Didn't have a Mustang, but I had a 2010 2SS/RS v8 Camaro with the Manual. I traded that in on an SVT Raptor... then the Raptor in on the ST.
Not quite the same jump... But anyway, I couldn't be happier with the ST.
My most all around satisfying auto purchase to date.
Obviously, there is a different driving dynamic altogether between my Camaro and my ST. Half the power, and FWD... But I gotta say, twice the smiles by far. It's been said a million times, but one of the best things about the FiST is just how much fun it is to daily.
Precision maneuverability, parking everywhere, saving coin on gas, big savings on insurance, and actually being able to use the rear portion of the car to fit things into? Yes please. I love this car, and as an added bonus.. the lady is happier with it too.
Another benefit of the maneuverability... I would argue that it has already saved my life due to being able to safely/quickly avoid accidents altogether. A prime example, being this past weekend when I had a split second to react to a drunk driver nearly destroying me on the highway. Could not have pulled it off in either of my other vehicles.
I do not miss having the Camaro, and I definitely don't regret owning a FiST. If I could turn back the clock, I would have held off on purchasing a vehicle a couple extra years, and still picked up my FiST and saved a bunch of money.
(I do miss the Raptor, but I do not miss the cost of ownership.) Gas here is higher than anywhere else in North America on a regular basis. Combine that with the worst traffic in North America.... And driving a big truck loses it's appeal fast.
As far as "attention" ..... The ST rarely ever gets any compliments compared to both my previous vehicles. I would imagine to most people it is just a little hatchback. Very under the radar. If you buy cars for attention.. Don't get a hatchback. Common sense. The odd auto enthusiast who knows what it is will talk to me about it, and every now and then a gal will call it "cute" or something that is supposed to be flattering but as a car guy.... kind of isn't...
Funny how little attention it gets, yet it receives so much glory in the reviews and magazines.
I still have not seen ONE in the streets locally. So another plus could be the exclusivity. It's a rather uncommon vehicle. I mean I see Raptors every other day. And Camaro's/Mustangs every 2 feet. I have seen 0 Fiesta ST's aside from mine, in 10 months?
Camaro easily drew the most attention. Both good & bad. Record of being pulled over 4 times on the way to ONE movie, in under an hour (resulting in 0 tickets, and plenty of harassment.) Lots of bogus parking tickets. And an infinite supply of douches wanting to race. On the flip side, it was a pretty weird experience. Maybe it as because I had one of the first ones locally? They didn't really hit the streets locally much until 6-8 months after mine... But it was like instant rock star status.. People acted like it was worth a LOT more than it was. Tons of people stopped me regularly to talk about it, or take photo's..... And it really had a way of attracting women at an absurd level.
Anyway, I am saving tons of insurance, and tons on gas. I Absolutely love driving the FiST, and I do not miss the Camaro, and have zero regrets.
I was pretty worried when I went ahead and traded in the Raptor and fully paid for a FiST without even seeing one in person. I loved my truck.
But now I love my FiST. And I'm happy about my decision. I would buy the FiST again in a heartbeat if I had to turn back time and decide again.
