Saw first Focus ST on road

[Black-Falcon]

Originally Posted by Mclovin80 The large-mouth bass style grill kills the aggressive look, kind of like the last few generations of Camaros.

It looks like it has downs syndrome.

[sidthafish]

I'm glad I went with an MS3. I was going to get an ST but after my dealings with the local Ford dealership, I wouldn't take one if they gave it to me.

IMO, I'd rather have a vehicle with an established community and plenty of mods over something new & shiney.

I'm not a fan of the yellow (hell, I'm not a fan of any yellow vehicles) but it does look pretty sweet in black.

[abelardo]

Before i bought my speed3 i was went to the local ford dealership and looked at the ST. The salesman said it was based off of the RS500 and had 350 HP. After that I realized the salesman had no idea what he was talking about and took a look inside. it just seemed plain and because it was the only one they had and it was in the show room they wanted me to start the financing before I took it for a test drive

The ST i looked at had the stock non-recaro seats and a market value adjustment of $5,000. What a waste of money.

[ep87]

Being a 2012 MK6 GTI owner and a 2012 MS3 owner also, I'd like to get my hands on one for a afternoon. I just like hot hatches. Looks like the ST its going to be in short supply for a while, but I might have to take the GTI or the MS3 over to a dealer and act like I'm interested in trading it in just to take it for a little ride just for the fun of it.

Richard

[Dr. Speed]

Here is Inside Line's full test (just released today) of the ST:

2013 Ford Focus ST Track Test

Compare it to the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 full test also by Inside Line:

2010 Mazdaspeed 3 Full Test and Video on Inside Line

Here is my summary and my impressions:

I personally love both cars and own neither (yet), but as far as performance goes, the only category that the ST won in in this particular test is lateral skid pad numbers. The slightly better skidpad numbers are likely due to the wider, sticker factory tires of the ST vs. the inferior Dunlops that the MS3 comes with.
For the 1/4 mile - MS3 wins (ET is quicker and trap speed is 6.2 mph faster),
Slalom - MS3 wins even with inferior factory tires (look it up, it's true),
0-60 time - MS3 wins (but granted, this can be driver dependent),
0-75mph - MS3 wins by a full second...
Braking (60-0) is within 1ft (ST is 112ft, MS3 is 113ft)

60-100mph obviously isn't tested, but I think it's worth noting that the MS3 should win here as well... this is a relatively safe assumption based on a significantly higher 1/4 mile trap speed for the MS3.

Here's a quote from the test/review regarding acceleration: "Doesn't want to bog or coil like Mazdaspeed 3, but also doesn't leave as hard"...

Don't get me wrong, I love both cars and I'm not a "fanboy" of either. I am simply stating facts based on 2 tests both done by Inside Line. The ST might trump the MS3 in refinement and other categories... but it looks like the MS3 has all around "performance" in the bag...

[ztnedman1]

If anyone takes a true look at the GTI, MS3 they will see they are two sides of the same coin. One is focused on refinement and the other is performance. The ST is ment to sit right in the middle being 90% of both of them. Anyone who is debating the lack of power in the GTI or lack of refinement in the MS3 will find their answer in the ST. If the ST crowd will just realize this they will be much better off.

[ep87]

Originally Posted by ztnedman1 If anyone takes a true look at the GTI, MS3 they will see they are two sides of the same coin. One is focused on refinement and the other is performance. The ST is ment to sit right in the middle being 90% of both of them. Anyone who is debating the lack of power in the GTI or lack of refinement in the MS3 will find their answer in the ST. If the ST crowd will just realize this they will be much better off.

Well put.

[JT.Tuckerman]

Nice summary. I agree that one of the major downsides to the ST initially due to it being new and limited availability are the dealers that price gouge and add "market adjustment". Whenever I see that on a car, I just move on to another dealer or another car. You pay enough for cars these days, why pay more when you don't have to. And I love hot hatches too- owned the very first one- bought brand new- a 83 GTI. Have owned many since then including an SI and WRX and loved all of them. Before I bought the MS3, it was between the ST, GTI and MS3. The ST was not available at the time and I choose the MS3 over the GTI for the raw power and excitement.

[Dr. Speed]

We have our affectionate names for our cars (Genwon/juan, Genpu, etc...)... I propose that in light of performance numbers thus far, that the new ST henceforth be known as the "Slowcus ST"

[jseams]

I have yet to see one - although I saw 10 LS MZ3 2.5's yesterday while driving around. Every single one seemed to think he was in a speed. lol

[Dr. Speed]

^^ Because feels like race car

[marco427]

Well, the November issue of Road and Track has the ST quicker both to 60 and in the quarter than the MS3, and also better on the skid pad. Even worse, even the GTI, with 63 fewer horses, beat their Genpu to 60.

