I own a Ford Fiesta and my younger brother wants to get an ST version for himself (He's 17). I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Probably very very expensive insurance, apart from that I don't see any problems as long as he doesn't have a lead foot, it's more powerful than most people would have as a first car but not unreasonable in my opinion. 

 

What version is he looking at? 

We can't really answer that without knowing your brother!

If he's a sensible guy and can afford it then yeah, why not? 

I bought a rubbish first car as everyone said I'd crash it...didn't even ding it!  After 9 months I sold it and bought a car I actually liked instead, may as well have done that in the first place.  

I dunno.  200bhp in a small car is a lot for an inexperienced driver no matter what the level of natural skill.

I know I sound like an old fogey but there is a lot to be said for working your way up the car ladder, starting in cars that you'll never be tempted race in and won't overwhelm you.

It's a tricky one as Tom says. The insurance may well settle the issue - I could see it costing as much as the car. My cousin and her hubby bought their son a Mini Cooper at 17 and in no time he'd got points for speeding, had his black box insurance cancelled, and is now being ferried around by mum and dad as he can't get cover.

I tend to agree with Guy, though I am an old fogey, I guess. I can still remember being 17 and I doubt I would have trusted myself then, even though by that time I had a year's motorcycle experience.  It can be a good idea to work your way up and you can learn a lot about optimum gearchanging, maintaining momentum, cornering etc in a lower powered car and still have a lot of fun. Perhaps an ST-Line might be a decent compromise?

 

 

Well I am 50 so as my daughter gleefully informs me, I am now old.😀

 

 

 

 

2 minutes ago, Guy Heaton said:

Well I am 50 so as my daughter gleefully informs me, I am now old.😀

 

 

 

 

I keep seeing an ad on here for 'seniors born pre-1969'... 🤭 

I guess I'm a young fogey...like my driving licence says I was only born 28 years ago, but my views and general demeanor suggest otherwise!

 

2 hours ago, Guy Heaton said:

Well I am 50 so as my daughter gleefully informs me, I am now old.😀

 

 

 

 

Nobbut a lad!😀

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated. He has his heart set on a Fiesta ST after reading about it and looking online for them. He found this list of best first cars and now his heart is set. I'll remind him about the insurance. 

2 minutes ago, ALeesLLD said:

Thanks everyone. Much appreciated. He has his heart set on a Fiesta ST after reading about it and looking online for them. He found this list of best first cars and now his heart is set. I'll remind him about the insurance. 

Ah, so he's looking at the older shape (Mk6) ST?  They're only 150bhp, specifically restricted to get into a lower insurance group for young people, we were all assuming he wanted the Mk7 with 200bhp!   

I don’t think it’s a good idea. I am a 57 year old old fogey. Does he want it as a ***** magnet.

It censored me

I wish my car was less of a ***** magnet...fed up of all the paw prints on it!