Focus ST review...

[badtlc]

I got to romp on one of these today and have a few observations I would share:

1) Do not compare this car to a daily driver. It is a race car, not a daily driver.
2) Suspension is crazy firm. Firmer than anything I have driven before.
3) Great sounding exhaust and turbo.
4) More power/torque than I would ever use/need in a car.
5) The seats are smallish. I'm not a big guy but they literally wrap around my rib cage. I don't see how anyone slightly above average would be able to sit in one.
6) The shifter is TERRIBLE. It has horribly chunky and LONG throws. A short shifter would do wonders for this thing.
7) Stock tires are summer only. Don't attempt starting the car in rain and/or snow.
8) Lots of gauges including boost. Nice, clean look to them.
9) It has the complicated mytouch or whatever control system. It is complicated and not easy to learn but nice if you are techy and take the time to learn how to use it.

I dare not compare it to anything else I have driven because it just isn't comparable.

 

[aquariuscsm]

I agree about the shifter,the throws are crazy long!! Besides that to me it drives like a regular manual transmission Focus. Really neat little cars!

 

[badtlc]

I did think the clutch and gas were too vague. The clutch I can understand because it is a fairly stiff clutch. I didn't like how numb the gas felt.

The brakes were also crazy touchy.

 

[Lolvoguy]

I love the Focus ST. The only thing I don't like about it, is the MyFordtouch system. Very annoying and overly complicated (I used to sell Fords). If I bough one, I'd try to opt for the basic system offered on the Focus SE.

Aside from that, it's everything I'd want in a hot hatch (awesome seats, oodles of power, handling comparable to a 911(just making that last part up))

 

[Mykl]

Wow, is it really that stiff? A coworker has one, I'll have to make him take me for a spin.

 

[david_ES2]

Who said you cant drive summer tires in rain?

 

[bourne]

Summer tires = Better wet traction than an equivalent All Season Tire, provided the temps are round 50F or higher.

 

[Cujet]

I do love the Focus ST. It's a real blast to drive. I came close to purchasing one.

Got a S2000 turbo instead. It's even stiffer, faster and more responsive... Just what I wanted !

 

[MCompact]

I like the Fiesta ST better; it's even more manic and tossable. Since I already have an MS3 in the garage-fitted with a MSCAI, FSDs, Michelin PSS, and a mechanical LSD-the Focus ST would be a lateral move at best.
That said, my MS3 will probably be my first and last FWD car- although if the Mk7 GTI Performance Pack makes it over here without being dumbed down and without a mandatory hole in the roof I may reconsider.

 

[Hokiefyd]

I like the Focus ST a lot. I don't find it stiff at all. In fact, I found it quite refined for what it could do. I'd be pleased to be able to drive one to work each day.

 

[Mykl]

^ I suppose it comes down to what you're used to.

My GTI feels like a "race car" compared to the Camry. I haven't ridden in an ST, but I'm going to guess the GTI isn't as firm on the road.

 

[badtlc]

Originally Posted By: Mykl
^ I suppose it comes down to what you're used to.

My GTI feels like a "race car" compared to the Camry. I haven't ridden in an ST, but I'm going to guess the GTI isn't as firm on the road.


My brother has a 2013 GTI. The ST is a totally different car and yes, the GTI isn't near as stiff with the suspension. ST isn't stiff in a "bad" way, it is just designed for track use first and foremost.

Like I said, I wouldn't compare an ST to anything else I have driven. It is designed to go straight the track, not straight to work.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: Lolvoguy
I love the Focus ST. The only thing I don't like about it, is the MyFordtouch system.


The only thing I don't like about it is that the rear wheels are not driven along with the fronts, and it is not available in a 2 door hatch.

 

[Jarlaxle]

It's wrong wheel drive...no more need be said!

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I like the MFT system in my parents Focuscape.

Not sure I'd get it for myself. They have only had a problem with it once - it froze once and didn't work until the car was restarted.

 

[Mykl]

Originally Posted By: Jarlaxle
It's wrong wheel drive...no more need be said!


Actually, it's front wheel drive.

 

[rjundi]

I got to ride 2hrs each way to ski area in a Ford Focus ST. It is a terrible passenger car esp winter battered roads. hoot for the driver.

I wish we took our MDX but my friend was insistent on showing me his new car. I did drive it for a stretch and it is a blast but would get old for me.