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2013 Focus ST, worth it?

232K views 1K replies 219 participants last post by  Remedy 
#1 ·
Got the call Friday from local dealer they've got a few in stock to come look at. Can't argue with the cars performance aspect, and its impressive numbers it puts down, but $34,000 out the door for nav, and Recaros? 27k sticker without nav, and Recaros :screwy:

That said, I'm good! Not really willing to pay to play on this one. Looked on EBay and a dealer in Illinois is selling the gray fully loaded at 29k b.I.n after all said and done ~32k.

Who is buying one, and should I reconsider, I do want one.
 
#74 ·
Do My Taxes For Me

DIAF, I agree about the thirty four grand, don't know why they are asking (wondering if they are really getting any buyers at that price) for that much. As I stated, for about twenty nine grand, it's pretty much loaded here in NC.
And, the fact that you care enough about your fellow man as to talk him out of a forty dollar sandwhich, well, you and I are solid bro. Unless that was one kick butt sandwhich. Then you done did me wrong.
OK, now I'm hungry.
 
#90 ·
Also, some food for thought, since reading the last page... A ms3 stage 2 Cobb tuned is faster than a STI stg2 and Evo. I have high hopes for the ST in the power and reliability department. So I guess I left that out. It will be modded, suspension, lightweight wheels, tuned, turbo back, intake, new fmic, progressively of course
 
#98 ·
While I am most certainly not the target demographic of a Focus ST, I applaud Ford for bringing this thing to market. It sure does offer a lot of bang for your buck, and it's wrapped in a package that's not too "look at me". That said, approaching $30K for this car is getting a little insane. Hell, a $30K GTI is also insane in my book. But for my money, I'd choose the GTI every single time.

And what the Focus ST will do is up the ante for the competition. That means VW will have to give a significant power boost to their next Golf R to further distance itself from the power output of this Focus. While those 2 cars don't necessarily compete, they are both considered hot hatches. And a $10K premium for the AWD Golf R is a hefty premium indeed if it doesn't come with a healthy power increase as well.
 
#101 ·
Got the call Friday from local dealer they've got a few in stock to come look at. Can't argue with the cars performance aspect, and its impressive numbers it puts down, but $34,000 out the door for nav, and Recaros? 27k sticker without nav, and Recaros :screwy:
Seems a bit overpriced if the dealer is asking $34k. Online a Full leather Leather + Nav Package (202A) for me shows $28,9k

My local dealer is asking $29,092 OTD for a yellow one with the partial leather and NAV (201A with Nav and power sunroof)
I think it's cheaper to just get the 202A package
http://www.inventory.ford.com/services/inventory/WindowSticker.pdf?vin=1FADP3L93DL126856&refid=FD
 
#104 ·
Plus I thought I mentioned I have a stock mkv that would get traded in toward one, at 13k$ and I have $8k saved, and finance the rest. My issue was merely the point of the attempted over charge. My local Subaru dealer did the same thing with the BRZ when it came out. Told me the average price they sold them for created a perceived demand 5 grand above msrp, and they would not play ball. Even pulled up asking prices from other dealers, and FT86forum and they didn't care. Wlaked and I'm glad I did. I think in the long run I would have been miserable with the BRZ.
 
#107 · (Edited)
I didn't have time to read everything in this thread (yet), but I thought I'd share a couple things for anyone seriously interested in potentially buying an ST. If you're not, skim it.

First, yes, I'm buying an ST. I considered the GTI (and MS3, and Veloster Turbo, and WRX, and...) but because the ST offers a great performance package at a very very competitive price, and that I'm a Ford enthusiast, it was the obvious choice.

About the "$34k" number... if you're paying that for an ST, you're doing it wrong and getting screwed on the deal (IMHO). Yes, a loaded ST3 (all leather power/heated Recaros, HIDs, nav/Sony/MFT, etc.) with the Tangerine Scream paint, moon roof, and even the engine block heater will top out at just over $30k MSRP. Add tax/title/tag, and you should still be under $32k IF YOU PAY MSRP.

But here's the thing... there's no good reason to pay MSRP or above. The Focus ST is eligible for Ford's AXZD discount pricing plans (for employees, friends/family, associates, etc.), and anyone can become eligible for one of the discount pricing plans. ANYONE. For example, I'm using X plan for my ST purchase, which I'm getting because I know a Ford employee who is "gifting" it to me. But you can actually get X plan qualified a bunch of ways, including by joining any number of awesome clubs (automotive or not), such as the Mustang Club of America or SVT Owners Association. There's even riding, hunting, flying, and diving clubs that offer Ford X plan as a membership benefit. Join the club, become eligible for X plan, that simple (mostly).

