Focus RS Build & Price is up

"fourvalleys" (fourvalleys) 09/16/2015 at 08:29 • Filed to: None

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$35,730 base, plus $875 dest.

http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/tri…

(Build & price currently only works on mobile. Edit: !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! - but it should work on a standard browser too.)

Options:

Colors: Shadow Black, Frozen White, Nitrous Blue ($695) or Stealth Grey

Power Moonroof: $895

Wheels: 19” Painted Alloys, 19” Painted Forged Wheels ($1395), 19” Painted forged wheels with Michelin Pilot Cup Sport 2 tires ($1990)

Tires: 235/35 R19 Michelin Super Sport tire, 235/35 R19 Michlein Pilot Cup Sport 2 tire (only available with $1990 forged wheel package)

Looks good to me!

I’m a little disappointed in the $695 charge for Nitrous Blue, but overall everything looks pretty good.

Party-vi > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 08:35

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Ford’s aiming this cannon at the STi and Golf R. Noice.

PS9 > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 08:37

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BUT THATS TOO MUCH FOR A GODDAMNED FOCUS!!!!!

-Person who has no concept of what things should cost

facw > PS9 09/16/2015 at 08:44

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That’s less than $20,000 in 1990 dollars, so looks like a bargin to me.

Stapleface-Now Hyphenated! > PS9 09/16/2015 at 08:47

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But it is too much for a Focus. Because I can’t justify spending that much on a car. lol The same can be said for the Golf R or STi though. Now to see what Honda does with the Civic Type R.

nafsucof > facw 09/16/2015 at 08:50

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Wow I used to drive a dodge spirit rt 1991. Sticker was $21500. That's crazy!

Sam > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 08:52

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That’s a lot of cars for not a lot of money. I’m disappointed in the lack of color choice, though. Though all of them would have been black or gray anyways.

I’m surprised they don’t offer it with the CF wheels that the GT350R gets, though we may see a higher performance model with them. (Focus RS-R anyone?)

Sam > PS9 09/16/2015 at 09:00

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But that is a real problem. The ST was so successful because it was a performance car, but could be had for Camry money. This is a Focus that can be had for 3-series money.

OPPOsaurus WRX > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:03

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not bad at all. i thought this thing would be $40k +

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:03

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Looks like the craziest config will be $39,310. As long as there is unlimited supply (and once they’re on dealer lots), you should be able to get very decent discounts off this (nobody pays MSRP for cars).

I hope this means we’ll be able to readily purchase the euro center console now...

djmt1 > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:05

3

Man this car is such a good deal. £28,000 is ridiculous considering how many of it’s rival cars cost quite a bit more than that. I get the A45 & RS3 will have better interiors & be better to live with but £10,000 worth of better, heck no.

Teleph0nes > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:09

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Am I the only person who thinks $1990 for Forged wheels with Pilot Cup 2s is a really good price?

Street Surgeon > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:10

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To all those that swore up and down this would be 40k plus, IN YOUR FACE FLANDERS! Told you it was going to be STI money! Though, I expect you won’t reply to this :D

Party-vi > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:10

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But to be honest, a new 3-Series for $35k isn’t much of a 3-Series. You’ll get a 320i with either AWD or the sport package in black or white.

Eberle-Hills-Cop > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:11

4

Focus RS-ST-R-STR-GT

fourvalleys > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 09/16/2015 at 09:13

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I just want the European-option Recaro Club Sport seats. Yummy. :(

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:15

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Such a Nice Price. Would rather have one of these than an STI or Golf R or Evo X

Sam > Party-vi 09/16/2015 at 09:15

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Let’s be honest here. Nobody is paying $35k for one of these for the next year or two. I forsee Hellcat level of dealer markups.

carcrasher88 > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:15

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Not bad. Only $80 more than a base Golf R ($35,650) and $1,035 more than a base WRX STi ($34,695).

Of course, the cheapest of the three, the STi, is a less practical sedan, while the R and RS are more practical hatchbacks, so I guess the price difference is justified.

fourvalleys > Teleph0nes 09/16/2015 at 09:15

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It’s an excellent deal. It would be worth buying that and using them only for track wheels - if you could afford them and another set of wheels and tires off the bat.

