Think about buying a Focus ST

[npoe1]

I?ve been thinking on getting a new car since last month. Right now I?m driving a 2007 Ford Fusion SEL (14000 km/8700 mi) and I?m considering on getting a 2009 Ford Focus ST but I?m not sure if it?s a good idea or not. I usually drive alone and if I?m with company it?s just me and someone else.

I know that is not an easy question, because I think that the Focus ST is an European model and is not available on USA; and the Fusion is only available in America (instead of Mondeo).

Any comments about Focus ST?

 

[zerocool84]

You still have a recent car that's not that old. Why do you want to get a new car? Are you going to trade in your Fusion to get the Focus?

 

[npoe1]

That is correct; I'm going to trade it. I feel the Fusion is too much car for me and also I cannot get used to drive an automatic. The Focus ST is 6 speed manual and also turbocharged (I've never had or touched a TC car).

I was very excited with the 2010 Fusion but I need to get the 2.5l engine to get manual and I wanted the 3.0 or 3.5 version. I think that I will barely afford the 3.0 and the 3.5 will be out of my league until Christmas.

 

[zerocool84]

ST is not avaiable here. There are many good turbo vehicles here. Everyone has their preference but test drive all the ones you like and pick from those. If you really want the 3.5 Fusion then wait until Xmas.

 

[npoe1]

I was thinking in a MazdaSpeed3 but the only option that I have for the maintenances is in San Diego or Yuma, which is 2 hours and 1 hour from here. The dealer from which I can buy the Speed3 is like 7 hours from here and San Diego is closer.

Anyway, tomorrow I will get the Fusion to the dealer. The front struts are doing a squeak sound and I'll take a closer look at the Focus ST.

 

[blurredvision]

Originally posted by: npoe1
I feel the Fusion is too much car for me and also I cannot get used to drive an automatic.

How in the hell do you not get used to driving an automatic? Seems like doing nothing would be easy to get used to.

 

[exar333]

The OP probably misses his manual. I feel the same when I have to drive ATs when I have a rental

 

[007bond]

Originally posted by: npoe1
I was thinking in a MazdaSpeed3 but the only option that I have for the maintenances is in San Diego or Yuma, which is 2 hours and 1 hour from here. The dealer from which I can buy the Speed3 is like 7 hours from here and San Diego is closer.

Anyway, tomorrow I will get the Fusion to the dealer. The front struts are doing a squeak sound and I'll take a closer look at the Focus ST.

Again, the Focus ST is not available in the USA so how are you going to take a look at it?

 

[npoe1]

Driving a manual is more entertaining than an automatic for me; I cannot easily explain it but manuals cars feel different and I miss that feeling.
I live in Mexico and here Ford sells the ST and obviously the Fusion.

 

[Chrono]

ROFL. His profile says he lives in Mexico. Dunno why nobody bothered looking at it. Hmm... I say go for it. Seems like a fun car! Wish they carried the Focus RS there... that would be awesome.

 

[ViviTheMage]

do it

 

[npoe1]

Originally posted by: Chrono
ROFL. His profile says he lives in Mexico. Dunno why nobody bothered looking at it. Hmm... I say go for it. Seems like a fun car! Wish they carried the Focus RS there... that would be awesome.

The RS would be awesome but I've read on some webpages that in Europe Ford authorizes some tuners to launch performance packages that doesn't not void warranty. I'll delve further after today.

 

[Arkaign]

Checking the currency conversion, it looks like the Focus RS in Mexico starts at $23,542 (Using the Ford.mx page and Yahoo Finance converter). Not a bad deal for a 225hp vehicle.

Now, there are several cars based upon the Focus platform. Notably the Mazda3 and Volvo C30. On the Mexico homepage, the Volvo is listed as starting at $30k+ USD, yet in the US they start at $23k. It carries the same 2.5L Turbo setup, producing 227hp instead of 225 (probably due to slightly different intake design or stock engine tune). A 6-speed manual is available, along with an enormous possible option list. Also, starting at $25k, there is the C30-R : http://www.5min.com/Video/New-...0---Garage419-75382290

The C30 is not available in a 5-door, AFAIK, but I believe that it would probably be a more unique, and probably more upscale choice compared to the Focus at the same price.

