Ford Focus ST review @ 1000 miles

m4a1mustang · 04-15-2013, 12:24 PM

Classic Shamu.

ZBro16 · 04-15-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu

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.

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

ZMan8 · 04-15-2013, 12:43 PM

s2000 is a better handler because it's a smaller car, that weighs i think 600 lbs less than the Z and has lower center of gravity. Of course it will handle better, just like a Miata handles better as well...basic physics. If the s2000 had v-6 in it and as much interior room as the Z I don't think it would be anywhere near as a good of handler as it is now.

Which brings me to my next point. the s2000, 370z, and ford focus st are meant to be fun cars in different ways:
S2000- light, nimble, great handling go cart feel, rwd, top down fun
370Z - speed/acceleration, with good handling, interior comfort, well balanced fun car.
ford focus - straight line speed, torque, interior comfort>performance, everyday fun car

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-15-2013, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZMan8

s2000 is a better handler because it's a smaller car, that weighs i think 600 lbs less than the Z and has lower center of gravity. Of course it will handle better, just like a Miata handles better as well...basic physics. If the s2000 had v-6 in it and as much interior room as the Z I don't think it would be anywhere near as a good of handler as it is now.

Which brings me to my next point. the s2000, 370z, and ford focus st are meant to be fun cars in different ways:
S2000- light, nimble, great handling go cart feel, rwd, top down fun
370Z - speed/acceleration, with good handling, interior comfort, well balanced fun car.
ford focus - straight line speed, torque, interior comfort>performance, everyday fun car

And when people muddle different types of sports cars to make bias statements???? That equals...

FANBOY-TROLL

SS_Firehawk · 04-15-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBro16

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

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

ZBro16 · 04-15-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

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

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 · 04-15-2013, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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?

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.

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBro16

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

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.

m4a1mustang · 04-15-2013, 07:45 PM

What do you have race weight down to now?

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Classic Shamu.

I have to go test drive one of these things looks like fun car.

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

What do you have race weight down to now?

It's at about 2760 now. It will gain a little weight when full cage goes in.

m4a1mustang · 04-15-2013, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu

It's at about 2760 now.

Damn... That's a whale of a difference from stock.

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 08:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Damn... That's a whale of a difference from stock.

If I was doing just an Autocross car pretty sure I could get car to 2550 lbs. but I'm building car capable of doing enduro races so car needs extra cooling, big cage, other safety systems.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-16-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Gotta give props where props is due...

good shyt sham.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

Lug · 04-16-2013, 06:36 PM

This is my Focus
This is my Z
One is the family hauler
The other's for me
Both are quite fun
The Z and ST

04-15-2013, 12:24 PM	#76 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Classic Shamu. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

04-15-2013, 12:43 PM	#78 (permalink)
ZMan8 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 5,844 Drives: 10 370z 40th M6 Rep Power: 658	s2000 is a better handler because it's a smaller car, that weighs i think 600 lbs less than the Z and has lower center of gravity. Of course it will handle better, just like a Miata handles better as well...basic physics. If the s2000 had v-6 in it and as much interior room as the Z I don't think it would be anywhere near as a good of handler as it is now. Which brings me to my next point. the s2000, 370z, and ford focus st are meant to be fun cars in different ways: S2000- light, nimble, great handling go cart feel, rwd, top down fun 370Z - speed/acceleration, with good handling, interior comfort, well balanced fun car. ford focus - straight line speed, torque, interior comfort>performance, everyday fun car UNKNOWN_370 likes this. __________________ 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

04-15-2013, 07:45 PM	#84 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	What do you have race weight down to now? __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

04-16-2013, 06:36 PM	#90 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 19	This is my Focus This is my Z One is the family hauler The other's for me Both are quite fun The Z and ST m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

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