As someone who owns a fiesta ST, I’d say the interior isn’t all that bad. It drives a lot nicer than a gti, and comes with less problems. There’s a huge modding scene in for these cars, and plenty of people have pushed 200kW on the stock block
See I dunno having driven this and a lot of GTi's personally I'd rather have the golf. It's arguably faster and has an equal amount of modification potential, but is a lot more usable day to day. The fiesta was fun, but I wouldn't say "fun enough" to make me take it over an arguably more "boring" golf.
There is a light blue fiesta ST down here in CHCH that goes around and its got a pops and bang tunes, god its intimidating ! Such good cars. Keep up the hustle kiwi car life I hope this becomes the biggest car channel in NZ. Would be cool to see you get as big as allmightycarmods, i hope it happens !
I owned both Focus RS stage 1 and Fiesta ST Mountune Stage 1. I enjoyed Fiesta ST way more than the RS. The suspension was hard but the handling was entertaining and in Wellingtons narrow road - it was like rallying everywhere. Fuel economical too. I regret selling mine. Focus RS was extremely unreliable and very happy to let it go.
Very interesting to hear, I own a stage 1 mk7 and am verry happy with it. Am looking for some 'bigger' cars like i30N and bmw 120i's but am not sure of those are worth an extra 10K🤔
@@TantuhardFiesta ST keeps its value well and not sure if there will be another! Hold on to it! I like small fast cars in general as the way it turns corners is so different to bigger faster cars. There is no one car that does it all. I wish I had 7 cars for Monday to Sunday! 😊
Interesting to hear, yeah I have heard the Focus RS wasn't the most reliable... But I would say there are cars that can do it all. All you need is something like the Fiesta, but with a little more factory power, slightly nicer interior and slightly softer ride. Plenty of options out there! GTi, Megane RS, Type R, i30N, M135i, 130i, S3. I can guarantee they'd all handle just as well as this fiesta but be so much more usable and nicer to live with every day. Faster too!
@@KiwiCarLifethat’s what I used to think as well. As your life grows (kids, family, pets) - this perception starts to change somewhat. There will be a car that can do most but with compromise here and there. Comfort / space as main. I am fortunate to have worlds of EV, petrol, and a diesel currently. I would love to get an old classic, proper 4WD, and a JDM to complete a collection! (And a big shed to keep them all with a hoist…)
I owned one for a couple of years and did quite a lot of open road driving in it (500-1000km per week) I didn't have any issues with the comfort. I only sold it as had done 180,000km and I didn't want to have any reliability issues. (Got 500 more than I paid for it 😮). I now drive a Tesla model 3, but still keep an eye on Trademe for mk 7 and 8 fiestas
Funny about the gears, personally I think stage 2 is where its at with these cars. I found with a stage 1 mk7 that shifting from 2nd to 3rd it seemed to almost accelerate faster due to "boost by gear". I also owned a mk8 stage 2. you need to get in one of those for sure. currently driving a 130i 😂
@@olihaub honestly man, you’ve made the right choice there. A 130i is better than all of these “tuned warm hatches” I’ve driven. The fiesta is fun sure, but truth be told you’re buying like a 30k hatchback with a bigger engine for like 50k (new), but at heart it’s still a crumby hatch. 130i is like a 90k car you’re buying for sub 10 today so even though it’s older, it’s SO much nicer inside and better to drive because N/A, RWD, 50/50 distribution. IMO no other hatch will compete with BMW’s first and second gen 1 series
Bought a new one in 2013 and loved it. Sold it 2 years later as it couldn't fit a baby seat. Missed it ever since. Bought the Mk8 new in 2020 and it wasn't better than the Mk7 (no matter what reviewers say).
At least you don’t have to worry about theft in Australia! They’re awful for being stolen in the UK Great review though looks like you had a lot of fun
Good review, though I think the complaints about the interior are a bit nitpicky. This car by your description seems like a great driving car and nails what a hot hatch should be good at - powerful engine (for the class of car), good feeling manual transmission, stock Recaros that hold you into place, nimble steering, FWD. It's fundamentally a car you can buy inexpensively and toss around, and for this I think it does well. Certainly there could be more civilized FWD enthusiast cars (hot hatches especially?) but those are in another price bracket...
