What Do You Want To Know About The FoST?

"Justin Hughes" (justinhughes54)
08/03/2016 at 15:23 • Filed to: ford focus st

It looks like I’ll be getting my hands on one next week. This is one of my top choices for !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , so it’ll be an extended test drive for me as well as a typical car review. What would you like to know about it?

DISCUSSION (44)

citizennick > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:25

About time someone did an oppo write-up on one!

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:29

Does it do sick jumps? How confused does the brake-steering get when on dirt?

Justin Hughes > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
08/03/2016 at 15:34

You and Andrew Fails were the first to make suggestions, and both of you suggested the jump thing!

I understand there are some nice dirt roads just across the NH line from where I live. I may have to see how well (or not) left foot braking works...

Echo51 > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:41

How many bland family vans, sedans and wagons outpower it in the land of the US?

Tripper > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:43

I would like to know why ST over WRX? Leaving aesthetics out of it because the FoST is obviously the better looking car. Just curious because I checked out both and the WRX seems like the better, or at least quicker car for the money(on paper).

I’ve never been in a FoST but have driven a lot of WRX/STis although none newer than 2011.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:47

Is this the one with all the Ford Racing goodies that Saabkyle had?

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
08/03/2016 at 15:47

I’ve taken my FiST on dirt/loose gravel and it does fine.

Justin Hughes > Echo51
08/03/2016 at 15:49

FoST: 252hp
My wife’s Flex: 355hp (3.5 V6 EcoBoost)

I wonder if we can find a place other than public roads to see just how badly the FoST would lose a drag race...

Echo51 > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:50

How high-powered bland normal cars in the US is continues to baffle me repeatedly. Over here you could consider a FoST in wagon a sleeper...

Justin Hughes > Tripper
08/03/2016 at 15:51

WRX is a top contender as well, and it certainly has some advantages like more power and AWD. On the downside, it’s not available as a hatch, and like hatchbacks. I drove a 2016 WRX last winter and was quite impressed. That’ll be one of my benchmarks for the FoST.

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) is dead, long live Bman76 M. Arch > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:51

If ŠKODA doesn’t come to the US, should this become my next DD? (when the TA starts getting upgraded)

yitznewton > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:52

Talk about the steering feel. I had initial thoughts in a brief test drive, but it was a terrible road for a test drive.

Justin Hughes > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2016 at 15:52

Nope, it’s a press car, so it’ll be 100% stock. Probably loaded to the gills with options, though, because that’s how press cars roll.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2016 at 15:53

Have you pushed it? Anything unexpected from the rear brake steering or do they no engage because traction’s reduced so the car doesn’t realize it’s cornering that hard?

Justin Hughes > Echo51
08/03/2016 at 15:54

I’m rather impressed with the Flex, actually. For such a big crossover it sure gets out of its own way, and handling is surprisingly good for what it is. I’m sure the FoST will smoke it in the corners, but it’s certainly not bad.

Justin Hughes > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) is dead, long live Bman76 M. Arch
08/03/2016 at 15:56

I’m seriously considering it against the WRX, GTI, and maybe the last gen Civic Si sedan for my own DD.

sm70- why not Duesenberg? > Echo51
08/03/2016 at 15:57

Gas is cheaper, roads are bigger, and Americans tend to think we need more power than we do.

Justin Hughes > yitznewton
08/03/2016 at 15:58

Will do. I like my BRZ’s steering feel. I even liked my bare bones basic 2002 Focus LX, because hydraulic > electric every time that I’ve experienced so far. Will the FoST have better steering feel than the worn out old LX? One would hope so.

Tripper > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 15:58

Cool. I also just noticed after specing out each car, that the WRX is a good $4-5k more after I added everything that I would want on each.

Justin Hughes > Tripper
08/03/2016 at 15:59

That’s a factor too. I think the FoST is the least expensive of my choices, which is a plus.

Tripper > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:02

Actually the WRX came out + $7,100 after I added keyless/upgraded stereo!

