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.

bigdog1250 · 05-02-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

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.

There's all different levels of enthusiasm

I don't consider AWD the choice of a true enthusiast either.

UNKNOWN_370 · 05-02-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

There's all different levels of enthusiasm

I don't consider AWD the choice of a true enthusiast either.

Do you realize that AWD has the Rallye segment. RWD has the drift autocross and formula segement... what segment does FWD have? The I need a new drivetrain to put my car in a competition segment??? Lol. There is NO enthusiasm for FWD.

vividracing · 05-02-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

Do you realize that AWD has the Rallye segment. RWD has the drift autocross and formula segement... what segment does FWD have? The I need a new drivetrain to put my car in a competition segment??? Lol. There is NO enthusiasm for FWD.

I guess you've never been to a NASA or SCCA event, or FF Battle/Super Lap Battle/Honda Challenge/various rally events/tons of other series and events. There's PLENTY of enthusiasm for FWD.

If there was no enthusiasm for these cars, automakers wouldn't be producing them.

Red__Zed · 05-02-2012, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigdog1250

There's all different levels of enthusiasm

I don't consider AWD the choice of a true enthusiast either.

To each their own, I guess.

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