Ford Focus ST vs Golf R......what the hell happened to VW!?

[kaisen]

Seriously, VW has slowly turned into Toyota



WTF?! Golf is $8700 more, 200 pounds heavier, and down 10% in torque?
More importantly, it's less fun.

Does no one remember the 1991 Golf GTI 2.0L 16v as fondly as I?
That car would be embarassed to share namesake with today's car

The Focus on the other hand?? WOW
Give me a straight-black interior and a tasteful exterior color, and I'd love to have one

Spoiler: the Focus ST beat the Subaru BRZ/Scion FR-S around the racetrack!

/rant

[Jim Richards]

I like the Vdub looks over the Focus, but that's about it.

[ZAMIRZ]

They had two of these available for test-drive at the LA Auto Show and I was BLOWN AWAY impressed. I'm really proud of how far Ford has come, because this car literally goes up against any hot hatch and kicks ass. It has some turbo lag and a lot of torque steer, but the grip is excellent, brakes and handling are great with fantastic feedback through the wheel. Gearbox is super forgiving, but the ratios are a little off IMHO, the car falls off boost between every gear unless you're really hammering it. The best part, the seats. The Recaro seats in the Focus ST are second to none. They are as good as any reclinable seat I've ever sat in. Seriously, A TON of car for around $30K. The representative from Ford who was riding with me told me to hold off on buying one until next year or the year after when they're going to make a Brembo brake package optional and offer more colors.

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

I like the Vdub looks over the Focus, but that's about it.

Really? It's WAY too staunchly conservative. It doesn't look like it could or should have a 'R' badge. The buying demographic wants to stand out, esp after forking over $38K for a Golf.

Heck, even AMG has figured out that people want significantly bolder styling in a performance version....wait until you see the new 2014 E63!

[Jim Richards]

I'm way older than you, Eric. probably more conservative, too.

[kaisen]

Awesome:



Letdown:

[kaisen]

Originally Posted by Jim Richards

I'm way older than you, Eric. probably more conservative, too.

I understand, but you're not exactly the target demographic for a new $38K hot-hatch with an 'R' badge

I'm probably not either



Although I'd pay $28K for a Focus ST looooong before I'd pay $36K for a boring, fat, slow-ish Golf with overbearing electronic nannies

[nostatic]

You're paying for more refined interior and aesthetics. Plus AWD and no torque steer. They've just gone more towards the soft/luxury side.

Nice laps at Streets - made me miss the track days. I'd want the BRZ. Screw the hp, more fun to wring the crap out of a balanced chassis.

[slakjaw]

I remember the old GTI's those were sweet cars yo.

[pavulon]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Heck, even AMG has figured out that people want significantly bolder styling in a performance version....wait until you see the new 2014 E63!

well ya can't just say something like that and drop it...

[McLovin]

Awesome:


Letdown:


(I'm older than you, too!)

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by kaisen

Although I'd pay $28K for a Focus ST looooong before I'd pay $36K for a boring, fat, slow-ish Golf with overbearing electronic nannies

Me too. That's why I only said I preferred the VW's looks over the Focus. BTW, we have a Jetta GLI at home.

[89911]

Interesting. My daughter is in need of a car this size and we briefly looked at the entry level Mazda. This looks better.

[fastfredracing]

I had 2 or 3 8 valve cars, and this one 16 valve car. Honestly , to this day was one of my very favorite cars that I ever owned.


Back then , there was nothing Domestic in its category that could even come close.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by 89911

Interesting. My daughter is in need of a car this size and we briefly looked at the entry level Mazda. This looks better.

You are going to turn your daughter lose with a Focus ST, brave man.

[zotman72]

I test drove a Golf R last weekend. It did not move me despite its awd 6 speed driveline. My A3 2.0 Sline is a better looking car IMHO than other Golf derivatives. YMMV

[Laneco]

What happened to VW?

They lost.

angela

[BReif61]

Both cars seem expensive, at least to me. The Focus is not as egregious as the Golf, as the MazdaSpeed3 isn't THAT much cheaper than the Ford, but the Golf is edging in towards Evo/STi money.

[Ronbo]

I'm thinking the upcoming Fiesta ST might be even more fun than the Focus. A smaller package with lighter weight can only help.

[Reg]

I had a '84 GTI. Now that car was a blast! It was geared as such you could burn rubber through the first two gears and into the third.