Fiesta ST Vs. Lancer Evolution

16634 Views 90 Replies 26 Participants Last post by Lovemesomespeed, Dec 1, 2015

pewwwp

Discussion Starter · Dec 27, 2013

Hi,

I am considering these two cars heavily. Has anyone been an Evolution owner? I would be buying a new 2014 model. The ST looks to be a great car, but I am unsure if the HP will be an issue, as I am coming from an e36 m3. I have also never owned a FWD car before, so that is a tradeoff.

Thoughts? The Evolution will be discontinued soon, so this may be a now or never type of decision. Looking for input!

Also, has anyone seen a white fiesta with the molton recaro interior? It is buildable on ford's site, but I have yet to see one in my search.

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McRib 1s Back

· #41 · Jan 15, 2014

pewwwp said:
Very interesting.. what makes you not like the X? From what I have seen, the AWD is superior, and the steering feel is amazing. I love the 9's as well, but buying a used Evolution worries me, so an X would be the next best thing.

Also, care to touch on the BRZ a bit more? That is also what I am considering, and with how much Chris Harris goes on bout the car, it is hard to ignore, even with the anemic motor.

Report back once you test drive the FiST, I am eager to get your take on the car.

I have driven it, and my test drive was a bit boring. No turns, mostly on the freeway. It had more pep that I was anticipating, but I would have really liked to see how it handled.

McRib: What do you feel is a good price for a bae car with only the recaro option? I've got truecar telling me I can get it for $21,000 AND I have a $500 coupon from Ford to add on top. That is with $100 American Express incentive, $1,500 Fiesta customer cash, $500 Loan retail cash, and $500first time buyer cash.

Not sure if that is a deal anyone would honor, but I would certainly try.

I agree with you on the X, but all hard core Evo guys say this very thing about 8/9s.

The BRZ and FR-S are lovely cars. They look better and are a joy to drive. I cannot get over that motor. It killed the deal for me. The dealer let me drive one a few times without restrictions.

You did your homework -- that's a fair price. Some coupons don't stack, but try! If all that sticks, that's better than I did!

RodMoe

· #42 · Jan 15, 2014

McRib 1s Back said:
The BRZ and FR-S are lovely cars. They look better and are a joy to drive. I cannot get over that motor. It killed the deal for me. The dealer let me drive one a few times without restrictions.

You did your homework -- that's a fair price. Some coupons don't stack, but try! If all that sticks, that's better than I did!

If you saw this on a test drive (FRS- BRZ) think about living with that motor everyday if you would have owned one like I have.. It was the deal breaker for my to move on... the FRS routine was stand on the gas and wait ..... oh shift.. With the FiST it is more like Stand on the Gas pull yourself out of the back of the seat and then shift .. Repeat.. lots of smiles coming out of second gear with purpose...

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McRib 1s Back

· #43 · Jan 15, 2014

RodMoe said:
If you saw this on a test drive (FRS- BRZ) think about living with that motor everyday if you would have owned one like I have.. It was the deal breaker for my to move on... the FRS routine was stand on the gas and wait ..... oh shift.. With the FiST it is more like Stand on the Gas pull yourself out of the back of the seat and then shift .. Repeat.. lots of smiles coming out of second gear with purpose...

Yep!

Truth is, I'd have one, too, if the dealer would have worked with me on the price. Of course, they're happy to now -- but last year, they were marked up! No can do. I bought a 370Z for a little more, but quickly fell out of love there too...

McRib 1s Back

· #44 · Jan 15, 2014

fly2low said:
8 over 10?
Maybe 2 factors:
1) just like 993 Porsche owners prefer theirs than 996. The former is more engaging although the latter is faster and technologically more advance.

2) my 8 is fully built with engine, suspension, brake. The 10s I drove were stock. However, you cant change the steer feel and 8 is just more telepathic. Having said that the seq tranny of the MR is amazing doing its job and the MR is actually more entertaining than the GSR in the stock form.

Well said. Depending on where you are in life, you may prefer one over the other. The older "purer" cars are also generally not as nice in terms of polish/fit-and-finish. The car industry has been rewarded by creating bigger, heavier, SAFER, nicer, and more expensive variants. Consequently, they are not as "pure" in the eyes of enthusiasts. The enthusiast crowd is very outspoken, but represent only a minor portion of the overall demographic (not even close). Witness the C&D "Save The Manuals!" campaign. Cute.

