Focus ST3 - Should I?

"Thunder" (Thunder)
08/19/2014 at 21:51 • Filed to: None

So it's new car time, after a few years with a hand-me-down 2007 Pacifica. No one who enjoys driving aspires to a Pacifica.

I'm a not-quite-forty father of two, ages 9 and 15. I work from home; the miles I do are largely as "Dad's Taxi".

I could spend a trifle on a toy... but whatever it is has to carry my 9 year old in safety. IIHS ratings less than GOOD need not apply.

I've considered all the obvious suspects, and come down to the new 2014 Focus ST, Ingot Silver, with ST3 package, moonroof, and gray rims. I think that's all the options possible.

I checked it out tonight, and fell in like with it. It's quick, and playful, tech-full... and full of acres of hard plastics.

We negotiated to 28,567 on the car, off (wait a minute... what's this?) MSRP of 30,270 on their website... why is it 31,050 on this form? Interesting.

Anyway, they said invoice is 28,067, so the profit is 500. Not sure I believe that now, looking at this.

Truecar says, with options, 26,495 is a good target, and 27,205 is the average paid.

Are they (Truecar) factoring in rebates others have applied (and that I don't qualify for)?

I'm going with the Ford 0% for 72 months, BTW. Free money, good payment, putting low miles on it, hopefully doesn't depreciate faster than leftovers in my fridge.

So is this stupid? Should I fight for a number in the $26k range?

Status is that I'm to get back to them. They were closing up as I left tonight.

DISCUSSION (19)

thebigbossyboss > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 21:54

This is totally irrelevant to your question, but how big is a pacifica inside?? From the outside they look like there's enough room for a brontosaurus in there.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 21:56

I'd take a shot at it. There might be regional variations, though.

They might be playing the four-square with you because that 0% interest deal makes almost any price look reasonable.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 21:57

I dunno what the right price is for that where you live, but from everything I understand that is a great choice. I'm in a similar position as you, and I keep asking...Should I?

Thunder > thebigbossyboss
08/19/2014 at 22:00

I'll give you a strange answer.

I have a tandem bicycle. It's a mile long. With the front wheel off, I can squeeze it in the Pacifica, with the front seat passenger squished way up against the dash.

I used to have a 2007 Civic Si sedan. With both wheels off, I could shoehorn the same bike in that car, with a comfortable front seat passenger.

The Pacifica is a HUGE vehicle (same footprint as the 2012 Infiniti Condominium we had - AKA QX56), but inside is not so massive. It *will* seat four in comfort, with two more in reasonable discomfort, but it's not as big as you might think on the inside.

Thunder > Eric @ opposite-lock.com
08/19/2014 at 22:02

True. I'm trying to see through it through science, or at least Excel.

I have a spreadsheet I stuck on my phone that gives me just the critical inputs (highlighted as such) and the pertinent outputs. So I put in their doc fees, etc, can tweak such things as down payment, vehicle price, and see instantly what the payment will be.

Transparency can be a gift, but I could just be shooting myself with too many numbers.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 22:03

the floor to ceiling height is deceivingly short.

Thunder > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/19/2014 at 22:04

It is that (OW!).

And WATCH OUT FOR THE OPEN LIFTGATE. The center might be ample clearance, but the edges are always at head-height.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 22:06

I think if I was in that price rang /market I would NEED to drive a GTI before I bought an ST. I know they are very different cars, and most reviews say that the GTI is better as a comfy DD, but not as much fun. However I would instantly feel buyers remorse if I didn't at least try out a GTI.

Jayhawk Jake > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 22:19

$28,567 sounds reasonable. I'd maybe try going in and saying 'if we can make it $27k, you've got a deal'. For 0% interest and $500 over invoice though, I'd take it.

Or try the trick of emailing 3 different dealers and say you're ready to buy, who's got the best price? I've heard of good results from that.

Thunder > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles
08/19/2014 at 22:22

I've tried a Golf R (before I knew what that was). It was nice. Punchy. Felt tightly put together. Then the salesperson told me to wiggle the wheel a little, while we were at highway speed.

It felt like the back tires had 3 PSI in them. The back end was wallowing all over the place. We went straight back to the dealership - I was completely done.

I've also looked at BRZ, another Civic Si, a used Mazdaspeed3 (with tech package), and all the way up to used E90 BMW 335i and M3. I'm not stuck to a particular price point; I can cross-shop within reason. If the Audi A3 came with a manual, I'd look at it. I might consider a 2-series BMW (if the local dealership knew what a stick shift was). I have gone through my mental list (I'm such a dork) by manufacturer so many times.
- Acura... ILX? Maybe. TSX... Maybe.
- Audi... A4 can have stick shift... half again as expensive...
- etc etc.

But I believe I'd have a really tough time arguing with the smile factor. For $30K, the perma-smile the Focus ST puts on my face is pretty solid.

Two Drink Minimum > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 22:39

I think the Focus ST is a great choice for a small family car. Kids absolutely LOVE fun cars and your 9-year-old will really dig it when the boost comes on in the Focus.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 22:43

Then buy it. duh

 V8 Rustler > Thunder
08/19/2014 at 22:49

Buy V6/Ecoboost Mustang. FWD sucks. /thread

Dsscats > Thunder
08/20/2014 at 01:26

I'd recommend trying a regular GTI. The AWD vs FWD factor makes a HUUUUGE difference.

Two Drink Minimum > Dsscats
08/20/2014 at 09:21

Plus, you should be checking the Mk7 (I assume the R you drove was Mk6?) GTI in any case. It's supposed to be an impressive vehicle.

Two Drink Minimum > V8 Rustler
08/20/2014 at 09:26

Buy V6/Ecoboost Mustang. FWD sucks. /thread

LOL. He's gotta fit a growing 15 year boy in that back seat. Also, FWD is a real problem for a daily driver north of the Mason Dixon line. Not sure where Thunder hails from, but that may be a deciding factor.

Thunder > Two Drink Minimum
08/20/2014 at 10:16

Thanks, Two Drink.

I'm from upstate NY originally, so I certainly understand the benefits of FWD (and the fun of RWD - I grew up driving V8 RWD land yachts with all-season tires - many a sideways drift was had). However, I'm now in Raleigh, NC, so while I may know how to drive in snow, effectively nobody else does. (Obviously, I'd need new tires before the first flakes fly).

The Mustang just doesn't do it for me, unfortunately. I do like the four doors of the Focus, but am not married to having a four-door... but just can't wrap my head around the Mustang.

Two Drink Minimum > Thunder
08/20/2014 at 10:56

I'm in Vermont, so RWD is flat out of the question unless I want to stow the car for the winter. As for the Mustang, I'm with you. I much prefer small, light, nimble cars over claustrophobic, muscle-first cars with gun slit windows. I drove a 2012 Mustang a while back and the interior was very tight and the backseat was like a sensory deprivation chamber.

NotUnlessRoundIsFunny > Two Drink Minimum
08/21/2014 at 03:01

Plus, the speed and agility of the Focus ST is really for the childrens' safety. You may need to get away from bad guys. Otherwise the terrorists win.