Maybe the Focus test car was slightly "tuned", or the MS3 was sickly.

[Darth_Nuruodo]

That article has been discussed here to death in another thread. I and pretty much everybody else say they were sandbagging their numbers.

tapatatapa... DROID 2 Global... etc etc

[SilkBraahJJ]

Originally Posted by marco427 Well, the November issue of Road and Track has the ST quicker both to 60 and in the quarter than the MS3, and also better on the skid pad. Even worse, even the GTI, with 63 fewer horses, beat their Genpu to 60. Maybe the Focus test car was slightly "tuned", or the MS3 was sickly.

Driver mod

[3Gee Tee]

Don't let that Focus ST(D) give your car crabs.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Dr. Speed]

Originally Posted by 3Gee Tee Don't let that Focus ST(D) give your car crabs. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

It'll have to catch us first... which doesn't seem likely

[Littlescroll]

Originally Posted by Black-Falcon It looks like it has downs syndrome.

This. I saw an ugly yellow car flying up behind me... Passed me going like 70 in a 35. I followed him a bit and it was a new st on a test drive. Guy didn't pull on to the freeway unfortunately. I decided to go check one out at the dealer nearby and when they saw my speed they offered a test drive immediately. Didn't even ask my name lol. Car drove well. Super quiet. Recaros are good. It felt sluggish compared to the ms3. Turbo just doesn't have the same punch. It's overpriced for the feature level.

[jdmage_mx5]

Looking at Littlescroll's photo, the genpu much like an STI have a certain look about them; nice, well thought out lines with an aggressive angle. The ST screams "Hey you, yea you, the 16 year old that just got his license, buy me and slap a huge metal wing on top of my factory spoiler and an intercooler big enough for a semi-truck just like the Dodge Neon SRT guys do it will be cool. Mad tyte JDM kinda cool!"

....just my opinion which matters as much as Obama running for president again!

[Dr. Speed]

^^ I completely agree... the design lines are made very apparent by this picture and it makes the MS3 appear much higher quality. I've also found that genpus are often not super photogenic but appear much better in person (to me at least).

Oh, and @Littlescroll, are you lowered?

[Littlescroll]

Originally Posted by Dr. Speed ^^ I completely agree... the design lines are made very apparent by this picture and it makes the MS3 appear much higher quality. I've also found that genpus are often not super photogenic but appear much better in person (to me at least). Oh, and @Littlescroll, are you lowered?

Stock ride height actually. I'd love to put some springs on but I scrape enough as it is.

I took that photo just because I figured it would be cool to have both cars in the shot but I think it really shows the design differences well. I agree with your assessment. If I was in the market now and I saw this photo I'd be unhappy with the ST's looks compared to the ms3. It's just not attractive.

[SilkBraahJJ]

Originally Posted by Littlescroll Stock ride height actually. I'd love to put some springs on but I scrape enough as it is. I took that photo just because I figured it would be cool to have both cars in the shot but I think it really shows the design differences well. I agree with your assessment. If I was in the market now and I saw this photo I'd be unhappy with the ST's looks compared to the ms3. It's just not attractive.

Its nice that you got a pic next to the same color ST for comparison. Yeah, the Pu definitely looks more aggressive than the ford IMO.

[Dr. Speed]

Originally Posted by Littlescroll Stock ride height actually. I'd love to put some springs on but I scrape enough as it is. I took that photo just because I figured it would be cool to have both cars in the shot but I think it really shows the design differences well. I agree with your assessment. If I was in the market now and I saw this photo I'd be unhappy with the ST's looks compared to the ms3. It's just not attractive.

Yeah, IMO the white ST looks cheap. And the MS3's CWP paint is beautiful. You really can't see that until you see it in the sun in person.

[qweedqwag]

I test drove one about a month ago, they are quick and handle good however the MPG is crap welll maybe it was me, had my foot into it in 4th was hitting 105 burned thru some gas in a 14 mile test ride, it was fun though, felt slower than an MS3 though.

[Stealth01]

I'm waiting to run across one of these here locally and see what it can do. I know the local dealer has sold a few....should be fun.

[ahfunaki]

Originally Posted by Littlescroll This. I saw an ugly yellow car flying up behind me... Passed me going like 70 in a 35. I followed him a bit and it was a new st on a test drive. Guy didn't pull on to the freeway unfortunately. I decided to go check one out at the dealer nearby and when they saw my speed they offered a test drive immediately. Didn't even ask my name lol. Car drove well. Super quiet. Recaros are good. It felt sluggish compared to the ms3. Turbo just doesn't have the same punch. It's overpriced for the feature level.