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:16

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Right but the same can be said about the STI and Golf R which are around the same price and people still buy those by the dozens

Scary__goongala! > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:18

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I’d get it in the frozen white, and ditch the moonroof. That and I’d go with the cheaper wheels and tires so I could replace them with my own setup.

Sam > Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero 09/16/2015 at 09:20

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It’ll sell for sure, performance models always do. Even the GT350R is already selling like crazy, and nobody has driven one yet. Matt Farah said on the TST podcast he was going to be something like 35th in line at his local dealer for a GT350R.

Your boy, BJR > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:20

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Or you could get an ATS with all this:

for the price of a focus with all this:

Tripper > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:23

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I’m not surprised, but that’s a good price. The RS is not my style as far as aesthetics, but I can’t wait for one of my friends to buy one so that I can hoon the piss out of it.

Your boy, BJR > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 09/16/2015 at 09:23

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I made it $42,970.

Or, $360 more than a fairly loaded ATS 2.0T Manual:

Sam > Your boy, BJR 09/16/2015 at 09:25

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To be fair, the RS includes most of it’s fancy stuff as standard. There is only two option packages (RS2 and cold weather) and the $1990 wheel package.

Also, CUE = so much nope.

Milky > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:28

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Im not gonna say its too much for a Focus .... but:

They’ll be right next to each other in the dealer.

DirtyVDub > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:28

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Ford won’t have it. Notice what all the special editions Mustangs go for? Pretty much MSRP.

DirtyVDub > Teleph0nes 09/16/2015 at 09:29

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I bet you dollars they’ll have a CF wheel upgrade like on the GT 350R.

Your boy, BJR > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:29

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CUE isn’t bad at all. Although I literally used to get paid to teach people how to use it. I had one old lady break down crying saying she just wanted her DTS back!

DirtyVDub > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:32

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Throw a small tune at it and you’ve got a 400 hp AWD rocket. You won’t care about the interior quality when you’s screaming sideways drifting around Campus Martius in the rain/snow.

spanfucker retire bitch > Sam 09/16/2015 at 09:33

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I thought Matt was getting the Focus RS? Is he really getting the 350R as well?

Teleph0nes > DirtyVDub 09/16/2015 at 09:39

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If they don’t, you can just buy them from Carbon-Rev.

fourvalleys > Milky 09/16/2015 at 09:42

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I’m planning on replacing my RWD 2+2 coupe with a Focus RS. I wanted an AWD hatchback and settled because I couldn’t get a WRX/STi. That’s two massive reasons why I wouldn’t even consider a Mustang, regardless of price.

I’d say weight would be a third reason (have you driven the Mustang? It’s got some heft), but we don’t really know what the RS will weigh either.

Slant6 > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:43

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This could drive the used ST market down!

Dusty Ventures > Your boy, BJR 09/16/2015 at 09:44

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I’ll take the Focus

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Your boy, BJR 09/16/2015 at 09:56

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I stand corrected. I was just adding what was listed in the original post. $43k is pretty stiff, but it is close to the competition in this space. I expect deep discounts will be seen once the initial buyers have theirs.

Milky > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:57

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Thats cool and all but V8, +90 HP and ‘Murica

-not even a mustang fan

EDIT: I get the appeal if you want one car to do everything, I’d just rather do everything in a RWD coupe.

fourvalleys > Milky 09/16/2015 at 09:58

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‘Murica

Ugh.

e: the “word,” not the country. Obviously.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 09:58

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Oohhhh, yes please!

fourvalleys > Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow 09/16/2015 at 10:00

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I’m not sure what the European option price would be, but the regular Recaro Club Sport costs about $1400 apiece plus hardware. I’m sure that even if you could find someone in Europe willing to sell theirs, you’d be looking at a hefty price tag for a pair. Probably not that worth it to me!

Milky > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 10:03

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Luc - The Acadian Oppo > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 10:04

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Please tell me these will be available with human sized seats?

I’m a hefty dude and I was looking to buy a Focus ST but in Canada they are ONLY available with the Recaros in Canada and well I don’t fit in the Recaros.

