to be driven by knob-heads and loonies who drove 2 feet from my tailgate! The ST sure is a nice car, but I can't seem to shake the image..... Anyhow, is it noisy or boomy on the motorway? Tyre noise? Anything dropped off?
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#66426 - 22/01/07 12:44 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: richie_c]
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Porsche 997 Turbo & ST150
Registered: 27/02/04
Posts: 18100
Loc: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
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I'll be completely honest here. Good Things: - Great looking
- Built Solid
- Great Features such as heated windscreen etc
- The seats are great
- Brakes are brilliant
- Power in 4-5 is great, most cars including my focus just do nothing.
- You'll be hard pushed to find something that handles better. The clio sport is very quick but is very light and just is too wild on normal roads.
- The exhaust sound is really nice, quiet when you drive normally and when you boot it then you get the sound.
- Reliable!
Bad Things: - The driving position is high, feels asthough your in something bigger and not a sports hatch
- If your on a rough road your false teeth may start falling out (nothing major)
- 1st and 2nd gear are very short, would have liked a longer range.
There you go, an honest view. I would personally recommend you go and test drive one at a dealer and then you can decide for yourself. You might fall in love with it like so many others before you!!! Welcome to the site and I hope you stick with us  Regards, Scotty 
_________________________
 
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#66429 - 22/01/07 09:09 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 27/09/06
Posts: 3019
Loc: Bradford.
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andy firstly welcome to the site mate,also i am no spring chicken  in my early 40s don.t let it put you off an st,it was not that long ago i saw an elderly gent driving a e reg xr2,i thought good on you,you are only as old as you feel pal so there you go.my gripe is i really think the st could do with a six speed box,but that said i would have another one as and when i sell mine take care.
_________________________
on my 2nd st.
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#66430 - 22/01/07 09:47 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Iceman]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Thanks for the warm welcome! I wouldn't be going for the stripes - a nice shiny black one would be my choice. Our Yaris TS is black and it looks luvverly when it's clean and polished up. Obviously I wouldn't dream of buying a car like this without a test drive. I'll be arranging test drives on all three of the cars mentioned in the coming months. I quite like the Ibiza FR but that dash is awful  , the Polo GTI is classy but it's at the top end of the budget. So the chubby little ST is definitely on the list. I once swore to myself I'd never have another Ford, after suffering with an unreliable Escort MkIII and surly service - I hope this has improved? After the bomb-proof reliability and 'nothing-is-too-much-trouble' service from Toyota, I wouldn't want to find myself facing a 'what-the-bl**dy-hell-do-you-want-now' service manager of old! In the meantime, I value you guys' opinions and advice. If it's OK I'll lurk on the froum and see which way the wind blows. EDIT: I've just spent some time reading through the forums and it seems Ford dealers haven't improved much over the years. The 'Alarm' thread about the GEM module is depressing, and the stories about delivery delays and dealers' excuses and fob-offs make me think twice. We've had Toyotas for several years and never had a problem with delivery (always 2 weeks promised, always less then that), the one recall we had on our Corolla TS was quick and efficient and we got a free tank of petrol and a bottle of champagne out of it! It seems Ford never learns.... 
Edited by Andy2 (22/01/07 11:45 AM)
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#66432 - 22/01/07 07:43 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Scotty]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Crikey, I've just read TonyM's 'enough's enough' thread and I'm rapidly going off the idea. What IS it with Ford...? The ST's a loverly little motor, but it's no good if Ford can't make them properly and the dealers come up with that kind of cr*p!
I've got my pen ready to cross the ST off my list. Shame.
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#66433 - 22/01/07 09:17 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 21/10/06
Posts: 1899
Loc: Kirkby-In-Ashfield, Notts
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#66435 - 22/01/07 09:22 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: babyboom]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 21/10/06
Posts: 1899
Loc: Kirkby-In-Ashfield, Notts
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#66436 - 22/01/07 10:20 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Tony]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 27/09/06
Posts: 3019
Loc: Bradford.
