Convincing people it's really hot

"William Byrd" (thedriver)
05/02/2014 at 13:55 • Filed to: focus st, hot hatch

Recently, at age 37 I !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . I've had similar cars before, a previous generation Focus sedan, a Saabaru 9-2X Aero, etc. But this is the first one that truly meets the criteria. So I now find myself explaining it to people. Curious.

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Now a lot of Opponauts will quickly race to post that nobody else's opinion matters. Got it, you are so confident in life that you eschew the validation of all others. I understand. But this time, I had to convince my kids it was "hot", and that was something I actually cared about.

If you read through my post above, you'll see I traded in a Mustang GT convertible (and a Suburban) for the new ST. The Stang needed no explanation. It was loud, topless, and low. So pretty much the automotive equivalent of Ke$ha. You know what you are getting, people didn't need to ask what it is. But my 10 year old son's first question, upon seeing it was "Is that a rental"?

Ouch buddy.

Truth is, I've spent so much in legal fees trying to get more time with them, we did need to cut back. So the Lexus, Suburban and Mustang went away in exchange for a new Fusion and Focus. 30mpg (ish) each and a pretty decent payment, much cheaper than the other 3. So now back to my problem, and how I dealt with it, in case you find yourself in a similar situation.

I found that it eventually it speaks for itself. Recaro seats help too.

We were heading out to dinner, and my oldest son, and 7 year old daughter were in the back. As we pulled onto the highway, he was leaning forward taking a look at the Recaro's side bolsters with a sort of "Obama not bad" face. I ran it through 1st and 2nd gear and, as he said "I couldn't lean forward anymore".

That seems to be the case with coworkers and the like. My go-to explanation is "It's just as fast (or likely faster) than the Mustang and gets better MPG. Oh and I'm saving money each month". That seems to work. Worst case, they think I have an "eco" car, heck it even says it on the back of both of our cars. And because of the hippies in Hollywood, that's sadly sort of cool.

I would like a Tesla actually.

So do any of you have interesting stories about having to explain what your car is and why it's special?

Image: crankandpiston.com

Will is an automotive writer and regular contributor to !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . Based in Maryland, he has had a long history of founding failed automotive sites and spending way too much time on car forums. He has owned "too many Mustangs" according to Josh and has a fetish for RWD V8s. He spent most of his 20s on tracks in the mid-atlantic and killing cones in parking lots and has even taught at a teen performance driving school.

DISCUSSION (27)

Alex B > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:00

Kinja'd!!!

Are these creases new for 2014? I don't remember them. being there.

William Byrd > Alex B
05/02/2014 at 14:04

That may be the Euro version, don't think mine have them. Anyone else know?

cazzyodo > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:05

I have an Focus ST and while I don't care if people recognize it or not it is infuriating when someone asks what car I have and I say "Focus ST" just to watch their face seem disappointed in me and respond "Oh, the Focus is nice." That's kind of painful when you're proud of your first car purchase. I just had to tell my dad that my car put out almost the same hp (though not nearly the same torque) as our old 99 F150 did.

So, story:

About two months after I got my car I was running some errands. I parked right next to one of those ATM buildings in the middle of a parking lot and noticed the guy waiting behind me kept looking at it. He also was parked nearby so I thought maybe he was checking on his family or something but when I was about to leave he asked what it was.

"Ford Focus ST."

"I saw the Ford badge and thought it was the size of a Focus but the front threw me off. I haven't seen one like that...is it different?"

"Yeah...it's their hot hatch version. 4 cylinder turbo in their."

The guy got really excited and wished he could convince his wife into him looking into something like that where it would be practical as a daily driver but fun. We chatted for a bit, then he got a look from his wife in the front seat so he had to be on his way. He had one parting comment.

"It must haul."

Yes, sir. It does.

William Byrd > cazzyodo
05/02/2014 at 14:09

Nice.

For me it is less important if the person on the street recognizes it, and more friends, family, coworkers.

Same goes for the Fusion. I told my C6 Corvette driving friend that we traded our 2009 Lexus IS250 for a Fusion SE and he gave that sort of "ohh, things will pick up" look. I pointed out all the features it has that the Lexus didn't, plus a ton more space, and he seemed to come around. For that car, I get a lot of "Oh I had one of those for a rental..." at which point I cringe but they always finish with "...and it was awesome!".

Alex B > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:09

On fords US website it looks like they all have them. I can't believe I never noticed this before!

cazzyodo > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:23

Couldn't care less if Joe Schmoe recognizes it. More fun at stoplights.

The coworker comments are annoying. It took someone's Ford Calendar with the ST specs highlighted for that one person to even respect my choice. Other comments are "it's cute", "the Focus is...nice" and, my favorite, "you fit in one of those little things?"

cazzyodo > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:25

Looking at pics of my car now, they're there for the 2013.

OPPOsaurus WRX > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:28

I keep having to tell my wife we bought a family hauler economy car, not a sports cars. (WRX)

William Byrd > Alex B
05/02/2014 at 14:43

Well I'll be, mine has it too. Just went and looked.

8bh > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:45

Now you guys all get to share the pain that SVT Focus drivers experienced almost 10 years ago.