Chris_K_F drives an FR-Slow > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 10:17

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Who knows, maybe some trust fund baby will slap some racing buckets in there and try to ditch the Euro Recaros for cheap on the forums. Shipping would be the kicker. :P

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > PS9 09/16/2015 at 10:24

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Person who has no concept of what things should cost exist .

Also.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Milky 09/16/2015 at 10:28

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They should sit right next to each other at the dealer.

They’re aimed at different targets, both are hitting them perfectly. Completely different experiences.

Could you imagine 15 years ago people would be on the internet complaining Ford has too many Performance cars in a similar price range?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 10:30

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Ford may finally get me to DD a stick shift.

These things are pretty awesome. I wonder what the Fusion ST will cost though...

Sampsonite24-Earth's Least Likeliest Hero > Slant6 09/16/2015 at 10:42

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Oh im sure a lot of people will be trading in their focus and fiesta st for this

fourvalleys > Luc - The Acadian Oppo 09/16/2015 at 10:42

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The seats and seating position were the biggest reason I didn’t buy a Focus ST a few years back. Incredibly fun, just uncomfortable for a bigger person.

I’m planning on sucking it up with the RS. Looks like it’s time to hit the gym.

RNagi > Milky 09/16/2015 at 10:50

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Wait why punch out the window, he’s already leaning out of the window can he not just shoot with his left arm and drive with the right?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Street Surgeon 09/16/2015 at 10:54

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This undercuts a loaded STI by 3 grand, that’s crazy!

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Milky 09/16/2015 at 10:56

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I think they won’t be cross-shopped in the same way that the STI and Golf R will be.

Sam > spanfucker retire bitch 09/16/2015 at 10:58

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He is. He wanted to changed his first in line RS reservation for a 350R, but he would be very far back in line.

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > spanfucker retire bitch 09/16/2015 at 10:59

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He considered it, found that he would be 35th in line as opposed to 1st with the RS and went nopity nope I’ll pick one up after the RS lease is up.

Milky > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 09/16/2015 at 11:04

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Good point, more cheap performance isn't bad.

Milky > Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. 09/16/2015 at 11:05

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Not saying I think they’ll be cross shopped. Just saying for the same price and the same badge, I know what I’d get.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > Milky 09/16/2015 at 11:11

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Because I love the new Mustang, but I’m not wrestling with car seats in that tiny not really a back seat.

So that means if I were to want a performance car, the Focus line up would be perfect (more importantly that new Fusion ST/Sport sounds even more perfect)

DirtyVDub > Teleph0nes 09/16/2015 at 11:11

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Are the currently producing compatible wheels?

Sir_Stig: and toxic masculinity ruins the party again. > Milky 09/16/2015 at 11:16

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Different strokes and all that, but I could see way more people with families being able to justify an RS where a GT simply wouldn’t be adequate.

doubleplusten > PS9 09/16/2015 at 11:22

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Except the Golf R is cheaper.

BraappBraapp > RNagi 09/16/2015 at 11:32

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because Reagan smash?

Teleph0nes > DirtyVDub 09/16/2015 at 11:34

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I have no idea, but if enough RS owners want carbon wheels and Ford isn’t going to offer them, the company that makes them for Ford has the ability to make an RS fitment.

WhiskeyGolf > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 11:47

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I cluster-bomb emailed a few local Canadian dealerships this morning and so far 1 has responded with pricing. He says $38k including destination charges. To put that in perspective, the Golf R is I think $39k before taxes and fees so as expected Ford is pricing somewhat aggressive. Although we hosers still get hosed on pricing overall...

fourvalleys > WhiskeyGolf 09/16/2015 at 11:48

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$38k CAD with destination sounds like a pretty excellent deal, honestly.

Street Surgeon > Milky 09/16/2015 at 11:49

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While I do get the appeal and love me some Coyote action, I’d much rather have the RS than a GT 5.0. The only real comparable item between these two would be price.

RNagi > BraappBraapp 09/16/2015 at 11:56

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‘Murica

YakMan > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 12:04

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$40k for the blue paint and the RS2 package vs. $36k for an STI with added body paneling and upgraded speakers.

