[Neely2005]

For those of you that came from a regular Fiesta how do you find the ride in comparison?

The reason that I ask is that I've heard reports that it's a harsh ride. My daily commute takes me on some pretty rough paved back roads that bounce my current Fiesta SES around pretty good.

I'm considering getting an ST but I'm concerned about the ride and the reportedly tight / uncomfortable Recaro seats which are standard here in Canada.

 

[SpaceFish]

It's definitely a stiffer/harsher ride (we also have a Fiesta SE) - it definitely jiggles the chest around unpleasantly on some roads I have been on, but I wouldn't trade the handling for a smoother ride.

 

[Sil3nt611]

It is a performance oriented model and the suspension is stiffer. So if that's a turn off automatically, you shouldn't be looking at performance oriented cars. That being said, I've taken both regular Fiestas and STs on test drives and I can honestly say it's a much smoother ride than my car with aftermarket suspension. Took my mom on a test drive and asked her afterwards and she said she didn't really notice the stiffness. It depends on what you want though. If you need a luxury soft ride, not even the regular Fiesta will be soft enough. On the other hand, the even stiffer suspension on my current car doesn't both me for daily driving. I much prefer handling over ride quality. And the Fiesta ST more than makes up for it in the handling department. The reviewers that drive it and say it's stiff likely daily drive something that rides like a boat and wouldn't consider a performance model car. The thing I'd be most concerned about on a rough road is messing up the wheels. The low profile tires don't help the ride quality either.

As for the Recaros, the seats fit me just right. It's a matter of how big you are as to if you will fit in the seats. My mom is a little on the bigger side and she liked how the felt. So it's all in how you perceive it yourself I guess.

 

[captainmorbid]

It can't be any stiffer than my SES on coil overs. Which is much stiffer than stock. Though I can't afford to test drive the ST(which would force me to buy one).


Sent via poles, wires and telegraph 2.

 

[Neely2005]

Thanks everyone, any more thoughts on the Recaro seats?

 

[Sil3nt611]

Thanks everyone, any more thoughts on the Recaro seats?

If you can find a Fiesta ST at a dealer near you, go test it out and sit in the seats. The best way is to really just see for yourself. I'm 5'10" and 170lbs and like I said, the seats are perfect for me. They are supposed to be a bit tight because they are designed to hold you in, but if you are a bigger person you may not like how tight it is. We can't tell you how you'll like the ride quality any more than how you'll like the seats.

 

[Neely2005]

If you can find a Fiesta ST at a dealer near you, go test it out and sit in the seats. The best way is to really just see for yourself. I'm 5'10" and 170lbs and like I said, the seats are perfect for me. They are supposed to be a bit tight because they are designed to hold you in, but if you are a bigger person you may not like how tight it is. We can't tell you how you'll like the ride quality any more than how you'll like the seats.

Yeah unfortunately none of the dealers around me have any Fiesta ST or Focus ST on their lots. They've all been special orders. I found one on a lot near my work but they're not allowing test drives until they have a signed deal.

So that's why I'm asking for your opinions. (I'm not asking you to tell me how I'll like it)

 

[Sil3nt611]

With that one that's not allowing test drives, will they let you at least sit in the seat? Not allowing test drives until a signed deal keeps the miles down and from it turning into a demo car, but in the end it will hurt them from ever selling the car unless someone comes along that has already driven a Fiesta ST elsewhere. But I can't see why they wouldn't allow you to sit in it. At some local dealers here they got $60K Mustangs open for anyone to sit in in the showrooms... Shoot, the first Fiesta ST on the lot near me I went to see it and I was likely the first person to even test drive it. I just asked to see the car, wasn't going to specifically ask to test drive, but I was on a test drive right away.

 

[smatty]

I have the base seats in mine. I think they are great. I use mine as a daily driver so I really had no reason to get the Rec seats. Also, I was just in the dealership today and they had replaced the cobra mustang that they had in the show room with a TB base fist. All the brand new Roush stangs were sitting outside...

