car:
Fiesta St
55 plate (nov 2005)
2.0 duratec (150bhp standard)
38000 miles (now on 54k)
1 previous owner (abusive owner)
performance blue
spec:
Phase 1.
100% tints to rear windows
optional oem side stripes
optional piano black dash trim
pioneer double din head unit
half leather interior
mongoose flexi pipe
k&n induction kit
looks:
Sexy from side, rear, not so keen on the front end. Needs the phase 2 de tangoed lights imo. i prefer the phase one rears light clusters though, the smoked effect beats the white of the facelift. Nice big spoiler, nice chavvy side stripes.
For the future i would like the factory over the top ones. A. because they are getting rare (most people take them off) and B. cause the paint is thin as fuck: paint chips galore. C. the idiot who had it before me must have cleaned the bonnet with wire wool.
if i could i would have it in diamond white (not frozen white) with black wheels.
interior:
usual dull mk6 dash lifted by paino black optional trim. to be honest this sold it for me over another black one on the forecourt (should have got that lol).
Transforms the dash, nice glossy smooth facia. nice dials that glow with red rings at night.
nice seats - not the hardest wearing ever. i use mine as a daily commute and have resulted to a seat cover to protect the leather as i get in and out the car 3-4 times a day (i eat breakfast lunch and dinner in it!)
Ice as standard was a piss poor 6 cd in dash job with the three slat weird thing. i cut the slats out and slapped a ipod/bluetooth pioneer jobbie in. 100% better. standard speakers are really good tbh.
I do prefer my current dash to the facelift one, the fact thats its all black and shiny rather than coloured sponge is better, however its missing a number of things adam has on his:
multi function trip computer
outside temp display (with cold warning)
wiper speed select (this can be done but its fiddly)
home safe lights.
one touch window down/up
Ride:
a little harsh, no big deal, i had two lowered mk3's that were ridgid as fuck.
sticks to the corners like a good un (andy may disagree) it is known to be a well handling car (underpowered yes)
noise/harshness/vibration - a bit of an issue, at 70mph you are hitting 3500rpm like most fords. the din gets to you after a while.
once up to speed its very good fun to chuck around. i have it with mid range kumho ecsta sport tyres on which are very good at gripping tbh.
A little high ride for my liking, needs lowering by 25-30mm
seat posistion - while comfotable it feels like you are driving a van, seat should be lower.
engine/drivetrain:
150bhp is not enough for it, i'd like another 20bhp its heavier than the new fiestas. heaviest fiesta to date.
mine should have 155-160 bhp in theory. as said i would like more power but that requires money.
its capable, i can overtake safely and embaress some bigger cars which ride up your backside.
power is flat below 3k, it needs revving hard. despite what some say, the power is there all the way to 7k. put it in third at 60mph and push the throttle more
never taken it over 95 mph though to be honest. i care too much for my life and license.
had problems with it, mainly a failed oil ring which meant i was using too much oil. could be down to the fact that its service schedule had been ignored by the previous owner
also the throttle body was coked up to fuck meaning poor starting, must have cleaned off about an ounce of black crusty shit - starts better now!
brakes - discs all round - focus st 170 setup. not as sharp as i hoped. i changed the pads, bleed the calipers, new fluid etc. they work great but feel more progressive than the on/off braking i want.
fairy frugle if careful - have got 40mpg out it - 350 miles out of a tank when driving to scotland. thats at 55mph. usually its around 27-32mpg or 200-270 miles per tank. did use a full tank in 189 miles but that was driving along at 90mph to blackpool and back.
overall:
sexy car - modern xr2.
few build issues.
fun in corners
thirsty at times
common as muck.
love/hate it (mostly love)
Love the sound it made when I was in it, and it felt very torquey to me!