My new Ford Focus ST and me
 

Well I bought a Ford Focus ST for a daily. Mostly for the wife, and some for me. She does 1,500miles a month with catering work and school. I'll steal it here and there. Got it Friday night with a bunch of rebates and 0% finance. Yay for 2013's and dealers trying to get rid of them. So far love it. Hides it mass very well. Compared to the Mazda Speed 3's I've driven it is a far more fun car. The MS3 speeds feel like they will do fun, but not happy about it. The ST is happy wit hthe twisties no matter what. This weekend I'll go really play with it and report. Been awhile since front wheel drive, but it is a blast in corners. Easily 50% over speed limit cornering ability and wife reports 80+ in 35-45mph off ramps. Much more tossable than others in the comparable market I've found.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378277635

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378277635

Yes the first thing I did after 2hrs of ownership was de-badge it.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378277635

Long term plan is an intake filter and later a tuner like COBB. Wife has told me to finish the turbo car (miata) and not to void warranty's on the Focus.

Why'd you go focus st over fiesta st?

I hear these have an engine mount issue. Not sure if they resolved it in the 2013's or not. Lotta guys around metro Detroit have ST's and they say the dealer will fix it. Or you can swap it out for the hybrid one or something.

I'm sure she will be happy with it, i know i would.

Will be purchasing this spring. A few friends have gotten them... Even one DIE HARD bowtie guy.

Enjoy.

Good choice. I test drove an MS3 and GTI last year when considering buying a "fun" DD, and wasn't impressed with either of them. The ST should be a lot of fun.

The ST took too long to come out and I was impatient buying a car, but I was highly considering it over my WRX and the MS3. I was hoping they'd get better mpgs than what they get, it was being rumored/suggested they'd make over 25mpg city, but it's much better than my car. and I do like that it can take 87 octane.

'Congrats

A good friend just got one too and I got to flog it around a couple months back. I was very impressed with the interior (for a focus its a huge step up). Also really enjoyed the responsiveness and torque of the engine.

One thing that killed it for me in a major way is the fwd. I floored it in 1st and 2nd and got very significant spin, then torque steer, despite the e-diff gizmos and traction control that it comes with.

Would definitely daily though.

in for the weekend report back...

Seems like an awesome daily. very nice torque for a car in that price range.

So am I the only one that can't see the photos in the first post?

no. no one can.

y u no tell op

Nope, they don't work for me, either. Home or work.

I have a friend with an ST that is getting 40+ mpg on the highway.

wow, nice. I'm averaging 23mpg in my wrx.

I really like the ST, I ran one light to light about a month ago in my speed 6. I was really impressed with how well it keep up. 40+ mpg on them makes me like it more, I'm getting 28mpg on the highway out of the speed which is respectable. I may try to pick up an st in a few years when they start coming up on the used market for a good price.

Funny, I searched "Fiesta" and "Focus" today specifically because of this. Thread is win... with results ;)

:useless:

Size mostly. I wanted the Fiesta and she liked the Focus size better. I have two 60lb dogs and the hatch in the Fiesta is noticeably smaller.

Images work on my end. Try 2.0

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378351181
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378351181
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378351181

That looks really f'in good. Love the white.

There is a TSB out for putting the electric Focus rear mount in. It looks solid compared to the hollow ST hopes and dreams mount. I'll swing by the dealer later and see if I can get it done. Some guys have reported dealers making the customer show that the car has loud banging under hard shifts. Others say the dealer just does the swap. We'll see.

I really am surprised by how far front wheel drive has come. Not saying the car is perfect, but it hides the lack of mechanical lsd well in the twisties. Still needs one. I wish it was AWD. So far driving it like a fun car we are averaging 25-26mpg according to the dash thing. Coming from 14mpg, on a good day, driving the Jeep it is a large jump up. It is a huge leap forward in ammenities from my '97 Miata without AC and PS.

EDIT: Forgot to mention 15min after I got home from the dealer I de--badge'd it. :giggle: White is my favorite. Wife wanted Black and I swore after my SE-R I would never maintain a black car again.

The interior is absolutely amazing. I really considered the car for a while just because of that.

Turn that engine to be RWD, good shifter and steering and I'd have to buy one yesterday.

The biggest thing about the interior I like is it feels small and compfy. The Recaro's are great. I don't like how new cars feel huge and spacious. I like feeling like I'm in a car. Not a living room with a steering wheel.

