So.. I'm looking for a bit of advice from you lovely people if possible!

As you may have guessed.. I want an ST, soo many people are converting from their ZS it's killing me after driving a friends ST3.

I know to get the spot on answer I need to visit Ford but a rough estimate may help me on my way...

This being my first car on finance (Second car ever) I'm not 100% what to do/how to go about it.

<<Thar she blow - My ZS is 58 plate, panther black, 69k miles(I think, can't remember exactly), part service history as they didnt have the log book when I bought it and I've had it just over a year.

I'm basically wondering how much would that be worth/how much of a deposit I would need to put down to get the monthly payments down to a decent price; 200-300 per month if possible.

I know there are 3 types, ST1,2,3 and obviously ST1 would be the cheapest, but is there that much of a difference in spec/prices?

Also I was looking at the options plan, anyone on this that can give more detail? I like the idea od a new car every few years :P

I think you get the idea, any advice is welcomed!

Best to go in to a few dealers to work out a price, this is from the ford website, will give you a rough idea based on a ST1, these figures are based on the list price and no one pays list.

http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/CarPromotions/FiestaSTPCH

Option plan details

http://www.ford.co.uk/BuyingandprotectingyourFord/FinancefromFordCredit/FordOptions

Spec details, have a look at what each has got and what you like.

http://www.ford.co.uk/Cars/Fiesta-ST/Models

Get some quotes from carwow too.

I would try and sell your car privately, then buy an ST via Drivethedeal, I bought a blue ST3 with every other option for £16.5k ( rrp was £20.4k). Don't get sucked into buying GAP or paint protection from the dealer either, they are overpriced and you are just gibving the salesman more commission.

I wouldn't rule out GAP insurance, I know a couple of people who that has saved from being deep in the sugar honey iced tea.

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I didn't say not to have it just buy it from somewhere else. I had to use it myself on my 3 month old ST2.

Don't get an ST1, gotta be 2 or 3.

I agree with what iNath, go for ST2 or ST3. Had the ST3 been available when I ordered mine I would have gone for that rather than my ST2. If your budget will stretch to an ST3 that's the one with all the 'toys' on it, but if not the ST2 has the LED DRL's, heated seats, keyless ignition and Sony stereo that the ST1 doesn't have.

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Thanks for the advice everyone, carwow and drivethedeal websites Mark suggested look great!

Never really knew there were such websites about. Doing a bit of research now so hopefully in the near future I shall be placing an order!

Carwow is esp very good as you can have dialogue with the dealers and explain your situation and see what they'll give as a part ex valuation..

I originally used carwow. Then went to my local dealer as they were willing to knock a chunk off the list price for an ST-3 worked out at £120 pm on a two year pcp with 3500 put down as deposit!

It can certainly be done to work 'in your favour' whilst the dealers still get commission/meet quota. But go to a couple and look online, if you get the car I'm sure others will agree with my when I say it's the best decision you'll ever make ;)

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Those PCP put me off due to one garage not taking me serious and explaining to me. He just said mileage was 6,000. I said but I do about 10,000. He then said don't worry about it. I said but surely id be at least 8,000 over and he said yeah but wouldn't worry about it.

I don't get why I wouldn't worry about it. Sure he might not, cause chances are he wouldn't be there when I came back.

Some people I've talked to have said the mileage cost is not an issue unless you are handing the car back and walking away, they get the lowest mileage possible to give a higher GMFV, this lowers the deposit/ instalments. Which maybe cheaper than the £60/1000miles.

*mine is with 12k per year.. They tell you not to worry as if you plan on keeping the car or renewing the pcp they don't care about mileage.. If you just hand the car back and walk away they'll sting you for 6p a mile.

Warning though, I've found myself just driving everywhere for the sake of it.... The whooshing noises and symposer are plain addictive! :P

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*mine is with 12k per year.. They tell you not to worry as if you plan on keeping the car or renewing the pcp they don't care about mileage.. If you just hand the car back and walk away they'll sting you for 6p a mile.

Warning though, I've found myself just driving everywhere for the sake of it.... The whooshing noises and symposer are plain addictive! :P

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Agree, there's no way you could limit yourself to a set mileage, it's too good not to drive..

Have you had it mountuned (or any other tune) yet, the noises get better, some people take the small piece of foam out of the symposer tube which is meant to increase the noise slightly ( few seconds to remove /refit) hard to tell on mine as I have the MP215 and intake hose.

Agree, there's no way you could limit yourself to a set mileage, it's too good not to drive..

Have you had it mountuned (or any other tune) yet, the noises get better, some people take the small piece of foam out of the symposer tube which is meant to increase the noise slightly ( few seconds to remove /refit) hard to tell on mine as I have the MP215 and intake hose.

So Mark would you say the mountune upgrade is worth the £600 plus fitting?

I,ve been tempted but you don't seem to get much gain for the money.

No mines completely standard for now until I know what I'm doing with it...

Ideally first I'd get a few visual mods done.. I'm tempted by new alloys, vinyl wrap roof, gloss plastics, colour coded mist jets and deflectors...

Don't want much do I :P

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So Mark would you say the mountune upgrade is worth the £600 plus fitting?

I,ve been tempted but you don't seem to get much gain for the money.

I would yes, I can take you for a spin if you want to see if you notice a difference.

I would yes, I can take you for a spin if you want to see if you notice a difference.

Oh and it s not so much the small bhp increase but the extra torque in the mid range is very noticeable.

Take me for a spin too?! :p

I am not sure how easy it is to import cars into the UK but here in Luxembourg there is an annual car sale on every Jan/Feb (perhaps a bit late for you) but I got just under 1/3 off the price of a new Fiesta. You could then arrange the finance in the UK via a bank or similar. If it's too late for you then hopefully it may tempt some others. I suppose you would need to check if you can order a car with the steering wheel on the "correct side" :)

In general though its like going shopping for cars then, every dealer has some form of discount. The worst I have seen is about 10% and you can get even 40% on cars which are about to be upgraded to a newer model.