2013 Focus ST, worth it?

[above8k]

Actually those plastics do have a better feel than any of the Asian competitors such as toyota and hunda

uh no! its still a tik-tok sounding plastic...

[CWDave]

I honestly would rather look at this, than a giant mound of plastic crap.

Not to mention, other oem units look better than Ford's.

The stack fits the rest of the interior IMO. It took a few weeks for me to fully warm up to it, but it works well aesthetically and ergonomically.

It sounds like you're more predisposed to either as conservative of style as possible, or are missing the point that this level of new-age styling is in a BUDGET LEVEL FOCUS.

Let's take a look at other budget model OEM stacks, shall we?

Corolla:

Wow. About as drab as you can get. Based on looks alone, it wouldn't surprise me that the only audio that comes out of this thing is a funeral dirge or the Best of Television Static compilation. Functional? Yes. Stylish? Sure, if you consider a wooden spoon fashionable. I absolutely love the LCD readout they stole from an old Texas Instruments calculator.

Civic:

Wait, that's it? That's the radio? I have more options on my blender. It looks like they took this from a piece of **** shelf stereo you bought for $44.99 at Walmart. Don't go too crazy Honda! You don't want to have people think your cars are edgy and stylish! Oh wait, you already have that god-awful tach cluster..

Golf:

The ****, VW? Did you steal this idea from those Zony cassette/CD player radios you get as door prizes at the local bingo hall? Did you do this on purpose to get people to upgrade packages? I love the Indiglo readout though. Very 1990's.

Rio:

HAHAHAahahah.. ahhh.. Woo.. oh.. OHHH... That IS your radio? ****, sorry..

[MCTB]

uh no! its still a tik-tok sounding plastic...

It needs to be. Plastic that gets touched often shouldnt be fancy honestly. YOu ever seen the fancy coating VW puts on their switches and knobs after a year or two of interaction? Its peeling and falling apart.

[naiku]

It needs to be. Plastic that gets touched often shouldnt be fancy honestly. YOu ever seen the fancy coating VW puts on their switches and knobs after a year or two of interaction? Its peeling and falling apart.

Agreed, I test drove an A6 and walked away because of all the peeling buttons. My A4 is not too bad, but the radio tuner knob, and arm rest handle are both peeling. It's like some rubbery paint on the hard plastic, that does not stick to it all that well.

[curvedinfinity]

FWIW, the kia one is my favorite out of the ones pictured. I don't think any of them are particularly bad. The honda one looks cheap though.

[caliatenza]

Base gets the same gauge pod and auxiliary gauges, but the center stack is less "techie" and more basic. Looks like this:

No wait...I sat in the model with the screen..so maybe i sat in the ST2 trim.

[RacingManiac]

Golf:

The ****, VW? Did you steal this idea from those Zony cassette/CD player radios you get as door prizes at the local bingo hall? Did you do this on purpose to get people to upgrade packages? I love the Indiglo readout though. Very 1990's.

This looks different than mine, though maybe that is a GTI thing...

[Turbio!]

uh no! its still a tik-tok sounding plastic...

So in other words, it's durable and hard-wearing, which it should be unless I'm resting my hands on it for any extended period? Gotcha. Cool.

[caliatenza]

Did anyone feel like the car was a bit too boy racer?? I dunno...

[Turbio!]

i like the outside, but when i sat in one, it just felt cheap to me .

Of course it did. It's based on a Focus that starts at $17k, and they spent their ST development dollars on making it go around a corner like a molested macaque. The interior is fine for a hot hatch. And not to put too fine a point on it, this is an economy hatch with a hilarious engine and a suspension tune, not a 3-series.

Did anyone feel like the car was a bit too boy racer?? I dunno...

I've seen a couple. It was fairly extroverted, yeah. But then, this is an age of extroverted styling. It's certainly no more ornamented than your average BMW.

[CWDave]

I've seen a couple. It was fairly extroverted, yeah. But then, this is an age of extroverted styling. It's certainly no more ornamented than your average BMW.

Black mutes a lot of the boy-racer features. Makes the maw look more appealing too. (Darth Vader-esque?) Suppose I should call it the MazdaSpeed3 Effect.

[Dan92SLC]

It looks pretty boy racer in a visible color like blue IMO. It's a bit incompatible with the image I wish to portray. But holy hell it was a ton of fun to drive. Almost addictive. Could one get over the boy racer vibe? probably.

I'm in my 30s and prefer the GTI's relative plain-ness. Especially the interior. But I'm an odd duck so YMMV

[panzer 2.3]

No wait...I sat in the model with the screen..so maybe i sat in the ST2 trim.

Was this the one? I think they're is another screen above base? but if I pull the plug on this it will def be with the ST3 package. The larger my touch screens also eliminates alot of the cheesy buttons/plastic vibe imo

[Vanilla_Coke]

The stack fits the rest of the interior IMO. It took a few weeks for me to fully warm up to it, but it works well aesthetically and ergonomically.

It sounds like you're more predisposed to either as conservative of style as possible, or are missing the point that this level of new-age styling is in a BUDGET LEVEL FOCUS.

Let's take a look at other budget model OEM stacks, shall we?

