Ford Focus ST - A Global Performance Car

[ED Classic]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Never was going to be an auto. Want one, buy a GTi.

And plenty will do just that

[zoomie]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Silver ones, they look ok on a Titanium but on an ST not so much. In the UK they look to be getting black ones. There is a bit of debate going on re headlights

Pity about the headlights then, cos the darker ones really do improve the front end look.

I know that may sound like im being a bit picky but its the small "details" that make or break the cars in the hot hatch scene.

[pursuit2359]

Thought I'd share this video review from CarBuyer - enjoy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62s48-8DRBU

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by zoomie

Pity about the headlights then, cos the darker ones really do improve the front end look.

I know that may sound like im being a bit picky but its the small "details" that make or break the cars in the hot hatch scene.

Agreed, it's not being picky I don't think.
On the UK ST forum there is a thread about it and one guy complained to Ford Belgium and got his changed to black. Thing is in OZ there is no stipulation about lights and their marketing material shows both chrome and black.

[galaxy xr8]

The Black Headlight surrounds would look awesome on the White and would be my prefered choice but alas.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Is there any cars out there with projectors / black headlight surrounds?

[Fiesta_Man69]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Never was going to be an auto. Want one, buy a GTi.

Yep: GTI auto = for posers

Focus ST manual only = only real drivers can enjoy. As it should be.

[Smoke Pursuit]

Not having an auto will cut 50 - 60% of the market out of the game, sadly that's just how it is. I thought with ecoboost they would have made auto work :S

Auto would suit me better but beggers cant be choosers.

[Cheese3]

GUYS

About the auto issues

Ford has already stated that this car is for low volume sales . They knew they might lose sales with no auto but THEY DON'T CARE ABOUT YOU'S WHO WANT AN AUTO ! They designed it to be manual , thats it . . .

[dimka100]

This car is an import, meaning they will make a profit in Australia for each car sold (Ford AU does not care if Ford EU will loses money ...)

So its really simple really, Ford AU will sell what they can and be happy with whatever comes their way ...

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by DASH GT

Is there any cars out there with projectors / black headlight surrounds?

Here's the car from Belgium, looks heaps better.

[Wretched]

the blue definitely suits this shape better than the previous.

[WILDB]

There are no vehicles from the UK with black xenons. That blue one wasn't delivered with black lights, they were fitted after delivery.

[SumoDog68]

Focus ST is here - hot hatch market is hotting up further. Astra GTC (unknown quantity) , Golf GTI (allrounder) ,Impreza (oldie but goodie) ,MPS Mazda3 ( fast and unruly) ,Lancer Ralliart (EVO lite) and the king of hot haches Megane RS.
Where does ST sit in all this ? I dont think anything looks better then Megane , performance wise it is a pity Focus RS front suspension didnt make it to ST due to cost obviously-ST might of been a contender as ecoboos seems to be competitive.
Looking forward to driving an ST - in the mean time i am sure every printed ond online publication will compare them..

[DJM83]

Originally Posted by WILDB

There are no vehicles from the UK with black xenons. That blue one wasn't delivered with black lights, they were fitted after delivery.

Yeah that's what I meant, it was delivered with chrome, black was fitted after the owner complained.

[psaint]

What does everyone think of the chances of getting any $$$ knocked off the asking price for one of these???

[Bossxr8]

You wouldn't expect to get much if any of a discount initially being brand new. But over time you should be able to get a better deal you'd think.

[BaraFGXR6]

How has the reception of these been in Australia so far?

Quick glance at car sales sees none available in NSW.

Very excited to see how the Ford product will pair up against its other hot hatch rivals.

Originally Posted by SumoDog68

Focus ST is here - hot hatch market is hotting up further. Astra GTC (unknown quantity) , Golf GTI (allrounder) ,Impreza (oldie but goodie) ,MPS Mazda3 ( fast and unruly) ,Lancer Ralliart (EVO lite) and the king of hot haches Megane RS.
Where does ST sit in all this ? I dont think anything looks better then Megane , performance wise it is a pity Focus RS front suspension didnt make it to ST due to cost obviously-ST might of been a contender as ecoboos seems to be competitive.
Looking forward to driving an ST - in the mean time i am sure every printed ond online publication will compare them..

Im not sure how the ST could compare t the WRX and ralliart.
The ralliart is down right a failure of a car (from all accounts from both the owners and other various forums) and the Rex has sooo much after market potential readily and cheaply available.


Stock for Stock i think the ST has it on most of its competitors, with the Megane RS being the exception (Although i would really compare the rs to an STI,Golf R and Evo).

Looking forward to being able to test drive one. Hopefully it has that floaty feel of the turbo rush kicking in and not a subjectively boring flat torque curve (yes i know a flat curve is better but its still not as fun as the good ole turbo rush in my opinion).

[DJM83]

ST hasnt many reviews in OZ yet.
Compared to its rivals it stacks up well. It may lack a little in the go dept compared to the OPC Astra, RS250, Golf R. But when you look at the price point its pretty good (although the OPC is looking to be only a few k more) And looks to be a little quicker on a track, not that people will buy them for that reason. Few mods filtering through for them aswell, although they aint cheap around £600 for a cat back
I reckon ill have a drive of one, i have a mate waiting on his aswell. Its just too soon for me to upgrade, maybe 12mths time.

[BaraFGXR6]

Im considering one as it falls in the category of what i want it for as long as i can get used to the size of it!

Comparing it to the MPS and WRX, it comes with a bucket load more but some how costing less? As long as it wipes the floor with them then i can see a long wait on getting into these things (one of the reason i didnt buy an xr5 when i had the chance /facepalm).

Well done Ford!

[Buntz]

Ford Focus ST. Cheeky lil bugger.

http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/22/n...s-cops-versus/

[DJM83]

Yeah seen that its awesome.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Yeah seen that its awesome.

All these supercars ready to do battle... and the Focus comes screaming into the fray with an epic handbrake turn. So cool.

[Buntz]

Uk Rozzers might be getting Focus ST wagons:
http://www.autoblog.com/2012/10/25/f...wagon-cop-car/

[DJM83]

They have had ST's before and I'm pretty sure they still have some of the previous model in their fleet.

[dimka100]

Seen a white one today at the dealership, nice car, would buy one if it came in an Auto ... anyway I settled on an XR6 Turbo instead.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by dimka100

Seen a white one today at the dealership, nice car, would buy one if it came in an Auto ... anyway I settled on an XR6 Turbo instead.

Good man. XR6T's are built here.

[DJM83]

Yeah it might loose some sales to other makes or models. But id prefer that the ST not be made in auto. Keeps the tradition, there hasnt been an auto ST yet.

[MR_LON]

i agree dallas, i'd much prefer they stay manual.

[In Focus]

Originally Posted by DJM83

Yeah it might loose some sales to other makes or models. But id prefer that the ST not be made in auto. Keeps the tradition, there hasnt been an auto ST yet.

I don't see how it would hurt anyone as long as both options were available.