[TimBrown]

I'm sure it may have already been discussed, but when the intial fiesta website was introduced by Ford, you could select several options to make the car 'yours'. These options included suspension work, 17" wheels, and a turbo kit and start button. Does anyone know which of these possibles may make it to production, and which are definitely out?

 

[BRGT350]

no idea on what will make it to production.

I think push-to-start is a for sure option, but auto mags say there is no way it will be offered.

Some rumors of a EcoBoost 1.6L for the Fiesta, some say never, some say at launch, some say delayed, and some rumors are that it will come with the performance model. People in the know that I have talked to have said if Europe gets one, we will get one. I want to beleive that, but old men and bean counters hate the US car market and would never allow another hot hatch sold in the US. We can get lighted cupholders and a stupid "sport" sticker instead of actual performance stuff.

Performance suspension would most likely not be an option, unless there is a model like a ST or RS. History says to start finding friends in Europe who can send you parts from over there. You can always make friends with BAT Inc, who have supplied the majority of European parts for many of my cars.

17" wheels. Hmm, old men and bean counters don't like 17" wheels, so I doubt it. Sad because the OE 17" Fiesta wheels are some of the best looking factory wheels from Ford.

In order to meet the price point in the US, I think a lot of the options are going to be left off. I would rather have them move the price point much higher and fill the car with all sorts of options. Old School car management won't do that because they still think it is 1960.

The majority of my speculation is based on Ford's history, which has been anti-car for the past 20 years. Thankfully, many of the old men are gone, and Mulally is awesome. Ford could prove us all wrong by giving the NA market a premium small car for the first time. They made a good attempt in 2000-2004 with the Focus, but that quickly was cheapened up and became lackluster. The European Focus just kept on being a premium C-Segment car, and ours went backwards. The Fiesta is a good oppertunity for Ford to make a premium B-segment, which is something that only Honda has something close.

 

[TimBrown]

One problem with BAT Inc. from my perspective is price.. they've quoted me $90.00 for an SVT e-brake handle before, just because I'm in Canada, when STeve could get me the same part for $12.00. Dealing with courier cross borders is very expensive.

As for 17" wheels, I quite like the way they look, but even on my focus w/ ~140hp they really seem to make the car dog. I wouldn't put anything larger than a 16" on a Fiesta w/ 120hp.

A lot of people are take it or leave it about the start button, but I really quite like them, and I hope they're included. I'm really hoping there is an OEM upgraded suspension, even if that must be found via European channels.

I just hate it when there is a sport model offered that provides only some stickers, different wheels, and a chrome exhaust tip... some mild aero if you're lucky.

 

[BRGT350]

yeah, the typical "sport" model is a joke. Some stickers is all you get. There is no real performance, just a marketing phoney. If it says SVT, RS, or ST, you know it works. Actually, Ford has dilluted the name ST in the US by using it on the Focus when it was not really a ST in the true sense.

Being in Canada, I am not sure what type of options you will get. Not even sure if they will be different.

I agree about 17" wheels on the Fiesta, but for daily use, I think they will be fine. For autocrossing, I would not go bigger than 16" because of the rotational mass.

I love the push to start button, as my Mustang has one as well. Keeping the key fob in my pocket is great, and not having to listen to clanking keys around corners is the best! Keyless entry with the fob is also great since you don't have to get the keys out of the pocket to lock and unlock the door. I doubt that will make it on the NA cars.

 

[TimBrown]

We'll most likely get less in the way of options and customization -- maybe we'll get 2 trim levels, with more standard content and higher price, and possibly they'll summarily remove safety equipment like traction control or esc. That seems to be an unfortunate difference between US and Canadian cars, often.

 

[PowerShift]

I think if Ford really wanted to they could please everyone with a three trim- level spread.

They could do a really stripped down base model, a midline with all the most popular options, and a top-end model with everything but the kitchen sink.

Look at the UK offerings here: Fiesta Models

Basically, I think our three should correspond with Studio, Zetec, and Titanium, but all with the same powertrains.

While it's important to have the "Titanium" as the halo car, I still think the market for $20,000+ minicars is limited. They really do need something in the $16-18K range to make up the bulk of the sales. However, there's no need for them to undercut the current lame-duck Focus.

 

[mrbirdman330]

yeah, the typical "sport" model is a joke. Some stickers is all you get. There is no real performance, just a marketing phoney. If it says SVT, RS, or ST, you know it works. Actually, Ford has dilluted the name ST in the US by using it on the Focus when it was not really a ST in the true sense.

Being in Canada, I am not sure what type of options you will get. Not even sure if they will be different.

I agree about 17" wheels on the Fiesta, but for daily use, I think they will be fine. For autocrossing, I would not go bigger than 16" because of the rotational mass.

I love the push to start button, as my Mustang has one as well. Keeping the key fob in my pocket is great, and not having to listen to clanking keys around corners is the best! Keyless entry with the fob is also great since you don't have to get the keys out of the pocket to lock and unlock the door. I doubt that will make it on the NA cars.

Actually the 05 Focus ST was the only real Focus ST for the States. After 05 they just heavily watered down the suspension to put it on the par of the SES from 06-07 it was just a badge. I noticed how mine sounds mean with the exhaust on it as opposed to others that are just quiet with a little noise. Ford did a good job in ruining what the ST name stood for.