Also, it's always weird to drive a newer stock version when you have a similar car that is "built". The same friend that loved my FiST said that my brakes "felt weird". He quickly realized that EVERY car he owns has super brakes. With the exception of his new GTR, all have been upgraded to whatever the biggest/best setup would fit! On the flip side, he quickly noticed how the FiST felt less like a tuner car (the MS3 comes to mind) and more like a well-engineered car where all systems were thoughtfully integrated (also a common observation of our car).

I often like cars that "fly under the radar" in terms of conspicuous consumption and performance, but I'm guilty of having a few cars that are right in the cross-hairs of where I do not want to be! This car is a return to a good place for me. I feel good driving it and so far, all of the people I know with one are good folk! I'm happy, and we're discovering there's an easy way about this forum. I've had a number of offline conversations with people about how off-putting other car forums can be. It seems we don't have anything to prove here. How refreshing.

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Reactions: 1

Smokin

· #45 · Jan 15, 2014

McRib 1s Back said:
At least for the US market, the VWs have a nagging inability to fully turn off stability control. I don't recall this being addressed by APR or other tuners, but surely it must have?! You can't track a car with stability control!

The new Audi S3 is intriguing. I've had many Audis and will always have a soft spot for them.

I'd like to drive a manual Golf R, but only if they fix the software. I'm unclear if that's just a US market thing, or if others don't care (or know) that you can't fully defeat it?

Not to belabor this but the GTI ESC was capable of being turned off. I had over 300 Ax runs including with hi speed sweepers in Blytheville, Topeka and Lincoln with and without R-Comps with never a hint of TC. And for S&G's I left it on in a couple of wet autocross runs and liked to killed myself. It turned like a tractor...
Interestingly (as I never drove one) a local with an R32 told me the Golf R was the one you couldn't turn off.

McRib 1s Back

· #46 · Jan 15, 2014

Smokin said:
Not to belabor this but the GTI ESC was capable of being turned off. I had over 300 Ax runs including with hi speed sweepers in Blytheville, Topeka and Lincoln with and without R-Comps with never a hint of TC. And for S&G's I left it on in a couple of wet autocross runs and liked to killed myself. It turned like a tractor...
Interestingly (as I never drove one) a local with an R32 told me the Golf R was the one you couldn't turn off.

Thanks for that, I do find it interesting. It's probably a liability/fear-of-litigation thing! You're right, I was thinking about the R when I mentioned that; the video with MT's Carlos Lago was still fresh in my mind. It's just super weird that their special car, intended for such driving, is the one that can't defeat TC! A few people have since commented that their sources tell them the 2015 Golf R (w/manual!) can defeat it. It seems VW has heard the people.

Reactions: 1

McRib 1s Back

· #47 · Jan 16, 2014

fly2low said:
Okay i m sidetracking a bit here ....

Those who drove ft86, did you also drive the matic?

I might be stoned and burnt to death, but I feel that with that 3300-4800 rpm torque dip, it is almost like the car was tuned for matic as the tranny will shift soon enough avoiding this dip when driven leisurely, making the mating a better sorted/tuned car from factory.

Oh man, go lurk on the FT86 board and you'll read about this dip that is a conspiray on a federal level!

Seriously, it's wonky, but not "fixed".

To answer your question, the automatic isn't bad. It's not great, either. You won't think you landed in a magic setup that works like DCT/DSG.

You just went from being an enthusiast to driving Tupperware, however.

AdrianBrewster

· #48 · Jan 16, 2014

ive never owned an evo, but ive driven quite a few. I also owned an STI for a couple of years. The driving experience is quite different. Evos tend to feel heavier yet very stable on the road. I never even came close to spinning out or losing control, however, i did not feel quite as confident driving them as I do smaller cars like a fiesta or my 91 miata I just sold (with 37k original miles i might add)

The price points are also very different. Used evos with high mileage are still going for as much as a new fiesta. Personally, Id just say drive them both and keep in mind that the thousands of dollars you save on the fiesta can equate to a ton of aftermarket work down the road.

Also, are you finding dealers really sell fiestas 500 under invoice?!?!? I paid what the dealer showed me was invoice and i thought I got a crazy deal.