ScrotumKnots > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 09/16/2015 at 12:25

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DDing a stick is fun unless your commute involves the 405.

PS9 > Sam 09/16/2015 at 12:32

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Like the ST was, the RS is priced fairly relative to what you get. It doesn’t matter who’s badges are on it, 300 HP + AWD + Torque Vectoring = not gonna cost less than $30k.

PS9 > doubleplusten 09/16/2015 at 12:35

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Which Golf R are you looking at?

cargone!cargone! > Milky 09/16/2015 at 12:41

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I kept telling fools on the focusrs forums, with a whopping v8 mustang gt next to a focus rs, I think most average americans who aren’t car nuts would lean towards the GT, because its THE everyman’s sports car.

The RS is better equipped, has 4 doors, and a hatch, which IMO, is more desirable than the 2 door coupe to me, (i’m a musician and i can barely fit an extra guitar pick in my fr-s)

It all comes down to what folks prefer. If I was a kick ass front man, i’d probably lean towards the GT too, lmfao

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > ScrotumKnots 09/16/2015 at 12:46

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Ha, it involves I275 in Michigan, which is a pain in the ass.

Some days I drive home at 75 mph, some days I drive home at 15.

Some day I’m going 75 then 15 then 80 then 40 then 50 then 15 again.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Milky 09/16/2015 at 13:16

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It would be interested to know what percentage of buyers actually cross-shop these...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 13:19

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I’m with you - I’d be much more likely to buy an RS than a Mustang, but it’s probably best if anyone seriously considering the RS at least get a test drive in the GT, just so they really know what decision they’re making.

I’ve never been a Mustang fan, but the new GT350 might convince me...

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 09/16/2015 at 13:25

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As much as I wish they would, I doubt if Ford will actually sell that many of them over the production run. There just aren’t enough crazy people out there like us that would pay $35k+ for a hatchback. I can’t imagine that sales stats are that high for the Golf R or STi. Seems like this is more of a halo car to get excitement for the brand and sell more STs. I’m guessing they’ll eventually be able to be had for well below list.

G_Body_Man: Sponsored by the number 3 > Your boy, BJR 09/16/2015 at 13:25

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I’d pick the ATS because I have the sense that the FoRS won’t be a very well-rounded car.

valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option > WhiskeyGolf 09/16/2015 at 13:41

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Question from a fellow Canuck: where is “local” for you? And why doesn’t the Canadian site have the RS up yet WHAT IS THIS INEQUALITY

WhiskeyGolf > valsidalv, reminding you that infiniti is an option 09/16/2015 at 13:48

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Local for me is Ottawa. I also checked Ford.ca... Y U NO RS?

cargone!cargone! > Sam 09/16/2015 at 13:48

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I agree, Ford can say all they want that they won’t allow markups, you think a dealer with someone willing to pay 40-45k cash for “first dibs” is gonna say no to the extra money?

cardriverx > Teleph0nes 09/16/2015 at 14:00

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Exactly what I thought when building it.

jjhats > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 14:34

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am I the only one who hates the "performance car=lets add massive wheels" trend in todays market? 19's are too big for this car and I cant imagine them riding any better than my st's 18's which rides rough anyways

fourvalleys > jjhats 09/16/2015 at 14:45

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Pretty frequently, performance cars get big wheels because of the size of the brakes. I bet 18s will fit just fine on the RS, but I’ve heard the 18” ST wheels do not clear horizontally without spacers.

I’m not a big fan of 19s (I’d rather have fat rubber than more expensive lower-profile tires), but at least it doesn’t look too big to my eye. Probably helps that the painted wheels are pretty dark.

