Ford Focus ST review @ 1000 miles

Lug · 04-13-2013, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu

Loving the Mini S. Much lighter car not too powerful - nice balance and I consistently get 35 mpg! The Focus weighs about 500 lbs more than mini.

It's also quite a bit lighter than a Fusion as well because...well... it's a different class of car. If one is interested in the ford somewhat equivalent in weight and power, that would be a Fiesta and Fiesta ST. I'm sure the Mini is quite a bit cuter, though.

m4a1mustang · 04-13-2013, 10:43 PM

As long as you are happy with it that's cool. The Mini is a cute car.

One_Quick_Z · 04-14-2013, 05:28 AM

I think someone doesnt like ford is what the issue is....

DAN

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-14-2013, 04:15 PM

the honda fit will suit your needs.

Mazdaspeed 3 2969lbs
VW GTi 3034lbs
Mini cooper S 2855lbs
Fod Focus ST 3240lbs
Honda Fit which is smaller... 2496 lbs.

And a miata which is a different type of car 2447lbs

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UNKNOWN_370

the honda fit will suit your needs.

Mazdaspeed 3 2969lbs
VW GTi 3034lbs
Mini cooper S 2855lbs
Fod Focus ST 3240lbs
Honda Fit which is smaller... 2496 lbs.

And a miata which is a different type of car 2447lbs

Correction

Mini Cooper S hatchback weighs 2668 lbs.
fiat 500 Abarth weighs 2512 lbs

Both are 500 lbs lighter and don't need to depend on nutty big power plants to drive front wheels. MazdaSpeed 3 is another ax ample of poorly executed fwd hatch. argh!

Sorry but Ford has lost their way with flabby Focus. Fiesta ST may redeem them. At least cost of Fiesta will be more in line with Ford Quality and weight won't be quite as much of an issue as it is with big fat Foci.

I'm looking Forward to drive a Fiesta St. Hopefully that car will average better than low 20 MPG !

m4a1mustang · 04-15-2013, 08:42 AM

Lost their way? I think you're trying to make the Focus fit a mold that it shouldn't be forced into. It's a compromise of power, handling, comfort, and capacity.

I'd rather drive an Abarth or Mini S around than the Focus ST from a driving fun perspective, but I also recognize that I have greater capability with the Focus in terms of people and stuff hauling. It's also got that power edge which is important to a lot of people. I know if I didn't have a power car I'd not want to be stuck with only a Abarth or Mini.

And the woman averages 26-27 mpg in her ST with a heavy right foot with a mostly city mix. That's not that bad. If you work hard you can get it to low 20s, but you've got to drive like a maniac to do that.

m4a1mustang · 04-15-2013, 08:57 AM

This sort of reminds me of how the Z is treated on the S2000 forums. "It's too heavy." "It's too big." "It's not a real sports car."

Sure... but it's more powerful. It has more grip. It's more comfortable. It's more capable (performance, capacity, etc.)

Different strokes for different folks.

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 11:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

This sort of reminds me of how the Z is treated on the S2000 forums. "It's too heavy." "It's too big." "It's not a real sports car."

Sure... but it's more powerful. It has more grip. It's more comfortable. It's more capable (performance, capacity, etc.)

Different strokes for different folks.

Very valid points from S2000 crowd. The Z's significant heft and poor front weight distribution are real issues that make it poor handling car in comparison to S2000. I have spent tons of money trying to get the 370 Z to handle better and its still in misfit toy category in my book. I still love it though.

Now lets talk about 3200 lb FWD econo car hatch called Focus ST. Ford blew it by not making ST an AWD similar to EVO and STI. At least then while it was heavy it would have some redeeming traction capabilities. They could have put that car on diet and had a real performer.

Ford fans are so desperate for something that resembles performance that they are going bananas over this porky FWD tuner. I mean can you blame them? Up to now the only real performance car they have had is Fred Flintsone Mustang with solid axle.

So what they end up with is fat sporty spice hatchback. Its a compromise car for people who like sporty spice in their lives. Its perfect mommy mobile for somone who wants sporty feel in their econo car. By no means a real performance sedan.

What will be even more amusing are guys who boost performace on these cars. What a waste!

I dont think you Ford faithfuls are going to convert me anytime soon but it is cute watching defend this car as if its something special.

ZBro16 · 04-15-2013, 12:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu

The Z's significant heft and poor front weight distribution are real issues that make it poor handling car in comparison to S2000. I have spent tons of money trying to get the 370 Z to handle better and its still in misfit toy category in my book. I still love it though.

So you added a dry carbon hatch and a titanium exhaust to help with the poor front weight distribution?

SS_Firehawk · 04-15-2013, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBro16

So you added a dry carbon hatch and a titanium exhaust to help with the poor front weight distribution?

I would actually research Shamu's Z before making that comment. His car is well under 3000lbs.

ZBro16 · 04-15-2013, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

I would actually research Shamu's Z before making that comment. His car is well under 3000lbs.

Doesn't mean his reduced weight is better distributed across the vehicle than the OEM setup and its weight distribution. Could be like a chick with a store-bought DD rack and an *** like Paris Hilton.

I'm just applying Shamu's logic used in all the remarks he's made about all the cars in this thread.

Why can't it work for me?

Shamu · 04-15-2013, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZBro16

So you added a dry carbon hatch and a titanium exhaust to help with the poor front weight distribution?

Lol!

Where do I begin? Lighter cooling system, lightweight flywheel and clutch, 4 lb lithium battery, aluminum hat front rotors, abs pumps etc removed, all engine cosmetics pulled, AC system pulled, ventilation system gone, lighter pulley and belt setup, hoods pinned, horns pulled, lighter long tube headers, lighter engine mounts,lightweight vented hood, front crash bar lightened, stock PS removed and electric PS installed further back in car, all smog and excess cooling lines removed from engine, Wiper system removed, lower radiator support removed, gutted dash, doors, poly windshield.

