Waiting for the RS with bated breath.
The Focus ST has a lot of our world excited. After all, there are few better options available now for a hot hatch. The ST churns a good 252 horsepower out of the 2.0-liter Ecoboost engine, but the more notable virtue is that you can grab one of these for a little over $24,000.
Hot hatches are back! Yaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
As the owner of a red SVT Focus, I was pretty sure I was going to love this thing. Yep, it's great. Super comfortable, super fast, super nimble, super well-optioned, and super cheap: You can snag one of these for $24,000. I couldn't wrestle my rose-tinted glasses off while I was driving it, so eventually I just gave in and decided it was the best car ever.
The only argument against it? The Fiesta ST. It would be a tough choice for me.
A year ago we bought a new Civic Si sedan for our "family car," and some people said that we made the wrong choice. We should have gotten the Focus ST instead, they said.
You know, I'm happy with our selection. I think the Civic Si has the nicer interior, smoother ride, better shifter and snappier engine. Plus I like the fact that it has a limited-slip diff. I also fit better in the Civic Si seats.
The Focus, of course, makes more power--especially in the torque department. Heading to an autocross or track? Then I concede that the Focus ST is likely the better choice. Plus if you want a hatchback, then it's a no-brainer.
For daily use, though, I'm happy with our Civic Si.
Waiting for the RS with bated breath.
Cool write up. I sort of wish they offered these in a coupe with Ecoboost and never did the Ecoboost stang. But I know that thought makes no business sense.
I wish they offered these in AWD.
These are still the only new to new-ish car I'm seriously interested in. I know the article states you can get them for 24k, but I've seen them sub 20k new on cars.com
Focus ST and the VW GTI are a pair of excellent choices to have within the segment
How are these things at autocross? DD#1 is going to need/want a new car next year, and she will want a manual with 4 doors. Unfortunately she also prefers hatchbacks and AWD, so the Focus ST and GTI are available in the body style she wants but not the platform, while the 2015 WRX is available in the platform but not the body style. The FoST is also a solid $4k cheaper in typical advertised prices that the WRX, and maybe $2k cheaper than the GTI.
jstein77 wrote: Waiting for the RS with bated breath.
I have $2000 in parts for the BRZ that I haven't put on yet specifically because of the RS.
I loved LOVED my '13 GT Mustang track pack (only ditched it because it was taking too much money from the dedicated track car). And I love what Ford has been doing the last few years, so I'd really like to be able to vote with dollars again.
Also, it would be a bit more practical than the BRZ. And I'm sure the tuners will quickly take it from 345 to 400hp with a tune. Making it a damn rocketship.
Duke wrote: How are these things at autocross? DD#1 is going to need/want a new car next year, and she will want a manual with 4 doors. Unfortunately she also prefers hatchbacks and AWD, so the Focus ST and GTI are available in the body style she wants but not the platform, while the 2015 WRX is available in the platform but not the body style. The FoST is also a solid $4k cheaper in typical advertised prices that the WRX, and maybe $2k cheaper than the GTI.
FoST has won GS Nationals two years in a row now. It's pretty good at autocross.
jstein77 wrote: Waiting for the RS with bated breath.
I initially read this as "with bad breath".
I like my version better.
I am oh so interested in the FoST. But with me driving as much as I do I am very concerned about having a turbo DI motor and the inevitable carbon build up issues. Same with the Mazdaspeed3
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