[pleaseyesplease]

Hi Everyone! I'm currently an enthusiastic Mazda2 owner, but thinking hard about moving up to an ST (like Slow Paul) for the increase in performance, but also the more sophisticated interior, etc. I'd love to hear from any ST owners on how you're feeling about your STs after living daily with them for a month or two. Anyone who previously owned a 2 would be great to hear from as well. Thanks in advance!

 

[Fiat slayer]

I've had mine since late September and I love it as a daily driver, it only has 2300 miles on it right now but I'm going to have it for a long time

 

[Flaco1]

I've had my ST for almost 2 months, its also a daily driver. By far the most fun driving experience I've had in 20 years ! I need no excuses to go for a drive now and waste gas.

 

[Firesail]

Got my FiST Oct 24. Has been the most fun car to drive that I have ever owned. I have driven a lot of different cars in the last 44 years - This hands down has the BIGGEST grin factor.

 

[wash]

If you are a wide bodied person, the Recaro seats may be very snug.

For me, base seats probably would have been better because a few times the Recaros squeezed my rib cage in an uncomfortable way. I think its a combination of a some muscle tension and a seat too narrow because most of the time its fine, even on three long drives of 8, 5 and 6 hours.

If you're a man with more than about a 44" chest, try before you buy.

If you're a woman with more than about a 44" chest, can I get your number?

 

[Mayhem]

ST was kind of a downgrade for me. But after having driven it a little while, I can't say that I personally feel it's that much of a downgrade.. more of a downsize.. But I'm having a blast in it.. And so far the fun/quality/reduced operating costs have made it easy to be extremely happy with my decision.

I'm coming from a 2010 Camaro SS/RS and a 2010.5 SVT Raptor.

Quite a gap in price... And I'm very impressed with the ST.

I haven't owned a mazda2. but I've got some seat time in and appreciation for the mazda3...(Nearly bought a 2010 and then again considered the new 2014.. The FiST is a far more satisfying alternative imho...

But everyone's different. Spending some time in an ST yourself, is going to be infinitely more helpful than comparing random peoples biased opinions on here... Odd's are most of us on here are going to wax poetic about the FiST....

Get behind the wheel of one, and then see if you can resist the swap. My guess is that... if you can't make up your mind without driving one, a little seat time will answer your questions for you. Best of luck with the decision!

Funny, I keep having encounters with women in green Mazda2's when I'm out and about in my Green Fiesta ST. Seems to appeal to a lot of 2 drivers.

 

[pleaseyesplease]

Thanks for all the responses! Rest assured, I need no convincing to go for it! I'm just looking for opinions and impressions before I make the jump.

 

[EvoNiner]

If your looking for a fun to drive car right off the shelf and still want it to be usable for everyday, it's hard to beat the FiST.

Is it fun. Yes.

Can the ride be harsh. Yes.

If you value fun to drive more then how the car rides, then yes, this car is for you.


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[firSTinWpg]

My wife gets more seat time than I do since it's her daily driver, but I can say it's been the most fun car we've ever owned. If you want a car that put's a smile on your face every time you go for a drive, or need an excuse to go for a ride....then just buy one.

My wife decided she wanted one when she saw the glowing review on Top Gear back in July. Until then the plan was to buy her a Fiat 500 Abarth, the Fieasta ST has never made us regret the decision. It was every bit as good as we expected it to be, and even fairly practical as a bonus.It's an amazing car.

 

[Chicane]

I saw the Mazda 2 question and couldn't resist registering and giving a response.

I traded a Mazda 2 for an ST. It's the proper choice.

I bought the 2 in 2012 for very specific reasons. Principally, I love the basic DNA that Mazda builds into their products. Even the most dull and underpowered car they sell is actually an amazing drive. Everyone that judges the 2 without having spent any time with one is a fool. Yes, it's 100hp and not as exciting as it could be, but it is also incredibly composed and drives better than every single car in the segment.

I own two 3rd Gen Rx7's (FD) and generally love what Mazda does. That's why I chose to make my new daily the 2. For 18 months, I loved it. In fact, I would still own and enjoy all I could get from that 100hp if it weren't for the Fiesta ST.

It's fundamentally the same platform and has twice the horsepower. Frankly, it's not even a question.

The ST is everything everyone else has said that it is. If you appreciate the pure driving dynamics and capabilities of the lowly Mazda 2, then the ST will be a bit overwhelming. I can't recommend it enough.

