So this is a thing that has happened...

"R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet" (r-saldana)
06/15/2015 at 10:18 • Filed to: None

For many months I have waxed idyllic about getting a new car. Something “fun, reliable, and practical” I have oft said. After an exhaustive process of pitting mid-sized luxury cars, crossovers, and SUVs against each other, we chose to keep our Land Rover. And in doing so we have decided to stop using our LR as a DD. Recently, I ordered the parts that she has needed to show her true form and they are scheduled to be put on this week.

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So it came to pass that we would either begin driving our 20 year old pickup to and from work everyday, or we would find something new. Now, my wife works for a state franchise dealerships’ parent company in finance. This dealership, I have been running around and working at in one capacity or another since I was about 10 years old. My father was a contractor-wholesaler there, I was a lot boy/porter when I was in high school, and when I returned home from the Marine Corps for good, I worked there for a summer selling cars. These connections gave us the resources and ability to have auction managers look out for cars for us. But it just so happened that we didn’t even need to look there for our next car as it was sitting on the lot last week when we drove through while waiting on a pizza to be made down the street.

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I knew I would like the ST as I had read all of the Oppo reviews about it for the last 2 years. Not only is it a fun and quick car, it is also and efficient, practical. Now, I have yet to read up on what option package our car is, but we love it. I was genuinely surprised Saturday when my wife got into the driver seat had, was comfortable, had no problems adjusting the seat and took off driving. (Although, a bit nervous as we were on a test drive) There were no doubts in our minds on whether we liked the car, we even compared it to a ‘14 Titanium and still wanted the ST. Needless to say the numbers made sense for us, fuel + insurance + potential payment. But here is where it gets crazy; the car was dropped in price for us due to our company connections on name alone, we gave a substantial enough down payment and also traded our 95 nissan 4x4 with 240k miles sight-unseen, got a 6 year/72k mile bumper to bumper warranty and financed less than I financed for my first car when I graduated high school. Now, it does kind of suck to have a car payment again, but I am very blessed and in a financial situation where it makes sense, our term of finance will be over quickly, I no longer need to rent a car to go out of town for weekend, I can stop doing temporary break-fixing on my Disco, and I finally have a little bit of a sports car. Seriously, the car is great fun driving through the middle Tennessee hills. All in all my transportation costs went up 16 dollars per month, after factoring gas usage on both the Disco and Focus + insurance + payment. That was astounding to me. Anyway we haven’t named “him” yet, my wife insists that the car is a boy so any suggestions would be great. I also guess I need to get one of those Oppo stickers from Archduke.

*Also, any tips on modifications and subtle tweaks to make the car any better would be appreciated.

Without any further ado, check our the new fleet:

And a sad moment when your old cars say goodbye to one another: God bless the V.R.T. (Very Red Truck) He did his part in getting us down the road. We were a little emotionally attached to the truck, my wife’s father gave it to her and has been in here life for 20 years when her dad bought it for himself back in the day. (We didn’t really have to sell it, but it would have just fallen apart and not been used by us anymore, we tried to give it back to her dad but he wanted her to use it in whatever way she chose.) If we were older and had kids that were in high school he would have been the perfect first vehicle for a teenager, manual, reliable and just slow enough to keep them out of danger/trouble.

“Bye buddy, and thank you for the time you spent with us.”

There is something to be said about vehicles that belong to enthusiasts and grateful people. It is no easy task making it through life and getting down yourself down the road, often times we neglect the people or things that help us out so much. Trucky was the very embodiment of “Yes, we can.” He once towed a HD 2500 Suburban through icy, snowy midwestern winter. He kept my wife safe and got her to and from work with not a single issue for over 3 years. He got me to and from work across a rather dangerous city every day in 2013. He moved us up to middle TN. He helped us find our first (and likely only) home. Many an early cold morning did he give other cars a jump off. I hope he finds a new home that shows him the same kind of love we did, and enriches the life of its owner like it did for us. From the very bottom of my heart and with all of the gratitude I can muster, Trucky, thank you being a part of our life.

DISCUSSION (46)

jkm7680 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:21

Kinja'd!!!

10/10 parking

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > jkm7680
06/15/2015 at 10:27

lol, the GM of the dealership parked it like that for us.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > jkm7680
06/15/2015 at 10:28

Put some washers behind the gas pedal to raise it a bit so it’s even with the brake so you can heel and toe.

At least from my short drive of the Focus ST, I felt the pedals were not placed properly for good footwork. Which struck me as odd as my 2002 SVT Focus has pedals that are just perfectly aligned.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:28

Cobb accessport is a great tuning accessory for STs. I have one for y FiST and it is wonderful for adding a bit of power or switching to an economy tune for long hauls.

I have also heard the Focus ST responds well to removing the clutch assist spring. Do NOT do that on a Fiesta ST. It becomes nearly unuseable it’s so heavy.

Other than those, I would get one size smaller wheels to lose some weight and possibly open up your tire options. I use my stock rims for winter since they’re a bit stronger and I have a warranty on them so I figure breaking a wheel is worse in winter than in summer.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:31

Well since it’s been a while....

ONE OF US! ONE OF US! ONE OF US!

haha have fun with your new purchase, and try and keep some tread on those fronts! (I sure as hell can’t...)

Patrick Nichols > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:31

I hear racing stripes, stickers, rear spoilers, and redbull make hatchbacks faster...

Have yet to test out on my rabbit though

MLGCarGuy > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:32

Kinja'd!!!

Maybe it’s the way the pic is taken, but the truck looks really clean for 240k miles.

