I test drove a FoST last night: The Stupidru Review

"Stupidru" (Schm1an) 06/26/2014 at 09:30 • Filed to: None

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Since American cars are apparently no longer the shite that I used to think they were, that opened up a few doors for cars which I'd consider owning. Enter this one car in Ford's entire lineup which by the way has gotten quite nice over the years.

I called my local Ford dealer and told them that I'd be in the market for a new car sometime in the future. My car is 12 years old, has a lifter tick, but the miles are relatively low at 116k, so who knows when it'll go. I was up front with them and said my car could go in a month, a year, or 5 years. I don't have the foggiest idea, but I do know that when it does happen I want to have a plan of action and know which car I want to buy. The salesman was very understanding and kept calling me back to let me know the status of the STs that were being delivered. Finally one stayed on the lot for more than a day, so I hustled over and hopped into a car which had 5 miles on it.

Exterior: 6/10

It's a good looking car without overdoing the boy racer image. I drove the ST2 package which had the HIDs and the LEDs up front.

Interior: 7/10

Interior is probably the car's biggest selling point with the leather Recaro seats that hug you like only an overzealous girlfriend could. The stereo sounded quite nice with the subwoofer in the back, but the car could quite honestly use some more sound deadening as it was only marginally quieter than my hoopty on the highway while we drove over our expansion-joint-riddled highways here in WI.

Acceleration: 7/10

This car has plenty of it. Whether you're in first gear or sixth, there's always enough torque to inspire confidence. I had the salesman in the car next to me so I didn't beat it like that dead whore in my trunk (who still owes me money), but I did put it through its paces. At 40mph in 6th gear I was able to floor it and get up to 70mph in approximately no time at all.

Braking: 6/10

Good pedal feel. Again, didn't really want to put the salesman through the windshield, but uh... the car stops, so that's good.

Ride: 8/10

Didn't really surface during the test drive, so that's good. On my way home in my rattle trap, I remembered thinking that the FoST rode quite smoothly over our nasty highways. No perceivable dive or squat was noticed. Those seats— have I mentioned how much I love those seats?!

Handling: 7/10

I was able to toss it through a few roundabouts and one highway onramp, so I got a decent feel for the handling. It's got a good weight to it, but that's good because it tells you what's going on underneath the car. The steering wheel is thick, but padded nicely to give those big meaty hands of yours something to hold onto.

Gearbox: 6/10

Not a well-seasoned rower of my own gears, but I didn't stall it once or miss a shift. I'll give it a 6, because why not

Audio: 8/10

The stereo was nice. AM, FM, Sirius is available. The model I drove had the subwoofer in the back which added a nice low tone to my country music that I turned up for a moment. That was all I needed to confirm my suspicions.

Toys 9/10

SYNC worked nicely and has a nicely sized and positioned display. The small screen in the gauge cluster was also nice as you can show MPGs, time, average speed, miles to empty, and change various settings. MyKey seems like a feature that would come in handy if you have a teenage kid who will be driving this, or loan your keys to a friend who recently flipped his car.

Ambient lighting, auxilary in, RCA inputs, SD card, steering wheel controls- these are all nice things that I'm not used to having.

Value 9/10

The car I drove was listed just shy of $26k... brand new. Considering what else is on the market for that price, this car is quite a bargain.

Total Score: 71/100

To wrap it all up, it's a good car that does everything right. I can definitely see why people buy this car, but there's something missing about it. It didn't have me giddy like I was when I test drove a Cadillac ATS or even a VW GLI. There's nothing that really stands out about this car. It's basically how I envision every Toyota in the world to be- it's a car that is good at everything, but not great at any one thing.

And on that bombshell, I'm zipping up my flamesuit.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:34

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OMG, you compared a Focus ST to a run-of-the-mill Toyota?!?!?

Most Toyota's are UNremarkable at everything.

I must admit I haven't driven the ST, but it has GOT to be waay more exciting.

cazzyodo > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:35

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I got one because it was good at pretty much everything...it had the most overall bang for the buck.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:37

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Only thing I have so say because I can't argue any points as I haven't driven one.

You said nothing really stands out....sounds like the seats really really stood out to you (or sat out...if that's more appropriate).

Stupidru > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 06/26/2014 at 09:40

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Ok yes, the seats and the torque were the two exclamation points I took away from my limited seat time in it. Aside from that, nothing too exciting here.

Stupidru > cazzyodo 06/26/2014 at 09:41

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Absolutely! For the price, you can't beat it. I completely understand why people buy these, and why I still might someday.

Vicente Esteve > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:42

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I think you should try the Fiesta ST. I think it will be a lot better than the Focus. I got nothing against the Focus, and I see it as a damn fantastic car. But for me, there is also something not quite there that doesent make me want it as much as its little brother.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:43

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I still think I'd rather have a new GTI. Especially since we're getting the 3-door this time around.

cazzyodo > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:44

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It was the seats that did it for me. I was a day away from buying a WRX then sat back and looked at the overall value both gave me at their respective prices. The ST was under the WRX in price, up in features and had those seats. I actually had a Fusion leased after I graduated and fell asleep in the ST's seats on the sales floor while waiting for an oil change.

