What do you think of the Focus ST?

[MCompact]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I love the rowdy nature of the ST. But I bet it would get old fast as a DD.


I put @20k/year on my Mazdaspeed 3, and in comparison the Focus ST seems like a Town Car. It's actually relatively sedate when you are cruising, but when you start using a significant amount of the available bhp the MS3 is akin to walking a bipolar ADHD Rottweiler that is mainlining crystal meth.

My goal was to find an involving FWD car that wouldn't bore me to tears, and I pretty much nailed it.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Originally Posted By: MCompact
Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
I love the rowdy nature of the ST. But I bet it would get old fast as a DD.


I put @20k/year on my Mazdaspeed 3, and in comparison the Focus ST seems like a Town Car. It's actually relatively sedate when you are cruising, but when you start using a significant amount of the available bhp the MS3 is akin to walking a bipolar ADHD Rottweiler that is mainlining crystal meth.

My goal was to find an involving FWD car that wouldn't bore me to tears, and I pretty much nailed it.


Agreed. I have some seat time at Road Atlanta in a hopped up track rat car and it was awfully impressive. I just don't know if my tired old arse could stand it every day. I remember the wrestling match when the boost came up in first and second...

 

[Cujet]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: Cujet
After my abysmal experience with VW products, they will never get another cent of mine. I'd rather drive anything else.

I haven't had one since a Super beetle in high school, but I have heard the stories.I think they have made a real effort to address the reliability and service issues. A lot of them are aggravated by a lousy stealership!


Certainly, many dealerships are to blame for customer annoyance. However, when VW won't cover common issues, it's not the dealership's fault.

For example, my 2006 TDI had a "diesel emissions equipment" warranty of 2 years or 24,000 miles. Yup, a far cry from the EPA mandated emissions warranty on gas vehicles. I ended up paying absurd prices for parts literally 300 miles out of warranty and within one year of new purchase.

By the way, from what I can tell on the forums, nothing has changed.

 

[panthermike]

If I was in the market, I would buy a Focus/Fiesta ST no question. Great little cars AND fun to drive.

 

[adolan21]

Originally Posted By: SteveSRT8
Originally Posted By: Cujet
After my abysmal experience with VW products, they will never get another cent of mine. I'd rather drive anything else.


I haven't had one since a Super beetle in high school, but I have heard the stories.

I think they have made a real effort to address the reliability and service issues. A lot of them are aggravated by a lousy stealership!


Focus ST is having some clutch issues, where people have to get their clutches replaced very early usually before 10K miles. Every car has an achilles heel. I know what to expect with my GTI: water pump failure. Thank goodness I have a CPO warranty and that it is the best daily driver for me.

 

[rslifkin]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
For example, my 2006 TDI had a "diesel emissions equipment" warranty of 2 years or 24,000 miles. Yup, a far cry from the EPA mandated emissions warranty on gas vehicles. I ended up paying absurd prices for parts literally 300 miles out of warranty and within one year of new purchase.

By the way, from what I can tell on the forums, nothing has changed.


One of my roommates has a 2010 TDI Jetta (6 speed). It's around 65k miles now, not a single issue so far. Probably a little bit hit and miss though.

 

[dareo]

Originally Posted By: Zako2
My shopping list for the next car:

Focus ST
GTI Mk7, DSG
Civic SI Sedan


Civic Si Sedan is weak sauce these days. Honda has this amazingly powerful direct injected K24W1 and they haven't put it in the civic si yet. The earth dreams engine is making the same or better power, and on regular gas no less. Until they come out with a DI engine on the SI, there is no reason not to get the Accord instead. It will be faster, cost the same, not look like a boy ricer, and use regular gas. I expect, if they build it, a 2.4l Si with direct injection will possibly be rated as high as 240hp on premium. So wait for that, or skip today's civic si.

Earth Dreams whooping a 201hp rated TSX by a significant amount, till 6500 rpm at least:

http://www.vtec.net/articles/article-image?image=1136687/K24W1vsK24Z3.gif

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: panthermike
If I was in the market, I would buy a Focus/Fiesta ST no question. Great little cars AND fun to drive.


I'd already be driving either of them (but more so the Fiesta), IF they were offered with a performance AWD system, AND in 2 door guise.
Can you say "Rally Rocket" (with minor boost/upgrade mods)?!

 

[JetStar]

If the Focus ST were offered in a 3-Door, I'd probably be driving one now.

 

[Hokiefyd]

Originally Posted By: Cujet
I can't believe I'm actually considering a front driver


Isn't the X-Type a FWD-based chassis (even if some did have AWD)?

The Focus ST is a fantastic little car, at least on a tight autocross circuit. The Fiesta ST was nice also, but I preferred the Focus. As in most Fords, I don't care for the flip-phone inspired interior styling, but if that doesn't bother you, it's a great machine.