2013 Ford Focus ST

[Fritzo]

I just noticed this car exists. I don't know if anyone here remembers, but I traded in my year-old 370Z for a Ford Fiesta about two years ago. The Fiesta has done it's job, and it's almost paid off. I also bought a condo closes to work so gas mileage isn't as much of a priority for me anymore, since my commute is like 4 miles.

This sounds like the perfect next car for me. I like the small car feel of the Fiesta, but I do miss having a powerful engine. I don't really care that the cost of a Focus ST is near that of a Mustang, because I just don't find a Mustang to be as convenient for city driving.

Anyway, I'm still a few months out from seriously thinking about this, but I'm leaning heavily towards getting one. Full my-touch SYNC package, moon-roof, probably black. Already requested a costco member pricing quote, just to serve as a bit of a reality check.

You're concerned about convenient city driving and considering a Focus that only comes with a manual transmission?

 

[Chiropteran]

Absolutely. My Fiesta is manual, wouldn't have it any other way. For example, I honestly find it easier to parallel park with a manual transmission, but I've never owned an automatic car in 15 years of driving so maybe it's just me.

As far as traffic, I don't like sitting in traffic with a manual, but sitting in traffic with an automatic doesn't make it any more enjoyable. I try to avoid traffic.

 

[phucheneh]

Seems reasonable to me. Europeans buy small cars for city driving. They're often manuals.

As long as the clutch is reasonable, I never understood the 'manual = hassle' thing. Either you like driving a manual or you don't. Conditions don't matter to me. Although I also avoid slow moving traffic whenever possible- not because I find it difficult to drive in, but because it annoys the living shit out of me in any vehicle. Southern people drive like they're fucked up on ketamine and industrial glue.

When I was in NY a few years ago, I thought it was so damned awesome that when lights turned green, people actually moved. Like, more than five cars could get through a minute long green light. Crazy shit up there.

 

[Black2na]

Absolutely. My Fiesta is manual, wouldn't have it any other way. For example, I honestly find it easier to parallel park with a manual transmission, but I've never owned an automatic car in 15 years of driving so maybe it's just me.

As far as traffic, I don't like sitting in traffic with a manual, but sitting in traffic with an automatic doesn't make it any more enjoyable. I try to avoid traffic.

just so you know if you really like the fiesta ford annouced a 2014 ST version of the car 197hp 214Ftlbs tq should be a little screamer!

 

[Riverhound777]

Well I got word last night that my car has arrived at the dealership and it ready to be picked up. Can't go get it till after work though, going to be a long day!

 

[heymrdj]

Well I got word last night that my car has arrived at the dealership and it ready to be picked up. Can't go get it till after work though, going to be a long day!

Hire a photographer, these moments deserve to be cherished

 

[Fritzo]

I'm curious- Is the Focus ST better than a Mini Cooper S? Hope someone does a Top Gear style review between the two.

 

[Chiropteran]

just so you know if you really like the fiesta ford annouced a 2014 ST version of the car 197hp 214Ftlbs tq should be a little screamer!

I saw. Sounds like a fun car, but I'm getting married in less than a month and we do plan to have 1 or 2 kids. The Focus might not be a big car, but it has more of a usable backseat than the Fiesta so I think it's the best option.

I was also thinking about leasing, after seeing that I could get a "regular" Focus for a mere $180/month on a 39 month lease, but the Ford site says there are no leasing deals for the ST.

Starting to get excited about the idea of a new car, going to have to call my insurance company and see what kind of damage this will do to my rates.

 

[Riverhound777]

Got the car home safely last night in the rain. Being detailed right now, then getting clear bra put on next week. Was fun driving home! Will post some pics after the detail.

 

[disappoint]

Sad blowfish is sad.

 

[Chiropteran]

Went to a nearby dealer to test drive last night. Whoops, they didn't have ANY Focus ST available. There was only one on the lot and it was apparently already sold so they couldn't show it.

Instead my fiancee and I drove a Fusion 1.6L auto, Escape 2.0 auto, and Focus Titanium manual.

Fusion was nothing special, seemed to be okay performance but obviously not super fast or sporty. I wish they had a manual for me to try, I wouldn't buy a Fusion with an auto transmission so I didn't spend too much time looking at it.

Escape rides nice, I'd love for my fiancee to get one so I could drive it occasionally, but I just like sporty manual cars too much to buy an SUV as my main car.

The Focus surprised me a bit, as even the regular Focus engine had some nice oomph, at least compared to my Fiesta. I still think the Focus ST is my first choice, but if I can't justify the cost of it I could do okay with a regular Focus SE as long as it has manual transmission.