Corolla:

Wow. About as drab as you can get. Based on looks alone, it wouldn't surprise me that the only audio that comes out of this thing is a funeral dirge or the Best of Television Static compilation. Functional? Yes. Stylish? Sure, if you consider a wooden spoon fashionable. I absolutely love the LCD readout they stole from an old Texas Instruments calculator.

Civic:

Wait, that's it? That's the radio? I have more options on my blender. It looks like they took this from a piece of **** shelf stereo you bought for $44.99 at Walmart. Don't go too crazy Honda! You don't want to have people think your cars are edgy and stylish! Oh wait, you already have that god-awful tach cluster..

Golf:

The ****, VW? Did you steal this idea from those Zony cassette/CD player radios you get as door prizes at the local bingo hall? Did you do this on purpose to get people to upgrade packages? I love the Indiglo readout though. Very 1990's.

Rio:

HAHAHAahahah.. ahhh.. Woo.. oh.. OHHH... That IS your radio? ****, sorry..

Right, because somehow even Mitsubishi couldn't do it better...oh wait, they do.



And the last time I checked, a Focus wasn't a ****box, you linked cars it doesn't even compete with.

[caliatenza]

Was this the one? I think they're is another screen above base? but if I pull the plug on this it will def be with the ST3 package. The larger my touch screens also eliminates alot of the cheesy buttons/plastic vibe imo

it may have been this one but i dont remember that screen in between the gauges.

[Dommer]

And the last time I checked, a Focus wasn't a ****box, you linked cars it doesn't even compete with.

A Focus doesn't compete with a Corolla, a Golf, or a Civic? Really?

[Vanilla_Coke]

A Focus doesn't compete with a Corolla, a Golf, or a Civic? Really?

The Rio and Corrolla threw me off, lol.

At least with the Golf you can put one of these in the dash...

[worked_xr]

Let's just compare the ST's real competitors' dashes for a moment:

2013 Focus ST:


2012 Mazdaspeed3:


2012 GTI:


2012 WRX:


2012 Lancer GT:


I just happen to prefer the ST's dash, but a couple of the others need some updating. It's pretty obvious when you actually sit in them that some aren't the same kind of quality either.

[MCTB]

The Rio and Corrolla threw me off, lol.

At least with the Golf you can put one of these in the dash...

What the F is that? I will take a tap of a steering wheel control and me speaking over a menu and a few taps. Get off it. We get it. You hate buttons. I hope you never buy anything like a Porsche or another tier 1 German car which are laden with buttons.

[Vanilla_Coke]

What the F is that? I will take a tap of a steering wheel control and me speaking over a menu and a few taps. Get off it. We get it. You hate buttons. I hope you never buy anything like a Porsche or another tier 1 German car which are laden with buttons.

I can tell you're not into car audio... Its a touch screen DVD player....



I don't hate buttons, I hate OEM crap.

[CWDave]

The Rio and Corrolla threw me off, lol.

Reading is fundamental. I also love how you threw in an upgraded radio setup on the Mitsu. How about we take a look at their base setup:



Wow, yeah, that REALLY looks so much better than.. well.. none of them really. I'd rather have the Rio's setup. Hell, I'd rather have the abominations from a Scion over this.

Also, a funny story: The vast majority of people that buy cars don't give a flying **** about upgrading their head units. When you have a system like Sync that integrates your phone, iPod connection/control, satellite radio, and provides all the infotainment **** you need over audio, why would you need a wiggy, aftermarket touchscreen unit that costs $699+?

Oh yeah, to show off to your teenage buddies you work with at Best Buy. GTFO.

[MCTB]

I can tell you're not into car audio... Its a touch screen DVD player....

I don't hate buttons, I hate OEM crap.

Nope, definitely not. What I desire most is easy integration of bluetooth, ipod, and aux with minimal input from myself. The problem with what you are posting is the problem with most aftermarket audio. Its not easily integrated and in the case of the Sync system, it is no where near the level of user ease to operate. My fiance is a techno novice and she can operate every single part of the audio system. No menus. No after thought looking head unit. Just a simple flick of a steering wheel paddle and a command.

[Vanilla_Coke]

Reading is fundamental. I also love how you threw in an upgraded radio setup on the Mitsu. How about we take a look at their base setup:



Wow, yeah, that REALLY looks so much better than.. well.. none of them really. I'd rather have the Rio's setup. Hell, I'd rather have the abominations from a Scion over this.

Also, a funny story: The vast majority of people that buy cars don't give a flying **** about upgrading their head units. When you have a system like Sync that integrates your phone, iPod connection/control, satellite radio, and provides all the infotainment **** you need over audio, why would you need a wiggy, aftermarket touchscreen unit that costs $699+?

Oh yeah, to show off to your teenage buddies you work with at Best Buy. GTFO.

Nope, definitely not. What I desire most is easy integration of bluetooth, ipod, and aux with minimal input from myself. The problem with what you are posting is the problem with most aftermarket audio. Its not easily integrated and in the case of the Sync system, it is no where near the level of user ease to operate. My fiance is a techno novice and she can operate every single part of the audio system. No menus. No after thought looking head unit. Just a simple flick of a steering wheel paddle and a command.

