We had one for a year, and I loved the way it drove and looked…but – getting a bike in the back was a right PIA, as the back seats don’t fold flat, and the three door body got on my pip more than I expected. (and I wasn’t putting kids in child seats) The ride on the Mk7 ST’s is pretty harsh for UK roads too, but if you’re not doing long journeys, it’s probable well tolerable.
If you want a decent Fiesta alternative, I think you can get late Mk7 S-line 140bhp in the five door body, slightly more compliant suspension, but I’ve driven one and felt it cornered better than the ST on ‘normal’ uk road surfaces. The S-line has the same power to weight as a Pug 205 Gti and it felt great – you can also get an official Ford tuning kit to up the BHPa bit too ((£300 FWIR)
or, you could get an older Golf Gti – go on, ya know it makes sense😁