Ford Focus ST review @ 1000 miles

m4a1mustang

This sort of reminds me of how the Z is treated on the S2000 forums. "It's too heavy." "It's too big." "It's not a real sports car."

Sure... but it's more powerful. It has more grip. It's more comfortable. It's more capable (performance, capacity, etc.)

Different strokes for different folks.

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Shamu

Very valid points from S2000 crowd. The Z's significant heft and poor front weight distribution are real issues that make it poor handling car in comparison to S2000. I have spent tons of money trying to get the 370 Z to handle better and its still in misfit toy category in my book. I still love it though.

Now lets talk about 3200 lb FWD econo car hatch called Focus ST. Ford blew it by not making ST an AWD similar to EVO and STI. At least then while it was heavy it would have some redeeming traction capabilities. They could have put that car on diet and had a real performer.

Ford fans are so desperate for something that resembles performance that they are going bananas over this porky FWD tuner. I mean can you blame them? Up to now the only real performance car they have had is Fred Flintsone Mustang with solid axle.

So what they end up with is fat sporty spice hatchback. Its a compromise car for people who like sporty spice in their lives. Its perfect mommy mobile for somone who wants sporty feel in their econo car. By no means a real performance sedan.

What will be even more amusing are guys who boost performace on these cars. What a waste!

I dont think you Ford faithfuls are going to convert me anytime soon but it is cute watching defend this car as if its something special.

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Grant

ZBro16

So you added a dry carbon hatch and a titanium exhaust to help with the poor front weight distribution?

SS_Firehawk

I would actually research Shamu's Z before making that comment. His car is well under 3000lbs.

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ZBro16

Doesn't mean his reduced weight is better distributed across the vehicle than the OEM setup and its weight distribution. Could be like a chick with a store-bought DD rack and an *** like Paris Hilton.

I'm just applying Shamu's logic used in all the remarks he's made about all the cars in this thread. Why can't it work for me?

SS_Firehawk

Not defending Shamu's posts, but taking what he said out of context to better fit your argument, I really don't care for. RWD cars with the transmission mounted up front will always have a bias. Just because he reduced the weight of the rear does not mean he paid no attention to the front.

Regarding the ST, I think it would be an enjoyable vehicle, great to push the segment forward, but at the same time, it still has it's flaws that have made little or no headway from the last crop of hot hatches. The largest flaw being torque steer. 3200lbs is nearly as heavy as a Z, that is a failure and a complete result of cost cutting. I thought the current MS3 bumper was bad. bravo to Ford for finding a way to make it worse. I am happy they got the handling right.

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Shamu

Lol!

Where do I begin? Lighter cooling system, lightweight flywheel and clutch, 4 lb lithium battery, aluminum hat front rotors, abs pumps etc removed, all engine cosmetics pulled, AC system pulled, ventilation system gone, lighter pulley and belt setup, hoods pinned, horns pulled, lighter long tube headers, lighter engine mounts,lightweight vented hood, front crash bar lightened, stock PS removed and electric PS installed further back in car, all smog and excess cooling lines removed from engine, Wiper system removed, lower radiator support removed, gutted dash, doors, poly windshield.

Suspect my car is one of better front to rear weight distributions as I still only have rear roll bar.. CF hatch was to get weight off top of car to lower CG, titanium system to offset added weight of fueling, 30 gallon saddle fuel cell with 4 scavenger pumps mounted low and to rear. Rear Diff coolers, rear defuser system. As well as dry sump cell going in rear in future. big rear wheels and tires.

Rear of car has actually stayed weight neutral. Believe me I'm trying to get to 50/50.

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Grant

UNKNOWN_370

Gotta give props where props is due... good shyt sham.

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