I hate to break it to you, but that unit costs $349... It integrates just fine with a double din opening and with steering wheel controls... But once again, only teenage tards at Best Buy would rock such a device. I guess anything with a double din is for rejects

This reminds me of IW and their defense that people were too stupid to figure out server browsers, car audio isn't hard to figure out, nor is it for teens I would much rather enjoy clarity with better S/N then be stuck with crap.

As for the base Mitsubishi, I didn't realize that was the base interior, I just clicked on the first thing Edmunds popped up, either way, it still looks better.

[CWDave]

I hate to break it to you, but that unit costs $349... It integrates just fine with a double din opening and with steering wheel controls... But once again, only teenage tards at Best Buy would rock such a device. I guess anything with a double din is for rejects

This reminds me of IW and their defense that people were too stupid to figure out server browsers, car audio isn't hard to figure out, nor is it for teens I would much rather enjoy clarity with better S/N then be stuck with crap.

As for the base Mitsubishi, I didn't realize that was the base interior, I just clicked on the first thing Edmunds popped up, either way, it still looks better.

$349? I think I'd rather invest that in a nice stereo receiver for my home than sticking some cancerous growth in my dash. Then again, I couldn't roll around with my subzzzz while playing rap videos to impress the ladies. Maybe later we can try to install a PS3 and 360 to play Call of Duty while we roll down the interstate!

You realize we're talking about ~$16k econoboxes, right? The manufacturer is more concerned with the flavor of the grease they use for the trunk latch than the audio quality.

I commend you on sticking to your guns, but I can't say it's helping your argument. (Term used lightly.) Might I suggest getting a nice set of eyeglasses for that $349?

[caj1]

So in other words, it's durable and hard-wearing, which it should be unless I'm resting my hands on it for any extended period? Gotcha. Cool.

Unless it's in a VW, right?

[panzer 2.3]

Let's just compare the ST's real competitors' dashes for a moment:

2013 Focus ST:


2012 Mazdaspeed3:


2012 GTI:


2012 WRX:


2012 Lancer GT:


I just happen to prefer the ST's dash, but a couple of the others need some updating. It's pretty obvious when you actually sit in them that some aren't the same kind of quality either.

IMO I like the st and gti the best. From what I've scene of the Mk7 gti the interior isn't drastically changed.im really into the st as my next dd. It will also solve a major problem for me as I belong to a trade union that encourages us to drive American and that will solve a lot of flak I take on my current dd a mkiv Jetta tdi. I'll never give up my MKI though. Since, the tdi is paid off and only has 100k on it maybe the wife will let me keep it for far trips etc...

[CWDave]

IMO I like the st and gti the best. From what I've scene of the Mk7 gti the interior isn't drastically changed.im really into the st as my next dd. It will also solve a major problem for me as I belong to a trade union that encourages us to drive American and that will solve a lot of flak I take on my current dd a mkiv Jetta tdi. I'll never give up my MKI though. Since, the tdi is paid off and only has 100k on it maybe the wife will let me keep it for far trips etc...

Having had ass time in almost all those cars, or a variance of such, I agree that the ST and GTI win this interior battle. The VW side of things has a very tried and true layout, totally functional, and a nice place to be. The ST is definitely more stylized, but it doesn't suffer from over plasticized cheapness that the WRX/Lancer do. It seems to be a nice conglomeration of tech-nuevo and fit/finish.

Is there some way to combine the interior of a well-equipped GTI with the body/drivetrain of the ST?

[panzer 2.3]

Is there some way to combine the interior of a well-equipped GTI with the body/drivetrain of the ST?

With enough $ anything is possible. Motor swap? lol

[RacingManiac]

Is there some way to combine the interior of a well-equipped GTI with the body/drivetrain of the ST?

Wait for MK7? lol

[panzer 2.3]

Wait for MK7 R wit the ea888 motor j/k I prob can't wait that long. They prob won't even release it for two years after the MK7 gti debuts. I'd love to have a awd car as a new dd, but fwd works fine for me. I usually don't work if it's snowing anyway. I can't afford a payment much over 30k anyway, unless I downsized the fleet of vw's that me & the wife have. She love's her MKI cabby more than me

[ScoobyWRX]

Another car the ST competes with is the C30. I think it's the best interior of sub $30K hatches.

[panzer 2.3]

^^^only if u drive it like a Cullen

[Tokyosmash]

Another car the ST competes with is the C30. I think it's the best interior of sub $30K hatches.

The C30 interior feels awful imo. Sub 30K...

[Ross1013]

The C30 interior feels awful imo. Sub 30K...

I was really excited about the C30 and that floating dash when I first saw it in magazines etc. But you're onto something, because it was kind of a letdown when I actually drove it.

The Mini was the opposite; I expected to hate it and didn't.

[CWDave]

Wait for MK7? lol

Wait for MK7 R wit the ea888 motor

By the time I'm ready to swap cars, the MK7 will probably wind up being out in droves. I had my heart set on a ST, but once I saw the MK7 GTI pics from the auto show, the first words out of my mouth were, "****. This is going to be a difficult decision."