I Bought a Focus ST

"Garrett Davis" (GarrettDavis)
04/10/2014 at 16:34 • Filed to: None

After doing an !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , I finally put my money where my mouth is and bought a Focus ST3.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

I had originally gone in for an ST2, but they sold the last one in the area that day. I was about to walk when someone came up and said they just got an ST off the truck that morning, so we went to check it out. It still had all the plastic on it, and had 5 miles on the odometer, but it was loaded with almost every feature possible, and the sticker was over $30k. I told him I couldn't pay that much, and I the only features I actually wanted extra were the Recaros and the touch system minus navigation. I have no use for heated seats in San Diego, and all the other cosmetic crap is just none essential.

He looked at the car and back to me and asked, "What do I need to do to get you in this car?" I just looked at him and said "If you get this down to what I would be paying for an ST2, you've got a deal," totally thinking that he wouldn't be able to do it. He couldn't, but he was pretty damn close.He ended up bringing it down to $27k and threw in the extended warranty, oil changes for the life of the warranty, and got me the lowest percentage rate he could. This worked out because I was denied a loan from my credit union for 4.9%, and he gave me 5.9%. Not bad for a 24 year old with minimal credit.

I had to wait until morning to get it, because it still had to be prepped and washed from coming off the truck, and our negotiations lasted a grueling 5 hours, so the shop guys had all gone home by that time. The short wait was worth it. I ended up with an ST3 for only ~$1.5k more than I was going to pay for an ST2.

I'm happy. :)

DISCUSSION (51)

jkm7680 > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:35

Oooh Very Nice! You got a good deal on it also.

Ike > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:36

congrats! I love the st!

Wish it was out when I bought my c30 would have got it instead

Coty > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:37

Kinja'd!!!

Needs Rado Gray.

Garrett Davis > Coty
04/10/2014 at 16:39

Yeah, that's literally the only option this doesn't have. I was a bit disappointed, but I'll probably powder coat them down the line. The black just doesn't look right with those light wheels.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:40

There's a very good chance I'll be getting one, in white, by the end of they ear.

And I won't forget the rado gray.

Coty > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:40

The one we sold a few days ago had them, looks so gooooood.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:41

Good get.

Enjoy.

I would suggest putting some washers behind the gas pedal mount to make it sit higher and in line with the brake. But if your clownshoes-I mean loafers can heel-and-toe dance around the pedal box just fine as is, that works as well.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:42

5 Hours? Did you stay there the whole 5 hours? Or was that a go home and he called you back type of thing?

thedevilinside > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:42

Nice! I have a black ST3 as well. 8k miles so far. I wish I had Rado grey, but I have other wheels which will be delivered any day.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Coty
04/10/2014 at 16:43

I was looking into getting one of these. I don't feel the coolness factor increase justifies the ~800 dollar increase. That's nearly a whole new set of really nice wheels, keep the stock ones for winter once the stock tires wear down.

I bet you could plasti-dip them too.

EL_ULY > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 16:46

Kinja'd!!!

remove plate kthnx :]

Garrett Davis > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather
04/10/2014 at 16:46

I showed up at 1:30, and didn't leave until after 6. This included test drives of the Focus and Fiesta ST. I was playing hardball with him for sure. The manager was getting annoyed with me, but I knew the guy understood.

Garrett Davis > vdub_nut: scooter snob
04/10/2014 at 17:01

Plasti-dip?? That's a naughty word around here!

Saracen > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:06

Nice man! You'll love it. Fun fun car (oh I'm from San Diego too /highfive)

I had the opposite experience. I bought my B6 1.8T Avant new at 23...Audi credit denied me, but my credit union gave me %4.9. I thought it was pretty good at the time too. I bought my Golf R two years ago at 31, and got %0 no problem with perfect credit.

Soloburrito > EL_ULY
04/10/2014 at 17:09

FRONT PLATE RAAAAAAAGGGGEEE!!!

Alex B > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:11

Congrats!!

Garrett Davis > Saracen
04/10/2014 at 17:13

Thanks man! Very nice, BTW. Looks like we had opposite problems getting a loan. I'm looking forward to the days when I can qualify for 0% APR. My credit score is actually quite high, I just don't have a whole lot of credit history, despite a successful car loan in the past. Oh well.

mycarneverruns87 > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:20

Kinja'd!!!

gabdere > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:33

Wow! 1,5k more but extended warranty and oil changes, that is a sweeeeeeeet deal! Whats the diff between ST2 and ST3

Garrett Davis > gabdere
04/10/2014 at 17:38

The ST3 adds all leather seats, navigation standard, HID headlamps with LEDs, stupid ambient interior lighting, heated seats, etc. It's basically they top package, $4,500 over base price, while the ST2 is $2,500 over base.

gabdere > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:41

Well that's cool. Less money from your pocket and 1 day on inventory for them. Win-win

Garrett Davis > EL_ULY
04/10/2014 at 17:42

Already done. That shot was taken in the dealership bay, I hadn't even driven it yet. ;)

Garrett Davis > thedevilinside
04/10/2014 at 17:43

What wheels did you end up with? I wish I had the Rado greys too.