Echo51 > sm70- why not Duesenberg?
08/03/2016 at 16:06

And more room in your cars, but that might also be a bias towards the obesity percentage. Different needs for different life styles i guess

Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) is dead, long live Bman76 M. Arch > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:06

I think a little more practicality would be nice, 4 doors with a usable backseat that doesn’t require gymnastics to enter, unlike the TA.

yitznewton > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:08

Even our 2006 Sienna has pretty good (hydraulic) steering feel IMO. For sure when compared to the current Sienna.

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:11

This was a press car, and stock-ish. Tangerine Scream even. It just had Ford Racing exhaust, intake, and suspension bits, and Mountune’s tune.

Justin Hughes > Tripper
08/03/2016 at 16:13

Wow! I guess a lot of it depends on what options you want and need. AWD is an obvious advantage for the WRX in Massachusetts where I live, because winter. But snow tires and a job that tells me to work from home if the roads are bad make it a whole lot less necessary than it could be.

I’m not typically a FWD fan, but I’m willing to give it a chance to impress me in a hot hatch. I understand the FiST is particularly tail happy - the FoST less so, but that’s OK.

Justin Hughes > Bman76 (no it doesn't need a WS6 hood) is dead, long live Bman76 M. Arch
08/03/2016 at 16:14

Exactly. I drive a BRZ now, which was great when I was single, but now that I have a wife with two boys and house I need to transport stuff to, something more practical is necessary. I refuse to give up the fun though.

cazzyodo > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:18

If you have long term questions during your test, hit me up.

You’re near me anyways, right?

Justin Hughes > Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies
08/03/2016 at 16:20

I just watched Saabkyle’s review the other day, actually. I don’t have the exact specs on what I’m getting yet, other than it’s usually part of NYC’s fleet and making a brief trip to Boston. He’s based much further south than me. This whole deal just came together today while the car was literally heading this way.

Justin Hughes > cazzyodo
08/03/2016 at 16:21

Yes, I believe we are nearby. Thanks!

cazzyodo > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:24

I’m right in the city if you ever need. Work near nh border just off 93.

Justin Hughes > cazzyodo
08/03/2016 at 16:25

Cool. I live in Lunenburg, not far off 2.

cazzyodo > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:40

You’re about an hour away from my office. I live in the North End so you already know the distance to the city haha.

My family almost moved out to Townsend when I was in middle school. You’re a bit “out there.”

Kiwi > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:41

How did you get a press car? What’s the process for getting one?

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 16:48

Kinja'd!!!

Gee, that looks a lot like the one I had a month ago to review.

Justin Hughes > cazzyodo
08/03/2016 at 16:59

Just a bit. Townsend is just to the north of me.

Justin Hughes > Kiwi
08/03/2016 at 16:59

Right Foot Down arranged it for me.

Justin Hughes > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/03/2016 at 17:00

I just used one of Ford’s generic pictures. I have no idea what color or options will be on the one I’m reviewing. The whole thing just came together in a hurry today. Not that I’m complaining. :)

Jordan and the Slowrunner, Boomer Intensifies > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie
08/03/2016 at 17:52

The only thing that lets it downin gravel is the tires. Those make it a bit slide, but other than that, it’s fine. There are a couple of sand roads nearby that I can experiment on.

Under_Score > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 18:13

Will they ever make an automatic one?

Kiwi > Justin Hughes
08/03/2016 at 19:06

Really? Huh. Now I’m new to Oppo so I’m assuming (please feel free to correct me) you’re just the average joe? What I’m asking is, what are the qualifications to get a press car? How would a regular shmuck like me be able to get one?

Justin Hughes > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/03/2016 at 23:06

I got a copy of the window sticker, and it looks a whole lot like this one. Are you near NYC? That's where this one came from. Did you leave me any clutch, brakes, or tires? :)

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Justin Hughes
08/04/2016 at 00:00

Yep, southern CT, about 1.5 hr NE of the city. I keep all the Monroneys from the cars I review; this one stickered at $31,910.

Justin Hughes > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
08/04/2016 at 09:26

Yup, same here. So this is the same car you reviewed. :)