2013 Ford Focus ST

[Riverhound777]

Anyone else looking to order one of these? I talked to all the dealers in my area and met with the local dealership last weekend. Thinking of ordering a white ST3. I got to drive a Mazdaspeed 3 last weekend as well, and looked at the GTIs. Might order the ST tomorrow if all goes well. I asked the salesman if I could get a refundable deposit since I haven't been able to test drive an ST. We'll see how it pans out. Probably will pay MSRP as they don't seem to be budging on price.

 

[Murdoc]

If I had the cash right now it would definitely be something I would consider buying. It's a great looking car and the specs look good on paper but I would never buy any car without doing a test drive first. You might find something out about the car that you really don't like. Why not wait till they have a car on the lot?

 

[Riverhound777]

Because I might be waiting a long time. He already agreed last week to refundable deposit but I wasn't ready yet, so I think I should be able to. Then if one comes in before mine he can give me a call and I can come test drive it.

 

[vi edit]

Yeh, I'm definitely eying this thing as my 1/3rd life crisis car. I've got two kids and drive a minivan after owning a history of hot hatches (GTI's and Mazda3's hatch). Daddy is ready for some fun again once kids get of of daycare. Plus we drive so much per year having a third car spreads the miles out a bit more across the fleet.

It looks like the perfect compromise between the raw speed of the Mazdaspeed3 and the refinement of the GTI. I think it looks great, the recaro seats are reportedly excellent and the driving manners by almost any major automag that's reviewed has said it's fantastic.

I'd probably be looking at an ST2 package for around $25k'ish. The ST3 is a bit too rich for me.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Yeh, I'm definitely eying this thing as my 1/3rd life crisis car. I've got two kids and drive a minivan after owning a history of hot hatches (GTI's and Mazda3's hatch). Daddy is ready for some fun again once kids get of of daycare. Plus we drive so much per year having a third car spreads the miles out a bit more across the fleet.

It looks like the perfect compromise between the raw speed of the Mazdaspeed3 and the refinement of the GTI. I think it looks great, the recaro seats are reportedly excellent and the driving manners by almost any major automag that's reviewed has said it's fantastic.

I'd probably be looking at an ST2 package for around $25k'ish. The ST3 is a bit too rich for me.

Don't know about the 1/3 life crisis thing but I'm eying this car as a possible replacement for my aging Maxima. Mileage isn't stellar but it ticks the fun to drive buttons.

I've driven the Focus Titanium and was impressed with it. This should be even better.

 

[Vetterin]

I think this Focus will be sold just like the 2005 Mustangs. Dealers couldn't get them quick enough so they sold for way over MSRP until supply caught up with demand. Playing the waiting game with the ST just might be worth it.

 

[michal1980]

after my regal gs lease is up in less then 3 years I'll defintialy look at one.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

I test drove one and I wasn't really impresed. I can't tell why, it just wasn't my thing really. Partly because there was a terrible sales man in the car with me, who kept saying it was a "Focus WRX STi" and it goes "0-60 faster than an Impreza WRX Sti", and that my STi was nothing in comparison around a track. He kept insisting the Focus ST was faster around the Nurburgring than my STi was.....

I was going to go test drive it again at another dealer.

 

[Arkaign]

The STI is a terrible comparison, it's a much much better performer, but based on a much less well equipped econobox.

I really don't understand the appeal of a somewhat expensive medium-powered FF vehicle anyway. Even the fastest ones, the Cobalt SS (last-gen, as fast or faster than E46 M3 around a track!) and Speed3 are big meh from me.

Not everything is about speed of course, and the Focus is a fine car.

 

[HybridSquirrel]

The STI is a terrible comparison, it's a much much better performer, but based on a much less well equipped econobox.

I really don't understand the appeal of a somewhat expensive medium-powered FF vehicle anyway. Even the fastest ones, the Cobalt SS (last-gen, as fast or faster than E46 M3 around a track!) and Speed3 are big meh from me.

Not everything is about speed of course, and the Focus is a fine car.

to an uneducated buyer, his speech may have worked. but that sales man was a douchenozzle.

 

[Riverhound777]

The STI is a terrible comparison, it's a much much better performer, but based on a much less well equipped econobox.

I really don't understand the appeal of a somewhat expensive medium-powered FF vehicle anyway. Even the fastest ones, the Cobalt SS (last-gen, as fast or faster than E46 M3 around a track!) and Speed3 are big meh from me.

Not everything is about speed of course, and the Focus is a fine car.

For me, it just fits all my needs and desires. I currently have an 06 regular mazda 3s sedan. I always find myself wishing I had gotten the hatch when I can fit something in it, and that I had a bit more power. The speed 3 would have been my choice before, but the mileage and interior just left me wanting. I'd rather have something nicer and more refined as I get older. I've considered nicer cars from Volvo, Audi, Acura, etc but just can't bring myself to spend that much. The Focus ST with the ST3 package just fits all my criteria. Fast, decent mileage, roomy, even practical with the hatch and 4 doors.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I think this Focus will be sold just like the 2005 Mustangs. Dealers couldn't get them quick enough so they sold for way over MSRP until supply caught up with demand. Playing the waiting game with the ST just might be worth it.

