On the fence

[whatdoyoufeedit?]

I just finished up college and looking to get my first brand new car. Currently I am in a low mileage 2006 Focus ZX3 I am going to pay off and then either keep it and get a Fiesta ST or trade it in for a 2015 Mustang 3.7 (not interested in the Ecoboost). The new IRS and redesign has piqued my interest. If I were to get a Mustang it would be competition orange with a 6 speed manual (automatic is not an option for me). So any manual 3.7 owners want to chime in? I have a few questions:

-How liveable is the car for real world driving in rainy conditions? I'm sure modern day traction controls throw that whole FWD>RWD thing out the window?

-How fun is the car to drive? Does the added weight just make it feel like a ho-hum 2 door midsizer or does the car feel tossable and sporty?

-Does the long wheelbase and hoodline make manuverability difficult tough in tight spaces or does the turning circle make up for it?

-Does the car feel big/clunky?

-What tuning options are available for the 3.7? I love the 1 on 1 tuning with lifetime updates on my Focus, does the 3.7 have something similar? I am not particularly fond of canned/bench tunes.

-How is the reliability of the 2015 MT82? I plan to take this car to the 1/4 mile here and there so I would like something that can take some abuse.

-Anything I need to look out for with the 3.7? Seems like it is a fairly bulletproof engine with a lifetime timing chain like my 2.0 Duratec and is fairly low maintenance.

-Anyone driven a Mustang and a Fiesta ST back to back? How do they compare?

-How much is the V6 to insure compared to the Fiesta ST?

I think that about covers it for questions. I already test drove a Fiesta ST and loved it but really and truly would like to try a V6 Mustang as well to get back into the RWD game, I also like the lower complexity of an n/a engine. I am also worried about the long term reliability of any brand turbo (though I take excellent care of my cars and always run synthetic). I plan to do some highway trips as well.

Well hope I did not make this too wordy, and look forward to everyone's responses. :ford:

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[OppoLock]

I don't have a V6, but after driving my GT and having driven my friend's FoST ST3, I'd wager that you'd have more fun with the ST. It's a hell of a thing.

I might get flak for saying that here.

 

[Sterling Archer]

As a driver's car, Fiesta ST >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> V6 Mustang

And that's not even meant to be an indictment on the V6 engine, the Fiesta is simply regarded as one of the most fun cars you can possibly buy under $25k. Granted the Focus ST is much nicer on the inside (but not as nimble), so just pick the ST that fits your personality.

 

[BmacIL]

Totally different cars in terms of how they drive. A V6 manual will be a bit quicker in a straight line than a Fiesta ST, and just a hair quicker than a stock Focus ST, but it doesn't feel it. The car is just so hunkered down and refined. Focus/Fiesta ST are more ready to take to an autocross or track than the V6 by a good amount, but any of them are going to require investment to be competent there (mostly in brakes, tires). Drive them and see what makes the most sense for you. The STs are both incredibly eager and exciting to drive. The V6 is more refined, but definitely much more fun than a sedan. The 3.7 has some decent bolt-on support for power gains and will likely soon have some for tunes.

As far as costs, the Focus and the V6 would likely get similar fuel economy, and the Fiesta better than both of them. The insurance on the hatchbacks will be lower than the Mustang.

 

[Bay1Stang]

The car does feel big but it's definitely tossable and sporty. Rain and light snow is not a problem with the all season tires.

With the mustang you get sex on wheels, tho. : )

 

[whatdoyoufeedit?]

Wow, thanks for your honest and non-biased opinions all. Proof there is no such thing as the perfect car, only the car that fits your needs. Surprised to hear that even 5.0 owners enjoy the ST cars. It's settled then, I will look into the Fiesta ST as that fits my personality the most and lifestyle (single no children) the most, though I can see the Focus ST for those with a family. As a Mk1 Focus owner, I lean more towards the Fiesta ST as it is more closer in size. Driving dynamics is also a must for me. Once again thank you, your opinions helped out a lot and I will still give the Mustang a fair test drive as well even though I am leaning towards the drivers car of the two (the Fiesta ST). Either way you can't lose with Ford's affordable performance offerings. :cheers:

 

[Sterling Archer]

Another factor for Fiesta vs Focus is location. In NC you probably don't have to worry about snow at all, but the Focus platform as a whole is much more planted in the winter than the Fiesta.

If you can wait a bit, the refreshed Focus ST launches early spring I believe (check the Ford press release to be sure). They revamped the steering feel to make it more like the Fiesta (which is currently better), so that may also influence your decision.

But if you primarily do city driving, I think the Fiesta is literally the best car on earth you can buy. The Focus is a tad too powerful and requires you to baby it a bit - whereas you can go full TURN DOWN 4 WHAT on your Fiesta gas pedal and still be safe .

 

[Bay1Stang]

I haven't driven the focus/fiesta, but now that I think about it the cars are completely different. Just sitting in the cabin will be world's different. With the mustang you see that long hood with the aggresive lines and you feel like a badass. With the focus/fiesta you have that airplane cockpit feel. Both are appealing, but they're so different I find it a little funny that they're being compared to each other.

 

[Sterling Archer]

I haven't driven the focus/fiesta, but now that I think about it the cars are completely different. Just sitting in the cabin will be world's different. With the mustang you see that long hood with the aggresive lines and you feel like a badass. With the focus/fiesta you have that airplane cockpit feel. Both are appealing, but they're so different I find it a little funny that they're being compared to each other.

