$10k sports sedan...

Something to consider if you're planning track laps. My understanding (I suggest you investigate this) is that the FiST uses selective front wheel braking instead of a true limited slip. They'll cook the front brakes pretty quickly running laps.

Turbo heat soak is another issue I've witnessed at summer autocross events with the FiST.

Also FiST track duty related: Ford, in their infinite wisdom, decided against using the Mazda bolt pattern and instead went with some oddball. Also the hub is unique to the FiST I believe, so larger caliper upgrades are slim

In reply to calteg :

The Fiesta bolt pattern is the same as literally every other four lug Ford product since the late 1960s.  It would be weird to make it something non-Ford.

It's a very common bolt pattern for other European cars too, and the Fiesta is a Euro car.  So it can share wheels with Peugeots and Audis and other stuff.

The FiST is very intriguing. 

I usually gravitate toward RWD, but sounds like this might check all the boxes. It's on the list pretty high for sure. Maybe higher than a MK6 GTI.

I'd love for it to be raw enough to be fun to drive on track/autocross, but still compliant on the street and could take a short road trip if I needed to...

The BMWs would be really good at this, but I think the FiST could be too..just not with kids really...although they are only 9 and 12..

The FiST is tiny.  Really tiny.  Check the back seat and cargo area...pack light.

Regarding FiST wheel bolt patterns it would be nice if it was 4x100, but the lack of interest in second hand 4x108 can also drive down costs. New they're not expensive and there are a decent number of options.

Rear seat space isn't great, but it might be something to try out vs other options under consideration. Front is good, I'm 6'5" and I have headroom.

Cargo wise, my FiST gets used to transport more stuff than most pick ups. Full disclosure I do have the rear seats removed, but it's not a night and day difference. Mine weighs 2600lbs (rear seats gone, no sunroof, oz ultraleggera wheels, spare tire replaced with tube of goo) Examples:

- 20 bags of mulch at a time.

- Few hundred lbs of garbage wood.

- 65" TV flat in back

- dressers

- medium sized folding table saw

- 13' kayak inside hanging out back. Other times 16/17' kayak/canoe on roof.

SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:

The FiST is tiny.  Really tiny.  Check the back seat and cargo area...pack light.

And this is kinda why the US regulatory definition of "coupe" and "sedan" involves rear-seat volume and not number of doors.

Is that an AWD sedan with a 6-speed and 280hp that can do 200,000 miles no sweat? You might want a Saab 9-3 Turbo X my friend. 

pinchvalve (Forum Supporter) said:

Is that an AWD sedan with a 6-speed and 280hp that can do 200,000 miles no sweat? You might want a Saab 9-3 Turbo X my friend. 

Ah, but you know what's a hell of a lot easier to find parts for, and perform DIY maintenance and repairs on?

... 

My S60R turned 345k today.  I have a 6sp auto but there are plenty of manuals out there.  Fuel economy ranges from rancid to ridiculously good depending on how much you do short trips or highway driving.  Rancid being 18-20 and ridiculous being 30-33.

I'm thinking of getting a V70R for more wagon in my life.

I am, incidentally, NOT suggesting the Volvo.  Personal experience suggests that the cooling systems would need to be addressed for any kind of track work, and the brakes are great on a Evo or STI but they're a bit overworked with the added 400-500lb that European luxury gets you.  Apparently Focus RS front calipers and rotors are a bolt on proposition to take you from 330 to 350mm rotors, but I haven't seen any appreciable cooling system upgrades available.

Track work and sedan?  E36 M3 or E46 330i.  Easy to work on, reliable, good parts support, well worn path for upgrades and setup

In reply to dpspeed :

Where are you located so we can start shopping for you??

docwyte said:

Track work and sedan?  E36 M3 or E46 330i.  Easy to work on, reliable, good parts support, well worn path for upgrades and setup

Or even an E90 at this point.

codrus (Forum Supporter) said:

docwyte said:

Track work and sedan?  E36 M3 or E46 330i.  Easy to work on, reliable, good parts support, well worn path for upgrades and setup

Or even an E90 at this point.

Agreed.  And if a bit bigger is desired, don't count the E39 out either.  The suspension is closer in design to the stuff under the E90 than it is to the E46.  It's a bigger, heavier car, but still quite competent and with plenty of support available. 

I'm going to plug the TSX but I think the E90 328i/330i are fine choices if you're willing to deal with BMW stuff and prefer rwd.

I just "finished" prepping mine and have 2 days on it so far. I have a very streetable setup (Intake/Header/Stock exhaust/tune; Koni Yellow/GCs; GlocsR10/R8;reverse staggered ECFs). I'm only in intermediate so pace and weaponry is very different from instructor groups, but the car was a bit quicker than I expected and easy to drive.  My only complaint so far is that the seats could be better and I don't think there's a simple front tow-hook solution. As a street/family machine it is great, fun gearing, reasonable rear seats, pointy front end, and relatively soft wheel rate. I would have no problem using the car as a primary family car if needed. There's also a very good facebook group for tsx track-specific discussion.