Motoring 2013's COTY: the twins lose
 

Hell, they didn't even win their category -- "everyday sports cars"! They lost out to the Focus ST (just as they did, barely, in this year's AJAC testfest). Note to self: test drive that ST...

Graham commented on the twins' "barely adequate" power, so it seems likely that was the "flaw" that lost it the category.

this car has been winning awards all over the place! I wouldn't worry about it too much

i bought this car because it looks nice not because the power. some people nowadays are just too obsessed with horsepower. a car is so much more than just pure horsepower.

While I'm proud whenever the twins win an award, I really don't care if it wins or loses those kind of things.
I know I have the BEST car for ME. That's the only part that really matters.

Until there is another comparable car on the market the twins will win and lose these contests at the discretion of the judging.

I'm satisfied that there isn't a better car in the US market to suit my needs. I'm also satisfied with the amount of wins vs losses in these contests. Hell, I'm happy to get an honorable mention against Porsche and other "competitors" with a loss.

i read a review of the Focus ST in another thread where it was compared directly with the BRZ. the BRZ beat it out, but all the faults against the Focus seemed pretty legitimate. after reading that review i can't see that it's a better car. they used one term to describe the look of the ST, i believe 'boyracer' and i have to agree with it. it tries just a little bit too hard. yes, it's the best car an american car company has put out in some time, but i don't think i could prefer it over the twins.

edit: here's the article: http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showp...70&postcount=1

Horsepower makes for a fast car, the twins are for fast drivers.

They probably used the back seat as a comparison too. The Focus ST would win that part of the "everyday" component.

Also, the twins are far better looking IMHO. Although, I might be slightly biased.

Seems likely to be a factor. They certainly played fast and loose with the definition of "sports car" when they included the ST and the Civic Si in that category. But if they didn't the twins would have been in a class of their own (which of course they are).

I drove a pre-production Focus ST, as well as a GTI and MazdaSpeed3 back to back to back on an auto x type course.

The GTI was the most "adult", but also the most boring. The MazdaSpeed3 was stiffer and had a ton more torque steer, probably a bit quicker around a track but has a ridiculously heavy clutch pedal. The ST was a good compromise for an every day car and was the most fun to drive.

All three felt like I was driving a minivan though, the seating position is very upright in all of them. After driving the trio I got back into my FR-S and was in a much happier place. Better feel, WAY better seating/control position and a lot more fun to drive.

They always favor GM, Ford and Chrysler. they know who pays their paychecks.

That would be a deal-killer for me. My 1st-gen Tiburon has a seating height identical to the FR-S and I don't want anything higher - even driving a Genesis coupe I felt like I was in a large sedan, not a sports car.

^^ And that my friend, is why I didn't buy a GTI :D I drove the GTI before looking at the FR-S (started looking/driving in March, didn't order until late June) and wasn't blown away by it for the cost. I had a MKII GTI before, and loved that car but the new ones just don't do it for me.