Garrett Davis > PanchoVilleneuve ST
04/10/2014 at 17:44

That's the one thing mine is missing! I originally wanted white as well, but they made me a deal I couldn't refuse.

Garrett Davis > gabdere
04/10/2014 at 17:44

Thanks man!

In a Mini; let them mock me as My Mini Countryman is higher than you > Ike
04/10/2014 at 17:50

BRO DO YOU EVEN POLESTAR??!!

TJDMAX > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:50

Congrats man! I am in your same situation. Been looking at a new car and have talked a lot with sales people about Focus ST's. Out of curiosity where in San Diego do you live? I too live in San Diego.

desertdog5051 > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 17:51

First, take your fricking dealer name off both ends of my new car. Second, great choice.

Garrett Davis > TJDMAX
04/10/2014 at 17:58

I'm in Rancho Bernardo area. If you're looking to get one, the guy I got mine from offers a referral bonus for anyone I send his way and buys a car. I'd split it with ya ;)

Garrett Davis > desertdog5051
04/10/2014 at 17:59

I agree completely. The front plate is already off ;)

LappingLuke > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 18:15

Woo! Congrats! Glad to hear you got a good deal too

WhiskeyGolf > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 19:01

Amazing! I think the ST1/2/3 names are specific to the US so are they just equipment groups?

Crocket Bernet > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 19:43

Kinja'd!!!

I'm a naughty boy.

Garrett Davis > Crocket Bernet
04/10/2014 at 19:58

Nice! That looks awesome. How is it holding up? I've heard lots of good things from people who have actually used it, but for some reason it's looked down on around here.

Garrett Davis > WhiskeyGolf
04/10/2014 at 19:59

Yeah, ST1 is base, ST2 gets you the Recaros and nav, ST3 gets you just about everything.

Crocket Bernet > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 20:42

The grill and all my badging has held up great, the wheels are due for a new coat as soon as the weather gets better. I've got one spot peeling on the passenger rear wheel from where I assume it caught a salt chunk over the winter. All in all for less than $30 a weekends time totally worth it. I honestly didn't expect it to last for nearly as long as it has (about 20 months).

Garrett Davis > Crocket Bernet
04/10/2014 at 20:47

Wow, that's not bad at all. Can you just add a new coat over the old?

thedevilinside > Garrett Davis
04/10/2014 at 20:53

I went with Team Dynamics Pro Race 1.2

Kinja'd!!!

I tried Rotiform to be a bit different but they messed my order up and I really liked these for looks and performance.

Garrett Davis > thedevilinside
04/11/2014 at 04:12

Very nice! After I recover from my down payment, I'll either be looking into new wheels or possibly powder coating my existing, since they're still great looking wheels.

Post up pictures on Oppo once you get those on. I'd be interested to see how they look on an ST.

TJDMAX > Garrett Davis
04/11/2014 at 09:56

Hahaha I appreciate the offer...I think i have my sights set on a different vehicle and I will make a post about it soon...

thedevilinside > Garrett Davis
04/11/2014 at 10:22

Will do, i know there are some other ST's with them. Havent seen it in person, I should get my wheels on the first week of May. They'll be with the stock Goodyears, I think it will be a good tirewheel combo.

Scottiem303 > Garrett Davis
04/13/2014 at 12:56

Kinja'd!!!

Works awesome. One month and no issues, looks legit.

Garrett Davis > Scottiem303
04/13/2014 at 18:43

Very nice. What kind of prep did you do?

EL_ULY > Garrett Davis
04/14/2014 at 14:24

cooooo!

AndTheyCalledHimGearhead > Scottiem303
04/14/2014 at 16:45

Hey... I know that car.

ILLec > Garrett Davis
04/21/2014 at 10:15

Did that include any of the incentives? I just picked up my '14 ST3 with everything option but sunroof $25.3 before ttl. Great looking car though, thought about black but went with silver.

Garrett Davis > ILLec
04/21/2014 at 13:17

After incentives it was just over $26k with every option besides the Rado grey rims.

Enjoy the car! I love mine!

mike780333 > Garrett Davis
08/13/2014 at 13:30

A little late reading this but congrats! I'm moving out to San Diego next August with my 2015 WRX.. lets cruise!

Garrett Davis > mike780333
08/13/2014 at 14:03

Awesome! Where you coming from?

mike780333 > Garrett Davis
08/13/2014 at 14:27

MA. Waiting until November for the WRX to come in :( it's killing me! Almost got the Focus ST but wanted the all wheel drive for one more New England winter. Not to mention 5k clutch dumps no matter where I live haha. Family currently lives in San Clemente - deserted me a year ago. Enjoy the car!

Garrett Davis > mike780333
08/13/2014 at 14:43

Aw man, that wait is a killer. I'd be losing my mind.