Dammit Vlad why do u have to be right so much. Hahaha!

 

Come up to Michigan and I'll throw you the keys to my 300 whp Fiesta. If you don't have a smile on your face after the drive I'll buy you dinner.

I'm with you, I too am bored of FWD and it's driving dynamics on track, but from an engineering standpoint FWD has a lot of advantages. More interior space, less drivetrain loss, better MPG etc. I get 34 mpg average (combined), can run 12's while carrying groceries, and is okay during the winter. It has it's place, just not for performance driving.

This ^^ Preach brotha

 

Maybe.
But IMHO unless you're on super sticky tires, or on the track, a FWD car will just plow or spin or 1 wheel peel in 90% of daily driver situations because you're gonna be on daily driver tires, on terrible/slippery roads, etc.

Having spent the first 7 years of my life owning a drivers license driving FWD cars (mostly acura RSX's) and driven my brothers MS3's and friends SRT4's, I cannot fathom ever getting a FWD with more than 150tq.

But thats just me
Agreed with all of it. Especially the last bolded part.
I actually like my wife's 14 mazda 6. It's an excellent daily commuter.

PS: I actually liked driving my friends Focus ST recently. Until I pushed it hard and plowed/spun everywhere. I'm not a great driver, so there's that, but I also didn't get much enjoyment pushing the car. It was best at below 70%

I guess I just really dislike the feeling. Even if you can technically go fast, I don't like the way you have to do it. Again, just a completely subjective opinion.

 

I've been kicking around the idea of picking up a 2014+ Mazda 3 GT for my wife instead of the pilot she has now. How did you like the Focus compared to your Mazda6? From what I've read the Mazda3 shares the same chassis as the second gen Focus. I really like how the Mazda 6 looks and it's bigger then the 3 which might be nice for hauling the kids around too.

 

If you want a 3, wait until next year. The 3 will be all-new and have that crazy new HCCI engine that promises better power and mpg.

 

That motor looks like something great, but unless I win the lottery I would not buy a new car off the lot. Even then it would have to be a Ford GT or an RX7 or something amazing.... call me cheap

 

I'm actually selling our 2014 mazda 6 right now. Seriously good deal too if you're interested. Need a minivan.

Anyways back on topic

 

/startrant

Before we get back on topic, for daily duty the Focus ST has been impeccable. Comfy, quiet, ~270wtq stock when in a gear higher than 3rd, I think it is limited to 200wtq in 1st and 2nd by boost or something, still get crazy torque steer at under 30mph. And you start pushing it past 8/10 and it becomes way too floppy and doesn't feel very settled down, the rear wants to become the front and I have a 2017 which should be even less tail happy than the earlier ones.

But as a daily, bluetooth is on, AC on max, car doesn't miss a beat, steering is light and quick and a punch of torque to fit somewhere is great. I drove it 900 miles to San Francisco and back and just set it at 80mph, did 145mph once, AC on the whole way and averaged 30mpg with it loaded with people and luggage.

Would I swap it out for a swapped car to daily? HELL NO.

Like Vlad said, keep that separate, you'll be much happier. That's how I realized I want to focus my project much more on track use since the Focus ST has the entire daily duty stuff covered for at least the next 100k miles.

/endrant