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Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to drive 100mph in a car no bigger than a shoe with the same size engine as 3 pints of lager. Well the Ford Fiesta ST Mk7 is pretty much the car that will give you that sensation to stop you guessing. Read more to find out what we REALLY think of the Mk7 Fez Bomb.
We also wrote about the Fiesta ST Mk7 on another recent post “Best Cheap Hot Hatches”, where we wrote about some of the best Hot Hatches on the market for under £10k. This post is more in depth about what we think about the Fiesta, what it drives like, the tuning potential, the prices and what to look for when buying one.
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How Does It Drive?
The 1.6 turbo engine Ford is a quirky little car that looks so much smaller than its competitors like the mk4 Clio and the 208 GTi but unlike the French fancies, the feisty Ford feels somewhat different, somewhat sturdier and a little more playful than the others.
It’s a nippy little car that will take you to 60 mph in a respectable 6.7 seconds but it’s not the straight line stuff that makes this car so fun. It’s highly responsive, fun and tight, even from standard. It grips well through the corners and if you keep the turbo on spool, you can really force it through the lines.
Ford nailed the Fiestas drivability, they made it one of the top contenders for the best super mini hot hatch. It’s undeniable that it’s fun and enjoyable, giving cheap thrills for all those that drive it. As a 31-year-old male, I know I shouldn’t like it but the Fiesta takes a hold of you and you can’t help but love it.
Tuning Potential
Obviously 180 bhp is quick for a car that weights just over a tonne but it’s not neck breaking and might not put you back in your seat as much as you like, that’s why someone created remaps and modifications. Especially with the Fiesta being a turbo engine car, making it so much more fun to tune.
Extracting power from the Fiesta ST is as simple as bolt on’s and computer tuning, no crazy rebuilds or stripping required to get a Mk7 ST running over 300 bhp. A stage 3 remap and components will take the pocket rocket upto the 300 range, but go for a hybrid turbo option and you could skyrocket to over 330 bhp.
The most bhp we have heard of from a Fiesta ST Mk7 is around 350 bhp, but from a lightweight small hatchback, you can imagine how quick that must feel. It isn’t particularly cheap to get that kind of power out of this engine, expect to spend a few thousand, but it’s totally worth it!
Price And Specs
Ford are one of those companies that like to have different levels of specification, from the base model Zetecs to the Titanium X. Although they took their ST range into 3 levels of specification too! They have the ST-1, ST-2 and ST-3. The ST-3 being their highest level of spec offering the full shebang with heated full leather recaros, sat nav and other gadgets.
They then later created their limited edition ST-200 which came in one limited colour “Storm Grey”. This car came standard with all the gadgets that came in the ST-3 along with the diamond cut / polished edge alloy wheels. It also came with a tuned engine which produced 197 bhp and shaved off 0.2 seconds upto 60.
Although the ST 1,2 and 3 have devalued over time, it works out in our favour because you can expect to pick one up for under £10k maybe even lower than £7k if you look hard enough. Unlike the 1, 2 and 3, the ST 200, seems to be holding value pretty well and you can expect to pay around £15k at the time this post was written.
What To Look Out For
The Ford Fiesta ST Mk7 seems to have a pretty well-built car, a little cheap in places but the actual mechanics make these a reliable car. This doesn’t mean you won’t end up with a lemon if you don’t keep your eyes peeled, so some things to keep an out for include
- Engine knocks
- Any tampering under the bonnet from previous modifications
- Suspension squeaks (could be worn front track rod)
- Usual oil service and brakes check (both are inexpensive repairs)
- Clutch slip from previous hard use
Then just go over the bodywork, making sure all the bumpers line up properly as any gaps in the bumpers may indicate a crash or accident damage that wasn’t recorded.
It’s also worth noting that a lot of these Fiestas were taken on a PCP agreement as their payments were lower with the intention to hand back at the end of term, so most may have been modified and unmodified and driven hard.
Overall
The Ford Fiesta is one of the nations favourite cars, needless to say the ST helps keep the Fiesta in the lead. It’s a quick, sporty hatch for anyone that wants a bit of fun without spending a fortune. Not to mention the fact it is highly tuneable and can run on a daily basis aswel!
We love the Fiesta ST and not just the Mk7, all the previous models too and if you love the Fiesta drop us a comment below and tell us what you love about the Fiesta ST. Or find us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
Thanks for reading
Kevin
Kevin@boostandcamber.com
Founder of Boost And Camber
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