GTI? MS3? Wait for focus st?

[JCH13]

I think they're a little bit nuts.

You say that like it's a bad thing :awe:

 

[HAL9000]

Sports cars are not FWD...

We disagree.

 

[digitaldurandal]

Why does this have to become a FWD vs AWD vs RWD thread? I didn't ask for any advice on that. As stated I already understand the downside to FWD, unfortunately the other choices are 1) way more expensive, 2) either unreliable or in the case of subaru (which is very reliable) - so ugly, sorry but I would take that Focus RS every day over the subaru wrx based on looks alone.

I just want the car to be fun. If I wanted an all out sports car I would buy one - unfortunately most of them are not very practical and not very nice to my wallet.

 

[JCH13]

If you're looking for a FWD hatch that's just silly fun, go drive a Speed3.

:thumbsup:

What have you test driven so far?

 

[HAL9000]

Why does this have to become a FWD vs AWD vs RWD thread? I didn't ask for any advice on that. As stated I already understand the downside to FWD, unfortunately the other choices are 1) way more expensive, 2) either unreliable or in the case of subaru (which is very reliable) - so ugly, sorry but I would take that Focus RS every day over the subaru wrx based on looks alone.

Agreed, i'd still get the GTI If I were you, not a fan of the Mazda, and I like my friends focus ST, but I'd personally choose the GTI.

 

[highlanderfil]

My friend has a Focus ST, it's OK, wouldn't recommend it, if you like that sort of thing then it's a good car.

My guess is your friend (unless he lives outside the U.S.) has a circa-2005 sedan that has just over 150 HP and provides absolutely no driving thrills. The Focus ST discussed in this thread has about a hundred extra horses per Autoblog, etc. and is a hatchback.

 

[highlanderfil]

2012 one might not be but he has a 2011... How different can it be?

Ah, now I see where we're at an odds - you're in the UK. We don't have the Mk2 ST here. For that matter, we don't have the Mk1, either.

Shame, actually. I got to drive a European ST with 225 HP against a local GTI (200 HP) and the ST absolutely murders the GTI both in acceleration and handling.

 

[stag3]

ms3 +1

loved mine, i still kinda miss it now due to being so handy hauling stuff around.

 

[Arkaign]

Ah, now I see where we're at an odds - you're in the UK. We don't have the Mk2 ST here. For that matter, we don't have the Mk1, either.

Shame, actually. I got to drive a European ST with 225 HP against a local GTI (200 HP) and the ST absolutely murders the GTI both in acceleration and handling.

We're getting the new ST though, 255hp Woohoo!! All new DI 2.0T, so hopefully it will top out over 300+ w/mods.

 

[Atty]

Get a Fiat 500

It's a hatch...if you're richard hammond.

In all seriousness though, I get a discount through Mazda and would consider one, but how much fun are they? Doubtful the dealership (assuming one near me had any) would let me actually find out. Plus, FWD, although I've never really driven a proper RWD sports car in a way that I could tell a difference (Unless you count a 335 or CTS, both stock, on a windy road near where I live.)

 

[punjabiplaya]

I'm waiting for them to get an Abarth at the local dealership. I really want to try it out.

 

[Atty]

Are they selling the Abarth in the US? There is a Fiat dealership close to me, I rolled by the other day and almost went in just to check them out.

 

[highlanderfil]

We're getting the new ST though, 255hp Woohoo!! All new DI 2.0T, so hopefully it will top out over 300+ w/mods.

Where are you getting the power numbers? Every source I've seen so far has said 247...

 

[HAL9000]

Ah, now I see where we're at an odds - you're in the UK. We don't have the Mk2 ST here. For that matter, we don't have the Mk1, either.

Shame, actually. I got to drive a European ST with 225 HP against a local GTI (200 HP) and the ST absolutely murders the GTI both in acceleration and handling.

Ahh, in that case I'd go with the ST, the only reason I didn't say go for it is because the fuel efficiency isn't that great, but my other friend with a GTI doesn't complain about that.

 

[HAL9000]

My guess is your friend (unless he lives outside the U.S.) has a circa-2005 sedan that has just over 150 HP and provides absolutely no driving thrills. The Focus ST discussed in this thread has about a hundred extra horses per Autoblog, etc. and is a hatchback.

He lives in the UK 225HP.

 

[punjabiplaya]

Where are you getting the power numbers? Every source I've seen so far has said 247...

8 hp, what a freaking difference...

 

[PlasmaBomb]

2012 one might not be but he has a 2011... How different can it be?

Very.

Old ST 2.5l turbo
New ST 2.0l turbo

Different platform (chassis) etc. etc.

 

[HAL9000]

Very.

Old ST 2.5l turbo
New ST 2.0l turbo

Different platform (chassis) etc. etc.

The current ST has a 2.5 Turbo...

Also, that looks exactly the same with a new front bumper...

 

[digitaldurandal]

Ahh, in that case I'd go with the ST, the only reason I didn't say go for it is because the fuel efficiency isn't that great, but my other friend with a GTI doesn't complain about that.

The GTI does have better fuel efficiency. But it also has bad deposits and sensor issues later in life to look forward to. I looked at truedelta.com and MS3s seem to only have two problems after the first gen, mostly related to turbo seal (supposedly preventable with an oil catch can) and seat rails.

I do like how the Focus ST looks but I wonder what theyre going to charge. If you put a few options on the Titanium you can hit 25k+ easily. I don't really wanna spend 30k on a Focus .