@@RanenPo yeah agree they were a bit nitpicky, but it wasn’t just that, also the ride quality. There’s quite a few other hot hatches that manage to be just as fun but much more livable day to day. My M135i as an example, or a Golf GTi, older Audi S3 etc. I’d rather have an older “nicer” car than a newer cheaper one. For a 2016 it’s got one of the worst interiors I’ve ever seen from that period
@@KiwiCarLife Fair enough, what are prices of GTIs, M135i, S3, etc like vs the Fiesta ST, in NZ? (I'm not a New Zealander or Australian so I have no idea)
@@RanenPo Not only that, but what about the maintenance as well? Surely a Fiesta is cheaper to maintain than some of those other euros? Saying that, I currently own a W203 C180 and can't say it has been too bad for maintenance.
_Another interesting review, I’ve seen these cars around but not with regular frequency. Did you mention power output 🤔 stage 3 sounds like it’s ready to tackle a race track_
@@caioronnau5226 in NZ plates are alphabetical so if it’s a K plate and NZ new you know it’s roughly a 2016/2017. It also says on the rego label. My old accord was D plate so around 2006, F plate around 2010, M plate 2019 etc.
Stage2*. It still has the stock engine, its not built. As for the boost after shift, does it have one of those obnoxious BOV's? I couldn't hear it in the footage, but thats usually what happens. They set it to blow off for theatrics, but then you have this turbolag issue on shifts. Also, did he give any performance numbers for his stage2 tune? Also dont understand why people think that lowering a car makes it more nimble and compliant. Yes on a flat racetrack maybe, but on the road its just going to bounce into an understeer because you lose surface contact due to the high springrates. I think these super stiff lowered cars should fail MOT, because they're dangerous. If you look how much he lowered the car, there is no room for suspension travel, and so every bump will upset the car. If you want a more compliant car, change the coils and springs to have better rebound capabilities without sacrificing ride height (and thus comfort) so much. And stiffen up the chassis (braces, strutbars, roll cage if you're feeling adventurous), which will only improve NVH of the car. Can also run lower profiles tyres, but he already did that.
I was just going off what the owner said. And yes, best option is to go with coilovers because the springs and dampers are matched to each other and the car. Rather than having a soft stock damper with hard shorter springs.
@@KiwiCarLife Yeah probably down to its increased weight and I believe longer gear ratios... Also, a stage 1 tune wakes these things up... I've got a Focus XR5T myself and I personally like the way it drives...
@@AllDayBlazer89 GR Corolla and a Mondeo XR5T are in completely different price points these days, made in completely different decades, and are different body styles... They aren't really comparable at all lol
I think the closest honda to this would be the fn2 if it had a tune on it, so the question is. Would you rather have this stage 3 fiesta st, or an fn2 type r that has also been tuned?
@@Pixels1920 tbh the FN2 will never compete coz it’s non turbo, and it’s like 5 years older than this. This (now it has a tune) more competes with FK2 Type R. Tbh I wouldn’t buy any of those cars, 130i or M135i is faster and better to drive than all of them for even less.
Honda civic type R's aren't exactly a good liveable car either depending on generation, especially with the quiet firm suspension that they have in the new ones. That is probably the only downside I'd say though for the type R. The rest is just as good and practical as a normal civic.
Yes although a 2016 Type R is heaps more livable than this so if we're talking the same year car any Honda Type R, Hyundai N or equivalent car is a lot more refined than this. Focus RS was the same. Just felt a bit cheap and unrefined. But they're a great drive
@@KiwiCarLife yeah I agree with you in every aspect I just thought a civic type R’s stiff suspension was worth a mention it’s the every day car type of downfall apart from that yes it’s better almost in every way in my opinion. I would always pick a type R over a Focus or Fiesta and put up with the suspension just because of how it’s better in other ways. Anyways love the content you keep creating. I’ve been around since your accord euro type S. You even inspired me to get myself one back when you had yours. ❤️
I dont know, if you take away the looks and compare a stock ford fiesta st with stock Mitsubishi colt Ralliart I reckon it would if it good run for it money
@@hypasheep yeah man it’s definitely the worst part about it. Some people say I’m nitpicking but for a 2016 car like even a Jazz or Rio from the same era feels better built
Your presenting is getting noticeably more confident and polished while driving! Feels like watching old Evo Magazine videos
@@ztikmaen thanks man!
