No hell didn't freeze over... But we did buy a Ford!
 

Yup... Yesterday dad and I went and picked up he and moms new 2013 Focus ST!

All the reviews are spot on, this is one insanely fun little hatchback. 250+hp to the front wheels means it really gets when you punch it, and the european designed suspension keeps it planted and going in the right direction. Really a fun little car.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1380490047.jpg


And ya.... I'd guess it is faster than a well prepared 944... ;)

So you think is is faster than a mustang?

Be sure to post here daily about how much better it is than a vintage 911S! ;)

I hear lots of great things about that car (and the whole Focus line).

Post some AutoX pics...

It's no Mustang.

Congrats Sid...nice colour! ;)

Aren't Fords Mazdas?

Since the late 90's?


KT

The new Focus looks a lot like a Mazda 3.


KT

Very nice Sidney and welcome to the ST club!

I like the blue and it looks like the seats are black on black? The car is excellent stock, but we did replace the stock springs with COBB lowering springs. You will eventually notice that the stock ones are holding the car back. The COBB are not very low, but add a greater confidence without a rough ride. Just an idea for you in the future.

I cheer for the mighty ST in this video even though I know it doesn't have a chance in this line up.

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/8k1DIrfNr48" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Have Fun!

Nice! I'm a huge fan of those, I looked at several this year at Oshkosh. Did you get the Recaros?

Yup.... Dad ponied up and got the highest trim pack. Full leather heated recaros, and satnav. Almost too many goodies to try to figure out.

We are a Ford family. Generally been very pleased with them over the years. My dads 88 SHO Taurus was a great car. 220hp 24v Yamaha V-6 with a 5 speed manual. Lots of fun. Unlike any American car at the time.

[QUOTE=porsche4life;7680453]Dad ponied up and got the highest trim pack. /QUOTE]

Who's dad?? Oh wait that should go in the pet peeve thread. Nice car non the less.

at one time......
 

some Mazdas were Fords, but not the reverse. The only exception that I can think of was the old Ford Courier pick up. The Mazda B2000 and B2600 pickups were rebadged Ford Rangers. Mazda also marketed a couple of small coupe/sedans that were also rebadged Fords. A couple of years ago, Ford and Mazda ended their association and have gone their separate ways. Probably good for both companies!

Pretty cool cars. Apparently amazingly willing to turn despite so much power on the front wheels.

It's a huge seller in Britain. And 60 million Britons can't all be wrong (lets hope ;) )

I most certainly will once I get a chance... My schedule will keep me out of autox for a few months, but thats good, will give it time to get out of the break in period! ;) :D

Thats right... This is the one they let the European arm of the performance group tune. Thats why they didn't just tune the engine, they also did the brakes and the suspension. So it will go, turn, and stop! Novel concept ehh? ;)

Thanks Baz, and we used to always buy red cars, but after the M3 we started to love blue, and you see tons of red STs, and not many blues, so blue it was!

Ya, its pretty shocking how good the computer is at keeping the torque in check. Puts 270lbft to the front wheels and the torque steer is manageable. Its still there and you have to fight it, but not terribly. The electric assist on the power steering is awesome too. I was leery when I read that, but its got a very good feel, and is very quick. :D

Just curious, did you drive the Fiesta ST? Supposedly it's an even better drive, I think Top Gear called it "epic".

Sid - nice car!!!

I've become quite a Ford fan in the last few years. One of the reasons is that I worked 5 years for a large company as a Fleet Manager. Most of my job was DOT operations, but I did have to approve all vehicle repairs over $500, which is ALL repairs basically...

All management cars were from the Big 3, and the majority of them were Fords. They were turned in at 3 years or 60,000 miles (whichever comes first). The Fords were more reliable with fewer catastrophic failures (e.g. engine or trans failure). Very few troublesome electrical "gremlin" issues, etc. I had never been a Ford fan prior to that job but that changed. Based on the real world vehicle performance, I wound up buying THREE Ford Edge's (one to sell, one to keep and one for my Mom). When I go to pick a rental car, if there is a Ford in the group for my choice - that's the one I pick.

As far as that little hot-rod Focus goes - I'll bet it's a BLAST to drive! Enjoy!!

angela