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Old 08-13-2013, 12:42 PM   #1
lj8915
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Default Traded in 2012 WRX for a 2013 Ford Focus ST. Brief thoughts inside...

Positives (a lot):

-feels faster than my TP stage 1 wrx, no lag, torque starts way low in the rpm's

-interior is light years ahead of the wrx..not even close here

-MPG is also amazing. At 32.9mpg with 90% highway right now

-seriously handles better than the wrx and feels easier to push hard around the corners. Did not expect that at all

-looks way better than the wrx....of course this is an opinion

-daily driving comfort blows away the wrx...can be quiet and smooth when you want it to, or mean and loud when you want it to


Negatives:

-no AWD




I understand this is a subaru forum so I might be bashed for this, but I figured I'd post my brief thoughts in case anyone was in the situation I was in (wanting to trade wrx for something different). If you have any questions, let me know. Only had it for less than a day, so more thoughts to come.
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Old 08-13-2013, 12:47 PM   #2
bigdog826
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Also don't forget the focus st is brand new, the current wrx is old. Wait till the 2015 wrx comes out, then we can draw conclusions
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Old 08-13-2013, 12:54 PM   #3
Napalm3nema
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Let us know when you get annoyed by FWD burnouts in a few weeks.
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Old 08-13-2013, 12:54 PM   #4
~The_Duke~
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Wait till you have to replace something.

Its a ford... You will have to either take it to the dealer, or call up the local dealer tools supply to be able to find the crap you need to take it apart with. Get really for some "Ford is the only one that sells it" parts that they will need a both arms and legs to pay for.

They design their cars so you almost have to take them into a shop.

Good luck getting any help with them as well because the Focus community is completely useless.

Not saying subaru is the best ever, because Mazda\community does a pretty good job of providing help down the road.

Good luck.
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Old 08-13-2013, 12:55 PM   #5
Flyboy86
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Congrats on the new ride. I think theyre a pretty slick car. drove next to one going down the highway a few days ago.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:00 PM   #6
AugustusMaximus
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What color did you get? I really liked them but recently got a 2013 WRX because of the awd and because the Focus is a bit more "boy racerish".
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:13 PM   #7
FaastLegacy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bigdog826 View Post
Also don't forget the focus st is brand new, the current wrx is old. Wait till the 2015 wrx comes out, then we can draw conclusions


So tell me where I can go buy a 2015 WRX, otherwise it's a moot point. As long as Subaru is selling 2013 WRXes and Ford is selling 2013 STs, it's the most valid comparison out there. Enough with this ricer logic, "yeah, well let's just wait a couple years and then compare them!".

Quote:
They design their cars so you almost have to take them into a shop.
Really, have you ever actually owned a Ford or are you just repeating some nonsense one of your friends told you or something you read on this website?

I've been all over my car. I've replaced the exhaust, the intake, tuned it, done all my own oil changes, and replaced most of the suspension components. Not once have I needed some sort of special Ford tool or felt the need to take it to the dealer.

It's a Ford, not a god damn Lamborghini. You don't need special tools to work on these things. It's a mass produced, American automobile.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:16 PM   #8
MUscooby
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How is the cornering under hard acceleration? I understand if you haven't pushed it that hard yet, but I am genuinely curious to see how well they have compensated for the FWD. Considering going FWD for my next (distant future) car because I live in place where it is sunny 300 days a year.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:18 PM   #9
lj8915
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Quote:
Originally Posted by AugustusMaximus View Post
What color did you get? I really liked them but recently got a 2013 WRX because of the awd and because the Focus is a bit more "boy racerish".

Silver. Was going to get white until I saw the silver in person.

And the ST is more boy racerish? I thought the exact opposite.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:19 PM   #10
lj8915
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MUscooby View Post
How is the cornering under hard acceleration? I understand if you haven't pushed it that hard yet, but I am genuinely curious to see how well they have compensated for the FWD. Considering going FWD for my next (distant future) car because I live in place where it is sunny 300 days a year.
Haven't pushed it hard, but check out some videos on that. Nothing but praise for the handling of this vehicle.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:25 PM   #11
~The_Duke~
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Quote:
Really, have you ever actually owned a Ford or are you just repeating some nonsense one of your friends told you or something you read on this website?

I've been all over my car. I've replaced the exhaust, the intake, tuned it, done all my own oil changes, and replaced most of the suspension components. Not once have I needed some sort of special Ford tool or felt the need to take it to the dealer.

It's a Ford, not a god damn Lamborghini. You don't need special tools to work on these things. It's a mass produced, American automobile.
I've owned 4 fords. Getting ready to get rid of the last one and its $300 PZEV approved air filter that requires a special screw driver bit (star key with a hollow bit in the middle) to remove. That bit cant be bought at home depot, advanced auto, autozone, orielly, or any of the other local stores. DEALER only tool. Now that being said, this car has given me the least trouble out of ANY other car I've owned. It however hasn't been used for motorsports. lol

The ford truck I had the brake calipers had a cast iron shell with plastic pistons in them... That's an "excellent" design. That same truck spun a bearing at 93k for no apparent reason.

Ford is a great car for non-car people that take their car into a shop every time something needs done to it. If you plan on doing the work yourself, you shouldn't have bought a ford. Maybe they've done better with the brand new cars, but they certainly screwed the pooch from 2000-2005. (2000 ford focus, 2004 ford focus, 2005 ford focus, 2003 Ford Ranger)

Personally I'll never own another one.

