We're Lucky We Got This Car Here in the US

[Capri to ST]

For that to happen, a number of things had to fall into place.
1- Ford had to be making cars, which they are not doing anymore except for the Mustang.
2- They had to be making small cars, see #1.
3- Most importantly, they had to be willing to sell a very small performance car here in the US, which they had not done previously. This was by no means a given. The profit margin on these cars had to be pretty small even at MSRP, and most of the cars sold for less.
For many years, Ford sold great small performance cars over in Europe which were not available here. The first time I went to Europe many years ago I couldn't believe how many interesting cars there were there that were unavailable here, and many of them were Fords.
I believe the main reason we got this wonderful car was that for a brief moment in time, Ford adopted a philosophy called One Ford, in which they would make and sell substantially the same cars all over the world. This makes sense to me from an efficiency perspective. This philosophy only held sway though for a short period of time during which we got first the Focus ST and then the Fiesta ST.
So while I really would have liked the opportunity to be able to buy the newer generation three cylinder Fiesta ST here, I am mainly just grateful that we got the one that we did. I believe the fact that we did was kind of a long shot for the reasons I mentioned above. I hope everybody appreciates and is enjoying their FiST, and knowing that the odds were against our getting it may make us appreciate them more.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Yes, even when we did get something directly related to the hot Euro/Brit 'Fast Fords', like the Capri, and XR4Ti, we were never offered anything like the much more hi-po/edgy Euro/Brit counterparts (the hot Capris and Sierra Cossie).

Ford corporate skipped totally over the whole hot RWD Escort series for U.S. consumption, including right up to the (yes, not even based on the current Escort platform of that time over there!) Sierra platform based, Escort Cossie.

Until they gave U.S. a Focus SVT we got NOTHING, and they could not even find it in their hearts to give us the FWD Gen 2 Focus RS, but yes, eventually offered the 3rd Gen FoRS.

 

[Mega ST]

I would've been all over the Current FiST. The electronics look so modern and refined. That 3cyl sounds amazing. I would still keep my MK7, but would def add that to the stable. And a Yaris GR over the Corolla any day (Toyota sucks too for shafting us).

 

[M-Sport fan]

And a Yaris GR over the Corolla any day (Toyota sucks too for shafting us).

Yes, almost 600 lbs. lighter, with same drive train, slightly more power right off the showroom floor, 2 door, and more compact and 'tossable'.

 

[SPhilli911]

I would've been all over the Current FiST. The electronics look so modern and refined. That 3cyl sounds amazing. I would still keep my MK7, but would def add that to the stable. And a Yaris GR over the Corolla any day (Toyota sucks too for shafting us).

I was ready to buy a Mk8 Fiesta ST, but of course that opportunity never came up. I would have also kept my car and had both.

 

[Mega ST]

Opportunity never came because not available here? Or you were going another route like moving abroad? Lol.

 

[sgtiger]

Yes, even when we did get something directly related to the hot Euro/Brit 'Fast Fords', like the Capri, and XR4Ti, we were never offered anything like the much more hi-po/edgy Euro/Brit counterparts (the hot Capris and Sierra Cossie).

Ford corporate skipped totally over the whole hot RWD Escort series for U.S. consumption, including right up to the (yes, not even based on the current Escort platform of that time over there!) Sierra platform based, Escort Cossie.

Until they gave U.S. a Focus SVT we got NOTHING, and they could not even find it in their hearts to give us the FWD Gen 2 Focus RS, but yes, eventually offered the 3rd Gen FoRS.

Don't forget though, before the Focus SVT there was the...

Taurus SHO V6 and V8
Contour SVT
Probe GT

All pretty cool cars!

 

[SPhilli911]

Opportunity never came because not available here? Or you were going another route like moving abroad? Lol.

Not available in the US. Though, I'd also love to move abroad and get one too.

 

[Dpro]

Yes, almost 600 lbs. lighter, with same drive train, slightly more power right off the showroom floor, 2 door, and more compact and 'tossable'.

Ah excuse me you have it backwards the Corolla‘s HP and TQ were upped compared to the Yaris and then for the 24 model year they bumped the Yaris HP to almost equal. Though do not be surprised Toyota has MY 25 changes coming to the GRC.

Seriously I was like you guys about the GRC till I drove one . It’s a great car and actually felt very familiar the minute I drove it. I could go fast in one right away. Oh and people are pushing 300 WHP with bolt ons and tunes.

