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.

Good points, and thank you! He doesn't want to go as small as a M2 or the fiesta, plus the fiesta ST doesn't come out until next year. He test drove the ST and VT yesterday, and said he likes the interior of the VT better, so I guess that settles that part of the argument.

I think he is looking for something a little less rigid than the RX-8. I mean, he's no spring chicken (62 this August) and he's complained about how stiff the ride can be in the RX-8 before. The suspension is above average from what I have heard, so it will likely be right up his alley.

Fiesta ST looks awesome, but I can't stand Ford electronics and seats. The Mazda2 is fun but seriously low-rent inside. Hence GTI or WRX.

Just to keep things on-topic, I want to keep this focused on the VT and the Focus ST. Thanks again guys!

I cant speak for the velosters, but I was behind a sonata 2.0t and he gunned the engine from 30 mph to merge on the highway, the car belched white smoke when I could tell the turbo kicked on and let out an unpleasant odor. I could tell the guy was trying to show off his turbo, I showed I wasn't impressed acting like le pew and fanning the exhaust away from my nose. Perhaps it was his maintenance, or it was some fuel burning problem.

Anyway, the interior on the veloster is probably very nice. That's a plus.

You've driven both? The Veloster is smooth. That's the only pro I can think of.

I completely agree with this. Although the MS3 (off topic) has worst torque steer :)

ST easily

The VT feels more unrefined to me. ST feels great seriously considered one but FRS is more fun.

I would look at waiting for the hot hatch Kai previewed as well it looks better than both cars and should preform very much like the VT (hopefully better)

I would go the st and upgrade the seats. I plan on doing the same in the future when they become used, just so I can have something else fun to add to the stable (probably when they drop under 10k)

The rear brakes locking up happened while driving normally, not spiritedly, from what I could tell. Meaning, they were driving on the highway and the rear brakes decided to clench real tight and slow the car down.

My aunt has the Velostar. If your pop's is tall his head might actually hit the car ceiling and... the B and C Pillar are incredible blind spots.

Its bang for the buck if you can adjust the way you check your blindspots and somehow deal with a low roof line.

I haven't looked into the Ford but... I have my reasons why I won't go back to American cars. (Because my dad had a ford windstar new and at around 5 yearish the car decides to shut off mid run dafuq?)

I've driven and love the RX-8 and if I had to go from that to either the ST or the VT, it would easily be the VT. It's unique looking, like the RX-8.
And let's be honest, in terms of looks, the VT wins hands down. The ST reminds me of a Yaris hatchback. :barf:
And as far as the brake issues go, I have bigger gripes with Ford brakes. Having driven a Mustang, a Focus, and an Explorer, they've all had the worst brakes. They're notorious for terrible brake feel, and sometimes you're scared you might not even stop in time (but you do, it's just an unnerving feeling).
The brake pedal in Fords, is really tough to press for the first little bit, and then it suddenly becomes really soft halfway through and compresses all the way down with no effort. Even Randy Pobst from MotorTrend commented on the unnerving brake feel, and so did my friend who drives a Focus.

You can get a brand new GenPu for <25k OTD....its the cheapest of the bunch...more powerfull...and great aftermarket. Check out MazdaSpeedForums.org

GenPu?

The gen 2 mazdaspeed3 that started in 2010....We call them GenWon and GenPu. : )

I just realized I could google and get the same answer. :bonk:

Thanks for the clarification. Going back a few posts, I remember him mentioning something about the torque steer. He test drove a GenPu last summer, He said he liked the car plenty, but something about it just didn't appeal to him.

We'll all agree its a great car, but its not what he's looking for. The fact that the VT takes regular gas is a big selling point for him, though.

Realistically I'd say just have your dad test drive all the hot hatches he is and isn't interested in. Even if they're slightly out of the price range he's looking for (like the GTI or the cooper)

VeloTurbo
Focus ST
GTI
Mazdaspeed3
Cooper S
WRX shagginwaggon


Do them all, you never know what you'll end up deciding on. Could give you the positives and negatives on all of them but that's every car. There isn't a car on this planet that doesn't have it's handful of issues; just because Group A is experiencing "X" it doesn't mean Group B will also experience "X" they may experience "Y" or nothing at all. It's just like in another thread where someone thought the seats in the ST were awful but I find them amazing. Anyway I'm rambling... just have him drive them :thumbup: lol

I can assure you his consideration has been vast and data-filled. The decision between the two is the result of over 6 months of considerations.

Btw, I shared the thread with him, and he really appreciates and was impressed with the feedback and opinions--said that a lot of what was said here was part of his own internal debate. I wasn't completely correct on his assesment of the GenPu, though--the fact that it had lower MPG and actually REQUIRED premium (apparently the ST does not) pretty much killed the car for him in his considerations.

So, in summary, to those who responded and gave their input:

http://cdn.memegenerator.net/instanc...x/35470212.jpg

But after careful consideration, it looks like he will be going with the VT. Feel free to keep commenting or suggesting!

Congratulate him on his new ride for us when he gets it. Oh and post pics :thumbup:

Don't get the matte grey VTurbo unless your dad intends to never drive it outdoors.

VT is still a good car, so if that's what he goes with I'm sure he'll enjoy it.

Curious, did he look at a 500 Abarth?

It is absurd how fun that little thing is. Fun and ugly. Fungly. And I love it for it.

He's a blue fanatic (had that bright blue on the RX-8), so I think he's going with their "Marathon Blue"

Yeah, he did look at the Abarth, but for the price, it wasn't worth it to him. The VT is a better choice than that, IMO

Ford has come a LONG way in the past 6 years...just sayin'.

The Focus is hardly an American car in that the vast majority of its design was done by Ford of Europe.

I agree. My mom had a POS 1998 Windstar as well, she usually keeps cars until they are half in the ground, but couldn't get rid of that thing soon enough. Their build quality has significantly improved since then, especially in the past 5 years.

Had couple bad experiences. Its like food poisoning. If you have it bad the first time you tread water to go back and try it again.


It was how we(family) experienced Ford those years. I don't generally trust them all so much as you can tell. My distrust in the company was reinforced when my friend bought a mustang and his 2nd gear wouldn't grab and he ended up trading it in for another car since he had to keep going in for maintenance and didn't like that.