I am glad though that ford decided to give us one of their sporty cars instead of keeping them all over in Europe.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:28 PM   #12
mreed
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Napalm3nema View Post
Let us know when you get annoyed by FWD burnouts in a few weeks.
Let us know what milage you hit ringland failure at.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:31 PM   #13
FaastLegacy
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ~The_Duke~ View Post
I've owned 4 fords. Getting ready to get rid of the last one and its $300 PZEV approved air filter that requires a special screw driver bit (star key with a hollow bit in the middle) to remove. That bit cant be bought at home depot, advanced auto, autozone, orielly, or any of the other local stores. DEALER only tool. Now that being said, this car has given me the least trouble out of ANY other car I've owned. It however hasn't been used for motorsports. lol
My air filter box has three metal clips that just flip off - no tools needed. I can go down to Wal Mart or any local auto parts store and buy an air filter for $15.

(I'm guessing you own one of the hybrids? That would explain a lot.)

Quote:
Ford is a great car for non-car people that take their car into a shop every time something needs done to it. If you plan on doing the work yourself, you shouldn't have bought a ford. Maybe they've done better with the brand new cars, but they certainly screwed the pooch from 2000-2005. (2000 ford focus, 2004 ford focus, 2005 ford focus, 2003 Ford Ranger)
It's great for this car guy that does all his own work too. Mine is a 2011, maybe something has changed. I've rented a few other Fords in the past couple years and none of them looked particularly complicated under the hood either.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:36 PM   #14
Napalm3nema
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mreed View Post
Let us know what milage you hit ringland failure at.
Ran my 2008 STi for 115k trouble free miles. I had a proper tune on it and don't drive like an asshat, so don't expect that to happen to me.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:40 PM   #15
Gallo2011
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Congrats on the new car. Cobb's already got a stage 3 setup for it. Puts it at about 300 whp and 380 wtq. Let us know how it drives when you're at that level of tune.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:41 PM   #16
HAL1
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My focus st drive yielded torque steer and an interior that while superior, felt cramped and roo cockpit-y. To hard for me to live with as a dd.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:41 PM   #17
Echodeltaseg
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no matter what anyone says if you like your car you like it. Seems like In MY opinion your kinda having some buyers remorse and need some reassurance if your asking that question here. If ken block jumped ship then hey cant go wrong. BUt i know for me im on my second subaru and wont look back. Its a no branier for me i will NEVERT drive a FWD vehicle. if you drag it expect the chatter.

the only plus in my opinion is the 6spd. anything else is speculation
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:43 PM   #18
~The_Duke~
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FaastLegacy View Post
My air filter box has three metal clips that just flip off - no tools needed. I can go down to Wal Mart or any local auto parts store and buy an air filter for $15.

(I'm guessing you own one of the hybrids? That would explain a lot.)



It's great for this car guy that does all his own work too. Mine is a 2011, maybe something has changed. I've rented a few other Fords in the past couple years and none of them looked particularly complicated under the hood either.
The 2.3L PZEV Ford Focus Wagon Motor has a foam filter air box thingy with a turkey pop thingy on the side of it. It was a $300 part, not sure how much they are now. I cant even find the stupid thing on the ford parts site. Looks like this, this is a used one (<-Its a link)

You had one of the normal cars, the kind the I expected to find when I went to change the air filter for the first time.

They didn't sell hybrids during the time I owned them.

Last edited by ~The_Duke~; 08-13-2013 at 01:49 PM.
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:44 PM   #19
dburgoon
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Ive seriously been considering going out and getting a loan for a daily as my wrx has become a racecar and is no longer comfortable! As much as I love Subaru I have seriously considered going out and testing one of the ST's. This review was great, pretty much answered all the questions I have on the car. Curious how the torque steer is though?
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Old 08-13-2013, 01:47 PM   #20
HAL1
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And the Ford will be a great buy when they start discounting them soon and the values drop, assuming you never need to sell a used one, haha. Wrx = near 50 percent value in 8-9 years
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Old 08-13-2013, 02:03 PM   #21
BigRob74
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what did they give you for the wrx on the trade in?
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Old 08-13-2013, 02:12 PM   #22
GrumpyPitbull
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Nice purchase. I really like the Focus and Fiesta ST's. Considered one myself, but decided to hold out and see if Ford brings back the RS, and actually sells it in the US.
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Old 08-13-2013, 02:18 PM   #23
suby2low
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ~The_Duke~ View Post

I've owned 4 fords. Getting ready to get rid of the last one and its $300 PZEV approved air filter that requires a special screw driver bit (star key with a hollow bit in the middle) to remove. That bit cant be bought at home depot, advanced auto, autozone, orielly, or any of the other local stores. DEALER only tool.

Although not incredibly common, that is by no means a "dealer only tool". It is called a safety torx.
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Old 08-13-2013, 02:18 PM   #24
Vinnie
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I hate saying it but I dont think I can get into an American Car again. Other than the Corvette, there really isnt a US car that makes me want to say "I want to buy that".

The foreign cars that are coming out are incredible. Before my STi, I had an Audi Q5. Man, what a great car. If I didnt have 3 other WRX's before that and have turbo on the brain I would have been more than happy in that Audi

It seems like the US companies are only worried about MPG and fuel efficiency and completely forgetting to put an engine more powerful than a lawnmower under the hood

Gas prices never really bothered me, if I was worried about how much a gallon of gas was then I wouldnt be in an STi. I love the power and the modification options these cars offer.

I never had that feeling in the American cars I had
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Old 08-13-2013, 02:19 PM   #25
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dburgoon View Post
Ive seriously been considering going out and getting a loan for a daily as my wrx has become a racecar and is no longer comfortable! As much as I love Subaru I have seriously considered going out and testing one of the ST's. This review was great, pretty much answered all the questions I have on the car. Curious how the torque steer is though?
Demod. Way cheaper than buying a new car.
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