Fiesta ST, worth the upgrade form my Astra 1.4T?

[TenjouTenji]

Been looking around and doing some research to get my first hot hatch. It all boiled down to the Poli GTI or Fiesta ST. I have a soft spot for Opel but I don't hear too many good things in terms of reliability towards the Corsa OPC, that and the features are lacking.

I currently drive a 2012 Astra 1.4T (103kw / 200nm) and it's been great. NO issues at all over 2 years. Has almost 130,000km on the clock and still going strong. Highway drive is flawless. If I were to say anything bad about, it would have to be the gear shifting, mainly from 1st to 2nd gear is a tad clunky. Nothing serious though.

However I have been keen to get something a little more "fun", but I also want reliability. Was looking at the GTI DSG as I would love a paddle shifter, but the price point just didn't seems appealing at all.... and after a many an hour on youtube reviews, the fiesta wins overall anyway.

The fiesta ST i'm looking at is a 2014 model with around 60k on the clock. The features I would gain over my Astra would be:

A) Increased Power and Handling 102kw > 132kw / 200nm > 240nm
B) Parking sensors
C) Bluetooth audio/music
D) A better screen/interface
E) Recaro's
F) Looks?

I'm currently paying R2k a month + R870 insurance on my Astra.
After a deposit, estimates show I will be paying R3K for the Fiesta ST at around R1200 insurance.
I can afford it, but the question is, is it worth it?
Going to test drive this weekend hopefully. Would love some feedback.

 

[Byakugan]

I have the same Astra and its just a great comfy car on the roads with good power. Shifting is defo stiff compared to my Sonics cheapo gear box.

The Fiesta ST is a great fun upgrade, gives you more power and is very nippy. Looks sexy and is great bang for buck. Possibly cheaper to look after compared to the GTi. Interior could do with some work. Not sure if its as comfy to drive as the astra.

The Polo GTi is the better car at the end of the day. The interior tech is vastly better, you can get panoramic sunroofs and it is quicker. Probably more comfy to drive as well. But price is much higher, insurance will be higher and its a higher risk car.

I want to replace the Sonic with a Fiesta ST, but alas chev pulling out the country has dropped the Sonics value big time and I am stuck with it for at least another year if I dont wanna lose out when I trade it in.

 

[Gumpertapolloss]

My 2c.

If you can afford the 6C Polo Gti I would recommend it any day. If your looking at the 6R Polo gti then rather buy the ST as the 6R has a lot of issues.

Also, if your into comfort and looking to daily the car I would recommend rather keeping the Astra as the ST's suspension is quite hard and bouncy on the road.

Overall my vote goes for the 6C polo gti. The EA888 based 1.8t motor in it has immense potential and it's still the best looking Polo Gti ever produced in my opinion.

Sent from my BLA-L29 using Tapatalk

 

[dash09]

A) Increased Power and Handling 102kw > 132kw / 200nm > 240nm
B) Parking sensors
C) Bluetooth audio/music
D) A better screen/interface
E) Recaro's
F) Looks?

I drive a 2013 model ST so I could give you my opinion on each of your points.

Increased power - Its pretty nippy, 1st and 2nd gears are a bit pap but 3rd is where the fun happens. Turbo kicks in early on so not a lot of lag. Fuel consumption is very good considering the power
Parking sensors - Only in the back, not sure if newer models have them in front. I find the sensors quite handy and reverse park often because of them
Bluetooth - Works nicely without issues. Got my phone and ipod hooked up. Ipod just sits in the cubby so its nice to have wireless music and not see any cables. The sound system is ok, nothing special nothing bad. Not good at low end
Screen - Its nothing special, tiny screen. Only helpful for reversing. You wont get a ton of info on the screen
Recaros - Very comfortable, but I'm smallish, for larger people it hugs a bit too tight and can be uncomfortable. Holds you nicely around the twistys. Does absorb bumps ok enough, the suspension is hard but the seats make it bearable
Looks - Mine is standard, thought about getting aftermarket rims but cant seem to find a wide range that would fit, 4/108, so not a lot of options for me at least. Mine is blue, needs to be cleaned often as resting dust makes it look horrible very quickly

The polo gti is a really good car, ride is better, will edge the fiesta in a race, inside looks and feels better. If both were exactly the same price and I had to choose 1 I'd still take the fiesta though, its just very fun, its very responsive and lively. If you want an excellent all rounder I'd recommend the polo, if you just want to play around on your daily drive and save some bucks then look at the fiesta

 

[El Juego]

Ford South Africa's after service might put you off. You don't want to feel like you're doing a manufacturer a favour. I drive a 2013 Focus ST.

 

[phenix456]

Have you considered the 2010 Impreza WRX hatch? From your points

A) Increased Power and Handling 102kw > 169kw
B) Parking sensors (easily fitted or install a rear view camera)
C) Bluetooth audio/music (factory)
D) A better screen/interface (lots of aftermarket options)
E) Recaro's
F) Looks?
G) AWD, Subaru reliability, best after-sales service you'll receive, boxer rumble etc...

 

[nagapie]

Have you considered the 2010 Impreza WRX hatch? From your points

A) Increased Power and Handling 102kw > 169kw
B) Parking sensors (easily fitted or install a rear view camera)
C) Bluetooth audio/music (factory)
D) A better screen/interface (lots of aftermarket options)
E) Recaro's
F) Looks?
G) AWD, Subaru reliability, best after-sales service you'll receive, boxer rumble etc...

Eats tyres more [emoji14]

Sent from my Redmi Note 4 using Tapatalk

 

[Nivek]

Go test drive the ST you will be hooked I can promise you that... the GTI is nicer in finishes but if you are looking for a fun car to drive the ST is where it is at... Honestly the funnest car I have driven and I drive a ton of different high performance vehicles for work, ST especially with some upgrades edges out all of them on the fun factor, even though it may be slower than some.

 

[TenjouTenji]

Have you considered the 2010 Impreza WRX hatch? From your points

A) Increased Power and Handling 102kw > 169kw
B) Parking sensors (easily fitted or install a rear view camera)
C) Bluetooth audio/music (factory)
D) A better screen/interface (lots of aftermarket options)
E) Recaro's
F) Looks?
G) AWD, Subaru reliability, best after-sales service you'll receive, boxer rumble etc...

I have always liked scooby. But for the price range it would have to be a bit of an older one. I much prefer "moderness"

 

[phenix456]

I have always liked scooby. But for the price range it would have to be a bit of an older one. I much prefer "moderness"

lol, you'll quickly forget "moderness" as you pass them.

 

[Spidey8085]

I'll echo what a lot of guys here are saying, the ST is hella fun to drive!! The only caveat is that it is a very firm suspension, and the Recaro's make sure you feel all the bumps on the road

If you want something fun to drive, get the ST, but if you want something that's comfortable to drive too, then look elsewhere...the ST is comfortable as long as the road is smooth

 

[punisherer]

+1 to the ST. Great car, it also strikes an excellent performance/fuel economy balance.

 

[Pansyfaust]

I'll sell my car so I can afford some petrol

 

[Nivek]

Just put new tyres on my ST today.. thing is going like a go cart!!

 

[PHalanKS]

Stretch the budget and get an E63.

 

[dash09]

Just put new tyres on my ST today.. thing is going like a go cart!!

What did you get? I've got the standard bridgestones in the back, 1 has a slow puncture which I just live with but need to replace them both soon. Have yokohamas in front, thinking of replacing the rears with michelins and rotating