FORD FOCUS RS $42,000 w/manual only tranny!

RicerX

The only thing I have to add as a rebuttal is the following:

1) If you have someone in this market for this car (or the STI or Golf-R) it's so incredibly unlikely that they'll cross-shop the luxury segment at all. These are purpose-built niche vehicles and the Mercs are (gorgeous and well made) entry-level luxury.

2) The Evo being cancelled has much more to do with Mitsubishi being run by morons and less to do with the market. What does Mitsubishi even make that's any good now? A mirage? All aboard the LOLLERCOASTER!

3) The target market for these cars cares very little about anything without three pedals. Pure and simple. Would they sell an automatic/DCT STI? Maybe a few, but the overwhelming majority of prospective buyers is here for these cars because they are the last of the Mohicans when it comes to sports/sporty with a manual transmission. These are the best it gets for under $45k.

I understand what you're saying, but I think the sales numbers with these things are going to speak for themselves.

That being said, I'm a guy who could have made room for his coming baby with an STI and somehow ended up in a Q50S instead. There are always those strange kinds of buyers that broaden their horizons, but this market is also typically the type that is stubborn and doesn't stray from what they enjoy driving.

That also being said, if I had an extra $42k lying around, overpriced or not, I'd park a 2015/16 Nismo 370 right next to my Q50S. Because fanboy.

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