FR-S vs 2012 Ford Focus ST

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by dsgerbc

No. There are pre-production mules, but those are limited to Ford reps. I bet the guy just does not know what ST trim is.

Sorry for the confusion?

Thought you guys would figure that I am replying to the post above me calling the 'new focus' 'neutral'. I drove that, the new focus se. Always some slick wise asses making hasty comments.

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by chulooz

Sorry for the confusion?

Thought you guys would figure that I am replying to the post above me calling the 'new focus' 'neutral'. I drove that, the new focus se. Always some slick wise asses making hasty comments.

But maybe your statement is hasty. Did you ever think he might be talking about the st?

[chulooz]

Originally Posted by fatoni

But maybe your statement is hasty. Did you ever think he might be talking about the st?

It could be, but who would he "hear" it from if it was talking about a ST?

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by chulooz

Sorry for the confusion?

Thought you guys would figure that I am replying to the post above me calling the 'new focus' 'neutral'. I drove that, the new focus se. Always some slick wise asses making hasty comments.

Yup :-)
It was more to you comparing the SE's performance as any indicator of what the ST will be like.
Surely someone wouldn't be daft enough to make such a comparison, so you must have been driving the new ST ;-)

[Allch Chcar]

Yeah, the ST won't be out until Fall.

Try the Titanium with sport package Chulooz. That's the best one available now. Soon they'll be available with 5spd but right now have to stick with the DCT.

[TheEffTee]

Ford Focus ST pricing leaked...$23,700 plus $795 destination

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/201...iced-at-23700/

this isn't official yet but if it is, the pricing is pretty competitive.

[Spaceywilly]

it is now official

http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/focusst/

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/f...t-from-24-495/

[brufleth]

That's a nice looking car and you have a great selection of available options. Maybe I'm biased (I am) but if I'm going to get a turbo charged hatchback wouldn't it make more sense to get a WRX so I can actually put more of the available power to the road? I bet the ST will get better mileage but it seems like a WRX would be a better option.

I do really like the newer small Fords though. My wife wants a Fiesta.

[BMWDavid]

Just saw the Autoweek story on the Focus ST, about $29,000 loaded with Recaros, leather, nav and top spec radio.

I know the BRZ is an apple and the ST an orange but still...I would like to check out an ST.

Sounds like the ST is a better value for the buck. I'm still going to buy the BRZ based on all the positive reviews. But I'm starting to feel a bit

[BigFatFlip]

^Also, just saw that it will have an "overboost" feature, giving you a little bit more power and torque than orignally advertized (up 252 hp/270 lb-ft, was 247hp/265lb-ft) plus the first 1000 buyers get a GoPro HD Hero2! Starting to sound like quite a package for the price...

source: http://jalopnik.com/5906627/ford-foc...e-gopro-camera

[Spaceywilly]

Really can't compare them. If you want to haul 5 people and their groceries around, get the ST. If you want to tear up backroads, get the BRZ. The BRZ wins for me because it was designed from the ground up to be a sports car. These hot hatches were designed as econoboxes first and then given a big turbo engine and suspension upgrades and called sports cars. I think one of the reviews explained it best, that when you normally sit in a car, it feels like you're sitting in a room. When you sit in the BRZ, it feels like you've put on a mechanized suit. Everything about the car is designed around the driving experience, without the compromises these hot hatches make.

[SVTSHC]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

Really can't compare them. If you want to haul 5 people and their groceries around, get the ST. If you want to tear up backroads, get the BRZ. The BRZ wins for me because it was designed from the ground up to be a sports car. These hot hatches were designed as econoboxes first and then given a big turbo engine and suspension upgrades and called sports cars. I think one of the reviews explained it best, that when you normally sit in a car, it feels like you're sitting in a room. When you sit in the BRZ, it feels like you've put on a mechanized suit. Everything about the car is designed around the driving experience, without the compromises these hot hatches make.

You don't sound like you've ever driven one of Ford's performance hot hatches.. or any hot hatch for that matter. Take a MS3 or Cooper on a backroad and then make that comment again.

Pretty sure the ST will do a fine job of tearing backroads up. Hell, my SVT does a GREAT job at tearing backroads up. And if you look at the Focus RS / RS500 Ford has done a spectacular job at offering their focus line as much fun/overall performance as they have economic feasibility.

[Spaceywilly]

Originally Posted by SVTSHC

You don't sound like you've ever driven one of Ford's performance hot hatches.. or any hot hatch for that matter. Take a MS3 or Cooper on a backroad and then make that comment again.

Pretty sure the ST will do a fine job of tearing backroads up. Hell, my SVT does a GREAT job at tearing backroads up. And if you look at the Focus RS / RS500 Ford has done a spectacular job at offering their focus line as much fun/overall performance as they have economic feasibility.

I've driven a MCS in anger. Not sure if the ST's magic revoknuckle really works but the understeering MCS was not my cup of tea. I also spent 2 days whipping rally prepped Fiestas around at Team O'Neils, which was also fun, but then we got in the AWD cars and I realized what I had been missing. But if that's your thing, enjoy the ST. It seems like a pretty good deal.

[SVTSHC]

Originally Posted by Spaceywilly

I've driven a MCS in anger. Not sure if the ST's magic revoknuckle really works but the understeering MCS was not my cup of tea. I also spent 2 days whipping rally prepped Fiestas around at Team O'Neils, which was also fun, but then we got in the AWD cars and I realized what I had been missing. But if that's your thing, enjoy the ST. It seems like a pretty good deal.

The ST doesn't employ the revoknuckle setup thats the RS. The ST uses a torque vectoring system in combination with an electronic differential. All I'm saying is the ST will MORE than do well at handling through corners and if you're reaching the cars limitations on public backroads then you're moving at unreasable speeds anyway. On the track is where you'll notice the difference but I can almost guarentee stock for stock the ST will put up a better time than the FRS just because of the differences in HP/Tq figures. Wheel hop and understeer are manageable with urathane bushings, beefier sway bars and a more performance oriented suspension.

What it comes down to is you're intent with either vehicle. The FRS obviously has higher potential than the ST but if you're just going to keep the vehicle stock then the ST is far from a bad choice at an extremely reasonable price for what you're getting.