BREADwagon > PS9 09/16/2015 at 14:46

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When this was in the rumormill, I figured it would have a $35,000 price tag. Now it hits exactly that...and I realize I still cant afford it :(

I’m hoping the AWD clutch packs hold up to the abuse and they fix the overheating brake problems the ST has.

jjhats > fourvalleys 09/16/2015 at 14:52

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on my st(2013) the brakes were small enough that you could downsize to a 16 and barely clear the brakes. 2014 onwards were a touch bigger so they can only run 17’s. id be very surprised if you couldn’t run 18 on this car as many people prefer the smaller wheels for the weight and cost advantages

zetec duratec ECOTEC > Milky 09/16/2015 at 14:55

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To which I reply,
AWD, Turbo, Drift Button, ‘Murica.

doubleplusten > PS9 09/16/2015 at 15:44

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Eh? Did you reply to the wrong person? Otherwise, I’m looking at the same Golf R that you are looking at. That Golf R costs 35,650, per your post. Last time I checked, 35,650 is less than the 35,730 cost of the Focus RS.

And somehow I suspect that the VW will simply feel nicer inside with very nearly the same level of performance.

Simply put, the ST, as compared to the GTI, performed very comparably, but the interior was simply not as nice. But the ST made up for this by being cheaper. There does not seem to be that same trade-off for the RS.

PS9 > doubleplusten 09/16/2015 at 16:03

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When you said it costs less, I assumed you meant a non-trivial gap. $70 isn’t even 1% of the total. Relative to the amount of money you must bring to the table to purchase a car - financed by you, the manufacturer or some other outside agency - it amounts to less than a rounding error.

Great for you if you think saving $70 on a $35k thing you’ll be paying at least 7 x$70 every month for 60 months on (3k down with 0% for people with stellar credit) is worth consideration, but most will need more than that to be swayed.

Stewbacca > Sam 09/16/2015 at 16:58

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Not if your father-in-law works at said dealership. Employee discount for us, woo hoo!

doubleplusten > PS9 09/16/2015 at 17:15

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Yup, it’s the $70 that makes a difference, not the one step above playskool interior, apathetic Ford build quality, and that horrid mouthguard nose. With the ST, at least there’s a significant price savings that mitigates those drawbacks. That does not exist with the RS. The extra 70 above the cost of the R is essentially the proverbial straw here.

If it’s not performing _significantly_ better than the Golf R and you are going to price it like the Golf R, the interior should be like the Golf R.

PS9 > doubleplusten 09/16/2015 at 17:43

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LOL ‘build quality’. Pick whichever car you want, plastic touch points and switch gear are what you’re going to get for such a paltry sum of money. Lets not pretend there’s some huge difference between a focus and a golf; they are both rubbish badge cars that focus on affordability first and everything else second, and as you can see here, it shows. Now if you want a good interior to go along with your AWD torque vectoring performance, you need to step up to something like an S4. Be sure to bring another $20-30k with you when your ready to go talk turkey at the Audi dealership.

Cixelsyd > RNagi 09/16/2015 at 18:14

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Shut it, pinko.

doubleplusten > PS9 09/16/2015 at 18:40

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Um no. The Fiesta in terms of interior quality feels *at best* about on par with a mid-2000’s Boxster. The GTI, even in base trim (except the tartan seats, sorry) feels a minor step down from the current Boxster and very nearly on par for an A4 (but arguably better than the A3).

For a more concrete example, the shift knob on the GTI not only looks like, but is metal. The ST is painted plastic. Same with the door pulls. The window switches on the GTI feel rubber coated v. plain plastic on the ST. The seats on the GTI hold you in as well as BMW seats, but are not overly confining or get in the way of the steering wheel like the ST. MyFordwaitforit...Touch. The half-baked parking brake location on the ST. The overly confining feel of the ST. The fact that the bottom of the hatchback measures nearly six inches thick for no good reason on the ST. There’s a reason why almost every reviewer ends up stating that “ The GTI’s interior, from a quality perspective, isn’t much higher than that of the Golf. That’s no bad thing, since it shames plenty of cars costing *thousands* more.” (emphasis added). Said same such reviewers tend to say the ST’s interior is... adequate.

PS9 > doubleplusten 09/16/2015 at 21:00

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The Fiesta in terms of interior quality...

You tipped your hand, here. The picture I posted was of a Focus ST interior. This is what a Fiesta ST interior looks like.

You can be forgiven for thinking they must be the same since both cars come from the same manufacturer and are almost in the same market segment, but your inability to tell the difference means you’ve never actually been in a Focus ST. You’re not in a position to say which materials feel better or worse there if you’ve never touched them yourself.