Dealer near my work has 3 of them. They are listing them at MSRP online anyway, which is about what they were asking for a Titanium model last summer when I test drove one. $28,570 with equipment group 201a and nav and moonroof.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Stopped by a Ford dealer on my way home tonight and looked at a blue Focus ST with black interior (with blue accents). I have to say, I was very impressed with the car. The seats are fantastic, very supportive and the wheel is thickly padded and wrapped with leather. The shifter felt good with throws that might be a tad long but overall everything was in the right places. Mileage is listed at 23 city and 32 freeway. I had my motorcycle boots on so I didn't go for a test drive.

The car had the 201a package along with moonroof and nav. I like it! I'd buy this over an Audi A3 any day of the week.

The sales guys were drooling over my Ducati.

 

[jlarsson]

I took part in one of the Ford Focus ST performance academy events a couple months ago and got to drive it on their short autocross courses. I will echo that the seats are fantastic. It's quick, practical and handles well for a FWD car, I'm just not sure I'd drop close to $30k on one.

 

[DVad3r]

Test drive a regular focus hatch, I you like it, you will like the ST even more

 

[JulesMaximus]

Test drive a regular focus hatch, I you like it, you will like the ST even more

I test drove a Titanium Focus hatch and I did like it. I'm sure I'd love the ST.

 

[Riverhound777]

Just signed the DORA papers to confirm my order! Ended up going X-Plan at a different dealership. Found out I was eligible due to owning Ford stock, but wasn't able to get my local dealer to do my order on the ST under X-plan after they said they would. Told them to fuck off and went elsewhere. Called up dealers in my area and found two within an hour, settled on the closest one 30 minutes away. Now the long wait...

 

[JulesMaximus]

Just signed the DORA papers to confirm my order! Ended up going X-Plan at a different dealership. Found out I was eligible due to owning Ford stock, but wasn't able to get my local dealer to do my order on the ST under X-plan after they said they would. Told them to fuck off and went elsewhere. Called up dealers in my area and found two within an hour, settled on the closest one 30 minutes away. Now the long wait...

How much after the x-plan discount?

 

[vi edit]

Nice! Would also like to know the xplan pricing. Might be worth buying a couple shares just to get that.

Also...the important question...what color and trim level did you go with?

 

[Riverhound777]

I went with the ST3 (202A) in Oxford White. In order to get X-plan you have to of had at least 100 shares of F for at least 6 months. My price with destination fee came out to $27,319. With taxes and other fees, total is just under $30k OTD.

 

[power_hour]

I test drove one and I wasn't really impresed. I can't tell why, it just wasn't my thing really. Partly because there was a terrible sales man in the car with me, who kept saying it was a "Focus WRX STi" and it goes "0-60 faster than an Impreza WRX Sti", and that my STi was nothing in comparison around a track. He kept insisting the Focus ST was faster around the Nurburgring than my STi was.....

I was going to go test drive it again at another dealer.

This is when an iPhone + Youtube is priceless. Guarantee the guy would be washing cars the next week.

Anyway the Focus ST seems to have all the right elements. I know alot of people seem to have this thing about FWD vs RWD. But I think in this day in age, if the car feels good on the street then who gives a shit. I would personally consider one if I can get my finances back on track. Just to confirm you can get a Moonroof, right?

 

[Toff]

Yes it can come with a Moonroof. Ford has it on their site. Go build one.

This is on my short list of cars to look at. I refuse to pay MSRP tho when so many can get the X Plan. I'll probably wait till about XMas and see if they will match that price.

You can also join this site and get the X plan after being a member 60 days I believe.
http://www.svtoa.com/svtoaforums/content.php?147-Ford-X-Plan-Pricing-for-SVTOA-Members

I'm driving a fun '03 GTI right now but its starting to show its age. It still pulls pretty hard tho.

 

[mmntech]

Too rich for my blood at $30k. That's before taxes and fees. I really need to take a trip to Buffalo next time I buy a car. Bloody thing is $6000 cheaper down there sticker price. That and I need to learn how to drive manual first.

 

[z1ggy]

Saw the ST for the first time yesterday. It was blue...Awesome looking car but I don't dig the blue at all. I'd prob go for either white or red.

I read online you can get the darker stained wheels with the ST3 package, but online when I built mine, I didn't see them on their nor did it say any options for that. I think the darker colored wheels would be sharp as heck (also if they could add a slight smoke to the rear tail lights, like on the new mustangs).

 

[homercles337]

Why wouldnt Ford just do a US variant of the RS?