"It's an SVT Focus"

"...Focus."

"But the handling..."

"...Focus"

"But the engine and gearbox..."

"...Focus"

VROOM.

"Oh."

For the record, the 2002 SVT is the best car I've ever owned.

William Byrd > OPPOsaurus WRX
05/02/2014 at 14:49

haha nice. So I guess it can go both ways.

William Byrd > 8bh
05/02/2014 at 14:50

lol, I saw a 4-door silver SVT today, couldn't help but to feel a kinship.

Alex B > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 14:51

It's so bizarre that I've never noticed this before.

William Byrd > Alex B
05/02/2014 at 14:51

It's a conspiracy is what it is. Or we're just not observant.

I've only had mine for a week, so I have an excuse. haha

OPPOsaurus WRX > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 15:01

i don't think my driving style supports my argument

Ferrero1911 > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 15:02

I know I love it when people recognize my car as something special. I just went to CVS and as soon as I got out my car this woman was like, I've seen a few of those now who makes it? I told her Fiat makes it. Then she said, yeah, but that one's different...

I explained it was the Abarth, the performance model. She really liked it and she asked me if it would go up on two wheels around corners. I was like, I guess if you go fast enough it would. But it does go up on three wheels turning into driveways.

This woman clearly didn't know much about cars, but she recognized that mine was something different (the red wheels might have helped). For some reason that makes me really happy.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 15:15

I can definitely see where it would get annoying, but I love expanding people's automotive knowledge; especially when it's about something that looks relatively unassuming. I'm planning on getting a Fiesta ST this summer, and am definitely going to opt for the Tuxedo Black because I don't want it to stand out until I choose. haha I've always loved the sleeper effect some cars get, and I think Ford's STs are perfect for that. You get to surprise people who don't know much about cars, and the people who do know will recognize it immediately. I figure that if someone doesn't know and questions it, I will tell them to hop in the passenger seat and then go find the twistiest road I can. lol

I hoon, therefore I am > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 15:31

I rather like the sleeper aesthetic of my Mazdaspeed 6. In fact, I'm removing the only badge on the car soon. I don't even get a nod from MS3 drivers, of which I've seen a few (I have yet to see another MS6 - that makes me happy). My buddies who have ridden in it and my 2 1/2 year-old twins absolutely love the thing. Bonus points because their mother thinks it's a standard 4-cyl sedan.

Garrett Davis > cazzyodo
05/02/2014 at 17:21

What the hell... I just looked at a picture of my car too and sure enough, it's there. Weird.

Garrett Davis > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 17:30

I agree 100%.

When my girlfriend's family all asked what kind of car I bought, they just said "Oh, OK, well cool." and didn't give it more than a glance out the window. Especially when they're used to me buying "cool" cars usually. On the other hand, her uncle bought a 2011 Challenger RT a few weeks back and everyone was clamoring to get a look at it and ride it in. Granted, that's meant to be a show-off kind of car from the get go, but it kind of sucks that no one expects the Focus to be nearly as fast, and have a much nicer interior.

It's OK, though. Like you said, it will explain itself in time. I'll just take them to the store in it one time and then they'll see that it's more than just a crappy econobox. I'm too stubbornly modest sometimes to push the subject, so I just tell people I bought a Focus and leave it at that.

That has been the biggest disappointment of having that car, which honestly says a lot about how good the car is.

wiffleballtony > William Byrd
05/02/2014 at 17:57

My wife and I have to explain how our Pontiac G8 isn't a strange BMW 5 series. One of my wife's friends kids asked if it was a Prius. I asked if she likes walking home.

JACU - I've got bonifides. > William Byrd
05/03/2014 at 07:28

"It's a 2004 Forester XT"

"The Lesbian/Dog/SoccerMom/Stinky Commercial SUV? "

"Yep! Wanna' ride?"

"HOLY SHIT!"

cazzyodo > Garrett Davis
05/03/2014 at 15:55

subtle design cues... well done Ford

William Byrd > JACU - I've got bonifides.
05/05/2014 at 07:08

That's awesome, always liked those. Definitely seems to be a similar situation.

William Byrd > wiffleballtony
05/05/2014 at 07:14

ha! That's pretty funny.

FlyingDrumstick > William Byrd
05/07/2014 at 08:53

Yea, I know your dilemma. I am over 40, but enjoy a performance car over anything else. I run an '04 BMW 330i ZHP with and ESS TS2 S/C as a daily. I put 19" VMR's and all I hear from my compatriots is "fast and furious" comments. Of course they all drive trucks and claim they're prepared for the zombie apocalypse, rightttttt.... They drive to get somewhere, point A-B, every time guys like us drive, we derive satisfaction from each goose of the throttle, the bite of the brakes, or sharp turn in. I don't love commuting, but I am doing it the best way I can.

Why can't I ask every soccer mom in a SUV with chrome dubs and blacked out windows, how they like living out their drug dealer dreams?

FlyingDrumstick > William Byrd
05/07/2014 at 12:09

Why can't I ask every soccer mom in a SUV with chrome dubs and blacked out windows, how they like living out their drug dealer dreams?