Gave the ST a Test Drive Today

"Kailand09" (kailand09)
10/29/2014 at 20:18 • Filed to: None

It was nice, it definitely felt more powerful than the GTI, but not necessarily so significantly faster. If that makes sense.

Things I liked- That it felt stronger. The Recaros are super nice and hug you tight, it looks great and aggressive. This one was loaded with climate control and all that jazz too, which is nice. Ford is less expensive to repair than other cars, and the Ford CPO program with factory warranty are pretty damn good.

Things I didn't like- the seats may get uncomfortable for long drives (esp for the missus), the clutch is a little bit touchier than the GTI and the car in general is a bit more hopped up almost too much for a DD. The interior still doesn't feel as nice as the GTI for whatever reason as well. It also feels a bit smaller.

It would be really hard for me to say which I liked more, although I may be leaning GTI. I hadn't realized how vastly different these two cars would feel from each other, but it really is a big difference. It took a while to get used to the seating position in the Focus, but it did feel a bit higher off the road I think. Not sure if I liked that more or less.

DISCUSSION (31)

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:20

GET THE ST DO IT DO IT DO IT

jkm7680 > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:20

Usually people don't have a chance to really test drive STDs, but whatever floats your boat.

Brian Silvestro > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:20

Hello sir, do you have the time to talk about our lord and savior Fiesta ST?

Kailand09 > Brian Silvestro
10/29/2014 at 20:23

Lol. I should try one I guess. I just don't like how small it is.

jkm7680 > Brian Silvestro
10/29/2014 at 20:23

You aren't that hooker from Craigslist..... or are you?

Kailand09 > jkm7680
10/29/2014 at 20:23

lolwut

Brian Silvestro > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:24

You have no idea what you like about it. TRY IT

Brian Silvestro > jkm7680
10/29/2014 at 20:24

probably

Kailand09 > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2014 at 20:24

I don't know, I'm just not sold on it. It just didn't feel as good as the GTI to me. It's almost like a dog that is too hyper that you'd rather be a friend's which you can see every once in a while, but wouldn't want to live with every day.

Have you driven one/ own one?

Kailand09 > Brian Silvestro
10/29/2014 at 20:25

Hm. I guess. I just can't see something that small being able to do everything I'll need of it.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:28

I own one. It calms right down and feels like a regular Focus if you want it to.

jkm7680 > Brian Silvestro
10/29/2014 at 20:28

Ok.

Kailand09 > PanchoVilleneuve ST
10/29/2014 at 20:30

Yeah that is true. It just seemed more harsh and the clutch a little less forgiving. The reason I care about that is the lady will need to learn manual on it...

Brian Silvestro > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:30

But it does everything the Focus d0es, but better and more efficiently

Kailand09 > Brian Silvestro
10/29/2014 at 20:40

Except haul more shtuff / people in the back seat. Also slower acceleration.

Not saying it's a bad car at all, I will have to go test drive one. But those are some of the reasons I haven't really looked at it so far.

Brian Silvestro > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 20:47

It can hold just as many people!

It's just more fun to drive.

Jayhawk Jake > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 21:06

I need to drive a GTI. I think I have about the same opinion on the Focus as you do, it's missing something but I don't know what.

Try the FiST, it's a lot more fun than the Focus

Kailand09 > Jayhawk Jake
10/29/2014 at 21:14

Man lotta praise for the FiST. Interesting. I really have to find one and try it.

Also, you should really try the GTI. It is honestly such a solid car with a segment-topping interior IMO.

Kailand09 > Brian Silvestro
10/29/2014 at 21:15

I really gotta give it a go I guess. They aren't all too common right now, so IDK where I'll find one.

Jayhawk Jake > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 21:25

I keep meaning to, there's a VW dealer near my office.

The Fiesta interior turns me off. I've never been a huge fan of sync and their interior styling is meh.

Kailand09 > Jayhawk Jake
10/29/2014 at 21:26

Yeah, that's been a big hangup for me too. The GTI just has such a nicer interior... and I prefer cloth, and I love the plaid GTI cloth seats.

Hit up that test drive, they are super nice.

Brian Silvestro > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 21:31

UNICORN STATUS

Little Black Coupe Turned Silver > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 21:32

We have a FoST for a shop car. It's a fun little sucker. I got a 3:14 out of it at Road America, stock. Until I cooked the brakes and had to bake off. Probably could have got more out it. The last time I drove it it was still stock, but we've since did a downpipe and catback and maybe an intake. And are tuning it.

In short, it's fun. Ours has the big touchscreen, so at least it doesn't have the crazy amounts of buttons a lot of Fords have. I noticed you said the clutch was less forgiving. Can't really comment on that part, it feels like nothing to me since I'm used to the crazy stiff clutch in my car.

Kailand09 > Little Black Coupe Turned Silver
10/29/2014 at 22:01

It's a solid car, no doubt.

Also, the clutch compared to a GTI. Compared to other cars, probably fairly forgiving. But I also have never DD'd or owned a manual, just driven them.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Kailand09
10/29/2014 at 23:12

Get the ST!

n54 & s38 > Kailand09
10/30/2014 at 18:14

That's what SHE SAID!

n54 & s38 > Brian Silvestro
10/30/2014 at 18:15

Agreed. Drove both and, IMO, despite the tiny size and lesser HP, the FiST was much more fun than the FoST. IMO.

LeonardSkeonard, FiSTer > Kailand09
11/01/2014 at 21:32

Fiesta ST!

bob and john > Kailand09
11/02/2014 at 18:58

keep in mind the motor in the GTI is CRAZY understressed. you can go to APR and instantly get a 60BPH jump

Kailand09 > bob and john
11/02/2014 at 20:55

This is one the HUGE draws for me. $500 and you bump the HP insanely, and not much more cash gets you over 300hp in that thing.

Holy shit I can't even imagine 300hp in that.

bob and john > Kailand09
11/02/2014 at 20:58

yea. personally, id go GTI. As much as I think the ford has a good motor, the refinmet of the GTI would win it for me.

other options:

Audi A3 hatch: Basicly a AWD golf with an Audi badge. not sure if you could buy the AWD with a stick though

GoRf: (Golf R) Last gen GTI motor, boost dialed up to 300HP. AWD. VERY quick and mean little car. I have a buddy who has one as a winter car (he ride motorcycle in the summer) and just freaking loves it