Ford Focus ST: Ferrari Testarossa On A Budget? - XCAR
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 6 ก.ย. 2024
- The Ford Focus ST is like a supercar you can afford. In terms of performance on a budget it's hard to comapre it to anyting else.
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The Ford Focus ST is by no means a supercar but can it give you a chunk of the thrill at a fraction of the cost and still work as your daily driver?
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Love the honesty in this vid. "If you have an honest job, you'll never be able to afford one of these".
One of the best reviews i seen in ages. I love the ST
This was one of my first videos I watched before purchasing my 2014 ST (used 13,000 miles). I'm still smiling in 2021 😁
I'm really considering it at 42.
@@just_the_job I bought mine at 46. Do it if you haven't already. If you are still looking. Try to score at least an ST2 level trim. I have an ST1 and not holding out for a ST2 is my greatest regret with the car.
@@brandons9138I'm 38 now and currently starting to look for this car, among a few others, like for instance the Hyundai Veloster Turbo. But that car is in a totally diffent range of the car segment. Although, i have to admit that the Focus mk3 ST keeps popping up in my head over and over again. Also, for the money you won't find another car in the same price range that fills all the dots. So it's basicly a done deal if you look at from an objective standpoint.
I didn't knew that yet about the option packages, so i'll take that into account in my search. Thanks for that info 👍🏻.
@@joyrider6456 Ultimately I only had my ST for 7 months. I found a smoking deal on a used GTI that I couldn't pass up. The dealership made me a crazy good offer on my ST. The GTI only stuck around a year before I traded it in for an Alfa Romeo Giulia. Had that for about a year and now I have an Audi RS3.
This happens to be the first new car I've bought myself, and I have come to the same kind of conclusion. It may never be faster, and it certainly will never be as rare or beautiful, but I will bet any amount of money I'm having more fun in my little hot hatch then the guy with a Ferrari. I can drive mine, everyday, everywhere, with everyone. I can park anywhere, and the day somebody backs into me in a shopping center, sure I'll be upset, but I'll be thankful it wasn't a 1/300 Ferrari. Super Cars will always hold a very special place in my heart, but being afraid to use your car, makes it that much less fun to own.
I think if nothing else though this car has really taught me there is no excuse for a gear/petrol head to buy something boring. Not as long as this blend of performance and practicality exists.
This guy is the best XCAR presenter, hope they use him more.
Glad you liked the film guys.
It's a great car. I bought one for a daily driver and have been loving it. :)
hows it doing
I love my Focus ST; its one of the most fun rides that ive ever driven and it's still bone-stock.
I just hope the RS is affordable, because the only thing i'd change about the ST is to add AWD... If there's any hint of frost on the ground she doesnt want to play as much.
And almost any trans will be better than a Subi's Glassbox.. That's right, i said it.
Working at a dealership I drove the rs and the st. Not on the roads I would’ve liked but To be totally honest the rs doesn’t feel all that much faster. The st is just as fun.
I'm never going to own a Lamborghini. Inspiration on a different level
Adam Rosenberg just get a nice house and a bunch of toys, invest the rest :)
Lol
Lambo will break down after 5000 miles, this won't. And I ain't joking.
I love my new ST3 you drive with a smile on your face. When you make it growl your smile turns into a massive grin!!!
This by far is the best and the most practical review on the Focus ST. Nice one 👍😝
Great vid guys, I really like the new face-lifted Focus ST, it's a lot more sharper & sleeker to look at. I love the paint job too, suits the car very well. Overall, a great fun little car & a great review, keep up the good work XCAR :)
***** No probs, I'm sure it was haha :)
***** ek love your vids
Christina Mccullough Haha thank you :)
***** thank you for replying you have made my day
Christina Mccullough No probs haha, anytime :)
I totally agree with you Drew! If you can't afford a supercar car, you can have a feel of it by buying a cheaper yet more comfortable one.
A Ferrari (or any supercar) is no doubt amazing to own, but if you don't run it on a race track/autobahn, you will never experience its true potential. Beside that, a 1 second 0-60 difference when you are in the 5 second range isn't noticeable on public roads.
