So have had my ST3 for just over a year now and, though it is nice to drive on the open country roads, I don't find it comfortable for day to day driving, I am also paying a fair amount per month for it.

So have just bought a new Red Edition Zetec S from my Local Ford Dealer. Got a stupid deal and a great trade in (about £600 more than the settlement figure). Picking it up on Monday :)

It has the auto wipers/lights/ dipping rear view mirror and privacy glass. Its the new 2016 model so has the LED running lights, LEd brake lights, 17" alloys and Dab radio.

Who else has this car? Whats your thoughts on it?

Sounds nice, post some pics when you get it. :)

Sounds nice, post some pics when you get it. :)

Will do

My daughter has a red zetec s 140 she got last month and it's very good nippy comfortable and still looks the dogs dangly bits.

But and its a big but it's not got the ST performance, why would it, which I suspect you will miss. My daughter loves hers to bits though.

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That must be a first, downgrading from an ST to a ZS.

If it was that uncomfortable to drive, another set of springs may have helped & been a cheaper option.

I've got the same Red Edition (without the rear LED lights sadly) and love it personally. I do quite a high mileage and so the ST wasn't an option due to the MPG it achieves. With the Red Edition I continuously get around 53mpg per tank (albeit mostly motorway and long continuous roads - often up to 60mpg), it's £20 road tax per year and I can have fun and chuck it around when I want to. It's also lighter on the nose than the ST due to the tiny 1.0 engine.

Not to mention - it looks great, turns heads and unless you're significantly into your cars looks VERY similar to the ST!

I've had various Fiesta Zetec S' in the past and the Red Edition is more eager and just feels better - the subtle adjustments to the steering and suspension really glue it to the road! I'm sure the ST was awesome and a lot of fun, but I don't think you're going to be disappointed with the Red :)

i had a fiesta st did not keep it long to me not as powerful as I was hoping , so got a focus st and the differents was unreal but I'm not you so good look with the new car

I love it when I am out on a winding country road and can really drive it hard, but I don't do that very often. For all the other driving I find it very hard. I love the rest of it just the firmness. However, I am also saving a fair amount of money each month which was one of my reasons for downgrading.

I will be sad to see it go but several reasons why. From what I have read online the red is a very dynamic car and drives very well. The engine seems to have plenty of oomph, though I understand not the same as the ST.

Time will tell I guess lol

I assume you test drove it first?

Black/Red is still sat on 17" with same amount of rubber, just the springs/dampers are a bit softer/forgiving.

Not that I disagree with the ride of the Fiesta ST, it is a lovely little car, would be perfect for what I primarily use my car for, but I knew I couldn't live with it day to day, hence getting the Focus. :)

Just make sure you test drive if you haven't to ensure you are not disappointed.

After the trouble I have had in the past 12 months, I will NEVER buy another car I can't test drive.

Actually I didn't test drive it/ Having had a Zetec S previously and this being a slightly more powerful engine I took it that I pretty much knew what it would be like. I know its not going to be an ST but its still going to be better than anything else I could have got for the same money.

As long as you have driven one that's fair enough.

I was just bothered you might get it and still not like the ride, etc. :)

I came from a focus ST to a Fiesta and never looked back. Focus was a great car and absolutely faultless but filling up every other day got tedious after 2 years.

I'm sure you'll love the new Fez.

As long as you have driven one that's fair enough.

I was just bothered you might get it and still not like the ride, etc. :)

No I have driven one before. I believe the 17" wheels might make a bit of a difference but not sure how much. The ST was a huge difference to the ZS though.

Having just put 16" alloys with winter tyres (195/45) and feeling, hearing, seeing the difference between them and the factory fitted 17"(205/40), I am now considering putting some other form of tyre on the stock 17" alloys. They are simply too noisy. On the other hand, the tyres are good, so it would be a shame to

Maybe you should consider the same, if you feel the stock package to be too fim, noisy, etc.

Does anybody know if it is ok to put 205/45 (17") rims on the Fiesta? The difference is only 5 mm, but could there be some rubbing/grinding issues?

No I have driven one before. I believe the 17" wheels might make a bit of a difference but not sure how much. The ST was a huge difference to the ZS though.

Having compared the ST and the Red Edition, if you do serious miles I can totally understand your decision. I have no regrets in choosing the Red, it's a very capable car and a perfect set up for our roads.