TheDon > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:48

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I test drove a FiST yesterday and would have driven a FoST if they had one. If I wanted a car payment I'd probably by the FiST in molten orange with the dark grey wheels with recaros.. buuuuhhhhtttttttttttttttt, my MINI has treated me well.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:50

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At 26k, you get what you pay for. Not much else can do all that it can do but you're not getting a standout in any one category besides maybe power (but then again, V6 mustang and V6 camaros have 300hp and cost not much more). Maybe the GTI will have more "character"? But I think the GTI is worse on insurance and lacks about 40hp to the FoST. And of course you have the toyobarus at 26k but they're way down on power and practicality so if you have kids.....either chop off their legs or avoid the FR-S for parental duties. There's also the FoST's little brother, the Fiesta ST which is what I bought. You lose power and space but the nimbleness and aggression are what sell the car in my book. So just keep shopping until you find what you like.

Stupidru > Vicente Esteve 06/26/2014 at 09:50

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See I cherish handling more than straight line power, so I think I would enjoy the Fiesta more as well

Stupidru > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/26/2014 at 09:51

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See Volkswagen. See Volkswagen— RUN!

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/26/2014 at 09:51

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But the GTI has those absolutely terrible plaid seats.

Stupidru > cazzyodo 06/26/2014 at 09:52

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The salesman asked me what other cars I am considering and it's really between this, a Fiesta ST, or a WRX hatchback. I've been a Subaru guy all my life, but after getting in a car that realizes that 2008 has come and gone, I don't know if I'll be buying another Subaru for a while

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 06/26/2014 at 09:53

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Only on the base model SE(?) Everything else gets leather.

I like the plaid though.

Stupidru > TheDon 06/26/2014 at 09:54

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I'm starting to think the FiST might be more up my alley. And that's why I'm still rocking my 13 year old hoopty- nothing wrong with it. I haven't been stranded,and more importantly, it's paid off.

yamahog > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:55

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For what it's worth, CrzRsn prefers FiST over FoST, and maybe even more than his Miata. I've only driven the FiST, and it was definitely fun, very not-Toyota.

Stupidru > themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles 06/26/2014 at 09:56

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I've heard from numerous sources that the Fiesta actually has more character, so that's what I want to try out next.

I actually made a comment as we pulled back into the dealership "... I have to get in the back seat to make sure I won't have to befriend amputees if I buy this car". Since my wife and I will probably have kids in the next few years, rear seat space and accessibility is big in my book. The Fiesta actually had a surprising amount of rear seat room for how small it looks

TheDon > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:57

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A friend of mine from church works at the dealership I visited so I got to play with the car as long as I wanted to. It's a cool car, I'd totally buy it. It's just the whole having a car payment is not my thing. I've never had one which is sweet. I can easily drop $1500 on benz parts for restoring my 240D. With car payment... I can't do that. Plus we are saving up to build a house so a new car would probably not help.

these are the things I tell myself whenever I get an itch for a new new new car.

cazzyodo > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:57

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I actually tried a bunch of options before returning to the ST. Veloster Turbo, Genesis coupe was out of my budget, used Mustang GT, Mazdaspeed3, WRX, BRZ and FRS. Fiesta ST wasn't out but sitting in one at an autoshow proved it was way too small for me. The BRZ/FRS was nixed because of overall lack of practicality (be it winter or carrying stuff/people for trips). Mazdaspeed3 was behind the WRX. WRX put a stupid grin on my face but it was just outside my budget and I couldn't justify it. ST ticked all the boxes and it continues to.

I really like Subaru but after the ST I don't know when I'll be able to seriously look at one. Too much...compromise?

Stupidru > yamahog 06/26/2014 at 09:57

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Everybody here, and all of the friends I've spoken to actually have suggested the FiST as well. I'd love to give that a shot too

Vicente Esteve > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 09:58

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I also do. Hell, I drive a car with an engine nicknamed Two Point Slow.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/26/2014 at 09:58

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I have a hatred for all things GTI/GLI (except the mk4 GLI) I just cannot get into them. And most GTI owners I have met are complete douches.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:00

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Test an ST with and without the recaro seats. I have the recaros and I hear they make it difficult to have a car seat in the back.

Logansteno: Bought a VW? > Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish 06/26/2014 at 10:05

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Meh, screw what most owners are. I'm buying the car to enjoy driving it, not sit in a parking lot with 30 other GTI/GLI owner to talk about the $10,000 R8 wheels that are on a stanced MK5 GTI.

And the vibe I get from ST owners is that they think their car is a reincarnation of god himself in automobile form.

Mr. FiSTer of Team FiST Fetish > Logansteno: Bought a VW? 06/26/2014 at 10:10

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That is exactly what I am talking about. But the ST seriously is the greatest thing that has ever been put on this earth. #ST4LYF3

DirtyBird > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:18

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this is going to sound very unoppo but i didnt really care for the FoST when I drove it, shifter feel was waay to vague and ive only ever driven rwd muscle cars and a fullsize blazer. But if I had to get a more family oriented car this would be near the top of my list (with a less vague shifter installed that im sure a company is working on at this very minute) that torque steer tho..