 

[takuarc]

I have only ever owned two cars before this one and they were both economical small cars.
But with all the rave reviews and being an owner I can safely say you won't regret owning one. As for comparison with the 2, they are in different classes. The 2 should be compared to a normal fiesta while the ST should be compared to a Mazdaspeed variant if there is one.
As a daily driver I am very pleased with it especially the ability to overtake without downshifting and the agility. I travel quite a bit of highways and a lot of people don't know how to drive and so the agility and power comes in handy to negotiate traffic.
As for comfort, the ride can get a bit harsh but nothing you cannot adjust to. It's not so firm that you will be bouncing in it but expected from a performance variant.
Had it since July.

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[pleaseyesplease]

Thanks everyone for the thoughtful responses, and chicane I really appreciate the mazda2 perspective. I hope to be among the noble ST ranks in the very near future!

 

[RDgolfer]

I can't wait to move out of my 06 Kia Spectra....boring!....and into this little dynamo :woot:

 

[Devon]

Anyone with FRS/BRZ, Acura Integra, recent Corolla XR-S, or 1st-gen Tiburon experience who can comment on the relative harshness of the ride in the FiST? Those are my available comparators... I realize a test drive is the way to go, but it's not possible yet around the GTA.

 

[RodMoe]

FRS was a much softer ride compared to the rebound happy (aka bouncy ride) of the ST I wouldn't call it a harsh ride though. Most noticeable on frost heaved roads this year .. Now I did have taller winter tires on the FRS 205/50/17 vs 195/55/15 on the ST.. Do I care. Not really I'll give up the ride for the power this car has coming out of second gear ( Cobb AP used here)
And on a side note off topic but I just read the Dec 23 edition of Autoweek and the had a blurb on their long term BRZ on page 39 it mentions the car has 15k miles or so on it and the 6 speed Trans is showing wear as it is getting hung tween gears and grinds periodically going into 5th gear as well as a few other nit picky things .

 

[Devon]

^ Yes the FRS forum inputs also suggest that the famous Toyota reliability is somewhat missing from the twins...will read the Autoweek piece when it's online, thanks for the heads up on that.

But holy crap, the FRS has a "much softer ride" than the FiST?? The FRS is already at the limit of what I think I'd find tolerable given the road conditions around here. Good to know - I definitely will not be ordering a FiST sans test drive.

 

[Pijun]

Anyone with FRS/BRZ, Acura Integra, recent Corolla XR-S, or 1st-gen Tiburon experience who can comment on the relative harshness of the ride in the FiST? Those are my available comparators... I realize a test drive is the way to go, but it's not possible yet around the GTA.

White oak ford in Mississauga has a demo. I drove one before I ordered.

 

[Devon]

Thanks Pijun!

 

[Monochrome]

Been reading the forums for a few weeks now and decided to register to make a post about this. I own a Mazda 2 and will be buying a fiesta ST very soon. At the time, I was looking at the SE fiesta (not the ST, there's no comparison) as we needed some kind if economy vehicle for getting around.

We picked up the Mazda over the fiesta for many reasons:

*Much more interior space (passengers can ride comfortably in the back seat).
*Bigger trunk (my wife hauls a lot of $hit)
*Better gas mileage
*better price (nearly $3300 cheaper than the fiesta I wanted)
*better warranty and more included maintenance with the purchase

Both cars were very fun to drive! I'd say the fiesta was definitely more powerful but my wife doesn't care about that. She didn't like my "spirited"test drives either. I was amazed by the handling of the very light chassis and the torque of the tiny 1.5 motor in the Mazda. It reminded me a lot of a miata only with more room and FWD.

As for the fiesta ST, I currently own a focus ST and I'm considering trading for the fiesta simply because I like the smaller car. The focus is a boat compared to the fiesta. I absolutely love the car but for getting around in the city, its too much. Terrible turning radius, horrible blind spots, difficult to park... I never considered these challenges when I got the focus and regretting it now.

I'm expecting the fiesta ST to get worse mileage than the Mazda and I doubt ill be hauling passengers in it so the interior space doesn't bother me. It's going to be advantageous owning both cars though!

 

[LuvfiestaST]

I upgrades from a fiesta se in September to the ST.. All I can say in WOW.. So loving my new toy.. There are days I get in it to drive nowhere in particular just so I can drive it.. awesome fun car..