FR-S vs 2012 Ford Focus ST

[Ericc B]

These cars compare like apples and oranges. What might be a consideration is the fact that in 2 years there will be a brand new much lighter Mustang with a proper modern independent rear suspension and the 4 banger turbo engine from the ST. Now that will be the real competitor to the BRZ/86. If you have any plans towards getting that then an RS might be a better option for now because of better trade in.

[Capt Canuck]

Originally Posted by Dimman

WRX has all that plus AWD is what I'm getting at.

So choosing between the two different styles of cars at pretty much exactly the same price (in the US at least) to me makes more sense between the BRZ and the WRX, to me. But I didn't look up the ST's price...

Fair enough
Not an AWD drive fan myself, so if looking for a sporty hatch, I'd lean towards an ST/GTi and the like, instead of the WRX.

[SVTSHC]

Originally Posted by Dimman

WRX has all that plus AWD and poor fuel mileage is what I'm getting at.

So choosing between the two different styles of cars at pretty much exactly the same price (in the US at least) to me makes more sense between the BRZ and the WRX, to me. But I didn't look up the ST's price...

fixed that for ya

[SVTSHC]

Originally Posted by Ericc B

These cars compare like apples and oranges. What might be a consideration is the fact that in 2 years there will be a brand new much lighter Mustang with a proper modern independent rear suspension and the 4 banger turbo engine from the ST. Now that will be the real competitor to the BRZ/86. If you have any plans towards getting that then an RS might be a better option for now because of better trade in.

I can tell from right there you watch a lot of Top Gear. The Live axle that's in the current stang may not be ground breaking tech but Ford didn't just make it work, they made it work so well the 5.0 and 302 are destroying cars with "proper modern independent rear suspensions". Not taking shots at you or anything bro, it's just I get a little annoyed when people pretend like the Mustang is less of an amazing car because of Fords current choice in rear suspension.

[KeepGuessing]

SVT..There's no use in telling people that anything other than IRS and coilovers can be good..

Trust me it'll be a terrible uphill battle filled with Clarkson quotes and examples of poorly developed American cars from the 80's...

[Dimman]

Originally Posted by SVTSHC

I can tell from right there you watch a lot of Top Gear. The Live axle that's in the current stang may not be ground breaking tech but Ford didn't just make it work, they made it work so well the 5.0 and 302 are destroying cars with "proper modern independent rear suspensions". Not taking shots at you or anything bro, it's just I get a little annoyed when people pretend like the Mustang is less of an amazing car because of Fords current choice in rear suspension.

I'm an equal opportunity stick-axle hater, I remind people that bitch about the Mustang that the AE86 that they worship also has the same primitive rear suspension.

Ford with the stick axle and Subaru/Toyota with the twins are kind of the same accomplishment performance-wise. They both show that effective application (considering that the twins are basically a hodge-podge of existing Toyota and Subaru parts) is more important than the tech alone.

Fantastic stick axle > meh independant suspension

However fantastic independant > fantastic stick axle.

[brz_guy]

Guys, I have a question about the Ford Focus ST and it's about the torque-vectoring power control system.

Is this torque vectoring system like a torsen limited slip differential (LSD)???

If the Ford's torque-vectoring power control system does the same job as a limited slip, then a focus ST would be a good purchase. It's all about having a good limited slip when going to the track.

[OrbitalEllipses]

Originally Posted by brz_guy

Guys, I have a question about the Ford Focus ST and it's about the torque-vectoring power control system.

Is this torque vectoring system like a torsen limited slip differential (LSD)???

If the Ford's torque-vectoring power control system does the same job as a limited slip, then a focus ST would be a good purchase. It's all about having a good limited slip when going to the track.

It's an "e-diff" rather than a mechanical limited slip, from what I understand. It's a way to lower cost while providing comparable performance.

[brz_guy]

Originally Posted by OrbitalEllipses

It's an "e-diff" rather than a mechanical limited slip, from what I understand. It's a way to lower cost while providing comparable performance.

+1! Read about it as well.

Just saw what the torque-vectoring system. It's basically like a limited slip differential.

Here's a link:
http://media.ford.com/article_displa...ticle_id=35551, it's under "Enhanced safety and driver aid technology"

"More typically found on high-performance cars, the Torque Vectoring Control system uses the car’s brakes to imitate the effect of a limited-slip differential, constantly balancing the distribution of engine torque between the front wheels during cornering, resulting in improved grip and steering and a reduced chance of understeer."

[dsgerbc]

Yeah, it's just a piece of software for brake application. It will probably help the car turn when there's spare grip available and it might help you get going in light snow, but in many situations it won't replace a true electronic/mechanical LSD.

Current WRX is too outdated inside. Ford's electronics and Recaros are legitimate reasons to get ST over WRX.

[Allch Chcar]

I've heard the new Focus is pretty neutral.

Better gas mileage, 6spd, Euro Ford style. Why would you want AWD in a street car? 2WD is more efficient to the wheels and if the anti-torque steer works it might be interesting to some people.

[chulooz]

I just drove the piss out of a '12 for a couple miles.
It looks ok, the interior is a little busy with two screens and steering wheel buttons for each of them; certainly not a sports car c0ckpit. The clutch and gearbox felt nice for a stock setup. The motor wound up alright after 2k and then got peppy around 4K, still it was hardly quick. The steering was neutral-numb, I really couldnt get too much out of it.
Nice car and its very up to date but the focus is not performance.

[Capt Canuck]

^Wow! You just drove the Ford Focus ST?
It's out and available?

[dsgerbc]

Originally Posted by Capt Canuck

^Wow! You just drove the Ford Focus ST?
It's out and available?

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.