Haters gonna get

 

this thread makes me wanna buy a cheap light fwd hatchback...

 

tons of fun, man. tons of fun.

 

razorlab - regarding the headrests, I strongly recommend you do what I did to my FoST - use a bench vise to bend the headrest posts so they are properly vertical and don't push your head forward. Here's a pic of my "fixed" headrest on the driver's side with the passenger one being in stock position:

 

Launch control?

 

Having driven a few, I have to say - driving a small, slow (relative to the Evo) FWD car at 110% all of the time can be way more fun than driving to 60% or 70% of a fast car's limits.

And even more reason to smile when you eventually hit the gas pump!

I would just miss AWD too much in rain or snow...

 

Good assessment of the car. I am looking to fill the hole in the driveway for an economical/fun/cool car...

So far it comes down to the Hyundai Veloster Turbo and now the Fiesta ST...

VT is cheaper/more tech-stuff interior/funky exterior (you either love it or hate it) but may have issues with engines throwing rods/bending rods (watching this carefully)

ST is a wee bit quicker/more torque. And now I know more about the car from this post.

Both cars respond well to mods for throttle lag and can still remain on regular unleaded (remember? Economical...)

So now I need to drive them back-to-back...

 

I drove a VT last year and it was just numb and handled weird. Also if you are looking for more open tuning, FiST hands down.

For sure drive both though. I never ever ever thought I would be driving a Ford but the FiST won me over.

What tech does the VT have that the FiST doesn't?

 

I'm wondering how the FiST does in snow. It'd have to replace my current DD car so that's a real need. Dedicated snow tires and wheels of course...

 

How much room is in the back seat? Enough for a car seat for a baby?

 

It's pretty small back there. For sure not as large as a Evo or even a WRX, but I think it's average for a Micro hatchback like this. Larger than the FRS/BRZ.

I have no idea if a infant seat fits. I do know the Recaros cut down on the room slightly.

Here you go:

 

Good input - thanks!

 

I really hope these cars bring out more decent hot hatches from other companies. Ford is actually doing everything right here.

 

I guess I have to go test drive one now....

Bad timing because I was actually getting quite close to buying a 3cylinder 5speed Mirage.

Following Razorlabs other thread listing the tuning gains has already made me curious. Nearly 30hp in just the tune on an engine with a small snail. Not too shabby.