2014 Ford Focus: Three Cylinders (US), Style Updates (US/EU/ETC)

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I wonder if black-painted cars have become more popular in recent years.

 

[Dan_]

Perhaps I'm alone in this one, but I quite like the syling of this thing. In ST trim it looks like a proper hot hatch, they should smoke the headlights to make it stand out a bit more, though.

Pricing-wise, it's pretty reasonable. For that kind of money I'd have an BRZ, but if I were ever to use the rear seats to actually carry passengers and were looking only at brand new vehicles, this would be seriously considered. It's a midway point between the GTi and Mazdaspeed 3, I like it.

 

[CodeRedR51]

It's a midway point between the GTi and Mazdaspeed 3, I like it.

According to the Mazda USA website, the MSRP including destination on a Mazdaspeed3 is $24,795.

 

[eSZee]

Maybe he meant midway in the performance sense.

 

[Dan_]

Maybe he meant midway in the performance sense.

Yep.

 

[Keef]

$24,495http://www.autoblog.com/2012/05/01/ford-prices-2013-focus-st-from-24-495/

Wait, wait. Bigger car, more practical, more space, probably better interior quality, 52 more horspower and over 100 more torques, plus a turbocharger...for the same price as an FR-S?

 

[CodeRedR51]

Yeah I said the same thing...

 

[Blackbird.]

Wait, wait. Bigger car, more practical, more space, probably better interior quality, 52 more horspower and over 100 more torques, plus a turbocharger...for the same price as an FR-S?

And add the black-hole of a gap in the nose that everyone supposedly hates.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

And utter lack of the fun factor due to FWD and nose heavyness, and generic looks.

 

[Keef]

It won't be as fun, sure, but that's literally all your paying for with the FR-S. I'm not sure the "experience" is worth $25k, especially when it still won't satisfy me because it's too soft. You can get good used S2k for about $15-$25k now.

 

[sumbrownkid]

The S2000 is all fun and games until the insurance company calls.

 

[homeforsummer]

And utter lack of the fun factor due to FWD

Oh dear. I'd forgotten you were one of "those"

Have a read of this month's EVO if you can. BRZ vs MX5 vs 370Z vs Megane RenaultSport. See which one they found the most fun...

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Sure, bring in the 12k USD more expensive trackday special.. With that amount of money spent on similar tweaks on BRZ, which one would win then, hmm? AKA, your point is.. pointless.

 

[Eunos_Cosmo]

Oh dear. I'd forgotten you were one of "those"

Have a read of this month's EVO if you can. BRZ vs MX5 vs 370Z vs Megane RenaultSport. See which one they found the most fun...

Found it online and read it. The article made me really, really want a Megane. Or at least a Mazdaspeed version of my own car (Mazda2). It's amazing how much rotation you can coax out of a fwd hatch if you are really pushing it. My humble little 2 is absurdly fun on a twisty road. Probably more fun than my RX-7 with it's big grippy tires.

 

[homeforsummer]

Sure, bring in the 12k USD more expensive trackday special.. With that amount of money spent on similar tweaks on BRZ, which one would win then, hmm? AKA, your point is.. pointless.

In the UK, the Megane RS and BRZ are a similar price. Megane may actually be a little cheaper. And it's not a track day special

 

[Joey D]

Ya that FR-S thing is over rated in my opinion, if I wanted a small, RWD fun car I'd get an S2000 or I suppose I could be convinced to force myself to look at a Miata.

But the Focus ST, I sort of want one but only if it comes with a double clutch trans that actually works properly. I know I'm going to go the "autos sucks" comments but whatever, the double clutch shifts faster than I ever could so it would be worth it to me purely based on performance.

 

[Keef]

I want the FR-S because it's a damn good car and pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. I still think it's too expensive, but whatever because I'll be waiting a few years to get one anyway.

 

[CodeRedR51]

But the Focus ST, I sort of want one but only if it comes with a double clutch trans that actually works properly. I know I'm going to go the "autos sucks" comments but whatever, the double clutch shifts faster than I ever could so it would be worth it to me purely based on performance.

When you go to the configurator, it only gives you the option for a 6-speed manual.

 

[exigeracer]

And utter lack of the fun factor due to FWD and nose heavyness, and generic looks.

I won't defend this Focus, but the BRZ/86 is laughably outdated, styling-wise.

 

[Joey D]

When you go to the configurator, it only gives you the option for a 6-speed manual.

Ya I know, Ford said they were only going to offer it in a manual. The only way I'd consider on is if they put a double clutch in it. Although I am hoping the 6-speed makes it way to the other models, I have no idea why they selected a 5-speed to begin with.

 

[YSSMAN]

It won't be as fun, sure, but that's literally all your paying for with the FR-S. I'm not sure the "experience" is worth $25k, especially when it still won't satisfy me because it's too soft. You can get good used S2k for about $15-$25k now.

Scary thing is that even the Chevrolet Sonic can out-handle the FR-S. And you can pick up a nicely-equipped turbo model for less than $18K... And Chevrolet will still give you a deal on it... And the RS model is coming with extra go-fast goodies.

Yipes. I just have a hard time getting around the $25K mark. Hell, I could get a Camry SE for that much. WHAT A TWIST!

 

[Tornado]

Yipes. I just have a hard time getting around the $25K mark. Hell, I could get a Camry SE for that much. WHAT A TWIST!

 

[peter_vod69]

Scary thing is that even the Chevrolet Sonic can out-handle the FR-S. And you can pick up a nicely-equipped turbo model for less than $18K... And Chevrolet will still give you a deal on it... And the RS model is coming with extra go-fast goodies.

Yipes. I just have a hard time getting around the $25K mark. Hell, I could get a Camry SE for that much. WHAT A TWIST!

I wish American publications would learn the difference between handling and grip. I mean, by their interpretation, the Corvette C4 Z51 was a brilliant handling car.

 

[sumbrownkid]

A sports car that costs as much as a Camry?

Twist indeed...where's m. Night Shamalan when I need him?

 

[eSZee]

Sports car? The BRZ thread is the other way.

 

[sumbrownkid]

Sports car? The BRZ thread is the other way.

 

[Eric.]

Scary thing is that even the Chevrolet Sonic can out-handle the FR-S. And you can pick up a nicely-equipped turbo model for less than $18K... And Chevrolet will still give you a deal on it... And the RS model is coming with extra go-fast goodies.

Yipes. I just have a hard time getting around the $25K mark. Hell, I could get a Camry SE for that much. WHAT A TWIST!

Uh...A Prelude held one of the all-time slalom records, faster than a lot of supercars. Slalom speed is pretty meaningless, and is an indication of stability (understeer) at best.

Every comment on that page points this out. A Fit was faster than a C6 Z06.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

ARTICLE -> Car tests out the Euro-spec ST (ST1 trim):

Car Magazine

^ They've loved it, and with £3500 less compared to the base level GTI. Its a very good value! 👍

 

[Kent]

So they love the car, got 15mpg, rave about the electric steering because it doesn't suck, and ignore the poor interior because "it's a focus after all."

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

^ I was wondering that too...