if they release it in AWD in the USA, and it still gets decent mileage, I'd toss the WRX for it :rofl2:

This really is a fun segment, the FWD performance hatch. The MS3, the GTI, now the ST, you could even throw the Mini in there for hoots.

When you consider the price point, this is a lot of fun and practicality for the dollar.

An AWD version would compete with the Golf R and WRX, and I'd expect it to be priced between them.

All things being equal, the WRX is probably the best performance for money buy.

Um good luck finding one for under $24k lol! States base price at almost $25k going to well over $28k.

Mazdaspeed 3 has been here for years and is based on same platform.

I get X Plan pricing. Mine will be right at 24K for the S2 package (about 22K w/o) if I get one. The MS3 is going for some really nice dicounts lately. Have heard of people picking up a non-tech for under $22K. I was ready to go that way until the Focus ST started to become real. :D

I might cross shop those in a few months to a year.

To give you a sense I bought my Mazdaspeed 6 GT fully optioned with leather moon roof Bose , etc for just under $24k and it was AWD. That was during up economy back in 2006. $22k for a FWD ford still seems expensive to me.

Well, maybe if it sells as poorly as the Speed6 did, Ford will have to sell them for $5k under invoice pricing as well.

$30520 Mazda6 4dr Sdn Grand Touring Mazdaspeed

4-Door All Wheel Drive Car, 274 bhp, 280 lb-ft, 6-sp Manual, 19/25 mpg

5 passengers, 3600 lb, 2.3-liter, 4-cylinder engine, 13.1 lb/bhp

INVOICE: $28203
MSRP: $30520

For me it kinda comes down to if/when you want to mod. The MS3 has a proven mod order that has already been bought with blood sweat and tears, the ST will be an unknown for a few years. The stock performance window will be very close but I expect the MS3 to be the goto mod car for about 2 more years. After that I'm sure the Ford will catch up. I'm also waiting to see what Mazda plans for the 2013 model but they are keeping pretty mum so far. After carefully considering all these details, I'm sure Mrs. Lug will have the final say, probably based on cuteness/color. :D

Good point.

Still, going to go test drive these :)

I tested an MS3 back in 2010. Was fun, but I liked the slower GTI better. We'll see what's what in 2013 :tup:

I've sworn off VW forever. No matter how good that particular car is, I figure they owe my family about $1,000,000 for the aggravation that their older products have caused! :D

Suspect that will be the case since this is a 3300 lb FWD focus econo car. The Mazdaspeed 6 was one of my best new car bargains ever. Well aside from my new $19k Chevrolet Silverado Crewcab with V8 when gas prices were high and economy was tanking.

.....sends Shamu in to negotiate price of new Ford Focus ST :D

I know this is just feeding an obvious troll, but how well does the Mazdaspeed3 sell? The Volkswagen GTI? The Subaru WRX? The Mini Cooper S Works?

That is what this will be positioned against, and that segment seems to sell pretty well. Hatches are versatile daily drivers that one can later tune and take to the track. And suped up Focus cars sell lot hotcakes in Europe.

I guess we'll just have to wait and see.

Just saw a pic of one in white......wasn't considering that color. Now?.......promising.

http://i471.photobucket.com/albums/r..._2012-1322.jpg

Looks pretty damn good. I didn't like that orangy-yellow they kept showing it off in.