Perhaps, but I think this video says it all:

[ame]

Obviously Matt's Fiesta is not stock, but at the same time he didn't do anything special. Just Cobb stage 3 and a 100 octane tune (and you can see videos of the 3 Cobb stages being built as well). The fact of the matter is the Fiesta ST absolutely dominates the V6 Mustang in terms of fun factor.

 

[whatdoyoufeedit?]

Another factor for Fiesta vs Focus is location. In NC you probably don't have to worry about snow at all, but the Focus platform as a whole is much more planted in the winter than the Fiesta.

If you can wait a bit, the refreshed Focus ST launches early spring I believe (check the Ford press release to be sure). They revamped the steering feel to make it more like the Fiesta (which is currently better), so that may also influence your decision.

But if you primarily do city driving, I think the Fiesta is literally the best car on earth you can buy. The Focus is a tad too powerful and requires you to baby it a bit - whereas you can go full TURN DOWN 4 WHAT on your Fiesta gas pedal and still be safe .

Oh wow another refresh for the Focus? Thought it was just refreshed, but yes I can definitely wait and give that a try too. Though the small form factor of the Fiesta is hard to say no to when comparing the two STs.

I haven't driven the focus/fiesta, but now that I think about it the cars are completely different. Just sitting in the cabin will be world's different. With the mustang you see that long hood with the aggresive lines and you feel like a badass. With the focus/fiesta you have that airplane cockpit feel. Both are appealing, but they're so different I find it a little funny that they're being compared to each other.

Both cars have their charm that's for sure.

Obviously Matt's Fiesta is not stock, but at the same time he didn't do anything special. Just Cobb stage 3 and a 100 octane tune (and you can see videos of the 3 Cobb stages being built as well). The fact of the matter is the Fiesta ST absolutely dominates the V6 Mustang in terms of fun factor.

I saw that video a couple of weeks ago and was highly impressed. Excited that my current tuner for the Focus already tunes for the Fiesta ST. Yeah I have the most odd comparisons of cars but at the end of the day I am definitely looking for the best driving dynamics.

Thanks again all.

 

[Sterling Archer]

The entire Focus platform is being refreshed for the 2015 MY, the ST just happens to launch a bit later than the base vehicle. There's some pretty nifty features going into the refresh, but the biggest change is the instrument cluster and steering wheel are a lot nicer (in terms of both layout and materials). As mentioned before, the ST is also getting new suspension and returned steering rack.

 

[whatdoyoufeedit?]

Decided to just post an update to this so I would not come off as rude or anything. Test drove a 2015 V6 in Triple Yellow and was totally in love with the car. The car felt very well put together in fit and finish and felt way more pricier than a low 24k vehicle. The car was extremely comfy and I was not "elbowing" my passenger while shifting gears. The MT-82 felt crisp and with absolutely no notchiness and the clutch pedal feel felt perfect. The IRS is night and day diffrence and felt way more better to drive than my ex-gf's 2005 4.6GT, the car handles nicely.

The Fiesta ST is totally off my list it was fun but way too small for longer trips. The Focus ST felt like a riot and much faster than it really was but at the end of the day I think I am going to pay my ZX3 off and get the V6 Mustang, totally sexy vehicle and a low 14 sec DD is good enough for my basic needs. Loved how refined and smooth the 3.7 feels and the decent top end is awesome. They offered me 6 months no payments with lower interest and it was hard to resist but I will do the right thing and pay my car down and grab the V6 Mustang. So despite the ST cars being more "driver-oriented" the Mustang will make an all around nicer DD (more comfy) to fit my needs with the good reliability of the 3.7. Thanks again the for the feedback all.

 

[BmacIL]

Decided to just post an update to this so I would not come off as rude or anything. Test drove a 2015 V6 in Triple Yellow and was totally in love with the car. The car felt very well put together in fit and finish and felt way more pricier than a low 24k vehicle. The car was extremely comfy and I was not "elbowing" my passenger while shifting gears. The MT-82 felt crisp and with absolutely no notchiness and the clutch pedal feel felt perfect. The IRS is night and day diffrence and felt way more better to drive than my ex-gf's 2005 4.6GT, the car handles nicely.

The Fiesta ST is totally off my list it was fun but way too small for longer trips. The Focus ST felt like a riot and much faster than it really was but at the end of the day I think I am going to pay my ZX3 off and get the V6 Mustang, totally sexy vehicle and a low 14 sec DD is good enough for my basic needs. Loved how refined and smooth the 3.7 feels and the decent top end is awesome. They offered me 6 months no payments with lower interest and it was hard to resist but I will do the right thing and pay my car down and grab the V6 Mustang. So despite the ST cars being more "driver-oriented" the Mustang will make an all around nicer DD (more comfy) to fit my needs with the good reliability of the 3.7. Thanks again the for the feedback all.

:ford:

 

[DJGold]

I am going to pay off and then either keep it and get a Fiesta ST or trade it in for a 2015 Mustang 3.7 (not interested in the Ecoboost).

Why do you say "not interested in ecoboost"? Both STs that you're interested in are ecoboost engines... You talk a lot about tuning and performance, so an ecoboost is the clear choice. If you want a Mustang but want tuning and power on the cheap $$$, go ecoboost.

 

[V6_Mustang_2015]

When I went to the dealer I traded my ms3 in due to some issues and was looking for a gt which I didn't get becuase they didn't have any that were low miles so I looked at the new v6 which is what I bought, its a lot more fun than my mazda even though I had about 320hp in the mazda to the wheels and it was faster then my mustang its way more fun to play with that than any fwd.. but I did drive a focus st when I was there just to do it, and it was awful no clutch in it felt awful got on it felt terribly slow and overall wasn't something id consider but thats my opinion..

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