 

[Neely2005]

With that one that's not allowing test drives, will they let you at least sit in the seat? Not allowing test drives until a signed deal keeps the miles down and from it turning into a demo car, but in the end it will hurt them from ever selling the car unless someone comes along that has already driven a Fiesta ST elsewhere. But I can't see why they wouldn't allow you to sit in it. At some local dealers here they got $60K Mustangs open for anyone to sit in in the showrooms... Shoot, the first Fiesta ST on the lot near me I went to see it and I was likely the first person to even test drive it. I just asked to see the car, wasn't going to specifically ask to test drive, but I was on a test drive right away.

The funny thing is that, that particular car already is a Demo and it has 900 Km on it. I'm sure that they'd let me sit in it though.

 

[stuntdoogie]

I have a love hate relationship with my recaros. Love the orange color and the snug fit but hate that you cant adjust the seat rake and no lumbar. But this car shines with the seats and will have a higher resale value than those wi th out.

Sent from my SPH-D710 using Tapatalk

 

[Ronbo]

Thanks everyone, any more thoughts on the Recaro seats?

The seats are great as long as you fit. I'm 5'7" 155 pounds and I think they're fantastic. You really do have to try them first to be sure.

 

[captainmorbid]

I crammed my fat ass into the FoST recaros last summer, snug. Would I buy one with them, it's Canada, I have no choice. I'd hope for me and the seats to meld together over time. I'm 6'1 and 240ish(250 pending).


Sent via poles, wires and telegraph 2.

 

[Implicate]

I'm 5'10" and when I bought the car I was about 255 lbs, the seats felt great for me. Down to 245 now and they feel even better (or maybe I'm more used to them). I love the seats and wouldn't trade them for a regular seat at this point no matter what. Plus, the molten orange cloth looks great with the Molten Orange car.

 

[SpaceFish]

I loved the recaros in my Focus ST, but my husband didn't because he said they felt too snug (but he is a 6'4" and not a stick) so I went with the regular seats this time.

 

[70sstrat08]

My 2 cents.

The smaller you are the more you'll love the Recaro's off the bat. I'm 5'8" 165 and think the feel good if. My fiancée has a small frame and she loves them. I have yet to confirm this but some say the Recaro's NEED to be broken in. Hopefully some of the high millage guys and galls can chime in. Matt Farrah of the Smoking Tire is a bigger guy and has an ST. He also states the seats need to be broken in.

As for the ride. Every day driving isn't really a big deal. I came from an SES and I feel like the ride has the amount of stiffness the car needs, but I prefer a more sporty suspension set up. I think the ride is great for what the car can do. The only way you can really have your cake and eat it too is with a system like magnetic ride control. Other then that the only thing left is to prioritize handling vs. ride. I made my choice and decided to play the let's dodge all potholes in the midwest game .

I wish I could be more helpful but I can't think of an equivalent ride or comparison point. I don't think it's especially harsh compared with anything else in the performance category.

 

[Neely2005]

I sat in a Focus ST (with Recaro seats) this morning. I found the seats very comfortable.

I'm 6 feet tall and 205 pounds and I didn't have any issues.

 

[mkeperson]

The Focus & Fiesta Recaros are different. The Fiesta's are tighter! Lot's of other things to consider. If you fit in the Recaros, they are super. If you are in & out of the car frequently, the standard seats are easier entry & exit. If you frequently use the back seat, the standard seats give more knee room in back. If you autocross, you may want the Recaros even if you don't fit!

I went with the standard seats because I am too old and too wide! It's a great car no matter what seat you choose.

 

[Neely2005]

The Focus & Fiesta Recaros are different. The Fiesta's are tighter! Lot's of other things to consider. If you fit in the Recaros, they are super. If you are in & out of the car frequently, the standard seats are easier entry & exit. If you frequently use the back seat, the standard seats give more knee room in back. If you autocross, you may want the Recaros even if you don't fit!

I went with the standard seats because I am too old and too wide! It's a great car no matter what seat you choose.

I didn't know that, I guess I'll have to find a Fiesta ST to sit in. I don't have a choice on the Recaros as they're the only seats available in the Canadian model.