Ford Focus ST Priced < $25k

Red__Zed · 05-02-2012, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Meh, that's fine. I'm on the other side where I haven't experienced or witnessed any abnormal reliability issues assuming proper maintenance. Certainly there is a stigma for poor reliability that dates back to the 80s-90s when the US automakers were slacking off, but that's been over for a long time now. Just about every major manufacturer is on an even playing field when it comes to reliability.

Heck, between my Fjord and my Honduh, the Honduh has to go in for warranty mechanical repairs.

Between your ford and your Honda? What about the statistics between my ford and my NISSAN?

On a serious note....ford has definitely stepped their game up in the last couple years. My mom just got a new explorer (coming from years of driving Hondas) and the car is very impressive. Most of this stuff is cyclical....years of good, years of bad. Honda was on an upswing for quite a while...and has been putting out crap for the last couple years....it will take people a while to catch on.

Ford put out crap for a long time, and as People finally started to catch on, they gradually brought their game back up. I'm no ford fanboy...I buy based on the best value to me. I've owned quite a makes of cars, and have no problems calling it like I see it. I think this particular focus is an overpriced, fwd wrx that is trying to get in with the ms3 in a shrinking segment....but on the whole....ford is very much on top of their game right now.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-02-2012, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Between your ford and your Honda? What about the statistics between my ford and my NISSAN?

On a serious note....ford has definitely stepped their game up in the last couple years. My mom just got a new explorer (coming from years of driving Hondas) and the car is very impressive. Most of this stuff is cyclical....years of good, years of bad. Honda was on an upswing for quite a while...and has been putting out crap for the last couple years....it will take people a while to catch on.

Ford put out crap for a long time, and as People finally started to catch on, they gradually brought their game back up. I'm no ford fanboy...I buy based on the best value to me. I've owned quite a makes of cars, and have no problems calling it like I see it. I think this particular focus is an overpriced, fwd wrx that is trying to get in with the ms3 in a shrinking segment....but on the whole....ford is very much on top of their game right now.

I will agree that sport oriented FWD, is a shrinking market on an enthusiast level. Enthusiasts have become tired of substituting for new fwd sport vehicles and rather just find an affordable used RWD vehicle. This is why companies like Scion, subaru and hyundai are filling the gap with mid 20k RWD sports cars. Its almost over for FWD in this segment. There will just have to be cheaper RWD and AWD vehicles now if the corporations want to make money on new car sales.
I still think the ST is nice for what it is though. Though FWD has much less fans now in the enthusiast market... I see it appealing to family men that need practical but sporty. I don't think it will hit the enthusiast market too hard. A great DD for guys like us it will make as well. This car is rumored to be able to get in the 36mpg range highway.

bigdog1250 · 05-02-2012, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

I will agree that sport oriented FWD, is a shrinking market on an enthusiast level. Enthusiasts have become tired of substituting for new fwd sport vehicles and rather just find an affordable used RWD vehicle. This is why companies like Scion, subaru and hyundai are filling the gap with mid 20k RWD sports cars. Its almost over for FWD in this segment. There will just have to be cheaper RWD and AWD vehicles now if the corporations want to make money on new car sales.
I still think the ST is nice for what it is though. Though FWD has much less fans now in the enthusiast market... I see it appealing to family men that need practical but sporty. I don't think it will hit the enthusiast market too hard. A great DD for guys like us it will make as well. This car is rumored to be able to get in the 36mpg range highway.

I wouldn't say its over for FWD at all. While I prefer RWD, GTIs have been selling out the ying yang for the past decade. Everywhere I look I see one. While the Mazadaspeed 3 is a rare bird, the VW counterpart is not. VW got it right in this segment and has been enjoying its success.

$25k for this car is by no means overpriced.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-02-2012, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

I wouldn't say its over for FWD at all. While I prefer RWD, GTIs have been selling out the ying yang for the past decade. Everywhere I look I see one. While the Mazadaspeed 3 is a rare bird, the VW counterpart is not. VW got it right in this segment and has been enjoying its success.

$25k for this car is by no means overpriced.

In general, Most enthusiasts don't want FWD. Even the most sought after VW by enthusiasts is the R32 which is AWD.

Red__Zed · 05-02-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

I wouldn't say its over for FWD at all. While I prefer RWD, GTIs have been selling out the ying yang for the past decade. Everywhere I look I see one. While the Mazadaspeed 3 is a rare bird, the VW counterpart is not. VW got it right in this segment and has been enjoying its success.