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McRib 1s Back

· #49 · Jan 16, 2014

With current incentives, it can appear to be "below invoice". For a low production car, they're eager to move them!

AdrianBrewster

· #50 · Jan 16, 2014

hmm i wonder why that is! I got my car at invoice plus 1500 in rebates so I was satisfied!

Reactions: 2

Neverthoughtidbuyafocus

· #51 · Jan 17, 2014

AdrianBrewster said:
hmm i wonder why that is! I got my car at invoice plus 1500 in rebates so I was satisfied!

Wouldn't that be invoice "minus" $1500 in rebates? Great price btw.

McRib 1s Back

· #52 · Jan 17, 2014

fly2low said:
Oh God .....

I m glad I didnt buy the FRS. This is so much better. FiST just begs to be driven silly stupid, the supermoto of cars. Car felt torquey. I managed to make the front tires broke loose on 2nd at 5k rpm going up 30ish degree.

My lexus gs feels like a tank now ...

Regular seat fits better but it makes the car feels less special.

Thinking about Oxford White only with wheel/caliper package .....

Cool! It sounds like you're getting close. Also it sounds like you were at least in Sport Mode for the drive.

RodMoe

· #53 · Jan 17, 2014

If you press ESC OFF once you are in sport mode you must press ESC OFF for about 5 seconds to enter off mode watch the MFT screen as you press it . also you must get to OFF mode from ESC on, Not from the sport mode..

McRib 1s Back

· #54 · Jan 17, 2014

fly2low said:
I couldnt find the sport mode, where is it? I only switch the traction off.

I like the steering ratio. I rarely use this adjective to describre a car: darty.

Now the bean counting, $2k cash or 0% 60 months. Could pay cash but wondering what the apr is for tier 1+

Sounds like you did it. If you didn't do multi-second press, it was just Sport.

Tier 1 is 0% for 60 months! You get that or $2K, not both. You mean through Ford, right?

Edit: clarify APR/cash.

McRib 1s Back

· #55 · Jan 17, 2014

Those are good observations all around.

It has quite a heavy flywheel. Also, it's a different clutch setup compared to the regular Fiesta.

Steering? It loads up nicely, especially at higher speeds. It's the future, bubye hydraulic steering!

For me, I took the cash. It's a very individual decision.

No sunroof! White? See it during the day. It was my choice, but under close scrutiny, too flat. Refrigerator White, sorry.

McRib 1s Back

· #56 · Jan 17, 2014

fly2low said:
What color is yours? Red is also nice. If i get one likely i ll let wifey chooses the color. Marriage is a compromise.

White sees to bring out the rear valance and contrasting the red caliper option and red ST emblems and stitching

I agree, I really wanted white. It was my first choice when looking online. Maybe a nice pearl/metallic white like the BRZ, alas, this one is not nearly as good to me. It's nice to have choices!

Even though I tend to avoid black, I have two cars in my stable that color now. My Tuxedo Black has a richness that the white didn't have for me. It's still weird for me, but I really like it. I decided on an all black theme -- a shot or two is on my wheel/tire thread.

You'll be happy with any color. Why not go with ST exclusive, Molten Orange!

McRib 1s Back

· #57 · Jan 17, 2014

fly2low said:
What color is yours? Red is also nice. If i get one likely i ll let wifey chooses the color. Marriage is a compromise.

White sees to bring out the rear valance and contrasting the red caliper option and red ST emblems and stitching

Red is very nice, but I still think that's a ticket magnet!

McRib 1s Back

· #58 · Jan 17, 2014

fly2low said:
And molten orange is not?

Indeed it is, but so very exclusive, too.

WScottCross

· #59 · Jan 17, 2014

The only other vehicle I have seen in Molten Orange was a Raptor at the dealership where I bought mine. I parked next to it and my car disappeared! It must have been a 2011, but it looked brand new!

McRib 1s Back

· #60 · Jan 17, 2014

WScottCross said:
The only other vehicle I have seen in Molten Orange was a Raptor at the dealership where I bought mine. I parked next to it and my car disappeared! It must have been a 2011, but it looked brand new!

Yes, you nailed it -- that's the only other vehicle to get the special Molten Orange!

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