Why do people love the Ford Focus so much

Lug · 10-04-2012, 11:01 PM

didn't get the Nav (phone is good enough for me) but the same other wise. Been messing with Sync and MFT tonite. Check out the R&T 3 way comparo (ST, MS3, GTI)article when it comes out, you will be pleasantly surprised!

m4a1mustang · 10-05-2012, 09:29 AM

Here it is: 2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2012 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 ? Hot Hatchback Comparison Test ? RoadandTrack.com

.96G on the skidpad is impressive for a FWD car and confirms the "holy crap this car has a ton of grip" feeling I had when I was able to take it on some back roads.

On the acceleration front you can definitely see that it will need a tune to "wake up."

DCNISMO · 10-05-2012, 09:40 AM

Good article. I saw the tangerine color in the DC auto show abd it was really nice looking.
The .96 skidpad is impressive.

m4a1mustang · 10-05-2012, 09:59 AM

On the power front, here's the dyno sheet for the first SCT tune available for the car:

( Click to show/hide )

You can see how power really falls off on the top end. Wouldn't be surprised if the car was faster in the 1/4 mile with short-shifting.

Red__Zed · 10-05-2012, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

On the power front, here's the dyno sheet for the first SCT tune available for the car:

( Click to show/hide )

You can see how power really falls off on the top end. Wouldn't be surprised if the car was faster in the 1/4 mile with short-shifting.

Little baby turbo

m4a1mustang · 10-05-2012, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Little baby turbo

Red__Zed · 10-05-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Pic of focus st turbo

Red__Zed · 10-05-2012, 10:36 AM

I love how they aren't even feeding the baby to the right part :|

Lug · 10-05-2012, 04:09 PM

Just chillin'.....

Lug · 10-05-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

On the power front, here's the dyno sheet for the first SCT tune available for the car:

You can see how power really falls off on the top end. Wouldn't be surprised if the car was faster in the 1/4 mile with short-shifting.

1st guy to run one I saw was a 'Stang mod guy. He shaved like .4 seconds off by short shifting at 6200 and seemed quite surprised. Now he understands that shifting even sooner will make even better numbers (He got a 14.4 quarter first night out) He expects to get very close to 14 flat next time. The MS3 guys have long ago shown short shifting on a non modded speed3 yeilds much better results and they have better top breathing than we do.

m4a1mustang · 10-05-2012, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lug

1st guy to run one I saw was a 'Stang mod guy. He shaved like .4 seconds off by short shifting at 6200 and seemed quite surprised. Now he understands that shifting even sooner will make even better numbers (He got a 14.4 quarter first night out) He expects to get very close to 14 flat next time. The MS3 guys have long ago shown short shifting on a non modded speed3 yeilds much better results and they have better top breathing than we do.

That's what I thought. I feel like with seat time and the right shift points the car will run high 13 to low 14 at closer to 100 mph stock. That's how it feels, anyways.

I would like to see what a good driver does with a tune. +20whp and +40wtq and torque truncation eliminated should be a pretty big boost.

shadoquad · 10-05-2012, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red__Zed

Pic of focus st turbo

At least it drives pretty.

shadoquad · 10-05-2012, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

Here it is: 2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2012 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 ? Hot Hatchback Comparison Test ? RoadandTrack.com

.96G on the skidpad is impressive for a FWD car and confirms the "holy crap this car has a ton of grip" feeling I had when I was able to take it on some back roads.

On the acceleration front you can definitely see that it will need a tune to "wake up."

I think they overhype the ST in this article. I mean, it's a great car, but this "raging bargain" had the option packages to push it to 30k. That's against the base level GTI without any toys. And I'd agree about the "excellent" recaros, except my stereotypically American physique makes sitting in them an arduous chore. Calling it the best thing to come out of Wayne MI is a bit of a stretch for me, too.

I like the car. Thought it was cool, handles excellently and has great brakes. I guess I'm just upset with car mag hype more than anything. No debating it's a great car, but it's not the automobile second coming of Christ.

m4a1mustang · 10-05-2012, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadoquad

I think they overhype the ST in this article. I mean, it's a great car, but this "raging bargain" had the option packages to push it to 30k. That's against the base level GTI without any toys. And I'd agree about the "excellent" recaros, except my stereotypically American physique makes sitting in them an arduous chore. Calling it the best thing to come out of Wayne MI is a bit of a stretch for me, too.

I like the car. Thought it was cool, handles excellently and has great brakes. I guess I'm just upset with car mag hype more than anything. No debating it's a great car, but it's not the automobile second coming of Christ.

I think they do hype it up a little bit but it definitely deserved to take top spot IMO. It is ridiculous fun. I just got back from driving it and really had a blast. The low end torque and the gobs of grip just make it really fun. And the fact that it feels so well balanced even though it's wrong wheel drive... it's just a very well done car.

They are in no way hyping this car as much as others have been hyped (I'm looking at you FRS/BRZ!).

shadoquad · 10-05-2012, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

I think they do hype it up a little bit but it definitely deserved to take top spot IMO. It is ridiculous fun. I just got back from driving it and really had a blast. The low end torque and the gobs of grip just make it really fun. And the fact that it feels so well balanced even though it's wrong wheel drive... it's just a very well done car.

They are in no way hyping this car as much as others have been hyped (I'm looking at you FRS/BRZ!).

They're just getting started. Altho from shado's personal test drives, i prolly rank these three in that order as well. But in my mind, all three are close. They're all very fun and practical.

10-04-2012, 11:01 PM	#91 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 19	didn't get the Nav (phone is good enough for me) but the same other wise. Been messing with Sync and MFT tonite. Check out the R&T 3 way comparo (ST, MS3, GTI)article when it comes out, you will be pleasantly surprised! m4a1mustang likes this. __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

10-05-2012, 09:29 AM	#92 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	Here it is: 2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2012 Volkswagen GTI vs. 2012 Mazdaspeed 3 ? Hot Hatchback Comparison Test ? RoadandTrack.com .96G on the skidpad is impressive for a FWD car and confirms the "holy crap this car has a ton of grip" feeling I had when I was able to take it on some back roads. On the acceleration front you can definitely see that it will need a tune to "wake up." shadoquad likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-05-2012, 09:59 AM	#94 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6962	On the power front, here's the dyno sheet for the first SCT tune available for the car: ( Click to show/hide ) You can see how power really falls off on the top end. Wouldn't be surprised if the car was faster in the 1/4 mile with short-shifting. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

10-05-2012, 04:09 PM	#99 (permalink)
Lug A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Texas Posts: 1,926 Drives: 2006 350Z Rep Power: 19	Just chillin'..... __________________ keep Chubbs in your pocket - Chubbs

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10-05-2012, 09:40 AM	#93 (permalink)
DCNISMO Track Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: washington dc Posts: 995 Drives: Nismo Z Rep Power: 179	Good article. I saw the tangerine color in the DC auto show abd it was really nice looking. The .96 skidpad is impressive.

10-05-2012, 10:36 AM	#98 (permalink)
Red__Zed A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: window seat Posts: 28,940 Drives: Mostly on two wheels Rep Power: 120	I love how they aren't even feeding the baby to the right part :\|