So ya before you go dismissing the GRC go out and test drive one there are a lot of former members of this forum owning and driving them as well as former FoST and FoRS owners .Subie owners , Evo owners see that on the GRC forum by recognizable SN’s. 😂
It’s AWD and actually delivers a more solid welll built AWD platform than the FoRS and that is spoken by those former FoRS owners.

I ove my FiST butt ya Ford is a dead platform for these types of cars. Plus Ford is discoing parts left right and center. Who knows how much longer I can drive my FiST and be able to source OE parts.
I learned my lesson about that already when I rebuilt my FiST.

 

[Gone in 60]

We are lucky we got this car, and I'm lucky that the timing worked out that it was available when I needed a new car. I don't drive it much, it's a fun car for me, so hopefully I can keep it for a long time.

I was working an auto show in England when Ford unveiled the Mk 8 FIST. I was in love, but someone said "Ah, you Yanks aren't getting this one, sorry."

In the back of my mind, I'm always thinking of what I'd replace it with if I had to. The Corolla GR is the closest thing I can think of, or a GTI, for however long we'll get that.

 

[Capri to ST]

We are lucky we got this car, and I'm lucky that the timing worked out that it was available when I needed a new car. I don't drive it much, it's a fun car for me, so hopefully I can keep it for a long time.

I was working an auto show in England when Ford unveiled the Mk 8 FIST. I was in love, but someone said "Ah, you Yanks aren't getting this one, sorry."

In the back of my mind, I'm always thinking of what I'd replace it with if I had to. The Corolla GR is the closest thing I can think of, or a GTI, for however long we'll get that.

You're right, besides the luck of getting the car at all, the timing of when we got it was fortunate for me also. I got my '16 new right in the middle of the model run.
I also don't put many miles on it, about 3500 a year, so I hope to keep it forever.
That said, I also think about what I would replace it with if I had to. I had my eye on a Veloster N, but they're gone. The Corolla GR is close, but for me it's a bit too big and I don't like the extra weight and complexity of AWD. New cars that are the most appealing to me are the Subaru BRZ and the Acura Integra Type S. The Subaru doesn't have the practicality that our car has, and the Acura is considerably bigger and more expensive, so for me there's just nothing that would properly replace it.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Don't forget though, before the Focus SVT there was the...

Taurus SHO V6 and V8
Contour SVT
Probe GT

All pretty cool cars!

Yes, true, but I was speaking to smaller, compact/sub compact type hot hatches.

 

[M-Sport fan]

Ah excuse me you have it backwards the Corolla‘s HP and TQ were upped compared to the Yaris and then for the 24 model year they bumped the Yaris HP to almost equal. Though do not be surprised Toyota has MY 25 changes coming to the GRC.

Seriously I was like you guys about the GRC till I drove one . It’s a great car and actually felt very familiar the minute I drove it. I could go fast in one right away. Oh and people are pushing 300 WHP with bolt ons and tunes.

So ya before you go dismissing the GRC go out and test drive one there are a lot of former members of this forum owning and driving them as well as former FoST and FoRS owners .Subie owners , Evo owners see that on the GRC forum by recognizable SN’s. 😂
It’s AWD and actually delivers a more solid welll built AWD platform than the FoRS and that is spoken by those former FoRS owners.

I ove my FiST butt ya Ford is a dead platform for these types of cars. Plus Ford is discoing parts left right and center. Who knows how much longer I can drive my FiST and be able to source OE parts.
I learned my lesson about that already when I rebuilt my FiST.

OK, but sub model to sub model for both (Yaris GR vs. Corolla GR) there is still a huge weight difference, albeit yes, most likely closer to 400-450 lbs. than my stated 600.

I am sure GRC (in all of it's various iterations/sub models) is a GREAT car, but I plan on driving this car I currently own until it either falls apart, rusts completely out, or I die.

 

[Intuit]

I plan on driving this car I currently own until it either falls apart, rusts completely out, or I die.

...or can no longer source good replacement parts.

My prior car was getting that way. For one example, nearing the end of my ownership (due to rust) the rear drum brake had an auto-adjuster that was impossible to source outside of a junkyard... and it was a wear item. I did find some decent ones to replace with but by that time I had begun to realize it's a bad idea to put anymore time into maintaining it. Also, having OEM parts last 200k+ but reman aftermarket parts last 20k got old real quick LoL.