Fiesta ST, MINI or?

A while back I asked the question of the Good, Bad and Ugly of a Ford Fiesta ST or Focus ST. I had kind of settled on the 2014 to 2015 Ford Fiesta ST. I want a small vehicle and it will probably serve some time time being towed behind our motorhome. The ST cannot be flat towed but I was already thinking about using a dolly anyway. I know there has been a lot said here about MINI's and some of the problems in the past but how are say the 2013 through 2015 Copper S's. What else can anyone here recommend? A while back I spoke with a guy flat towing a Fiat Arbarth and he loved the car but it is really small even compared to the Fiesta.

I would say FiST is still the answer here. As I recall, the newer the Mini, the more troublesome they are.

Why not the Focus St?

I love my Focus ST. I am old enough (67) to be driving a motor home, but haven't hung up the job yet as I love what I do. The car is an every option ST3 in the tangerine scream color (easy for an old guy to find in the parking lot). I have custom plates "Minion." I love the Recaro seats and the almost instant power from the turbo. It's fun to see the traction control light flicker with throttle only in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear blasts. I plan to return to SCCA solo this year after a ten year absence. No mods yet, but probably will after I finish the turbo install on my son's '97 Miata.

Welcome danmauk! I think you'll like the May issue of GRM---- we've got a track prepped Focus ST story included...... fun car!

danmauk wrote: I love my Focus ST. I am old enough (67) to be driving a motor home, but haven't hung up the job yet as I love what I do. The car is an every option ST3 in the tangerine scream color (easy for an old guy to find in the parking lot). I have custom plates "Minion." I love the Recaro seats and the almost instant power from the turbo. It's fun to see the traction control light flicker with throttle only in 1st, 2nd and even 3rd gear blasts.

I have the exact same car. Tangerine scream color FoST in ST3 trim. The only mod done to it is the Ford Racing ECU tune, so I'm now around 360lb/ft tq. Yeah, it'll turn the traction light on with ease in 3rd gear. Great throttle response, razor sharp turn in, great seats. It's a joy to drive, sheer fun. The car's personality is somewhat hyperactive. My wife calls the car "A squirrel on caffeine". But if that doesn't bother you, you'll love it.

From what I've heard about the newer MINIs, not much has changed on the reliability front.

Klayfish said: From what I've heard about the newer MINIs, not much has changed on the reliability front.

I think is has changed, but for the worse.

Why can't you flat tow a manual transmission Fiesta ST? Have you driven both cars? The Fiesta ST drives awesome - so much fun! Back seats are worthless. A MINI in comparison drives like a much bigger car and is not fun at all, even without the comparison to the Fiesta ST. The MINI does have bigger back seats, though.

pirate wrote: A while back I asked the question of the Good, Bad and Ugly of a Ford Fiesta ST or Focus ST. I had kind of settled on the 2014 to 2015 Ford Fiesta ST. I want a small vehicle and it will probably serve some time time being towed behind our motorhome. The ST cannot be flat towed but I was already thinking about using a dolly anyway. I know there has been a lot said here about MINI's and some of the problems in the past but how are say the 2013 through 2015 Copper S's. What else can anyone here recommend? A while back I spoke with a guy flat towing a Fiat Arbarth and he loved the car but it is really small even compared to the Fiesta.

smokindav wrote: Why can't you flat tow a manual transmission Fiesta ST? Have you driven both cars? The Fiesta ST drives awesome - so much fun! Back seats are worthless. A MINI in comparison drives like a much bigger car and is not fun at all, even without the comparison to the Fiesta ST. The MINI does have bigger back seats, though.

As the owner of a FiST and previous owner of a '09 JCW MINI, I disagree. The JCW was more fun to drive for me, but the rear seats are much more usable on the FiST. Unfortunately it had some issue that would completely cut power. The dealership couldn't fix it and MINI was much more happy to blame it on me.

I'm not sure if the OP meant 2014-15 or 2013-15. 2013-15 would span the R56 and F56 generation.

I love our FiST. Ours is the two door, but the rear seat is very usable for children - and they get excited whenever we take "that car". So far, average fuel economy over 6000miles is 37mpg...Astounding for a car with its performance and fun factor.

smokindav wrote: Why can't you flat tow a manual transmission Fiesta ST? Have you driven both cars? The Fiesta ST drives awesome - so much fun! Back seats are worthless. A MINI in comparison drives like a much bigger car and is not fun at all, even without the comparison to the Fiesta ST. The MINI does have bigger back seats, though.

pirate wrote: A while back I asked the question of the Good, Bad and Ugly of a Ford Fiesta ST or Focus ST. I had kind of settled on the 2014 to 2015 Ford Fiesta ST. I want a small vehicle and it will probably serve some time time being towed behind our motorhome. The ST cannot be flat towed but I was already thinking about using a dolly anyway. I know there has been a lot said here about MINI's and some of the problems in the past but how are say the 2013 through 2015 Copper S's. What else can anyone here recommend? A while back I spoke with a guy flat towing a Fiat Arbarth and he loved the car but it is really small even compared to the Fiesta.

The regular Fiestas with manual transmissions and also automatic transmissions can be flat towed. Found this information on several RV websites and also verified it with a Ford dealership. Neither the Ford Fiesta ST or Focus ST can be flat towed. Not sure of the reasons.

Perhaps the six speed manual does not self lubricate like the others.