I’m looking for a first car that is a mix of reliability, practicality, and fun. Manual is a must. I may be dumb at times but I’m not stupid. I found a listing for a stock 2015 fiesta st with 160k miles for 5500. Any advice? I’ll need a car by February so at this point it’s whatever comes across marketplace first. If I find a non st I’d buy that first. My other option is a mazda3/6 manual.
These cars were relatively inexpensive when new, so the general advice is to buy the newest, lowest-mileage model you can find. A 2015 with 160k miles is nearly the opposite of that (especially in the US, where they were introduced in 2014), so be cautious and manage your expectations.
While these cars have few issues with the engine and transmission, there are plenty of other problems that can be just as, if not more, frustrating to deal with. With an early model like that, you’ll likely have to address water leaks and the blend-door actuator. If those issues have already been fixed, make sure there are no broken interior panels or rattling clips.
Additionally, that car is nearing the timing belt service interval, so it’s a good idea to plan on replacing it soon to avoid any unexpected trouble. If you’re okay with factoring that into the cost of the car, then go ahead.
At 160k miles, there are a few things to watch out for if they haven’t already been replaced:
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Blend door actuators: These are easy to fix yourself. My driver’s side one failed at around 30k miles in my car.
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Clutch Slave Cylinder: The factory unit is prone to sticking and may eventually fail to return. Replacing it requires removing the transmission, which is a complicated job.
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Timing belt: It needs replacement every 10 years or 150k miles, whichever comes first.
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Stock clutch: It’s possible that the original clutch could still be in good condition at 150k miles, but I recommend replacing it along with the clutch slave cylinder. It would be frustrating to drop the transmission to replace one of these parts, only to have to do it again in a few months when the other fails.
Overall, the cars are generally quite reliable.
The Fiesta ST is a fantastic blend of reliability, practicality, and fun, which is exactly why I bought one too. However, I wouldn’t recommend it as your first car, since the insurance rates for this model are quite high. As a new driver, insurance will likely be the biggest expense in terms of ownership, so it might be more practical to go for something with lower insurance costs. If you’ve already looked into the insurance rates and are comfortable with the cost, then go for it—it’s definitely worth it.
Nah, the rates for this car are actually affordable—just avoid the big insurance companies. Go local and get a few quotes to start. I used to pay $227 a month for just the base model, but now with the ST, it’s only $189 for both cars per month. Both have premium full coverage, though I don’t have rental insurance, and my deductible is $1,000, if that helps. I’d also suggest mentioning that you only drive around 5k–8k miles a year; in some areas, that can lower your premium.
Yes, insurance rates can vary significantly between countries due to different risk assessments, driving behavior, and theft statistics. In the United States, insurance premiums are often higher for cars like the Fiesta ST, especially for new drivers, as they’re considered sportier and may be linked to riskier driving habits. Also, theft rates and regional factors play a role in determining insurance costs.
In Germany, it’s interesting to see that the Fiesta ST, despite being expensive to insure due to factors like risky driving and theft rates, still comes at a relatively lower rate for you—only 53€ per month for partial coverage with a 150€ deductible. That’s quite affordable compared to U.S. rates, where sportier models tend to have higher premiums, especially for young or inexperienced drivers.
I was quoted $190 per month for the best package. Does that seem reasonable? It sounds like a good deal to me.