 

[TimBrown]

Yeah, I've noticed that about other's ST's. Really, for the Fiesta, I would be very happy with a 3 trim level, with it being likely that I would pick up the middle trim, eschewing the more complex systems and options, and trying to grab anything 'fun'. That being said, if they offered a Canadian option, or pkg, or even a Northern Package, I would be very impressed. Suprised, but impressed.

I would love (and have informed my wife most days in the winter) that my next car has to come with heated mirrors. I would love a package that bundles heated mirrors, windshield nozzles, block heater, and heated seats (with cloth, not leather). I would love Ford forever if they can give me this car with that equipment.. and let me spice up the suspension.

 

[golf strom]

The previous generation Fiesta in the UK sold as the ST was a cracking good little hot hatch.

Agreed about how Ford Dearborn has continually killed the passion and character in most of its cars.

 

[mrbirdman330]

If I choose a Fiesta, I want one with good options and still have a manual transmission available. I don't want that I have to get an Automatic for a certain trim level while the manual is left with horrible lack of fun stuff.

 

[golf strom]

If I choose a Fiesta, I want one with good options and still have a manual transmission available. I don't want that I have to get an Automatic for a certain trim level while the manual is left with horrible lack of fun stuff.

Unfortunately it seems that you would have to kill the US marketing and consulting firms that tell Ford what they want to hear. The sad thing is that often times these folks create a more disasterous situation than if they had used less.

BUILD A GREAT PRODUCT MAKE IT AFFORDABLE AND PEOPLE WILL BUY IT IN DROVES!!!!!!!!!!!

A good case study would be the MKI VW Golf GTI (in the USA it was the Rabbit GTI). Ford are you listening?

 

[mrbirdman330]

Thats what i loved about my Focus ST I got the whole enchilada minus sunroof and leather seats but still got my MANUAL TRANSMISSION. As long as I can get what I want the usual goodies without needing a stupid automatic transmission I will be happy. I don't need a remote starter, a start button, or some sort of super huge luxury package but just my auto windows, a damn good CD player, manual tranny with a good looking interior.

 

[golf strom]

But....but...but....mrbirdman OUR EXPERTS tell us that the clinics they've held indicate that most customers that want all the baubles and fluff go for the auto tranny...and anyhow you don't WANT a manual transmission (you'll cut Ford's profit margin!!!!!)


Of course what you don't know is that the "clinics" the consultants hold are carefully rigged, errr controlled, to achieve the results they want to provide to the client (Ford, GM, Toyota, Honda, ect....)


Unfortunately this is the way it is more often than not today.....Yes, these consulting firms have made quite the little gold mine for themselves.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Thats why if they can't give me good options with a manual available then they don't need my business.

 

[golf strom]

Absolutely mrbird....

I think the unravelling of this racket, called the consulting agencies has definitely started increase in momentum, I certainly think that the recessionary economic conditions have helped...I have noted that when the "experts" in the consulting field (will remain unnamed but you know who they are) the ordinary consumer and even the journalists have started to counter their previously untouchable word as gospel. Not just in the automotive business, but in others as well. I can't tell you how warm that makes me feel inside. haaaaahahahaha!

I think they should go get a real job, even flipping hamburgers is more of a contribution to society than their useless jabber.

Add one more "profession" that needs to go on the dustbin of history along with lawyers and the insurance industry.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Of course then you get the problem of cheap plastic sold at an ridiculously high price. Like a replacement dashboard ranging for a couple thousand dollars when it may have cost at most three hundred to make. Of course all types of automotive companies are like this, Ford, GM and Freightliner Trucks are the worst of them all when it comes to these things. You get a cheap looking car that in the pics looks great but when see in person looks just awful inside and out and priced a little more than what its worth, you get the company griping it cost so much to build and they're losing money selling it that it cost more to make it than they sell it.

 

[golf strom]

Volkswagen has not been immune to prices of replacement parts either ..I recently needed to replace the foam seat bottom padding on my 96 Golf GL, a very ordinary seat, nothing special AT ALL!!!!

So on the web I noticed that posts on forums for several years ago or maybe more listed the part (a fairly simple piece of foam with some metal embedded in it, as about 35 $ USD more or less. Well that seems reasonable to me.

So I go and check out prices on AFTERMARKET OEM suppliers and lo and behold that piece of foam goes for a WHOPPING 125$ USD......OUTRAGEOUS, of course I still have not replaced that piece and simply won't at that criminal price. VWoA in the USA has always had a rep for having outrageous pricing on replacement parts and even basic service at the dealer for that matter. Seems that when it comes to greed no US division is immune thesedays.

 

[mrbirdman330]

Yeah try paying 20k for a replacement dashboard on a Freightliner Century Class Rig. Thats just the Dashboard itself and it's just cheap plastic. Back on subject here though more than likely we'll see most of what Europe might have just with our alterations as said before with the Sync system. But I don't think we'll have Europes advanced keyless entry where when you're twenty feet from the car or less the doors automatically unlock without the need to push a button.

 

[Mark Kleis]

One of my past GFs had a 2002 Jetta she bought new. They had over $10,000 in warranty repairs in the first year. Her neighbor, another "girlfriend" of mine had a 2000 that had a similar track record. Those euro cars can be expensive to work on!

They also had to remove the entire front bumper and fascia to change the headlight bulbs... lol

 

[Marc]

Ford should come with an entry level Fiesta, a price figher against the Fit/Yaris etc.
And it should come with a Titanium trim model with all the gadgets one can imagine. Maybe they should even keep the 'Titanium' name along with the S'es and SE's etc. They can source the bits from FoE (like the mirrors, starter button, etc).