$25k for this car is by no means overpriced.

The GTI doesn't really sell to enthusiasts though. It sells to people that want a sport entry to german makes, and people that cross shop the civic si.

DLSTR · 05-02-2012, 11:23 AM

No thanks. I will keep my 12-GTI. Looks like a large mouth bass. Not good.

m4a1mustang · 05-02-2012, 11:42 AM

I like all drive types to be honest. Fighting with a FWD car can be really fun.

m4a1mustang · 05-02-2012, 11:48 AM

Bottom line is I'm a car guy, so it's always good to see more sport-oriented cars entering the market. I even get excited over the Abarth.

bigdog1250 · 05-02-2012, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Bottom line is I'm a car guy, so it's always good to see more sport-oriented cars entering the market. I even get excited over the Abarth.

Same here. I welcome all sport-oriented cars that are quality.

The Abarth looks awesome! I'd love one of those as a tiny city car. The Scion iQ looks like it could be fun to toss around as well.

m4a1mustang · 05-02-2012, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

Same here. I welcome all sport-oriented cars that are quality.

The Abarth looks awesome! I'd love one of those as a tiny city car. The Scion iQ looks like it could be fun to toss around as well.

The wife of one of our club members just picked up an Abarth recently. Seems very well built. Super nice inside and out. The kicker is the sound... amazing!

ZMan8 · 05-02-2012, 12:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

Same here. I welcome all sport-oriented cars that are quality.

The Abarth looks awesome! I'd love one of those as a tiny city car. The Scion iQ looks like it could be fun to toss around as well.

on the Abarth. That car just looks fun. Similar to mini S.

the iQ I think is too underpowered to have any "fun".

m4a1mustang · 05-02-2012, 12:23 PM

This is a good read on the dynamics of the Focus ST. 2013 Ford Focus ST First Ride - Feature - Car and Driver

Looks like it will be a lot of fun.

ZMan8 · 05-02-2012, 12:27 PM

good article

bdavis89 · 05-02-2012, 12:31 PM

its a focus guys...a focus...great for the price, but I would never buy one.

I'll take the GTI every time over a focus, for the same reasons I took the 370z over a 5.0 Mustang. Its not all about sheer speed.

shadoquad · 05-02-2012, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bdavis89

its a focus guys...a focus...great for the price, but I would never buy one.

I'll take the GTI every time over a focus, for the same reasons I took the 370z over a 5.0 Mustang. Its not all about sheer speed.

I tested a GTI against an MS3 and liked the GTI better. I want to test the new Focus to get an idea where it compares. Largely, though, I agree that the GTI is incredible fit and finish for the segment, and it is very fun, even if it is slower than the others.

05-02-2012, 11:42 AM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	I like all drive types to be honest. Fighting with a FWD car can be really fun. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-02-2012, 11:48 AM	#8 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	Bottom line is I'm a car guy, so it's always good to see more sport-oriented cars entering the market. I even get excited over the Abarth. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-02-2012, 12:23 PM	#12 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	This is a good read on the dynamics of the Focus ST. 2013 Ford Focus ST First Ride - Feature - Car and Driver Looks like it will be a lot of fun. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

05-02-2012, 12:27 PM	#13 (permalink)
ZMan8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,844 Drives: 10 370z 40th M6 Rep Power: 659	good article __________________ 2010 370Z 40 Anniv., 6 MT \| Fast Intentions \| Swift Springs \| SPC \| Z1Motorsports \| JWM \| Redline Oils \| 35% Window Tint 2015 Mazda6 \| 370ZChicago: Chicago Area Cars & Coffee

05-02-2012, 12:31 PM	#14 (permalink)
bdavis89 Track Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jacksonville FL Posts: 586 Drives: '10 370Z PW Auto Rep Power: 15	its a focus guys...a focus...great for the price, but I would never buy one. I'll take the GTI every time over a focus, for the same reasons I took the 370z over a 5.0 Mustang. Its not all about sheer speed. __________________ 2010 Pearl White Touring Sport Package \| Navigation \| 7 Speed Automatic

05-02-2012, 11:23 AM	#6 (permalink)
DLSTR A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2011 Location: Süd Germany Posts: 2,462 Drives: 21Supra 2.0/22 M240i Rep Power: 21268	No thanks. I will keep my 12-GTI. Looks like a large mouth bass. Not good.

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