Helping my Dad Out (Focus ST vs. Veloster Turbo)
 

Well, my Dad's RX-8 is just about done with its seals, and he wants a new car. After loads of research (been looking at cars all winter) he has narrowed it down to the Veloster Turbo and the Ford Focus ST.

Interesting side note, a loaded Veloster Turbo costs less than a slightly-upgraded Focus ST. The VT also carries a much longer warranty.

So, keeping in mind that this is HIS decision, I would appreciate it if you guys would give an honest objective opinion about which car you would choose, and why. Keep in mind that he is not likely to do any modifications, and drives this daily ~30-40 miles.

And go! Thanks in advance!:happyanim:

I think the veloster is much nicer than the focus, but I've heard the veloster is just ok on power and one of the main pros on the st is its power. I just can't get passed the focus interior.
It's probably going to come down to the test drive and breaking some dealers heart when he decides on the other model.
I too had an rx8 a couple of years ago. I'm still not sure if I should have got one again instead of the frs. The frs is cool but the rx8 was much more comfortable.

ST hands down. Driven both personally and the VeloTurbo has got nothing on the ST. Granted you'll be fighting with the ST's torque steer (a decent amount, even my buddies 330HP SI didn't torque steer this much) but it makes up for it by having NO understeer. When you turn in the ass end just swings around and you either pretend to be rear wheel till you mash the pedal and it rights itself or you'll four wheel drift, but you won't understeer.

Aside from the boy racer facts, on the street the thing is composed but twitchy because the steering lock to lock is like 1.8 iirc. The interior is very nice in my opinion, the seats are amazing and though the center stack and instruments are a bit busy it's not bad at all once you're used to it.

I'd say the Veloster Turbo. If this is going to be his DD, and doesn't care too much about performance numbers on paper, go for the VT. Even if the ST is better on power, it doesn't have anything more than that against the VT. Plus, the VT just looks so much more unique and it's just sexy compared the Focus. You'll just blend in with the Focus and unless someone who knows their stuff about cars is looking at the ST, it won't be a head turner at all.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6u5VvG65kC...-rear-shot.jpg

http://thegarageblog.com/garage/wp-c...usST-NA_03.jpg

definitely focus on this one, even without the extra power it's a much nicer car overall.

the 3 door thing is sorta cool, but not for your dad lol.

Mazdaspeed3

Oh snap, monkey wrench! Fiesta ST!
http://media.ed.edmunds-media.com/fo...112712_600.jpg

But if he needs one now, I'd leave it at this without having driven either, but having driven a base Veloster.
Good gas mileage and lots of warranty - Veloster Turbo.
Enjoys driving and wants a more engaging vehicle - Focus ST.

If he doesn't want a twin, he should get a used GTI or wait a year and get the new GTI or new WRX. The Veloster is a mediocre performer with no clearance for a helmet. It will also cost way too much to own since it will lose value quicker than the others.

Read up on all the issues Veloster and Veloster Turbo owners are experiencing on the various forums. There's a Veloster thread on NASIOC's OT where a couple members are complaining about their rear brakes locking up randomly/intermittently, the sunroof shattering, rear hatch leaks, misrepresented mpg, etc.

All that being said, I would have bought a Veloster Turbo if I didn't find this BRZ.

Between those two, I'd go with the Focus ST because it offers the better driving experience.

But if he can wait, I'd suggest the mk7 GTI when it gets here. I've got a mk6 GTI and it is great for people looking for a sporty daily driver. The mk7 is already earning praise from reviewers who've driven it in Europe.

Thanks for all the opinions, guys, makes me feel better about the membership here :thumbup:

He isnt planning on doing anything more than driving a little spirtedly and back and forth to work. Nothing that will require a helmet, but good to know.

Again, he's not planning on racing the car, so the likelyhood of the brakes locking up is pretty unlikely (assuming the NASIOC owners were auto-xing and racing). I'll tell him to keep an eye out for leaks and to be careful with the sunroof.

He considered it, especially coming from an RX-8. But it was going to cost more than he was willing to spend (not sure what his limit was or how much the MS3 is) and he just likes the look of the ST and VT better.

I was looking for a veloster Turbo before I got the FR-S. At the time, they didn't even know when they would have a test car available so I drove a regular Veloster, which has the same suspension as the turbo (I know... wtf?).

If he's coming from an RX8, he will not like the way the VT handles. Not at all. And there's not much out there in the aftermarket that will come close to addressing its handling shortcoming, IMHO.

I haven't driven the ST, but I've had a few regular Focii as rentals. I would like to try one with a manual transmission because they feel like thye could be a fun car.

On the interior, both cars are entirely too busy on the inside. More buttons than a 1980's component stack stereo. That said, I suspect the darker interior of the Focus will look less dated in a few years than the silver of the Veloster.

The RX8 was always more renowned for its handling than its power. How about a Mazda 2 / Fiesta? I've heard more than one Miata guy refer to the 2 as a four seat Miata. My wife wasn't interested in the 2/fiesta so I have only driven my brother in-law's automatic 2 - and I was just backing it into my garage to plug a tire.

-Justin

Personally, I prefer a Fiesta ST or Focus ST over the VT. I simply didn't got the experience I was hoping for in the VT. Test drive won't hurt a bit.