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:27

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This is the only thing that's bothering/confusing me...

There's nothing that really stands out about this car. It's basically how I envision every Toyota in the world to be- it's a car that is good at everything, but not great at any one thing.

I'm not here to flame, but I need more elaboration on this. I have one and now I feel like I'm driving a Toyo. :(

Also I need to finish my damn review!

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:33

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alright that's fair, the rest is really opinion stuff that I can't guage with zero seat time.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:35

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I'd just like to point out 2 more things.

1 - there is something wrong with it- lifter tick you said lol

2 - you can get more options in the FiST thant the FoST and stay on budget.

Stupidru > DirtyBird 06/26/2014 at 10:37

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The torque steer is noticeable, but Ford did a great job with that electronic differential which mitigates any ill effects

Stupidru > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 06/26/2014 at 10:39

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I got done with the test drive and I thought "ok... cool. It's a nice car. It's quick, not mind-bending, but it's quick. It has good seats, a nice interior, some cool toys inside, and space in the back. It's all I need in a car, nothing more, nothing less." But there's just not one thing that you can tell your friends about and have them go "OMG SERIOUSLY?! I NEED TO GO OUT AND BUY ONE NOW!"

Stupidru > TheDon 06/26/2014 at 10:42

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Car payments bother me as well, but having a nagging wife bothers me too which is why we got her a new car when we sold mine last year. I then inherited her old battle tank which has served us well except for that $3k engine repair bill (long story short: Subaru problems). Once we're done paying off her car I hope to be car payment free until my car kicks the bucket and then hopefully we will have enough saved to have a hefty down payment on something newer

Stupidru > cazzyodo 06/26/2014 at 10:47

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Subaru has always been behind the 8 ball when it comes to technology and interior refinement. They're catching up, but almost everything they do is a calculated compromise. Whether it's gas mileage, power, transmissions, or interiors, there's always something better out there.

The only thing I'd love to have on an ST is AWD, but other than that it meets all of my criteria

DirtyBird > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:54

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well when youre in first and you go to redline the electronic doesnt help much haha

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:54

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I see...I guess we'd need to put you in the other cars of the class then. That way, you could say which one to get of the lot. But for me, it's an exciting fun car that you can drive daily; and with cheap mods, it can be even more fun!

My video review will hopefully be the first of it's kind here.

cazzyodo > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 10:57

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AWD would seal the deal for sure.

You didn't get to put it through it's paces as much as you wanted so I'm not sure if you noticed the torque steer. It's rather...inconsistent maybe? Ford does a good job of handling it overall but once in a while you get a little surprise. Keeps you on your toes.

Stupidru > DirtyBird 06/26/2014 at 11:10

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I guess I didn't go that far - next time!

Stupidru > K-Roll-PorscheTamer 06/26/2014 at 11:12

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See, even though I don't think it's the most exciting car that's on the market, it's the one that fits my wants and needs, plus it will keep my wife and my wallet happy

Stupidru > cazzyodo 06/26/2014 at 11:14

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I goosed it up to about 5k RPM once or twice, but never really got it spinning all the way. It was noticeable, but didn't do anything more than give a very slight tug on the wheel. IIf I get to take one out without a passenger who is holding the "oh shit handles" all the time, I'll give it a workout

K-Roll-PorscheTamer > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 11:21

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It truly is the jack of all trades. But it is the master of brute force and savagery in the hot hatch market. I hear that the GTI, Golf R, FiST and MS3 are to refined and easy to work with compared to the Focus. I mean they all have electric assisted power steering to my knowledge, but I bet the Focus, and just how the suspension is tuned to be tail-happy would be the more "challenging" to drive.

cazzyodo > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 11:27

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I read through a couple comments and I agree with you on the whole handling vs straight line thing. Perhaps a FiST would make more sense (it would have for my budget as well) so long as you can fit comfortably (I can't).

DirtyBird > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 13:11

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Definantly, wouldnt buy a car without a little testing lol. Drive a v6 mustang also, I had a lot of fun with the one I owned

William Byrd > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 13:42

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I own one exactly like that. Not too far off. I haven't driven the ATS or GLI but I've driven enough Toyotas to veto that bit. haha I like it because it feels special, it feels like you are in a car built for performance and to put a smile on your face.

Stupidru > cazzyodo 06/26/2014 at 14:41

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I'm 6'2" 220lbs, and I fit quite well in the FiST when I went to the dealership. I even sat in the front, put my seat where I wanted, and made sure that my evil clone twin could sit behind me comfortably (which he could)

cazzyodo > Stupidru 06/26/2014 at 14:48

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That's impressive. I'm 6'4" but a longer inseam than anyone I've spoken to. I didn't have a terribly long amount of time in the drivers seat when at an autoshow but it felt too small for me. I'll have to give one a shot sometime, though.

Nobody a similar height to me should ever sit behind me.