All that picture made me realize is that I really need to trade my black PU for a white...

But I like the way the ST looks, but the MS3 definitely looks better. Obviously an opinion though...

[TriO]

Now just imagine how ugly the ST would look if it was a genwon parked next to it

[Littlescroll]

Originally Posted by TriO Now just imagine how ugly the ST would look if it was a genwon parked next to it

Its the wheels... And the front end... and the fender flares... and the tail lights.

[kmpeeps]

Originally Posted by jdmage_mx5 Looking at Littlescroll's photo, the genpu much like an STI have a certain look about them; nice, well thought out lines with an aggressive angle. The ST screams "Hey you, yea you, the 16 year old that just got his license, buy me and slap a huge metal wing on top of my factory spoiler and an intercooler big enough for a semi-truck just like the Dodge Neon SRT guys do it will be cool. Mad tyte JDM kinda cool!" ....just my opinion which matters as much as Obama running for president again!

Funny you say that, on multiple occasions I've had to double take at 1am to see if that was a sti or speed that passed me. Normally only happens with white sti's

Sent from my HTC One X using Tapatalk 2

[dbrier]

Road & Track has the Focus ST, Mazdaspeed3, and GTI test out now.
2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2012 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 ? Hot Hatchback Comparison Test ? RoadandTrack.com
What monkey was driving the MS3 to make it that slow? Were they sandbagging to give the ST more points?

If the ST had been out in May, I would have considered it, but I needed car then.

[Dr. Speed]

Yeah, that article has been discussed in a few places. It's crappy journalism (actually just a Ford ad).

[SilkBraahJJ]

Originally Posted by dbrier Road & Track has the Focus ST, Mazdaspeed3, and GTI test out now. 2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2012 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 ? Hot Hatchback Comparison Test ? RoadandTrack.com What monkey was driving the MS3 to make it that slow? Were they sandbagging to give the ST more points? If the ST had been out in May, I would have considered it, but I needed car then.

I didn't even bother reading the article. Saw the 0-60 time for the Speed3 and immediately called BS.

[dbrier]

The Ford has promised much better mileage (according to epa numbers) but didn't deliver at all. The MS3 gets much better mileage than stated on the window sticker.

Maybe they had 3 people in the car for the Mazda tests.

[joez28ls1]

Just got back from driving an ST.

Pros:
Contour of the steering wheel feels good in your hands.
Overall interior scheme looks and feels nice.
Engine sounds nice

Con:
The shifter is positioned for right-hand drive (too far away from the driver seat).
Shifter throws are longer then i expected
Steering feel is light
The driver's seat bottom is raked up too much (and does not adjust).

I honestly don't think its faster than a stock MS3. I think its a nice car for sure and I'm happy to have the competition. I fully acknowledge this list is incomplete and contains opinions.

[warlockfan92]

Im gonna go try to get my hands on one tomorrow.

[Littlescroll]

Originally Posted by joez28ls1 Just got back from driving an ST. Pros: Contour of the steering wheel feels good in your hands. Overall interior scheme looks and feels nice. Engine sounds nice Con: The shifter is positioned for right-hand drive (too far away from the driver seat). Shifter throws are longer then i expected Steering feel is light The driver's seat bottom is raked up too much (and does not adjust). I honestly don't think its faster than a stock MS3. I think its a nice car for sure and I'm happy to have the competition. I fully acknowledge this list is incomplete and contains opinions.

I agree with just about everything you said. The shifter definitely wasn't great and it just doesn't feel that fast. Also the st2 stickers for over 27k and it just doesn't seem worth it.

[killerkid08]

been a passenger and driven both, hard. lol.
ST is nice, a decently quick vehicle which still torque steers, the seats have higher bolsters and hold me better, (skinny pilot sized seats), but the price tag is outrageous, a little excessive in comparison to the MS3( got my 2011 for 21599).

MS3 is, well good. we all own them so i don't need to elaborate.

would i buy a ST over a MS3 if money was no factor? No, because aftermarket isn't there yet, and i always like my cars spicier than stock.

[Limeybastard]

Originally Posted by Mclovin80 The large-mouth bass style grill kills the aggressive look, kind of like the last few generations of Camaros.

I considered a race red ST 2 before pulling the trigger on a speed 3 which I will be collecting this Friday. One of the things I don't like is the hood looks slightly open. Getting idiots blowing their horn and reminding you to shut your hood would be a pain. Also issues with the rear lights chipping the paint and coolest hoses falling off put me off. Plus ford reliability in my old mind is still tarnished.