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#66437 - 23/01/07 01:37 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Porsche 997 Turbo & ST150
Registered: 27/02/04
Posts: 18100
Loc: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
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#66438 - 23/01/07 08:03 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Scotty]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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OK - I realise that on forums like this we tend to hear mainly from the people who have problems, but hearing tales of electrics gone to pot by a *franchised dealer* fitting a new alarm and rust coming through the paint and being told *by a franchised dealer* that 'it just needs buffing out' doesn't fill me with confidence. It's like going back 20 years!
I haven't yet crossed the ST off the list, but I'm not used to this kind of thing with cars (except the Ford I had in the 80's - and the rude dealer) and I don't fancy the prospect of going back every month to have some 'little problem' sorted out.
Today I'll be looking at the VW and SEAT forums to see what the gripes are like for those cars. That might put things in perspective.
Sorry to sound like a moaner, but after 4 Toyotas and only one 'return to dealer' (for a safety recall), this kind of thing seems incredible.
Thanks.
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#66439 - 23/01/07 10:21 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Scotty]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 27/09/06
Posts: 3019
Loc: Bradford.
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Quote:
Quote:
Crikey, I've just read TonyM's 'enough's enough' thread and I'm rapidly going off the idea. What IS it with Ford...? The ST's a loverly little motor, but it's no good if Ford can't make them properly and the dealers come up with that kind of cr*p!
I've got my pen ready to cross the ST off my list. Shame.
If you can look beyond the few people that get various problems (you get this with all cars) then you will see that lots of people have kept theirs from since they were released, and the people who had to sell them didn't want to!
I would suggest you test drive and then ask around on the main board for peoples views on the  before crossing it off the list!!! It's a great car and i'm not just being biased because i'm the board admin, thats my personal opinion.
I'm sure Tony will get his problem sorted I think hes just having a bad day tbh lol. He will cheer up i'll send him out for a drive
yes i get the drift of this but i have owned 4 new fiesta,
1,f reg xr2
2,g reg xr2
3,h reg xr2
i never had any problems with these cars from new
oh and sorry a k reg xr2i in 1993 brilliant car,also no trouble so why 15 16 years down the line are we getting more trouble with new fords than we did all them years ago,sorry i am just venting off how i feel.
_________________________
on my 2nd st.
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#66440 - 23/01/07 10:55 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Iceman]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 18/11/06
Posts: 121
Loc: Stockport
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To be honest, people that live near me with an ST are usually 40+ (although that isn't many). I think it's a very classy, smart looking car. I'll happily turn upto an interview in it (as I am on Thursday). My only opinion is that with the stripes it looks too over the top, but each to their own! Have to agree though, the Polo GTI is a very good looking car, and I actually looked at getting one but not so keen on the newer shape! Good look with the purchase
_________________________
Krazy Kath!!
1/4 mile - 16.4 @ 82mph......this will be beaten!!
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#66441 - 23/01/07 12:28 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 11/10/04
Posts: 1123
Loc: Berkshire
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Quote:
OK - I realise that on forums like this we tend to hear mainly from the people who have problems, but hearing tales of electrics gone to pot by a *franchised dealer* fitting a new alarm and rust coming through the paint and being told *by a franchised dealer* that 'it just needs buffing out' doesn't fill me with confidence. It's like going back 20 years!
I haven't yet crossed the ST off the list, but I'm not used to this kind of thing with cars (except the Ford I had in the 80's - and the rude dealer) and I don't fancy the prospect of going back every month to have some 'little problem' sorted out.
Today I'll be looking at the VW and SEAT forums to see what the gripes are like for those cars. That might put things in perspective.
Sorry to sound like a moaner, but after 4 Toyotas and only one 'return to dealer' (for a safety recall), this kind of thing seems incredible.
Thanks.
Just don't talk to me about unreliable Seats and Cr@p dealerships.
