[WRC Fan]

I've driven both, but you'll have to wait for my Fiesta ST Test Drive article coming shortly to know my thoughts.

But, what are YOUR thoughts?

You don't need to have driven either, or both, to let us know your thoughts!

 

[BRGT350]

I was dead set on the Focus ST until I drove the Fiesta ST in Brazil for the X Games. Instantly I fell in love with the Fiesta ST. It felt more nimble, smaller, easier to drive, and more raw than the Focus ST. I felt like the Fiesta ST was designed for me and I felt very comfortable behind the wheel. The Fiesta ST made more turbo related sounds and had more precise steering feel. The Focus ST is a ton of fun to drive, but I never totally felt like home behind the wheel. I have driven a number of them and liked them all, but loved the Fiesta ST instead. The wider look and lower roof of the Focus ST makes for a very mean looking car compared to the kind of narrow and tall Fiesta, but the Fiesta ST feels meaner from the driver's seat. On a road course and autocross course, the Fiesta ST has no trouble hanging and sometimes going faster than the Focus ST. Perhaps on a very long road course the Focus ST would really dominate, but on the techinical courses I run on, the Fiesta ST is the only way to go.

 

[wash]

If there was a worlds ugliest tail light award the Focus would be a favorite to win.

The whole look and proportions seem wrong from the drivers seat back.

The engine is great but the fuel economy is much worse.

Behind the wheel, it does everything right but the Fiesta does everything better except accelerate (I can fix that).

I did cross shop the Focus ST against the Fiesta ST but the Focus would have needed to cost less to cover the fuel and my dealer wouldn't bargain that much.

Some times you have to go with your feelings even when the numbers seem to point a different direction. I feel very strongly that I'm making a good choice.

 

[Ataru]

Once you see the styling cues on the Focus tail lights, the shape makes sense. I hated them at first, but once I saw the flowing lines, I like it.

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[Ataru]

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[wash]

It looks like Pinocchio.

 

[Ataru]

Eh... We'll agree to disagree.

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[kvetcha]

...yeah, I still hate it. Which is a shame because I find much of the rest of the exterior attractive. Except the gaping catfish maw.

 

[Ataru]

So you hate the rear AND the front. That "gaping catfish maw" is the new styling design for all Ford cars now if you didn't notice.

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[kvetcha]

I have noticed. Does that make it attractive?

I find the lines and stance of the car rather nice. I find the grille treatment obnoxious (every bit as much as the Mazda Smile). And my dislike of the Pinocchio nose is my only complaint about the rear styling.

I think the Fiesta is a more tasteful design overall. The smaller grille located higher on the fascia gives it less of a bottom-feeding quality. The proportions are right on. The rear is pert.

Don't get me started on the interiors.

 

[kvetcha]

(I think the stock Focus hatch is a very handsome car, minus the taillight affectations. But I prefer the 2011 Fiesta's fascia to the 2014's. The Aston cues look good on the Fusion, but methinks they should have stayed there.)

 

[Ataru]

My comment about all Fords having that design was simply stating that it won't be going away any time soon.

I too like the proportions of the Fiesta's styling better than the Focus, but I don't hate the Focus. Nothing is worse to me than the smiling front end on the last generation Mazdas. They ruined an entire line if cars with that design. Thank God they've started to change it.

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[kvetcha]

Agreed, friend. My experience with the current-gen Mazda 3, front to back, hatch or sedan, is always: "Hey, nice. Clean. Modern. Like it. WAUGH"

And I'm kind of a Mazda fanboy.

 

[Ataru]

While I'm not a fanboy, I've always liked Mazda products going back to the 323 GTX, Protégé 5, FD, Miata, and of course the mk1 Mazdaspeed 3. I still want an mk1 or mk2 Miata to this day.

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[kvetcha]

I'm currently driving a stripper 2003 Protege DX and it just won't die. My wife's got a 2013 CX-5 and my folks have owned a couple of generations of Miata ('94 and '05). Great cars. I have a real soft spot for the brand. They've always treated us well.

If Mazda had announced a 3rd gen Mazdaspeed3 to coincide with this upcoming model...well.

 

[RodMoe]

I have to say the rear of the Focus ST wash the part I just couldn't warm up to it wasn't just the lights I could get used to them in time it was like the shape just seemed odd to me or maybe it just seemed wider then I thought it should. the Style is fine I like the FiST size grill better than the FoST but you don't see that behind the wheel.. To each there own that's what makes the world go round. Hope its as fun or funnerer to drive than the FoST has been from talking to drivers. Cant wait to see what the Astonish Mustang looks like too but that's a whole different forum lol
FiST on Brothers !!! :wtf:

 

[Ataru]

lol FiST on.

I know the FiST will be more fun to drive than the FoST. Less weight is always better.

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[xorpheous]

When I test drove the FoST, I was underwhelmed. It was more powerful and had more torque than my SVTF, but it didn't feel near as nimble and I felt the visibility was very poor. Looking forward to the FiST being the best of both.

 

[Ataru]

That's exactly what I mean by weight. It's hard for a 3300 pound car to feel nimble.

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[kvetcha]

That's exactly what I mean by weight. It's hard for a 3300 pound car to feel nimble.

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That is precisely why I decided against the FoST. My Protege weighs about 2650 pounds, and I couldn't abide the idea of a similar-sized car weighing 600 pounds more (!!!). That narrowed it down to the FR-S and the FiST, and the FiST won out on practicality.