Now, once your eligible for a discount plan, all you've got to do is find a dealership that will honor it. No, they're not required to, but Ford does "strongly encourage" it. But the good news is that many of us have found dealerships that will honor X plan on our purchases of the Focus ST. Simply playing a couple dealerships against one another makes it easy.

So, what does X plan get you? Well, MSRP on my ST3 was going to be $28,930 (no moon roof or fancy paint), plus the dealership's $700 "doc fee". On X plan, the ST price, including doc fees comes down to right around $27,550 ($1400 off MSRP), and the dealership CANNOT add any additional fees according to Ford's X plan policies. That means I'm paying around $29,600 out the door with Florida sales tax ($1600) and a new tag ($450).

Now I don't know what kind of discounts/rebates/deals you can get on a GTI Autobahn, but I know invoice on a 4 door Autobahn 6 speed is over $29,350-ish... $2k over X plan for comparably equipped (higher performance) Focus ST. Ford's clearly done their homework here and priced the ST very aggressively against the GTI.

BTW, for whatever it's worth, a couple videos posted in the last few days show stock ST's putting down 234whp/253wtq, and Steeda Autosports posted a 14.4 @ 97mph (on a hot damp Florida night).
 
#108 ·
Good post. I plan to test drive 5 cars this fall: MS3, WRX, Focus ST, Verano Turbo, GTI. I WANT to like the WRX the best, because i like the idea of AWD, but we'll see if I can deal with the downgrade in the interior vs the ST, Verano, and GTI. In terms of price, loaded the way i want, they're all going to be similarly priced, except the MS3 which will be quite a bit cheaper. Although, in that case I'd probably budget to spend $1k+ getting the hideous red interior replaced with leather aftermarket...
 
#115 ·
If my post helps anyone, I'm glad.

My connection to the ST is a bit more involved than just being an enthusiast and buyer now. I'm also currently involved in the development of the North American ST Owners Club (NASTOC) with several others from around the country, as a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing and fostering fellow ST owners' and fans' enjoyment of the cars. You can check out our website at http://www.nastoc.org/Home.html, though our facebook page is currently much more active (https://www.facebook.com/NASTOClub). We post stuff like updates on production stuff, ST related news, club news and info, etc. if anyone is interested.
 
#126 ·
For those fixated on my Mustang comments: I LIKE the Focus ST, at an appropriate price point. When the OP came in talking about paying $34k is when I made my comment that it was DIW to pay $34k for a Focus instead of the (IMHO) better fast Ford.

The 2013 also has a stack on the hood, and AFAIK, there are no material differences between 2012 and 2013 Mustangs.

So if you're butthurt, grab some Tucks.

If you're not, and just didn't understand :beer:
 
#128 ·
For those fixated on my Mustang comments: I LIKE the Focus ST, at an appropriate price point. When the OP came in talking about paying $34k is when I made my comment that it was DIW to pay $34k for a Focus instead of the (IMHO) better fast Ford.
My only comments on the Mustang vs. Focus ST is that it's probably more fair to compare the ST to a V6 Mustang (with Performance Package) in terms of comparable features at a comparable price (generally) and , though as it was pointed out, there are some very good rebates and deals to be had on a base GT right now too. But a stripped down GT for the price of an ST is only comparable if you ignore features and amenities and only look at performance data (which is actually a bit deceptive... I'll explain in a sec).

And as someone pointed out, the ST actually excels in some aspects that may trump outright performance for some folks, like me. The fact of the matter is that with two younger kiddos, the Mustang's 2 doors and non-functional back seat are deal breakers, no matter how good a deal it is or how fast it is. I wish it weren't true, but it is. I'm a big Mustang fan of old, including still owning the '70 Mach 1 I bought when I was 15 in 1988... 25 years I've owned that car.

And about actually comparing the performance between the Mustang (V6 or GT) and the ST, there's something more to consider than just raw numbers. Many of the factory/race drivers at some of the recent Ford press and promotional events have commented on how *FUN* the ST is, some even saying they preferred it to new Shelby that was also hooned around at the SVTOA Homecoming. These are Ford's own drivers, driving Ford's own products, and making statements about the grin-factor of the ST compared to the brutally fast Shelby. That grin-factor doesn't come with a number attached to compare, but it can be worth A LOT when comparing cars. Perfect example is all the love and adoration being hefted upon the Toyobaru FRSBRZ... they're properly slow (comparatively) yet continue to ring every reviewer's bell and make top 10 lists.
 
