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01-19-2019, 11:09 AM | #1 |
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Most fun daily driver - Civic Si, Focus ST, Fiesta ST?
I cross-posted this in the Camaro forums, but looking for more opinions here.
I'm thinking about selling my 2003 Mini Cooper daily driver and getting a newer daily driver. I want it to be economical, decent in snow, have fairly new tech, and be fun year round. My budget is $12,000 to $14,000. I like my Mini because it's so easy to drive and park, and has the super-quick steering and decent handling. Plus, it's small size makes it seem like it's going faster than it is. It's fun. I don't want another Mini however, because of the thousands I have had to put into mine in the past few years. I'm thinking about a 2013-14 Honda Civic Si, a 2015-16 Fiesta ST, or a 2014-15 Focus ST. I test drove a 2018 Fiesta ST last year and liked it a lot. Never drove a Civic Si or Focus ST. The Honda appeals to me mostly because of the reputation for reliability. I'm wondering if it might be somewhat boring though? The Fiesta ST and Focus ST appeal to me because they seem fun, punchy, and reasonable to maintain. Looking for opinions on these cars.
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01-19-2019, 11:17 AM | #2 |
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I've driven my friends Focus ST a few times and it was decently fun. It didn't struggle to drive normally in traffic and had enough power to pass people on the highway without planning ahead. Cornering is pretty good for a FWD hatch. His is a manual. I think he gets mid 20s in MPG average, but he also drives a bit fast everywhere.
I can't compare it to a Civic or Fiesta since I never driven them, but I assume the Fiesta would be lame and I just don't like Civics.
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01-19-2019, 12:35 PM | #4 |
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Focus ST, hatch design is super nice/practical. Fiesta is cramped IME, wouldn't want to daily drive it.
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01-19-2019, 01:03 PM | #5 |
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The Fiesta ST is great choice!
I've put almost 40k on mine and haven't had a single problem with the exception of the blend door actuator. Much more fun to drive than Cooper S. Get the Recaros unless you are heavy. Ride is a little stiff, but it's a minor trade off in my opinion It's the most fun to drive car i have and I have some decent ones. |
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01-19-2019, 01:07 PM | #6 |
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Low mileage S2000 can be had for around 14k
Look for an 02-03 with the glass rear window and the AP1 is a lot more fun to drive than the AP2 28mpg is no joke when you rip to 9000 rpm every gear |
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01-19-2019, 01:09 PM | #7 |
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01-19-2019, 01:28 PM | #8 |
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01-19-2019, 04:50 PM | #9 | |
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I would however recommend my current Mk7 GTI. Pre 18's took a huge hit when VW doubled their warranty on 18's. Ask me how I know. |
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01-22-2019, 07:40 AM | #10 |
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Test drive a i3. Absolute blast to drive. Super easy to park. Instant torque makes it super quick off the line. Perfect 50/50 balance. Rear engine and rear wheel drive should be ok in snow with proper tires.
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01-22-2019, 09:19 AM | #11 | |
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Also surprised by the room inside. Fit our kid seat easily. If the rear windows went down (a requirement for our dog), we'd likely have one. |
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01-22-2019, 03:09 PM | #12 | |
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That being said I really like the Fiesta ST. I don't own one, but I actually know another i3 owner who has a FiST, as they are called. I've driven it and it's just a really fun car. I like small commuters as long as they are comfortable enough, and I find the i3 and the FiST to be adequate.
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03-26-2019, 08:22 AM | #13 |
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OP: Does it matter to you that Ford is not going to be selling these cars in the US anymore and hence the value will drop like a rock?
Alternative to look into would be a Mk7 GTI. I believe you may be able to start to find them in your price range. Fiesta ST would be my first choice of the three you have listed. Civic Si would be second and third would be Focus ST. I've heard of torque steer issues with the Focus ST.
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03-26-2019, 08:57 AM | #14 |
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Never driven any of them but every review i have read talks about super harsh ride on the ST's.
I'd go Civic all the way, will likely have less issues and hold value better too. |
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03-26-2019, 09:04 AM | #15 | |
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03-26-2019, 02:34 PM | #17 |
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Since they should all be fun, I'd go with the Honda as it is the only one I would buy used.
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03-26-2019, 02:41 PM | #18 |
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Had a FiST and it was super fun. Only sold it because I no longer drive to work. FoST has more power but way more noticeable torque steer and also feels much heavier. The FiST feels like a go kart, the FoST feels like a sporty hatchback.
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03-26-2019, 02:42 PM | #19 |
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Golf GTI 6M.
More fun to drive than any of those, and still has a quality interior you can be comfortable in when you are stuck in traffic etc. |
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03-26-2019, 03:02 PM | #20 |
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Owning a GTI and having driven the Fiesta ST, there's no way you could say the GTI is more fun. More civilized, more capable and faster, yes. But not more fun. The GTI is approaching being too polished. The Fiesta is a lot more entertaining.
It isn't nearly as civilized, it's a little small for 6'2" me and my four year old, and the interior is nothing to write home about, but they're still fun and it's a shame Ford won't bring the new one here. |
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03-26-2019, 03:05 PM | #21 | |
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To each their own |
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