Focus ST = a bit of personal excitement

Just thought I'd share my excitement.

I've been following the development and release of the 2013 Focus ST pretty enthusiastically and finally pre-ordered one earlier this month when it became possible to do so. We ordered it in Oxford White with the ST3 package.

But what's really exciting is that I'll be attending an awesome TV commercial shoot/launch event for the ST (starring Tanner Foust and Greg Tracey) in Key West this week as a guest of Ford. My proactive and enthusiastic interactions on the official Ford ST facebook page and other enthusiast boards seems to have gotten me noticed, and I'm totally psyched to be invited and to be able to go. I'll be there as a "content contributor" and will be posting stuff to facebook and other places (like here) about it as I can. Ford is really trying to reach out to the right folks.

BTW, if you're interested in attending on your own, you can check out the info here: http://social.ford.com/our-articles/cars/focussedan/play-your-part-in-the-2013-focus-st-tv-commercial/

BTW-BTW... Some of you will recall that I started a thread looking for a new, fun, fuel efficient, daily driver (http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/what-car-and-its-gotta-be-new/40058/page1/). I ended up just liking the ST more and more as I paid attention to it, and I've been a Ford guy (not exclusively, but I'm a fan) forever, and I just couldn't bring myself to get enthused about any of the cars in that thread that actually met our needs, so the budget and mpg requirements became points of compromise and we went for the ST.

Just wanted to share... now I just wish they'd tell me the production and delivery dates so I can plan my first auto-x date with it. ;)

Is anyone from GRM gonna be there? I'd be glad to meet you.

One other thing... couldn't resist photochopping in anticipation of exterior mods. Whatcha'll think?

Love it - congrats!

Oh gawd, Tanner us going to find a way to berkeley it up.

Congrats. Looks super sweet. I'd love to play with one, but thats not in the budget.

You could've just snapped into a Slim Jim.

you need to show up there with the rims in the trunk

If I were to ever purchase one the very first place I would go would be the nearest body shop to take care of those hideous tail lamps. I just don't see the need for them to almost touch the rear doors.

darkbuddha wrote: One other thing... couldn't resist photochopping in anticipation of exterior mods. Whatcha'll think?

THAT explains the car I saw this morning. Thought it was one of those, but it was the first one I've seen without coverings.

darkbuddha wrote: One other thing... couldn't resist photochopping in anticipation of exterior mods. Whatcha'll think?

That is sex.

Too bad the ST is sooooo expensive... I'll be sticking with a Abarth

Sounds like a good excuse to go down to the keys, you driving from Sarasota? I would go but I have to work and that's a long drive to go down for a day.

What are the advantages of the Focus ST over a Mazdaspeed3?

Javelin wrote: What are the advantages of the Focus ST over a Mazdaspeed3?

It doesn't look like the Mazdaspeed.

Very awesome!! We've been chatting on the Ford Message Boards for dealerships about the ST and begging the engineers to make an AWD version. We shall see what becomes of that...

Congrats!!!

93EXCivic wrote:

Javelin wrote: What are the advantages of the Focus ST over a Mazdaspeed3?

It doesn't look like the Mazdaspeed.

It doesn't look better, either.

Javelin wrote:

93EXCivic wrote:

Javelin wrote: What are the advantages of the Focus ST over a Mazdaspeed3?

It doesn't look like the Mazdaspeed.

It doesn't look *better*, either.

Anything looks better then a Mazdaspeed.

Love it. The grille has a little Aston Martin in it, which is cool. Dangit, now you have me looking at 'em :)

Javelin wrote: What are the advantages of the Focus ST over a Mazdaspeed3?

I'm guessing the REVO knuckle's up front that are supposed to dramatically help with torque steer? Certainly those are going on this like they do on Euro Focus.

darkbuddha wrote: finally pre-ordered one earlier this month when it became possible to do so. We ordered it in Oxford White with the ST3 package.

is there a spot to build and price these on the internet? I was curious as to the pricing.

z31maniac wrote:

Javelin wrote: What are the advantages of the Focus ST over a Mazdaspeed3?

I'm guessing the REVO knuckle's up front that are supposed to dramatically help with torque steer? Certainly those are going on this like they do on Euro Focus.

No real LSD though, it uses the electronics to brake the inside wheel. Whereas the MS3 has an actual LSD and no electronic nannies.

Difference between this and the MS3 are yet to be determined, but it uses a different motor, different suspension, different technology assists, and SVT developed the ST, which means it's got SVT's balanced quality I suspect. Oh and the IC is front mounted, not a top-mounted heatsink. Otherwise I think they're going to be good market competitors, along with the 4 door GTI, and the other usual suspects.

Pete240Z wrote:

darkbuddha wrote: finally pre-ordered one earlier this month when it became possible to do so. We ordered it in Oxford White with the ST3 package.

is there a spot to build and price these on the internet? I was curious as to the pricing.

http://bp3.ford.com/2013-Ford-Focus-ST#/Models

yeah, I just found the site.

http://bp3.ford.com/2013-Ford-Focus-ST#/Models/

Thanks all. I really am pretty psyched about the car. I've got the XR and Mach 1 to play with, so this will be the reliable daily driver/fun car substitute when the XR is being built/reconfigured/upgraded/fixed. Hauling the kids around in the '70 Mach 1 just isn't practical unfortunately.

In reply to HiTempguy: My kids would barely fit in the Abarth now, and sure as hell won't in another year or two. I needed a real back seat. It's a compromise, but a worthwhile one.

In reply to z31maniac: No REVO knuckle on this one... but they have tweaked it somehow and they say they're able to do the manage torque steer with electronics now. I say I want an LSD and a bit more power.

In reply to Pete240Z: You can build and price on Ford's website: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/focusst/

In reply to darkbuddha:

That's what I was afraid of. So it has a plain MacStrut front with the computer constantly applying your brakes?