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#66442 - 23/01/07 12:49 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: stuart84]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Hi Stuart - Oh Gawd, not Seat as well?
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#66444 - 23/01/07 04:06 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: stuart84]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 18/11/06
Posts: 121
Loc: Stockport
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To be honest all car dealerships are sh1te and that's not going to change. But what can you do, other than buy a car privately, which I personally wouldn't want to do!
_________________________
Krazy Kath!!
1/4 mile - 16.4 @ 82mph......this will be beaten!!
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#66445 - 23/01/07 04:12 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Krazy_Kath]
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Registered: 06/06/06
Posts: 11557
Loc: somewhere in the world
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Quote:
To be honest all car dealerships are sh1te and that's not going to change. But what can you do, other than buy a car privately, which I personally wouldn't want to do!
agree with you there! all dealers are just Sh1te! 
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#66446 - 23/01/07 04:22 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Krazy_Kath]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Strewth, I must have led a sheltered life with Toyota(and Rover, come to think of it)! Our first Toyota was secondhand. No probs except for a cracked windscreen letting water in a few months after we bought it. Replaced quickly U/G (overnight) and politely. Kept for three years with no further probs. Second Toyota was new. No probs whatsoever. Then we thought we'd try a Rover 218iS (the new shape little hatch), a lovely car with pots of go and no probs. Dealer always pleasant and helpful. Rover then started going tits-up and we got rid and got ourselves a Toyota Corolla T-Sport. Apart from one safety recall, no probs. I wanted to keep this car, but 'er indoors had a hankering for a Yaris. Got our black Yaris T-Sport two years ago, no probs (apart from it needing more puff ). So either Rover and Toyota are more reliable (and have better dealers) than average, or Ford and Seat are cr*p. Or I've been extremely lucky... And the more I see of it, the more I want an ST!
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#66449 - 23/01/07 04:40 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Krazy_Kath]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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But it'll rust! The alarm will go funny and the know-nowt 'electrician' (ex British Gas) will trash the electrics! The dealer will be rude and I'll go to prison for murder! Aaargh!
*looks at VW polo GTI brochure again...*
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#66450 - 23/01/07 04:43 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Registered: 06/06/06
Posts: 11557
Loc: somewhere in the world
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Quote:
But it'll rust! The alarm will go funny and the know-nowt 'electrician' (ex British Gas) will trash the electrics! The dealer will be rude and I'll go to prison for murder! Aaargh!
*looks at VW polo GTI brochure again...*
they not all like that! mine except having a starting problem one every month or two is alright as for dealer you may find a good one!
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#66451 - 23/01/07 04:46 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 18/11/06
Posts: 121
Loc: Stockport
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Quote:
But it'll rust! The alarm will go funny and the know-nowt 'electrician' (ex British Gas) will trash the electrics! The dealer will be rude and I'll go to prison for murder! Aaargh!
*looks at VW polo GTI brochure again...*
Yeah you might be lucky to find a good dealer, but keep a hold of that VW brochure just in case! To be honest, I think all dealers are the same......
_________________________
Krazy Kath!!
1/4 mile - 16.4 @ 82mph......this will be beaten!!
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#66452 - 23/01/07 05:35 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Porsche 997 Turbo & ST150
Registered: 27/02/04
Posts: 18100
Loc: Nuneaton, Warwickshire
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#66455 - 23/01/07 06:39 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Tony]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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TonyM - is yours the one that had rust popping through the paint? What are they doing about it? I know the ST is a great car and I quite fancy one, but it isn't great if there are problems. I wouldn't call the POLO GTI 'a waste of money'! According to the write-ups there's very little to choose between the two, apart from the ST being a bit tighter handling - and a couple of thousand quid or so  Anyhow I won't keep playing the same record, I'll go and see if I can find a VW forum to see what the gripes are.
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#66458 - 23/01/07 09:44 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: neila]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 27/09/06
Posts: 3019
Loc: Bradford.