As someone who owns a fiesta ST, I’d say the interior isn’t all that bad. It drives a lot nicer than a gti, and comes with less problems. There’s a huge modding scene in for these cars, and plenty of people have pushed 200kW on the stock block
See I dunno having driven this and a lot of GTi's personally I'd rather have the golf. It's arguably faster and has an equal amount of modification potential, but is a lot more usable day to day. The fiesta was fun, but I wouldn't say "fun enough" to make me take it over an arguably more "boring" golf.
There is a light blue fiesta ST down here in CHCH that goes around and its got a pops and bang tunes, god its intimidating ! Such good cars. Keep up the hustle kiwi car life I hope this becomes the biggest car channel in NZ. Would be cool to see you get as big as allmightycarmods, i hope it happens !
@@Aussiebuck thanks man!
I owned both Focus RS stage 1 and Fiesta ST Mountune Stage 1. I enjoyed Fiesta ST way more than the RS. The suspension was hard but the handling was entertaining and in Wellingtons narrow road - it was like rallying everywhere. Fuel economical too. I regret selling mine. Focus RS was extremely unreliable and very happy to let it go.
Very interesting to hear, I own a stage 1 mk7 and am verry happy with it. Am looking for some 'bigger' cars like i30N and bmw 120i's but am not sure of those are worth an extra 10K🤔
@@TantuhardFiesta ST keeps its value well and not sure if there will be another! Hold on to it! I like small fast cars in general as the way it turns corners is so different to bigger faster cars. There is no one car that does it all. I wish I had 7 cars for Monday to Sunday! 😊
Interesting to hear, yeah I have heard the Focus RS wasn't the most reliable... But I would say there are cars that can do it all. All you need is something like the Fiesta, but with a little more factory power, slightly nicer interior and slightly softer ride. Plenty of options out there! GTi, Megane RS, Type R, i30N, M135i, 130i, S3. I can guarantee they'd all handle just as well as this fiesta but be so much more usable and nicer to live with every day. Faster too!
@@KiwiCarLifethat’s what I used to think as well. As your life grows (kids, family, pets) - this perception starts to change somewhat. There will be a car that can do most but with compromise here and there. Comfort / space as main. I am fortunate to have worlds of EV, petrol, and a diesel currently. I would love to get an old classic, proper 4WD, and a JDM to complete a collection! (And a big shed to keep them all with a hoist…)
I owned one for a couple of years and did quite a lot of open road driving in it (500-1000km per week)
I didn't have any issues with the comfort. I only sold it as had done 180,000km and I didn't want to have any reliability issues. (Got 500 more than I paid for it 😮).
I now drive a Tesla model 3, but still keep an eye on Trademe for mk 7 and 8 fiestas
Nice review!, looks a lot of fun, but I just prefer na manual hatches even if they are slower!
@@spadgm agree man, my 130i may be older but it’s better in every single way for even less money!
Funny about the gears, personally I think stage 2 is where its at with these cars. I found with a stage 1 mk7 that shifting from 2nd to 3rd it seemed to almost accelerate faster due to "boost by gear". I also owned a mk8 stage 2. you need to get in one of those for sure. currently driving a 130i 😂
@@olihaub honestly man, you’ve made the right choice there. A 130i is better than all of these “tuned warm hatches” I’ve driven.