There’s a reason why almost every reviewer ends up stating that “The GTI’s interior, from a quality perspective, isn’t much higher than that of the Golf. That’s no bad thing, since it shames plenty of cars costing *thousands* more.” (emphasis added). Said same such reviewers tend to say the ST’s interior is... adequate.

Bolded, quoted and emphasized...but no source? That’s not going to be good enough. Let’s consult some actual Focus ST reviews, shall we? Let’s start with everyone’s favorite car site; Jalopnik?

The only thing you need to know here is the ST has the best car seats I’ve ever sat in. Made by Recaro of course. I love the front leg slide out, but the shoulder pockets are incredible. Your back is supported but your shoulders are free to turn the wheels. And there are two more Recaros in the back seat!

The steering wheel is actually nice to hold. Most cars I get in these days are more like a dashboard then a steering device. The leather was ridiculously nice and the grip points near perfect.

‘Best car seats I’ve ever sat in’. Funny that. They also didn’t say anything about them ‘getting in the way of the steering wheel’. Probably because that’s not a thing a car seat can actually do. How about Autoweek?

The real question: How does the Focus ST rank among our favorite hot hatches? The Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 and Volkswagen GTI are the traditional standbys, and they have long been celebrated by enthusiasts. The Focus feels more evolved than its import competitors: it’s more comfortable, less severe, has nicer interior pieces and is more powerful.

The excellent interior of the car will be familiar to those who’ve spent time in any of the better-equipped Focuses, but of course in the ST, you’ll find leather and a set of Recaro buckets. The interior is much better than average.

I crtl-F’d for ‘playskool plastics’ and ‘horrible build quality’ and didn’t find anything like that here. Wouldn’t that sort of thing stick out like a sore thumb to a panel of 4 separate reviewers? Guess not. Moving on to - hey, a comparo between the ST and the GTI! Surely the GTI will walop the blue oval in the build quality and interior appointment category, right?

A few other small complaints: Even though the ST’s interior accommodations are satisfying overall, Team RS could learn from the GTI’s dead pedal and seatback-adjuster details.

Umm...that’s it? No glowing praise for the near-luxury level interior you get with a Golf, no admonishment for Ford for using crappy plastics and terrible build quality, just...the deadpedal and seat adjustments? In fact...no one so far has said anything about the focus’ obvious shortcomings in interior and build quality. Is it possible that there aren’t any? Nah. Moving on the edmunds;

But what makes this Ford truly compelling is its gift for melding all this performance with high levels of comfort. Ride quality is gracious and easy to live with, and its stylish, well-appointed cabin gives the Focus one of the plushest interiors in this segment

‘One of the plushiest interiors in this segment’?!?!?

The 2015 Subaru WRX is quicker from a stop and its all-wheel-drive system makes it more suitable for cold weather climes, but it’s trumped by the Focus ST when it comes to interior quality and overall refinement. The 2015 Mini Cooper S boasts strong performance and unique character, but its small cabin and stiff ride makes it a less pleasant daily driver than the Ford. Then there’s the 2015 Volkswagen GTI, which is sportier this year than it was previously and largely matches the ST for all-around goodness.

‘Matches the ST for all-around goodness’?!?!?!

The interior of the Focus ST shows how compact cars now blend utility with an appreciation for fine materials and leading-edge design. The cockpit is attractive and the materials are of high quality.

‘Leading edge design and high quality materials’?!!?! No way. The Focus is american, and everyone knows american cars have terrible interiors and nothing ever changes in the auto industry, even after decades of intense well-earn criticism and a concentrated effort to improve this specific issue that spans multiple manufacturers and model year releases! These people must be on the take. We can’t trust anything they say!

I know; let’s see what‘ The Truth about Cars ’ has to say about this. Their reviews can be caustic as hell, and they’re just a small autoblog like Jalopnik. They’re certain to give the Focus the beating it deserves in interior and build quality, right? Right???

Like the Volkswagen GTI, the first thing you will notice about the Focus when you hop inside will be the very European color palate. In other words, black. The soft injection moulded dashboard combines with the black headliner, black carpets and predominantly black upholstery to create a very Germanic interior.