Really high-quality produced video. Loved it. Thanks for all the good info and great footage of the Focus ST
1:31 - 1:38 "To get a car that does 0-60 in a second less than this car you'd have to spend twice the amount of money". No, you wouldn't. The Golf R is 1.5 seconds faster from 0-60 and it costs 8k more - which is about 35%, not 100%.
Or (in the states) you could pick up a WRX which easily does 0-60 in 5.5s and with a bit of tough love on the clutch can probably pull it in 5s. And you don't even spend any more - the MSRPs are quite close. No hatch, but if you want to tip the balance towards sport more than the ST does it's an option worth considering.
Or maybe Focus RS ?
hayden0103 and if you live in a state like Michigan, the AWD WRX would kill any car as a daily driver.
Ricardo Lourizela are you referring to UK prices?
because that's where XCAR is from
bucketslash11 Yes, I am.
Keep chasing ur dream people. U can achieve whatever u have ur mind set to. Never compromise in life!
Bit cliche. One day people will realise that the purchase of inanimate objects in pursuit of happiness is fucking pathetic. Been there...Didn't make me a happier man...only a happy man with larger outgoings.
Martin Allen You say that, but then you get your first ride in a supercar and that thinking goes right out the window. Plus, who says you need to buy it during your working years? There is a reason you see old people rolling around in Ferraris you know :)
Robert Ngo what if i want to bring back world slavery(no that doesnt just mean you, black people). Look at dubai, they get shit done, because they have slaves. Who needs human decency when you can step all over other people to get what you want?
I wish to have the new design with the old engine! The 5 cylinders sound gorgeous.
There is better hot hatches but I've always loved the ST
I own a 2015 Fiesta ST, Love that car but wish I had more room for the kids. Should have gotten this car instead.
I hear ya, but the steering is pretty numb in the Focus ST and the suspension is quite cushy. In comparison, the steering in the Fiesta ST is incredibly direct and overall theirs a connection to the car and road that the Focus ST doesn't have 😕
+JCTiggs indeed.
One of the best videos about focus st. I have st mk3 turnier and i love it. It is the best compromise betwen sport car and everyday useability.
Revisited this video because I had one of these years ago and I remember how well this review captured the balance between the needs of a family man and a petrol head super-car dreamer. What a shame that Ford, nor anyone else, is making anything like as good nowadays.
Thanks to the EU and their global warming shite.......
Nice new guy, he's funny and concise. is he welsh or something?
Nice review too!
Scottish
Not new, I believe.
No, not Welsh. Not new either. I'm Scottish. I've also been with XCAR longer than anyone else.
Brilliant presenting Drew (bit late I know).
Sweaty sock 🧦
I can watch this video again and again, waiting for the white ST3 with Sony sound system that will be mine in end of june.
Did ya get it?
I own a Focus ST3 as well as a Porsche Boxster and a Z51 Corvette Stingray and even though the ST is not a beast like the Vette, it's not meant to be and it sure didn't have the price tag either. What you do get is a lot of bang for the buck and a lot of smiles along the way. The ST is great for spirited driving and it delivers. I would recommend it and especially if you don't have wads of cash to throw around.
The 'daily driver' part was more important in my 2014 ST3 purchase than the non-exotic factor. If you want to have fun and need to stick a car seat and get groceries, yet still want power and european designing/quality, then I recommend the Focus ST. I get about 30 miles per gallon and can hit 60mph in under 6 seconds.
When I was a little boy I wanted a first gen firebird, I now have a 69 firebird. Old school American muscle will always turn more heads than any lambo or ferrari.
This vid is a good consumer advice! I am not in the market for this car, much to the chagrin of my son. I cannot afford even a Ford Focus new. Let alone an ST. Besides that, I love comfy, soft, silent, superreliable cars that greet me in the morning and give me the feeling that, if I wished, I could drive it to Beijing and back. In all comfort and with no problem.
I drive a 2012 Focus Zetec S 1.6 Ecoboost 182 with the bigger 18 inch wheels in white and is a very good car and returns 39mpg on a 60 mile a day commute. Yes I could get a better return on mpg but it's the fun and smile factors with these cars. THis is a excellent review video of the Focus ST and I hope to get one very soon. Go on put that smile back on your face and get this or a Zetec S 182 to start with.
