Considering a 2014 Fiesta

[oboyyme]

Hello,

I currently own a 2007 Ford Escape (my first Ford) and I'm contemplating on purchasing a new vehicle sometime this year. High on my very short list is the 2014 Ford Fiesta. I absolutely love the look of the new model (hatchback of course). I live in the U.S. so it looks like the only models available in the spring are Titanium and ST. I would love to hear people's opinions on these models, pros and cons of both, which they prefer and why. I live in New England so have to think about snow and ice and how this car will handle it. For the past umpteen years I've been driving automatic transmissions but have been reading that the Fiestas (Focuses too) have been having problems with their automatic and automated manual transmissions and was wondering if it would be better to purchase a manual instead. I haven't driven a manual in a very long time but know I would get reuse to it quickly as I still use my left foot to brake. The reason I went back to automatic is because I drive in a lot of stop and go traffic for the majority of my commute. The reason I'm thinking of going to a much smaller car is because of fuel economy. I have to fill up twice a week with my SUV and even though I love it and it's great in the snow, the $$ for gas is now a major consideration plus I'm at 105K in mileage and want to trade it in before it's not worth anything.

So I'm looking forward to what everyone thinks of this great little car!


Thanks in advance!

[Adamdv5]

2014 hasn't had official reviews, but there should be S and Se trims aside the Titanium and ST. The transmission is hit or miss for people, and like a manual, you have to learn to drive it. It's tuned for fuel efficiency, not performance. But I have heard zero complaints about the manual. When it officially gets released, test drive one in an area with stop signs or with lots of stop and go to see how the transmission works real-world style.

[Tall Timbers]

You probably know that at least right now Ford plans to introduce it's 3 cylinder engine to the Fiesta in the USA with the 2014 model. For fuel mileage reasons I'm looking forward to getting a couple for the family. My understanding is that they've been using the engine in Europe for a while now. It should have a little more spunk than the standard 4 cylinder I've got in my 2011 Fiesta.

[fiestatranny]

Just got a 2011 Fiesta with 10,000 miles on it and had intermittent transmission problems...it would not shift into gear! Having trouble convincing the local dealer that this intermittent problem is a real problem but being stuck in neutral is a problem! ...Not sure if they have a different transmission in the 2014 but the 2011 is lemon....lots of lemon law law firms have been looking for Fiesta owners...so it is a big problem