Focus ST

krzyss

I did not see any ST dedicated discussions so let me start this one.

I will be looking for a new car next year; I know it is one year away but it will be sooner rather than later.

I am thinking about FIAT Abarth 500, MazdaSpeed 3, Volvo C30, Focus ST, WRX or anything else with sporty performance. BMW 1 series, WRX STI are a little too pricey for me.

I tried to fit in Mazda MX-5 but I was hitting the roof (I am just below 6 ft - 180 cm).

Is ST going to be the hottest hatch (small car) on the market?

What do you think?

Krzys

dhamilton

I'm in the military, stationed in Germany and I'm very interested in this car. I'm not a huge front wheel drive guy but it seems to be a pretty decent all around-er.
Military deals are pretty good such as no tax. I'm just wondering if there will be discounts. For instance, my NCO ordered a Mustang GT with everything but the Boss stripes and exhaust and is getting it for around $28,500 no tax. That's a pretty awesome car for the money. There's just no room for mountain bikes, dogs and other necessities.

xwesx

Hottest hatch on the market? I don't know, but does it need to be?

I had my eye on a Fiesta, and was excited when Ford introduced an ST variant in November, but it seems like the concept fizzled afterward, so I'm not sure we'll see one in North America.

When the FE numbers came out for the Focus ST, it definitely piqued my interest. I hate the optioning on it, though. For instance, for a basic safety item like heated mirrors, one has to option it to the gills, which puts the MSRP at about $29K - maybe $1K less than a WRX Limited. So, for that price, I trade fuel economy for all-wheel drive. Suddenly, the ST doesn't look so attractive.

$25-$26K with leather seating, heated mirrors, and no boy racer crap, and I'd be done looking for my next car.

creakid1

Is ST going to be the hottest hatch (small car) on the market?

Nah, the Toyota GT86 is :P
http://www.topgear.com/uk/photos/tg-mag-speed-week-gt-86-meets-the-rivals-17-08-- - 2012?cm_mmc=Responsys-_-email-_-TG_UK_NLT_2012-08-24_Tg-NewsletterV2-_-email&utm- - _medium=Email&utm_source=Responsys&utm_campaign=TG_UK_NLT_2012-08-24_Tg-Newslett- - erV2

My right brain still tells me to get a Focus w/ those ST cloth seats (which I sat in the LA Autoshow forever), 'cause the Scion (Toyota GT86) does not have those comfortably high chairs.

dhamilton

That the Scion/Subaru love child is a better "drivers car". More engaging, better balanced, etc etc. But, I need a family hauler, mountain bike hauler and then something to autocross every once in a while. The ST seems like the best over all choice for me.

joemama9

Just stopped in my local ford dealer and test drove the ST. Wow... loved it. Nice sound pipes, shift is silky smooth, solid ride . I owned a 2009 GTI and currenlty drive a 2011 Mini Cooper S. I would buy a ST today except.... I'm clostrophopic and those recaro seats are so tight and uncomforatble. I would opt for the base model (sans Recaros) but I really want the great Sony stereo and GPS. I'm 5 foot 9 inches and weigh 185. If I feel tight in those seats imagine a 200+ pound guy or gal. I really want to buy the ST but cant get past those tiny, tight, very uncomfortable recacro seats :mad: . Any similiar thoughts out there on the Recaros??

creakid1

Since I'm slim fit & don't want the hatchback's narrow rear vision, I would love to buy a Focus sedan & pay you to exchange my cloth front seats w/ your ST cloth front seats! The airbag wiring should fit OK.
.

dhamilton

I hope the Recaros aren't too narrow. I'm 5"11, 205lbs but I'm an athletic build not really fat. I hope they don't pinch me too much

perrito

Finally got the first glimpse of the ST, looks great, more or less reasonable at about 28K, but then I saw the #*(&@ dealer tacked on a "ADP" of $5K - shame on you Phil Long in Colorado Springs. Outrageous. (Walks away...) :mad:

joemama9

Same thing in Texas. They want 1-3K over MSRP. For a ford... really... give me a break????? USAA car buying services can get you one for $750 under MSRP. Also look in ebay. I see many selling for MSRP. It will take a few months for the price to come down. I'm going to buy one when the price is right. I can wait. I'm driving a 2011 mini cooper S. Patience pays.

dhamilton

I ordered on 27 July and still have no VIN# or build date from Ford. It's like I'm in the 4'th dimension with this car. I know ST3 package cars are/were on a Materials hold but I ordered the ST2. I hope I find out something in the next 3 weeks or I'm putting money on a Golf R.

creakid1

But how fun is the Golf R?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDoyrgMS_PY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4uDzeDP1eo&NR=1&feature=fvwp

It's so boring w/ permenant ESP. Do you have to get the harsh & evil EVO in order to have fun?

How about the next FWD GTI w/ mechanical LSD?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lhp_84foDMY&feature=player_embedded

jco872

I test drove one over the weekend and didn't notice the seats at all. Test drove a different one today and hated the seats. They were ridiculously narrow and I almost didn't even want to drive it. I wonder if there is just range of how they come out of the factory? It's a shame for me as well because I love the rest of the car.

krzyss

ST1 has sport seats and ST2 and ST3 have Recaro branded ones.

Krzys

dhamilton

I'm stationed in Germany, I would have to order a 2013 and I wouldn't have it until March. I want the Focus ST but I feel a lot of frustration about how Ford is handling orders [errrr, actually, not handling orders], I ordered 3 months ago and still have no idea when my car will be built. Numerous people are having issues with Ford and their lack of communication/ being forthright with production issues, regarding this car.

krzyss

ST1 and ST2 are sitting on dealer lots.
ST3 is late.

Krzys

dhamilton

Yes, and my ST2 order is sitting somewhere on someone's desk. I don't have access to lots in Germany, I have to order.

cannon3

The Ford Dealership had an ST in black sitting in front of the Dealership. I had to stop in and take a look. I have a 2012 SE w/sport pkg, winter pkg, convenience pkg, sunroof. I have fixed it up a bit adding tinted windows, splash guards, body molding (color matches paint).
Anyhoo... The ST looks good no doubt. Just enough to distinguish it from other Ford Focus hatchbacks. The sales person came out and asked if I wanted to test drive. OHHH yeah... Away we went. Exhaust sounds are pleasant from a car like this. Fast, just plain fast. This engine wants to go and it will go.. Price is a bit steep right now. Probably because of all the press.. I of course was asked if I wanted to trade up.. Nope I said. I am going on 50 and would probably look a fool in this boy racer... So, I piled in my 2012 Focus SE hatch and drove away with a smile...

krzyss

Do you really look that much different in SE vs ST?
95% of population will see no difference and 5% would admire the taste for performance.

Krzys

dandydonsatx

Mmmmm, maybe not when you mashed the pedal and put somebody's wannabe in the rearview mirror LOL. I would think about a sedan version if it were offered (it would be a perfect "sleeper car"), but my SE sedan is fast enough to get me a ticket or two if I attempted to get too greedy with the speed, even though the nearby 85mph toll road is tempting. And I'm 56. Still have a wild boy inside, I just choose my moments to let him come out and play Take care!

Don

Kirstie_H

A reporter would like to speak to a recent buyer of a Ford Focus ST who considered buying a VW GTI. If this fits your description and you'd like to share your story, please send your daytime contact info to pr@edmunds.com no later than 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET on Monday, 5/6/13.