The fiesta is fun sure, but truth be told you’re buying like a 30k hatchback with a bigger engine for like 50k (new), but at heart it’s still a crumby hatch. 130i is like a 90k car you’re buying for sub 10 today so even though it’s older, it’s SO much nicer inside and better to drive because N/A, RWD, 50/50 distribution. IMO no other hatch will compete with BMW’s first and second gen 1 series
Bought a new one in 2013 and loved it. Sold it 2 years later as it couldn't fit a baby seat. Missed it ever since. Bought the Mk8 new in 2020 and it wasn't better than the Mk7 (no matter what reviewers say).
@@brandonheinrich6728 ahh yeah 2 door makes a baby seat hard to cram in haha
Sounds sounds amazing for a little 1.6L turbo engine
@@JamieBu I know! Not bad huh!
At least you don’t have to worry about theft in Australia! They’re awful for being stolen in the UK
Great review though looks like you had a lot of fun
@@louishamilton225 oh really? I’m amazed at how often even cars with keyless entry and immobilisers get stolen
@@KiwiCarLife 2nd most stolen car in the UK I think
It’s awful
@@louishamilton225 good lord yeah here in nz the only cars that get stolen are old Subarus (pilliarless windows) and Mazda demios
Good review, though I think the complaints about the interior are a bit nitpicky. This car by your description seems like a great driving car and nails what a hot hatch should be good at - powerful engine (for the class of car), good feeling manual transmission, stock Recaros that hold you into place, nimble steering, FWD. It's fundamentally a car you can buy inexpensively and toss around, and for this I think it does well. Certainly there could be more civilized FWD enthusiast cars (hot hatches especially?) but those are in another price bracket...
@@RanenPo yeah agree they were a bit nitpicky, but it wasn’t just that, also the ride quality. There’s quite a few other hot hatches that manage to be just as fun but much more livable day to day. My M135i as an example, or a Golf GTi, older Audi S3 etc. I’d rather have an older “nicer” car than a newer cheaper one. For a 2016 it’s got one of the worst interiors I’ve ever seen from that period
@@KiwiCarLife Fair enough, what are prices of GTIs, M135i, S3, etc like vs the Fiesta ST, in NZ? (I'm not a New Zealander or Australian so I have no idea)
@@RanenPo Not only that, but what about the maintenance as well? Surely a Fiesta is cheaper to maintain than some of those other euros?
Saying that, I currently own a W203 C180 and can't say it has been too bad for maintenance.
_Another interesting review, I’ve seen these cars around but not with regular frequency. Did you mention power output 🤔 stage 3 sounds like it’s ready to tackle a race track_
Yeah sorry I forgot to mention, with the stage 3 tune Mountune's website says 285hp to 211kW
@@KiwiCarLife spicy 🔥
That's the road up back of silverstream on way to Whitemans Valley?
Yeah blue mountains road?
Yep that's the one!
Fun wee rocket
@@17t135i sure is!
how can you tell the year of the car based on the plate? is there an online guide to follow?
@@caioronnau5226 in NZ plates are alphabetical so if it’s a K plate and NZ new you know it’s roughly a 2016/2017. It also says on the rego label. My old accord was D plate so around 2006, F plate around 2010, M plate 2019 etc.
Great drivers cars even when stock
Yeah good fun to drive for sure
I have a vry clean white 2012 Mazda 3 GLX, You can review
@@InspiredTech oh nice funnily enough I just bought a Mazda 3 to fix up recently, video coming soon
@@KiwiCarLife awesome, cant wait to see it :)
Stage2*. It still has the stock engine, its not built. As for the boost after shift, does it have one of those obnoxious BOV's? I couldn't hear it in the footage, but thats usually what happens. They set it to blow off for theatrics, but then you have this turbolag issue on shifts. Also, did he give any performance numbers for his stage2 tune?
Also dont understand why people think that lowering a car makes it more nimble and compliant. Yes on a flat racetrack maybe, but on the road its just going to bounce into an understeer because you lose surface contact due to the high springrates. I think these super stiff lowered cars should fail MOT, because they're dangerous. If you look how much he lowered the car, there is no room for suspension travel, and so every bump will upset the car. If you want a more compliant car, change the coils and springs to have better rebound capabilities without sacrificing ride height (and thus comfort) so much. And stiffen up the chassis (braces, strutbars, roll cage if you're feeling adventurous), which will only improve NVH of the car. Can also run lower profiles tyres, but he already did that.
