I was close to buying a MS3 when this came out. The ST will be a much nicer daily driver, newer car on newer frame (old focus and MS3 shared the C-1 frame, new Global C frame 30% stiffer) and much better mileage. If I wanted to Mod, I'd go with the MS3, but since it's a DD, I don't plan on modding for a few years at least. The ST is hitting dealerships all over the place now. The factory can roll out 30 per shift, 2 shifts a day, plus weekend stuff. There will be plenty and the price will be invoice in a couple of months, just like almost everything else Ford sells.

Honestly, the only difference I felt between the 29k ST and the 19k base Focus with a manual were the suspension setup and the brakes, which are both obviously superior in the ST. The ST is obviously faster in a straight line, but it didn't feel like it to me. The car lagged.

Could have just been the car I tested, but it didn't blow my mind with speed. MS3 is worse on gas, but it's also quite more engaging, in my opinion.

Might have been the car. Here's what COBB tuning found compared to the stock MS3.

https://www.box.com/shared/static/si...8uhqxbsyib.jpg

note the difference in bottom end torque. They weigh the same so I don't see how the MS3 could be more responsive. Now with a stiffer frame, Ford can soften up the suspension and get the same performance stats with a smoother ride. As a matter of fact, this is similar to the chassis differences between the 350Z and the 370Z. The 370Z feels less harsh but still outperforms the 350Z on the real numbers.

1.Sometimes your wording comes off as comparison vs showing similarities. I agree with CMike :iagree:
2.When the turbo BRZ comes out... I will be elated and wont have anything to say. Till then... It's still overrated as of now.
But you making that future BRZ reference is like me saying, Tell me once the Z35 is out. If it's not out? Why make that comment? Some would call that fanboyism.

3. I don't bash the Z or focus. There aren't many cars I don't like. There are "Type of People" that buy a certain "type of car" I don't like but not cars.


You seem to always to talk about fanboying when i post simply based on my satisfaction with the Z or any other type of post. You always seem to make the fanboy reference but yet you are the one aligning with BRZ turbos before they exist.
I personally would be willing to leave nissan for a better performing car in the price range. My issue is i dont normally pay over $50k for sports cars and rarely do i buy used. N when i do? They're newsed, with under 10k miles... Since my priority leans toward handling and i wont drive a sports car that takes more than 5.5 seconds to 60 and 13.5 the quarter. I am left with few choices. Show me a muscle car under 3400lbs and i will consider one... :tiphat: Muscle cars don't give me the connection to the road I need and lightweight 4 bangers don't give me enough power.
Addressing the Z's shortcomings through modification has left me extremely satisfied and I see no need to trade or buy anything else till a new generation-set of cars hit the dealers. You seem to think, if someone doesn't have little to no complaint about the Z. They are fanboys... That's stupid. Somehow the non-fanboy should own a Z and feel like it's barely acceptable for anything other than driving to work... That's bullshyt.:ugh2:

But guess what... There are other cars I/we admire too. We just don't have to self loathe what we own to praise the next newest thing.:confused:

I'm sure it is probably the way you drove the car. We usually don't get to rip into a car unless we get solo test drives. Thank god I get those @ my nissan dealer and @ the bmw dealership.
The flipside is... I would also guess the Mazdaspeed would feel more powerful overall. Since the mazda is sucking up more gas and is probably not using as much high tech to keep fuel numbers up. It may have a more direct feel.

I'm pretty sure, due to Ford and mazda's relationship. The next gen mazdaspeed will be a beefed up ST mechanically. I would probably wait and see what the next gen 3 looks like and does before diving into the ST. But i love the ST in terms of looks. The next gen MS3(which should be coming out soon?) may be a better bang for buck though???

I doubt they'll drop the price, it'll probably be same bang for buck.

I might test the ST this weekend.

I might be driving my new St by this weekend. :D

:pics:

As soon as I get it. It currently resides in a train car somewhere between here and Arkansas. :D

:tup:

I already said the BRZ is overrated (post #29), way before your post about turbo BRZ (#34). Matter of fact, this is what I said about the Focus and the BRZ.

This is what you came back with in #34.

I replied with tell me when the BRZ turbo hits the market in post #47. Correct me if I am wrong, but I can't seem to find anything about me saying anything about BRZ turbo except the one reply. So is that referencing the future?

When?!?

Chevy Corvette. 420HP, about 3300lbs.
Audi TTS
BMW 335

Ford lost controlling interest in Mazda in 2008, the new Focus is on a different platform as the current Mazda 3 (which is based on the 2nd gen Focus).

Do some research if you are going to throw random stuff out.

.

TROLL I know they are on seperate platforms, i'm talking engine & possibly transmission SHARED TECHNOLOGY not using each other chassis'.

Your post clearly states in bold. "Tell me once the turbo BRZ comes out". Genius. It's bolded and highlit for your trolling self. I don't have to tell you shyt about the future till its in the present. THHAAAT was my point. your opinons are moot. You're just a Z FORUM troll. Thats all.

Always good to fallback on name calling.

Name calling is insulting people. I'm just saying every response he has is trolled out. Period. You know very well my post said nothing of shared platforms. Yet he's bringing this whole do your research shyt. I dont remember ANYONE including myself bring up shared platforms. Troll Shyt.
But i will remove the anger part of my post.