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I recently purchased a Fiesta ST, which (along with the Focus ST) bucks this trend. The Fiesta is a cheap car, but the highest trim package, ST, is exclusively available as a manual and adds 70 HP. The Focus ST is the same, with an even bigger HP bump.

Hopefully somebody else decides to compete with Ford for the budget enthusiast market, and we get a bunch of fun manuals :)

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I haven't driven the new Focus/Fiesta ST/RS, but I test drove the previous gen manual Mustang GT. Ford took all of the feel and feedback out of the gearbox, clutch, and steering of that car. I think that they were trying to hit a broader demographic by making things feel smooth and approachable, but I hated it.

Do you feel like the Fiesta is similar?

I also own a 2015 Fiesta ST as my daily driver. It's the most fun I've ever had in a car.

Did you do the driving class, Octane Academy? It's not well publicized, but the ST comes with a free driving class in Utah (you pay for travel and accommodations), but it's only valid within a year of buying it.

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