The base seats lack the aggressive bolstering or the exceptional comfort of the half-leather Recaro thrones.

‘A Very Germanic interior’. You know how you don’t remind people of Germany? Terrible plastics and horrible build quality. That’s how we know the ST doesn’t have those things.

To recap; When you want to summarize what actual reviewers had to say about the ST’s interior, ‘adequate’ does not appropriately convey their ideas. Try ‘excellent’ or ‘superior to a GTI’, or even, ‘Best in class seats’. ‘Reminiscent of Germany’ works well too.

Here’s a tip for next time; it’s better to cite and link the sources you quote. If you’re having trouble doing that, try using ones that exist in the real world. It’s hard to link to/cite something that exists only in your imagination.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2015 at 10:11

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There are a lot of big talkers on the Focus and ST sites/groups, but I will believe it when I see it. I don’t think it’ll be a big seller after the initial buyers, which is why I’m expecting a substantial drop from MSRP in the actual sale prices.

However, where I live there are plenty of WRXs, STis, and I have even seen brand new Golf Rs wandering around. STs are relatively uncommon, but still common enough that I see them periodically. I suspect the Focus RS and Golf R will simply capture sales from the WRX STi, particularly now that it doesn’t come in a hatch version (which is the only reason these other two really have an opening). I can’t imagine the overall market for these extra-hot AWD compacts is that big.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 09/17/2015 at 10:19

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Yup. There are only so many buyers for a car like this. I love the fact that it exists, and may even own one myself one day, but an expensive, manual hatchback based on an economy car appeals to a small subset of enthusiasts within a small subset of car buyers.

Will be interesting to see where the new Speed3 comes in among all these cars, especially if it ends up being AWD as rumored. Rumors also are going around that Subaru will be offering the WRX/STi hatch again before long.

RNagi > Cixelsyd 09/17/2015 at 14:06

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I don’t like the colour pink??

doubleplusten > PS9 09/17/2015 at 15:38

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Google exists. With block quotes, you merely copy and paste into google to get the source.

here: http://jalopnik.com/the-2015-vw-gt…

I’ve spent plenty of time in both ST’s, both of which are nothing special when it comes to interiors. For example, tap the turn indicators. Why is there flash on the seam? The steering wheel and shifter, yes painted plastic rather than metal. Look at the dash, all shiny with hard plastics and reflective in strong sunlight. Check out the tailgate, yup, over 6 inches of wasted space filled by body cladding. And the plastic on the parking brake handle on one of the FoST’s I drove was already loose even though the car was brand new.

Do I need a review to note the seat to steering wheel issue? Nope, I ran into the issue during a test drive and this issue was the deal breaker for me.

I don’t have time to waste to rebut each of your “cites” but I will note that you quite thoroughly exaggerate the statements of your cites. For example, “ first thing you will notice about the Focus when you hop inside will be the very European color palate. In other words, black. The soft injection moulded dashboard combines with the black headliner, black carpets and predominantly black upholstery to create a very Germanic interior.” That is, the very Germanic part relates to the color palate. Nothing about interior quality, just the color palate. No panning the interior quality, which means it did not stand out and thus adequate. (and why does copying in something make everything bold suddenly?)

In sum: “From the fabric-covered A-pillars to the soft-touch door panels and dashboard bits, the feel upon entering the Golf in any form is in some ways “more Audi” than the A3. Without a doubt, the Golf has the best interior in this category, which oddly enough applies as much to the $17,995 base Golf as to the $25,095 GTI or $36,595 Golf R.”

Use google to find the source. It’s easy.

GoatsAndStangsAnd911sOhMy > fourvalleys 09/24/2015 at 23:36

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As a man that’s already put his name down for an order, I’m seriously debating wether or not I should get the moon roof.

Any help??

fourvalleys > GoatsAndStangsAnd911sOhMy 09/25/2015 at 13:48

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I was torn on that too, but now I’m more worried about if I’ll even be able to get an order. I’ve got no problem waiting or going elsewhere, but who knows how many dealers will actually follow up with what they’ve been trying to promise to customers. No deposits until 10/2, no orders until 10/12 or so.