 

[npoe1]

I test drive a 2008 Focus ST today. The 2009 is not allowed to test drive at the moment and only one were deployed where I live. They are selling it at 20,000 dlls I?m still a few days of making a decision and probably if I buy, it?ll be the 2009.

The driving experience reminds me of my old Fiesta but with better seats. The motor is very quiet compared with I was expecting, but on my short trip the suspension was firm compared with the Fusion (2007) and felt better on the awful streets we have over here. I'm not sure about the interiors since they feel kind of cheap, but for that price and I don?t think I have reasons to complain.

They?re offering me to pay the taxes and the first 3 services. Probably I?ll be battling the bank for the same deal I got for the Fusion. The interest went up a few points since then

 

[Turin39789]

Originally posted by: 007bond

Originally posted by: npoe1
I was thinking in a MazdaSpeed3 but the only option that I have for the maintenances is in San Diego or Yuma, which is 2 hours and 1 hour from here. The dealer from which I can buy the Speed3 is like 7 hours from here and San Diego is closer.

Anyway, tomorrow I will get the Fusion to the dealer. The front struts are doing a squeak sound and I'll take a closer look at the Focus ST.

Again, the Focus ST is not available in the USA so how are you going to take a look at it?

IIRC ST was available until 05? I know I was looking at one before I went with a truck.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Turin39789

Originally posted by: 007bond

Originally posted by: npoe1
I was thinking in a MazdaSpeed3 but the only option that I have for the maintenances is in San Diego or Yuma, which is 2 hours and 1 hour from here. The dealer from which I can buy the Speed3 is like 7 hours from here and San Diego is closer.

Anyway, tomorrow I will get the Fusion to the dealer. The front struts are doing a squeak sound and I'll take a closer look at the Focus ST.

Again, the Focus ST is not available in the USA so how are you going to take a look at it?

IIRC ST was available until 05? I know I was looking at one before I went with a truck.

I believe the OP is in Mexico, not the US, but has access to the San Diego vehicle market (perhaps he lives in TJ?).

The US Focus ST had nothing to do with the Euro/Global Focus ST. The US Focus ST was a non-turbo Mazda Duratec 2.3L, available in PZEV and Non-PZEV versions with moderate power. They ran from 2004 (PZEV only, IIRC), to 2007. They amounted to around 5% of Focus models available, the vast majority were powered by the SPI and Zetec motors (1st-gen US), then later replaced by the Mazda Duratec (all '05+, some '04s).

 

[ElFenix]

why the hell is the current gen focus available in mexico but not in the US?!?!

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: ElFenix
why the hell is the current gen focus available in mexico but not in the US?!?!

$$$. It's also already available in a certain way, under the sheetmetal and stylings of the Mazda3. Ford didn't have a replacement for an entry-level car, because if they brought the C1 Focus out here, it would command more $$, leaving a vacant spot that cars like the Cobalt and Aveo can easily exploit for sales.

Another issue is that Americans generally don't want to spend $20k+ on mass market compacts.

Also, as is often the case, there are pluses and minuses to both the US Refresh, and the C1 platform (the global Focus from '04+). The MK1/1.5 Platform adds up to a 2550-2650lb vehicle, while the C1 platform adds up to a 3000lb+ (almost 3,500lbs in some configurations), which means that C1 vehicles deliver less fuel efficiency and performance when mated with the same motors. In Europe, and more specifically the UK, this is not as much of an issue, as a 1.4 or 1.6L ~85hp motor is more than sufficient as urban runabout duty. The ST and RS editions are hugely more expensive, and run into stiff competition from very credible competitors, and again, this market is not a historically strong segment in the United States.

So, personally, I'd rather have a 140hp 2550lb $15k (got mine for less with various incentives/rebates/discounts) Focus that gives me solid fuel economy in the mid-30s in mixed driving, than a likely 140hp 3000lb model, which would likely end up costing a bit more. Mazda3 already fills that gap pretty well.

Ford IS bringing a new global Focus out here, details are as yet not finalized, but I have high hopes that it will remain an affordable compact, and with the historically class-leading handling, combined with more options for motors and options. Look for this in 2010/2011, with the Fiesta taking over duties as the entry-level Ford vehicle.