Exactly. It all feels pointed at you, like a cockpit.

The new 911/Cayman feels much the same way, it's a really nice change there too.

I wanted to trade my Mustang in for a new ST, but unfortunately it has depreciated enough that even a base model ST would still cost a few grand. Not to mention that most of them seem to be loaded up to like 28k sticker price.

That's because you drive a Miata ;) < insert joke about everything else feeling cavernous >

I do feel like a hot dog in a hallway in new cars. Has anyone seen the size of the new Taurus? Things are freaking huge. I swear every model year bridges half the gap to the next size up. The Fiesta is the size of the older Focus, Focus is the size of older Taurus, and the Taurus is the size of the Death Star. Mmmm Death Star SHO?

Really nice, and I love the white. Did you get the ST1 or ST2 Recaros? Care to share details on the pricing?

What year SE-R did you own, and were you on sr20forum or sr20-forum.com?

C

ST2 with grey/black Recaros. At 5'9" 195lbs the seats are comfy. Wife is a bit smaller, but nice hips and still likes them. Only other option was moon roof due to limited 2013 availability. I can deal with that I guessed and she liked the option. Was quoted $22,900 and gave up 2k in rebates for 0% finance. I'm a big fan of chowing down on principle and didn't change the monthly much. As in $7-8 a month. Taxes sucked bad. Think 10% bad. To be honest if $20 a month makes or breaks buying a car LEAVE THE DEALER IMMEDIATELY! You have no business buying a new car if $20 is a deal breaker. Bonus is I'm 32 as of Wednesday and have a clean record. Insurance is cheap plus I'm up to 5 vehicles now.

As far as the old SE-R. '96 SE-R and loved it. Did a bunch of poor kid mods and tried stuff. Wasn't on forums back in '00 to '04. Sadly I've got a serious internet gap. Grew up in the '90s with it and then was too ignorant/poor, then none, and post military '10 I joined the modern age. Still playing catch up.

I was just complaining how cars are so big lately.

I want to get a smaller sedan for my wife, but i also dont want a shitty car.

To get a nice car in a lower brand, you need to buy a boat; else you get the cheapest sedan in a luxury brand.

They all get bigger to the next model size up, then they make a new small model. Like Audi is introducing the A3 sedan because the A4 got so big. And BMW with the 1 series. Etc. etc.

Blame the gov't. All those safety standards means bigger/heavier.

I think crash test standards are for idiots. Who the hell plans on being in an accident?

the worst is what the pedestrian safety stuff has done to the snout and window lines.

never forget:
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378473698


today:

http://www.realclearscience.com/blog...e%20window.jpg

jeez, even since the e46:

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1378473961

the e36 wheelbase was 106in.

the e39 (5 series) was 111in. same as today's 3

Those drawings are not done in the same scale. It's exaggerated to enhance the size difference.

Better:

http://www.f30post.com/forums/attach...1&d=1261515954

I thought I was the only one who felt this way. I actually DON'T want crap loads of head room. Leg room is nice though..

Someone in a white Focus ST wouldn't stop staring at me from across an intersection today. I'm pretty sure he was jealous of my miata.

So far the car has been a blast. Wife is really enjoying it. I can get the car to rotate into a corner now. It does take more speed than I'm comfortable with on the road though. I really needs a stiffer rear motor mount. THe mount hit bang hard on the bottom of the car on angry shifts and I swear I can feel the engine move on throttle tip in. There is a Ford TSP for it. The entertainment screen is a bit wonky, but also there is a firmware update for that too. Torque steer is manageable. Just pay attention when throttling it. No anywhere neard as bad as the Mazdaspeed 3 or others. Car does need a mech lsd though.

I got my lab report back from Blackstone the other day. First time I had ever used them and found this pretty funny.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1388667553

LOLZ

Apparently one or more people at Blackstone have a pretty good sense of humor. I enjoyed that.

Good report. Read twice, would read again.

Wow, nice. I get 13 mpg in my 750i.

Been getting 26-28mpg and that is somewhat spirited driving mixed highway and city. I still average about 10% better than her and I drive quite spirited when I have it.

Bumping for 90 day update!

I'm seriously considering test driving one on Saturday. I found a white 2014 ST with cloth and 6 speed for $21,920 list. I should have jumped on a '13 but it just wasn't the right time, and now I can't find one.