I was just going off what the owner said. And yes, best option is to go with coilovers because the springs and dampers are matched to each other and the car. Rather than having a soft stock damper with hard shorter springs.
What about the 3 Banger mk8?
@@tellyawhatmate I’ll have to try one. The newer ford interiors seem better so I might like it more
Nice car, except for the interior lol... You should review a Focus XR5 Turbo
@@MartinJones123 I’ve reviewed a mondeo xr5 turbo, was pretty average haha
@KiwiCarLife They suck balls, bro. Gr Corolla would be dope, bruv!
@@KiwiCarLife Yeah probably down to its increased weight and I believe longer gear ratios... Also, a stage 1 tune wakes these things up... I've got a Focus XR5T myself and I personally like the way it drives...
@@AllDayBlazer89 GR Corolla and a Mondeo XR5T are in completely different price points these days, made in completely different decades, and are different body styles... They aren't really comparable at all lol
@MartinJones123 my 88 Familia needs to eat hahaha
I think the closest honda to this would be the fn2 if it had a tune on it, so the question is. Would you rather have this stage 3 fiesta st, or an fn2 type r that has also been tuned?
@@Pixels1920 tbh the FN2 will never compete coz it’s non turbo, and it’s like 5 years older than this. This (now it has a tune) more competes with FK2 Type R. Tbh I wouldn’t buy any of those cars, 130i or M135i is faster and better to drive than all of them for even less.
@@KiwiCarLife it is a european car though, have you had any bad experiences in that aspect with your 135i/130i?
I feel like if you want this size/power it might be better off geting the i20n if you can afford it and slap a tune on it
@@atom608 yesss I quite like them. definitely preferred the i30N to this ford
Honda civic type R's aren't exactly a good liveable car either depending on generation, especially with the quiet firm suspension that they have in the new ones. That is probably the only downside I'd say though for the type R. The rest is just as good and practical as a normal civic.
Yes although a 2016 Type R is heaps more livable than this so if we're talking the same year car any Honda Type R, Hyundai N or equivalent car is a lot more refined than this. Focus RS was the same. Just felt a bit cheap and unrefined. But they're a great drive
@@KiwiCarLife yeah I agree with you in every aspect I just thought a civic type R’s stiff suspension was worth a mention it’s the every day car type of downfall apart from that yes it’s better almost in every way in my opinion. I would always pick a type R over a Focus or Fiesta and put up with the suspension just because of how it’s better in other ways. Anyways love the content you keep creating. I’ve been around since your accord euro type S. You even inspired me to get myself one back when you had yours. ❤️
How does one of these stock compare to a Mitsubishi Colt Ralliart ?
better in everyway
@@shahzebkazmi6097 yeah I’d have to say a lot better. Colt is pretty ugly imo and the interior manages to be even worse HAHAHA
I dont know, if you take away the looks and compare a stock ford fiesta st with stock Mitsubishi colt Ralliart I reckon it would if it good run for it money
And the way it look is quite subjective I reckon
This car is "better than an RS" in terms of bang for buck.
@@stevolution5000 that’s true… Focus RS is really expensive rn
Mk3 RS was shite mk2 way way better car looks sound a proper RS
Interesting...
Seems to be a competitor to a megane rs. Just… worse
HAHA yep that's pretty much it haha. That yellow Megane I drove, even that honestly had a better interior and that's saying something!
The interior of this car is the cheapest ive ever seen, and this is an American car??? Even 90s car interiors were better than this!!
@@hypasheep yeah man it’s definitely the worst part about it. Some people say I’m nitpicking but for a 2016 car like even a Jazz or Rio from the same era feels better built
Seems on par with a same year Yaris, and in a Yaris you're not meant to even notice or see the interior, or that you have a car at all.
You should try a m140i
I will at some point, I mean it can't be that much different from my M135i
@@KiwiCarLife true