Test drove a Ford Focus ST today, would have bought it on the spot if not for one small issue...

"IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK" (idroveapickuptruck) 12/30/2013 at 20:09 • Filed to: None

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It was a fully loaded ST3 Trim level with the full leather Recaro seats. I loved pretty much everything about the car EXCEPT the friggin thigh bolstering on the Recaros. I'm 6'2", 220 lbs and the seats were squeezing my legs together, I was fine through the waist and shoulders but when I'm driving I don't want my legs pressed together like a teenage girl with a chastity ring.

So that means I'm stuck with the base model with the regular seats, but I can't order that with basically any other options, no navigation or upgraded stereo.

I wasn't able to drive one with a ST2 package that has the partial leather Recaros, does anyone know if they have the exact same level of bolstering?

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:10

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Oddly enough you arent the first guy here with that problem. I know one guy here was able to do something to get around the problem. I dont remember who it was though.

PowderHound > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 12/30/2013 at 20:14

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You could probably open up the back of the seat and take the bolstering out? Or maybe craft some smaller ones out of foam?

Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis > PowderHound 12/30/2013 at 20:15

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Actually I think the guy found out a way to get the seats he wanted into the ST, but I'm not sure. I think it was back in the summer.

Jayhawk Jake > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 12/30/2013 at 20:23

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I was one that was bothered by it. Solution? Bought a Chevy

Jayhawk Jake > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:24

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I'm pretty sure the partial leather recaros are exactly the same.

You can get a Fiesta ST loaded with the normal seats I believe, but I don't think there's anything you can do with the Focus short of asking the dealer to swap the seats out with another Focus.

The Prince of Peugeot > Dwhite - Powered by Caffeine, Daft Punk, and Corgis 12/30/2013 at 20:25

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I was just thinking of this. Would it not be possible to just replace the Recaro seats with the standard ones? One could also possibly make a bit of profit in the process too if selling the Recaro seats afterwards.

TheBaron2112 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:29

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The solution is the Fiesta ST.

The only options are the Recaros and a sunroof. You get everything else as standard. But I hear the bolstering on the Fiesta is less restrictive than the Focus's.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > TheBaron2112 12/30/2013 at 20:32

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Fiesta ST unfortunately isn't an option. I have to haul around a lot of stuff with me and I'd be pushing it with the focus already in terms of space.

duurtlang > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:36

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Focus ST wagon!

OK, I realize it's not available in the US.

Jayhawk Jake > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:40

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Fiesta ST + Small trailer?

TheBaron2112 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:43

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Damn.

In that case, I'd look a little farther up market. Hot wagons may be a better bet.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > TheBaron2112 12/30/2013 at 20:44

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I don't really want to spend that much. I really liked the Focus, I might just have to get used to the seats...

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > The Prince of Peugeot 12/30/2013 at 20:46

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This might be the best option. I'm going to have to think about it tonight. From reading some forum posts it sounds like they eventually mold themselves to your body a little bit, and worst case scenario I always replace them, or find an upholstery shop that will tailor them a little bit.

TheBaron2112 > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 20:53

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Seats aren't something that can be 'gotten used to' if they're immediately uncomfortable.

You could probably get the dealer to swap seats or something

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > TheBaron2112 12/30/2013 at 20:56

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From reading around the forums it sounds like they loosen up a little through use, and it sounds like there are people trying to make the opposite trade, so if I wanted to I could trade from the Recaros to the base plus cash fairly easily. I could also use it as a further incentive to lose some more weight, lol

nafsucof > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 23:23

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The seats break in and loosen up a bit, I'm 6'6 and I don't mind not having to hold my legs up in turns! The seats get much more comfortable.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > nafsucof 12/30/2013 at 23:26

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How are they for long drives on the highway? Most of my miles are highway miles and it just seemed like they would get annoying having my legs pushed together the whole time. As nice as it is having the bolstering when I'm going through the twisties that is a small minority of the usage this car will get.

nafsucof > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/30/2013 at 23:39

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Didn't bother me much. I took maybe 3 1000+ mile trips this year with it without issues. Those hard top corners of the thigh bolsters soften up letting your legs apart a bit more. I've just passed 15000 miles and the seats are more comfortable than ever. I'll have had the car a year on valentines day.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > nafsucof 12/30/2013 at 23:59

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You are making this very very tempting. The ST I'm looking at is a fully loaded ST3 and between xplan and the current winter sale I can get it for $28k out the door. Very very tempting.

nafsucof > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/31/2013 at 08:13

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I got x plan too fully loaded payed right around 27k. If you go to focusst.org you'll see people are getting them for less!

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > nafsucof 12/31/2013 at 08:36

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$27k with TTL? I think I"m going to have trouble talking dealerships around here down below x-plan. All the STs are selling incredibly quickly so they know they can sell them for list price, there is very little incentive for them to go below x-plan. I found a 2013 ST3 at a dealership a few towns over that I think I can get for $27.5k with TTL.

nafsucof > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/31/2013 at 08:44

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Yes sir but they had mine for 2 months and we're getting itchy I think. They tried getting me into a red one for about 500 less! Had it longer I suppose. 27,5 is awesome anyway you look at it for a car with an almost 3ok sticker. Saw a 2014 yesterday in ct on a lot for 31,200!!
The 2014 had the grey wheels and red calipers(I don't care for either) but also have the updated steering wheel with less buttons and less symmetry.

Congrats on your choice! I love mine and like you said for what I need it for, I didn't really consider anything else.

nafsucof > nafsucof 12/31/2013 at 08:45

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This is my sticker btw not the 2014

nafsucof > Jayhawk Jake 12/31/2013 at 08:47

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No heat or power

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > nafsucof 12/31/2013 at 08:47

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Yours looks to be pretty much exactly the same options of the one I'm looking at. I don't know how common they are where you live but down here I bet the average time on lot is less than 2 weeks. Every dealership only has 1 or 2, and a lot of time none. The first dealership I went to today had a white one with no options ST1 on their website but they sold it on Saturday. They tried to bring me in another one from their sister lot like 10 miles away but called over and found out that one had just sold too.

nafsucof > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/31/2013 at 08:52

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Wow, they are selling here but are tough sell in the winter on those f1s. That's great these are selling, the aftermarket is exploding for these. Not sure what you're looking for in terms of performance but there are power and mileage gains to be had with a good tune. I suggest fswerks.com. Randy has been the forefront of focus tuning and his tune on this adds around 20whp and 50-60wtq a smoother curve and more power up top.

IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > nafsucof 12/31/2013 at 08:53

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Thanks for the tip. Winter is not an issue down here. It's nice not having to have two sets of tires anymore ;)

nafsucof > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/31/2013 at 08:57

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Have them fix the rear motor mount tsb before you buy it or at least have them order the parts. Replaces all three soft motor mounts with updated ones that reduce wheel hop and shift bang, really helps shifter feel.

Jayhawk Jake > nafsucof 12/31/2013 at 09:57

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I didn't think the recaros were powered?

Heat you should be able to get so long as you get heated seats.

Unleds you're referring to the Fiesta ST in which case yes, the base seats are shit

nafsucof > Jayhawk Jake 12/31/2013 at 10:37

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Oh, sorry I was referring to the leathers in the st3 focus. They have heat and power, vs the cloth with leather are manual with no heat option(st2).

Lekker > IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK 12/31/2013 at 11:20

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I am actually 6'2" And a bit heavier 230lbs. I do own a (non-Recaro) bolstered seat from a nismo Z, and I had the same problem at first. It will only be bad on long drives and after a bit, you sort of get used to it. It even feels comfortable that you feel so planted. Just my 2c.