 

[Fritzo]

Got the car home safely last night in the rain. Being detailed right now, then getting clear bra put on next week. Was fun driving home! Will post some pics after the detail.

You're detailing a new car? Did they store it in a field or something?

 

[heymrdj]

You're detailing a new car? Did they store it in a field or something?

I wondered this myself

 

[Riverhound777]

You're detailing a new car? Did they store it in a field or something?

Yes, to set a good baseline for the life of the car. It doesn't come waxed or anything. They did clay bar, paint sealant, waxed the wheels, treated the leather, etc. I live on the coast, so protecting the paint from salt and sun is important. I also have trees covering my driveway and no garage, so leaves and crap will be falling constantly especially with it raining.

 

[crackerjacks]

I test drove one a few weeks ago, kind of underwhelming and the interior felt cramped and kind of tacky. I couldn't really get on it with the sales guy in the car but it felt like the power band was a bit higher up in the RPM range than I would use for normal everyday driving.

For now, I'll stick with my GTI..even if the numbers on the spec sheet are stacked against it, I felt like it was more fun to drive and much more mature on the inside.

 

[Riverhound777]

I test drove one a few weeks ago, kind of underwhelming and the interior felt cramped and kind of tacky. I couldn't really get on it with the sales guy in the car but it felt like the power band was a bit higher up in the RPM range than I would use for normal everyday driving.

I can confirm what you are saying, but think the reason is for fuel mileage and is intentional. If you are light on the throttle, it accelerates just like any 4-cylinder and will get good mileage. If you really want it to go and put the pedal to the floor, it responds at any RPM. But I know what you mean, if you don't really commit to putting the peddle down, it can seem like there isn't much there. But floor it through first, second, and third and you'll see what i'm talking about.

 

[Fritzo]

I test drove one a few weeks ago, kind of underwhelming and the interior felt cramped and kind of tacky. I couldn't really get on it with the sales guy in the car but it felt like the power band was a bit higher up in the RPM range than I would use for normal everyday driving.

For now, I'll stick with my GTI..even if the numbers on the spec sheet are stacked against it, I felt like it was more fun to drive and much more mature on the inside.

I've noticed that too about VW's in general. I'm not sure what they do, but their interiors are just so tight, clean, and stylish. Not a fan of their reliability record, but their design teams are really talented.

 

[Phobic9]

Got the car home safely last night in the rain. Being detailed right now, then getting clear bra put on next week. Was fun driving home! Will post some pics after the detail.

I know you had a long wait but looking forward to the pics nevertheless. Hopefully getting mine in a week or so. I'm really getting ansty.

Where are you putting the clear bra (complete front or just the front of the hood) and how much? I'm strongly debating on getting this for mine shortly after I pick it up.

 

[Riverhound777]

I know you had a long wait but looking forward to the pics nevertheless. Hopefully getting mine in a week or so. I'm really getting ansty.

Where are you putting the clear bra (complete front or just the front of the hood) and how much? I'm strongly debating on getting this for mine shortly after I pick it up.

I'm just going with the front for now (Bumper, headlight, fog lights, mirrors, tip of hood). Cost is $695 for just that, would be like $1300-1400 for the whole front of the car. I'll post some pics shortly.

 

[Riverhound777]

Here are some pics after the detail.

 

[crackerjacks]

I can confirm what you are saying, but think the reason is for fuel mileage and is intentional. If you are light on the throttle, it accelerates just like any 4-cylinder and will get good mileage.

I'll need to go back and give it another spin, to be honest. I also had the fiancee with me who wants me to get something that is more family oriented than the 2 door GTI.

I couldn't really spin it up as she was sold on the relatively good fuel economy, looks and 4 doors. She doesn't need to know what's going on under the hood

Also going to wait for the new 2014 Forester XT to come out for a ride, a nice little 250HP hooligan grocery-getter from the looks of it.

 

[CraigRT]

That thing looks mint in white.
I love it..
I want to see the new Fiesta ST as well soon. I think I might even be more interested in that one, especially if I am still commuting to work when it arrives.

 

[Phobic9]

Here are some pics after the detail.

<pics>

It's like looking into the future (I also ordered a white ST3). Awesome pics.

 

[cyclistca]

I went to test drive one at the dealer last weekend. They are selling them as fast as they are getting them. They won’t be getting one I can try for several weeks.

I was able to test drive the GTI and A3. Not sure if I want to wait. My current truck is dying a slow death. Right now I'm leaning towards the GTI.

I'm in Vancouver Canada

 

[Uppsala9496]

Good looking car. I have a '12 titanium in black with the painted alloy wheels (black).