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:39

Oh god not another!! (O_o)

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again.
06/15/2015 at 10:39

I have no tread left.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Patrick Nichols
06/15/2015 at 10:41

Already have a rear spoiler

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > MLGCarGuy
06/15/2015 at 10:42

Well, did our best to take care of it. It also was my father in laws baby. And my wife takes really good care of things

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:42

http://fifteen52.us/shop/#!/fiftee…

Wait for these to come back in stock. They make an enormous difference in appearance.

Patrick Nichols > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:47

But is it big enough... Dat downforce...

Kinja'd!!!

cazzyodo > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:51

Congrats!

I suggest you celebrate by trying to seal cracks in the road with rubber. I have recently noticed some spider-webbing at lights near my apartment and have done my best to stop them from spreading.

Rico > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:52

Congrats man on an excellent pick up! Hope it brings you many years of joy and smiles.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3
06/15/2015 at 10:53

Nah, I think I am good with the front as is, but I would like to get a new grille that does not have the plastic hole filling, I mean it might as well be all open all the time.

Alex B > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 10:54

Awesome! Enjoy it!

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > K-Roll-PorscheTamer
06/15/2015 at 10:56

My winters lost an alarming amount on the fronts, I’m going to have to keep TC on until I put on summers this next winter.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > cazzyodo
06/15/2015 at 10:56

\Do your part

\WWII mantra

\FoST mantra??

Short-throw Granny Shifter is 2 #blessed 2b stressed > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 11:01

Remove sound symposer. I found it annoying that the car suddenly got dramatically louder when you cross 3k. You end up having to adjust the radio a lot. I also had some issues with the butterfly valve getting stuck open when it was cold, which made even idle intolerable.

The only other mods I have are mudflaps, and shifter bushings which I haven’t installed yet. I would recommend a gas pedal spacer; the stock setup is hard to heel-toe.

Nothing > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 11:01

Congrats! I really enjoyed mine. Judging from the seats, looks like you’re in a ST1 (base), like mine.

Beautiful older Nissan, too.

boxrocket > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 11:21

Good for you! I’m envious of the balance in vehicles you have, that is, something older with lots of personality, and something safe, economical, modern, and fun.

cazzyodo > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 11:34

Kinja'd!!!

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > cazzyodo
06/15/2015 at 11:55

\would like to know more

cazzyodo > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:02

Ummm...hmmm...

Not sure what else I can say haha.

jjhats > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:02

youre gonna love that torque

I guarantee it

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > cazzyodo
06/15/2015 at 12:15

spider cracks in what, forums say brakes, and paint after doing 3m paint protection

cazzyodo > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:17

Oh, i meant in the road haha. Haven’t had any issues with my car at all (outside of someone hitting it while parked and stealing my passenger-side mirror). Thing has been solid the past two years.

PanchoVilleneuve ST > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:19

ONE OF US ONE OF US

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > cazzyodo
06/15/2015 at 12:25

mother effer, stole your mirror?

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > cazzyodo
06/15/2015 at 12:25

I get it now BTW, I though you were warning me of something that could break

cazzyodo > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:27

I was a little upset about it.

And yeah, haven’t had anything else break haha.

The Dummy Gummy > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:32

Congrats on the new addition!

My buddy has an ST and his first mod was air intake and he said he saw substantial improvement.

Wpro3 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:34

Great choice! I have been eyeing up the focus st as my next commuter and fun daily.

I love the vrt, that is the exact truck I had in highschool. Same graphics package and color. Was that s 4cyl 5 speed?

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Wpro3
06/15/2015 at 12:40

No, VQ whatever 3.5 liter 6, 5-speed, 4x4.

RallyWrench > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 12:54

Oh no, now you’re one of them. Nice choice, congratulations! Clean looking Nissan too, I’d have just kept it.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > RallyWrench
06/15/2015 at 13:05

Better for it to go to a new home and be used then to fall apart due to age outside of my garage.

Wpro3 > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 15:05

Must have been a decent rig with the v6. The i4 had a hard time on the highways but 1st/2nd gear was fun for crawling the trails

Coty > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 16:45

Hey, ST owner here. That shit is pretty easy to remove if you wanna do some mild hackery. It comes out looking not hacked though.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Coty
06/15/2015 at 16:48

Let me know

Coty > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 16:49

Hey, what’s your build date?

Also try driving it without the clutch assist spring, it feels better IMO, but you’ll have to decide for yourself.

R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet > Coty
06/15/2015 at 16:52

Build date is on the inside of the engine bay on the hood right? What clutch assist spring are you talking about? I coming from a 95 nissan pickup where I had to clutch to the floor to shift at any speed. so the FoST feels A-Mazing tight now

TheOnelectronic > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles
06/15/2015 at 17:13

I took out that spring (on my FoST) and HATED it. Starting up, for whatever reason, the clutch pedal had about an inch of travel, and I would periodically pick up hints of “hot clutch smell” while driving normally.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > TheOnelectronic
06/15/2015 at 17:16

I never bothered on the Fiesta since it is so heavy as-is. The guy who was brave enough to try it said that re-installing it on the side of the road in the middle of rush hour was less painful than finishing the drive home......But on the focus it is apparently a preference thing.

Coty > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/15/2015 at 19:59

If you get me your VIN I can get your build date.

Open your door and get down to eye level with you clutch. Look up towards where it mounts. On the left hand side of your clutch is a spring. Depress the clutch with one hand, and push up on the plastic base of the spring to remove it.

I came from a ‘94 Ford pickup.

Coty > R Saldana [|Oo|======|oO|] - BTC/ETH/LTC Prophet
06/16/2015 at 08:02

http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st…