What do we think about the fiesta?

Dusterbd13 wrote: So, it's not so much failure, as odd feel and behavior from a stop?

If it isn't clear from the other posts yet, failure is very much an issue...I second finding something with a traditional automatic if you can't row your own. Mazda2, Honda Fit, Chevy Sonic, etc.

In reply to Dusterbd13:

Have you looked into a Honda Fit? They work very well for your needs, and while even slower with the automatic, are incredibly practical, reliable, and surprisingly still fun to drive.

I test drove a fit today, a civic, a dart, a fiesta, and a focus. Fiesta was by far the most comfortable of the bunch.

What else am I missing?

Try a Sonic? I've rented a couple of those, they're not amazing but not hateful either.

jstein77 wrote:

DWNSHFT wrote: ...the manual transmission is rubbery and blah.

Really? Is that another thing they improved on the ST? Because mine's awesome.

My '15 1.0l ecoboost shifts just fine. Must have been used to a Honda

In reply to Dusterbd13:

I actually found the fiesta more comfortable than the focus too

Mazda 3 would get my vote.

In reply to Datsun310Guy:

That must have been one hell of a hill.

Full throttle in first gear.

singleslammer wrote: In reply to Dusterbd13: That sucks, I would look elsewhere then. If you want something for DD and must have an auto, how about a prior gen Fusion? Has a regular transmission, nice looking, should be reasonably cheap by now. In reply to iceracer: Having driven the newer versions, I would disagree.

Most of the older models that had problems have already been updated.

Car & Driver liked the 2016 version.

There also have been some updates on the TCM.

Dusterbd13 wrote: I test drove a fit today, a civic, a dart, a fiesta, and a focus. Fiesta was by far the most comfortable of the bunch. What else am I missing?

corolla?

Responding to comments on my comment that the shifter was rubbery and blah:

The manual shifter isn't bad. But yes, I was calibrated on some nice shifters, including Hondas and Miatas. The Fiesta was OK just not inspiring.

The 1.0L SFE packages are hovering around $10k for a reasonable mileage example, definitely tempting!

Autotrader Example

engiekev wrote: The 1.0L SFE packages are hovering around $10k for a reasonable mileage example, definitely tempting! Autotrader Example

I test-drove that car 2 weeks ago. It's in great shape, and the dealership seems motivated to move it. If anyone wants to fly & drive, I live right by the airport.

Where do I look for the failure rates on the dct trans in the 14/15/16 models after they were supposed to be fixed?

I want to make sure I'm not writing these off because of the first two years.

To quote the service guys at the Ford dealer, "we love them all. They pay our salaries. "

It's bad when they tell you to run.

I can say that the '14s are still having issue. Our dealership has stopped selling used Focus and Fiestas because we resold 4 (At least 2 of which were '14s) of them used with the PowerShift and ~30,000 miles and sales is now footing the bill on 4 separate transmission overhauls on them.

I was replacing 2 clutches a day, when we could get parts... they put food on my table until I told the service manager to go pound sand... but that's a whole other story.

The Mazda 2 & 3 of similar vintage would be my recs. Drove a 2 which was great, then bought a 3 for more space. Both autos. Skyactiv auto is quite good, no big issues that I'm aware of.

Interesting. The 2016 Expidition has a "Powerstroke" 6 spd. transmission.