All is well so far. One dent in the fender %&$#!, and just got my stuff to buff and wax the car proper finally. I put an CPe rear motor mount in and it has finally broken in. Made all the change rattle at first, but now it's pretty good. No more rear mount bashing into the bottom of the car. It is a much more fun car to drive after the mount. Could use some poly arm bushings, but not there yet. Trying my best to leave the car alone for the wife.

Also this is getting pretty funny.
https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1388195204

LOL, that is great. That guy must love his job.

Still wish the thing had an LSD, but it does okay so far. I personally really like the Recaros and so does the wife. Neither of use are tiny people, but many online have been a bitch about the bolsters. I figure they are either sissies, or huge people (American). If you test drive the Recaro (ST2/3) the seat does height adjust FYI. I do wish the ST2 had HID lights. I may retrofit later. Still don't like that just about every aftermarket set of springs are progressive rates. Other cars I've had with them were too spongy at small stuff and too stiff to late in the travel. Wheels are a pain to find 5x108 sucks. I suggest asking the sales guys who is fun. To me what makes the car fun is that it is just a normal car putting around town. No need to romp it, just happy to squirt through traffic. However, opening it up puts a smile on our faces. It is by no means fast, but for a factory Focus on ramps, passing, and corners are really short. :giggle:

I'm a fat bastard, so we'll see :giggle: Props for the update :bigtu: Those Blackstone guys are pretty damn hilarious

Edit: Actually, I did find a '13, but its black and has aaaaallllllllllllllll the bells and whistles and tags at $26.5k. Something tells me they will be sitting on that one for a while

Those Blackstone lab reports make we want to send them business

Would read again

+1 I've been looking all over their website tonight learning about their services. Seriously considering getting oil analysis done on all my vehicles now.

I've been doing it to keep a record for the car. Just in case I sell it years from now I want definitive proof the motor is good. None of this "oh yeah I change it every 3,000 miles" crap, but a slap with papers, BAM. Plus it makes me feel warm and will be doing it on the project car as well. I know it adds to the cost of the oil change, but I just started with them and it makes me feel less paranoid something is wrong. One day I'll send the oil in from the daily and freak them the hell out. Not sure how that car still runs.

Hey, your original Blackstone report with your address and stuff is still attached to that post.

No V6 Accord, no care.

Thanks, been trying to get it fixed for days. I can't edit it on my end. Hoping a MOD will be kind and wipe it. I'll ask them again.

Took the ST out for my first autocross. Handles well and plenty of power stock. 2nd gear was wide enough for basically the whole track. Took 3rd out of 28 in my class. Bit of an issue putting power down coming out of low speed corners. Brakes are great even if you stand on them.

https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1397495377

I have learned that cones are the devil. On that note please school me on sway bars. Blah blah not Miata. Planning on staying in GS (stock) class, but I can change the sway bar and already swapped the air filter for one I can clean.

Front or Rear bar? Rear should make it rotate more, but front in my mind might help traction. I can get it to rotate enough now, and more rotation might make the slalom too interesting. In my mind a front bar should keep the front more level and maybe keep more traction in the no LSD car. Traction in corners coming out is an issue. Belive it or not the car will rotate for a FWD. More couldn't hurt, but want more grip out of corners than rotation. Just not make the understeer worse.

[IMG]https://www.miataturbo.net/attachmen...ine=1399020077[/IMG]
Lost 3rd to a cone. Just clipped the base enough to nudge it. :loser:

both?


nudge it as falling over?



still averaging high 20s? I'm getting 22mpg in my wrx, but i haven't touched the tune since AUG and I know there's a bit of room for improvement.

I can only do one sway bar is my understanding of the rules. Otherwise yes I'd do both in a heartbeat. We've been averaging about 27-28mpg with mixed driving including 80ish cruising speeds and slightly spirited driving. On/off ramp fun and the little bits of fun here and there.

I'd imagine a front sway bar would help the most, from what I've seen they are pretty tail happy from the factory so a stiffer bar back there probably wont benefit you too much.

The front bar is listed as a 3.5hr job, so for me it's a 5hr job. Plus some of the bolts are torque to wield so yay for that. I agree a rear bar may make it more tail waggy than it is already in the slalom.

I've been talking to the wife a lot recently and I am debating between an ST and a speed3. I'm leaning more towards the ST right now.. Only problem is that either way, its bye bye miata. Looking to start a family soon and wont be able to have both :-/

I dont see any reason to pick a speed6 over an ST. I went with the wrx for the AWD over anything else, but I'm still eyeing STs.