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#66459 - 23/01/07 09:47 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: neila]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Neila, when you test drove the Polo GTI what was it that put you off? I've read that the performance of the two are very close, so for me it's going to boil down to reliability and standard of service (dealers), although I prefer the looks of the ST.
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#66461 - 23/01/07 11:48 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: stuart84]
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Registered: 28/07/05
Posts: 179
Loc: Northampton
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Hi ya Andy..
I have been one of the people with a dodgy ST, back 18 months ago. Ended up parting with it after 5 weeks of ownership.
But like yourself I set a budget for my next car (have since bought) and went round and round in circles, and yes came to the same conclusion as I did when I bought my last ST. So I now own another ST.
I have the ST grin back!!
They are simpily great, what else can you get for under £11K new?
The St doesn't have the chav image, it's almost the same to look at as the zetec s, only subtle differences that you notice over time, larger wheels, exhaust pipe visible and usually a driver with a grin!
I bought both my ST's from Motors Coalville. I would recommend them to anyone, service is great and all staff are helpful and their cars are exceptionally well priced!
Hope you get the right car!!
_________________________
Ginger & proud
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#66463 - 24/01/07 09:41 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: gingernm]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Can't say fairer than that, Ginger! I'll soon be booking test drives in the ST and the Polo GTI to see which suits me best. I'm a stickler for 'quality' and I'd sooner pay a bit more and even sacrifice a bit of handling ability if I think I'm getting a better-built product. It comes from being middle-aged, I think!
Hopefully, most of the bugs will have been dealt with by the time we get ours and I'll be able to base my decision on the car itself rather than my impressions of its faults. Thanks.
Edited by Andy2 (24/01/07 01:26 PM)
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#66464 - 24/01/07 06:25 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Andy2]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 09/10/06
Posts: 110
Loc: Peterhead, Northern Scotland
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Ive had mine for 3 mths now... Traded in from a brand new 2.0TDCi Focus - now theres a bad car! Started to break down the day I got it! Bloody dumb Peugeot engine. I swore Id never buy another Ford, but kept looking at the ST..nothing touches it for price..eventually test drove one and ordered mine half an hour later! I agree with the comments so far on this thread - I have the alarm problem, just waiting for a new Gems module to arrive. The dealers get the job done, but not first time in my experience. Mines a 2006(56)- the alarm problem only affected certain build dates, so if you are buying new in a few months time, the problem wont be an issue. With regards to the car, yes its high revving, yes its a firm ride and yes, the mpg isnt great. However, its a hoot to drive, sticks to the road like glue and is solidly built! Im 38, married with 2 kids (19 and 14) and all of us love the car! It was bought as a second car but is used as the primary mode of transport! My wife LOVES it! I average around 32mpg in normal driving, not too bad, but I do miss the Focuses 50mpg! In summary, I really like the ST!! I only get back home at weekends due to work commitments, but when my wife picks me up at the airport, I cant wait to jump in the drivers seat and drive through the country lanes back to our house! For £11000 you cannot buy a better car if you enjoy driving. I wouldnt own one if I covered 20000miles each year, but as we do around 8000miles each year, it is the perfect companion. Good luck with your descision, but bear in mind that in most surveys, VW come BELOW Ford for reliability, and their customer service is not much better. Andy
Edited by andytran (24/01/07 06:26 PM)
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#66468 - 26/01/07 06:54 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Tony]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 09/10/06
Posts: 110
Loc: Peterhead, Northern Scotland
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#66469 - 26/01/07 07:48 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: andytran]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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Cor, a lucky escape...or out of the frying pan into the fire? Time will tell...
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#66471 - 27/01/07 09:06 AM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: babyboom]
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Fiesta Nutter
Registered: 21/10/06
Posts: 1899
Loc: Kirkby-In-Ashfield, Notts
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#66475 - 30/01/07 11:02 PM
Re: A noob reports in...
[Re: Kev]
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Fiesta Fan
Registered: 22/01/07
Posts: 228
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