Suspect my car is one of better front to rear weight distributions as I still only have rear roll bar.. CF hatch was to get weight off top of car to lower CG, titanium system to offset added weight of fueling, 30 gallon saddle fuel cell with 4 scavenger pumps mounted low and to rear. Rear Diff coolers, rear defuser system. As well as dry sump cell going in rear in future. big rear wheels and tires.

Rear of car has actually stayed weight neutral. Believe me I'm trying to get to 50/50.

UNKNOWN_370 · 04-16-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shamu

Lol!

Where do I begin? Lighter cooling system, lightweight flywheel and clutch, 4 lb lithium battery, aluminum hat front rotors, abs pumps etc removed, all engine cosmetics pulled, AC system pulled, ventilation system gone, lighter pulley and belt setup, hoods pinned, horns pulled, lighter long tube headers, lighter engine mounts,lightweight vented hood, front crash bar lightened, stock PS removed and electric PS installed further back in car, all smog and excess cooling lines removed from engine, Wiper system removed, lower radiator support removed, gutted dash, doors, poly windshield.

Suspect my car is one of better front to rear weight distributions as I still only have rear roll bar.. CF hatch was to get weight off top of car to lower CG, titanium system to offset added weight of fueling, 30 gallon saddle fuel cell with 4 scavenger pumps mounted low and to rear. Rear Diff coolers, rear defuser system. As well as dry sump cell going in rear in future. big rear wheels and tires.

Rear of car has actually stayed weight neutral. Believe me I'm trying to get to 50/50.

Gotta give props where props is due...

good shyt sham.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SS_Firehawk

Not defending Shamu's posts, but taking what he said out of context to better fit your argument, I really don't care for. RWD cars with the transmission mounted up front will always have a bias. Just because he reduced the weight of the rear does not mean he paid no attention to the front.

Regarding the ST, I think it would be an enjoyable vehicle, great to push the segment forward, but at the same time, it still has it's flaws that have made little or no headway from the last crop of hot hatches. The largest flaw being torque steer. 3200lbs is nearly as heavy as a Z, that is a failure and a complete result of cost cutting. I thought the current MS3 bumper was bad. bravo to Ford for finding a way to make it worse. I am happy they got the handling right.

ZMan8 · 04-15-2013, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m4a1mustang

This sort of reminds me of how the Z is treated on the S2000 forums. "It's too heavy." "It's too big." "It's not a real sports car."

Sure... but it's more powerful. It has more grip. It's more comfortable. It's more capable (performance, capacity, etc.)

Different strokes for different folks.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I747 using Tapatalk 2

m4a1mustang · 04-15-2013, 09:05 AM

The definition of "sports car" is quite contentious.

04-13-2013, 10:43 PM	#2 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	As long as you are happy with it that's cool. The Mini is a cute car. Red__Zed likes this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook! Last edited by m4a1mustang; 04-13-2013 at 10:52 PM.

04-14-2013, 05:28 AM	#3 (permalink)
One_Quick_Z A True Z Fanatic Join Date: May 2009 Location: Seneca Il Posts: 1,374 Drives: 10 Civic EX Sedan Rep Power: 219	I think someone doesnt like ford is what the issue is.... DAN __________________ -My BRZ with exhaust will decimate all if we overnight parts from Japan- 10 Civic EX Sedan- Current Daily

04-14-2013, 04:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
UNKNOWN_370 A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: ny'r livn in tx Posts: 8,687 Drives: well over 130m.p.h. Rep Power: 14858	the honda fit will suit your needs. Mazdaspeed 3 2969lbs VW GTi 3034lbs Mini cooper S 2855lbs Fod Focus ST 3240lbs Honda Fit which is smaller... 2496 lbs. And a miata which is a different type of car 2447lbs __________________ Favorite Quote. "I'm not gonna kill you... I'm just gonna Bash Your Face In" Jack Nicholson-"The Shining". 1980 Last edited by UNKNOWN_370; 04-14-2013 at 04:19 PM.

04-15-2013, 08:42 AM	#6 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	Lost their way? I think you're trying to make the Focus fit a mold that it shouldn't be forced into. It's a compromise of power, handling, comfort, and capacity. I'd rather drive an Abarth or Mini S around than the Focus ST from a driving fun perspective, but I also recognize that I have greater capability with the Focus in terms of people and stuff hauling. It's also got that power edge which is important to a lot of people. I know if I didn't have a power car I'd not want to be stuck with only a Abarth or Mini. And the woman averages 26-27 mpg in her ST with a heavy right foot with a mostly city mix. That's not that bad. If you work hard you can get it to low 20s, but you've got to drive like a maniac to do that. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook! Last edited by m4a1mustang; 04-15-2013 at 08:44 AM.

04-15-2013, 08:57 AM	#7 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	This sort of reminds me of how the Z is treated on the S2000 forums. "It's too heavy." "It's too big." "It's not a real sports car." Sure... but it's more powerful. It has more grip. It's more comfortable. It's more capable (performance, capacity, etc.) Different strokes for different folks. Lug, ZMan8 and ZBro16 like this. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

04-15-2013, 09:05 AM	#15 (permalink)
m4a1mustang A True Z Fanatic Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Northern VA Posts: 55,385 Drives: on two wheels Rep Power: 6963	The definition of "sports car" is quite contentious. __________________ - Steve Zs & Coffee - Saturdays at 10AM in Fairfax, VA and Columbia, MD (Click the banner!) LIKE us on Facebook!

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