#131 ·
Talking about engine, it's quite nice and powered, but I don't like the Mk3's looks.
It's hard to think back to the days of the original Focus now. A car that took an age-old and worn-out model (Escort) and renewed in almost every way with what has to have been the best hatchback of the last 14 years. Design wise, both looks and mechanically it was a car that never really needed to be changed. But they did, and they've over styled it ever since. Its become more and more German, and its faded away into the abyss that is the the hatchback market. It no longer stands out. It no longer has any individuality. Its big bulky and ugly. Everything that the Ford Focus is not. European Mk 2 was very bland, but it's facelift (2008-2011) was quite nice.
 
#134 ·
Oh, I agree with you about the ST being best all-round hot hatch available in the US right now, but I don't think it'll be as highly competitive in SCCA's D Stock class where it will compete with not just the MS3 and Mustang V6, but also the ITR, Cooper S, WRX, BMW 1 and 3 series, Audi A3, S4, and TT quattro. It's a class full of stiff competition and all of those cars have more and better development right now.

BTW, the Focus ST-R race car is something on the order of $99k I believe. It's a lot, but it's a real turnkey race car, from the cage to data logging. My hope is that next year Ford offers a "performance pack" Focus ST for the really hardcore weekend racers. Strip down the ST to bare essentials (i.e. no fancy stereo or MFT, moon roof, nav, etc.), include the manual adjust Recaros and stuff like performance springs, adjustable dampers, Brembo brakes, exhaust cutout, mechanical LSD, etc. Price it around the price of an ST3 (i.e. $29k). Yeah, I'd buy one like that if it were available.
 
#136 ·
My hope is that next year Ford offers a "performance pack" Focus ST for the really hardcore weekend racers. Strip down the ST to bare essentials (i.e. no fancy stereo or MFT, moon roof, nav, etc.), include the manual adjust Recaros and stuff like performance springs, adjustable dampers, Brembo brakes, exhaust cutout, mechanical LSD, etc. Price it around the price of an ST3 (i.e. $29k). Yeah, I'd buy one like that if it were available.
Forgive me for piling on, but a 5.0 GT w/ the performance package would make a lot more sense for just a little bit more initial cash. And considering that the ST comes with at least 18" wheels and weighs more than 3,200lbs, the Mustang wouldn't be much worse in terms of consumable costs either.
 
#138 ·
Thanks for the info. I ordered an ST (ST3 option) and expect it in late October. There are dealers being difficult but got mine for $27,700. This is the top option package with leather Recaro's and Nav. 34K is crazy talk.

My daughter bought a Mazda 3 this weekend. The dealer had a Ford dealership next to their Mazda and one Focus ST on the ground. I got to test drive the ST and the Speed3 back to back. I prefer the ST but that speed3 is still a beast.
 
#139 ·
i want to like this car, but ford is just bothering me lately. their cars are over priced and i only say that because they lose value SO QUICKLY. also the rear ends on the STs are hideous. if the fiesta ST comes stateside i'd consider that, but no way will i go near the focus ST. no. way.
 
#802 ·
No. I never understood why the young kids love the GTI so much. It is not a high performance car, just a hot hatch with great interior, good motor, and nice driving dynamics. If i were a young guy I would be all over the ST or the MS3.

The GTI is similar to the old B5 S4 in that it is a great banker's car to me - refined, quick, nice and pleasant. Particularly lightly modded (stage 2 or so). You can have some serious fun, go seriously fast, but take clients/mom out for stuff and they will not bat an eye, or you will not feel like a tool.

The issue to me is when you are looking at high performance open-diff FWD hatches, why not get a WRX and get AWD which give you far better driving dynamics? I personally didn't get a WRX because of the fuel economy and I was planning on moving down to TX where I wouldn't need AWD. I was also concerned about the EJ25T's durability since they pop so damned frequently. Finally, the manual transmission is pretty sucky, even worse than a GTI's.

But i still find myself second guessing my decision as much as I enjoy my GTI. Every time i get wheelspin...i miss my old STI and Quattro A4 and think about a WRX. So at least the new one comes out next year so in 3 years I suppose I could check them out.
 
#147 ·
veloster is cool, love the tech in it and for the price it can't be beat, but so everyone knows my bro-in-law has a standard and he says when the hatch it open and say it just rained, water WILL be going into your backseats and trunk area. bad engineering there. keep that in mind.
 
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