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

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by Justin.b

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

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.

[EAGLE5]

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.

[HunterGreene]

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

[radroach]

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.

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by the_colombian

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.

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

[Dave-ROR]

Originally Posted by SVTSHC

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

[Mr.Jay]

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)

[bakerr6]

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)

[infinite012]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

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.

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.

[Giccin]

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?)

[kALMIGHTY]

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.
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.

[leon78]

Originally Posted by HunterGreene

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.

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

[HunterGreene]

Originally Posted by leon78

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?

[leon78]

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