If its anything like my Fiesta ST, it's good :)
Similar but Focus a bit more compliant / nicer ride with a little more power, but supposed to be less fun. Seats are a bit less bolstered in the Focus ST, and you get more space for Cargo and passengers in the rear.
Try out the Fiesta ST as well if you haven't already, Most say it's even more fun, despite being a bit lower in power, it's also a bit smaller/lighter!
Good presenter!
I own a 2014, and yes this car is a great balance of affordability and function...great video!
I bought a stealth grey ST-3 in 2015 based on this review. Still love it. If you're buying one make sure it's the ST-3. Buy the the moutune 275 package or similar to make it even better
Nice I’m getting a 2015 st3 next month, can’t wait.
First time the term 'apex' has been used in a graphical context in a car review. Nice work.
Nice job Drew. I'm by no means a Boy Racer, but wanted something faster (when needed) on a budget. Ordered an St-3 and I cannot wait to take delivery. It took me a long time to determine whether to go for an ST, but your video simply nailed it for me. Thank you.
My 2014 Focus with Sport package and manual transmission zips along pretty good for a small car and the easy handling is surprising; it's actually fun to drive! Currently have a K&N cold air intake to install in the Spring, but anyone really interested in acceleration should buy a 1000cc sport-bike for a lot less cost! The ST is a sweet ride though if anyone wants to spend the extra bucks. Btw those mega-buck exotic sports cars wouldn't last ten miles on the bumpy pot-holed roads around here lol!
great looking stock wheels on this car too
I love mine! Brilliant cars, these.
Very well put imho. IT is about paid money/joy ratio. And customers are well aware of this (people have more informations than in past mostly due to technology progress for free). And these fast/hot hatches/wagons are simply great offers for normal guy. Look at megane GT (not RS) octavia RS or golf GTI or make a step higher with cupra ST, golf R, megane RS, peugeot GTi etc.
Nice but the newer Focus RS is THE focus now - 2.3 Turbo Litre EcoBoost engine, 315 bhp, 0 - 15 in under 5 sec, and importantly, 4WD. The Golf R is the other favourite of mine.
I know that part of Barcelona, it's the twisty roads up around the Olympic Stadium. Barcelona is nice.
My 2014 Focus ST puts a smile on my face every day. But I don't agree with your assessment on the Recaro seats. I've driven my ST from Calgary, Canada to Los Angeles, California and back and found the seats to be comfortable the entire round trip, a distance of 5,000 Km. They're just as great on a long trip as on a drive in the city. Or perhaps my idea of what is a long drive is different from yours and I didn't drive far enough....
The best bang for your buck here in the US is the Hyundai Genesis Coupe. RWD, 348HP V6, AND Brembo brakes for $33k? Hell yes. The ST is a close second, though.
Unbearable Pain I got my 2014 ST2 new for 24k OTD. With another 9k into it, the Ford could have a bigger turbo (~400WHP/WTQ) as well as heavily upgraded suspension and brakes. It would be an absolute weapon, and still more practical and fuel-efficient than the Genesis. The Hyundai is cool, but my vote still goes to the Ford as far as bang for the buck.
+Unbearable Pain The English don't think Korea make anything....even though Korea owns the cell phone market, TV market, ship building and starting to own the car market.
+smasila good point, but they are not starting to own the car market. I think it's like 4% market share or something. That's a whole lot more than in the past and Hyundai//Kia do sell alot. but they would have to be a whole lot more Korean brands for them to take over.
Yeah...but it's a Hyundai. Owned by poor people and not the sharpest tool in the box.
If you've got money spare. Otherwise, stick with a Fiesta ST.
On the upside, you can install a larger intercooler, larger turbo, and ECU reprogram for like just a few grand, and have HPs close to the Focus RS.
Better fuel mileage, better for street use than a lambo; and if I personally received a lambo randomly, I'd sell it.
Just not too fond of the final gear drive ratio. 3k RPM at 75MPH is just a tad too high in RPM. HWY RPM could easily be lowered by 20-25%.
Well, this was depressing. If I live an honest life, I'll likely never be able to afford my automotive dreams.
Keep on building us up, guys.
The truth shall set you free
Very nice review guys. I like that you made the point about the law of diminishing return with cars. A lot of reviews compare the ST to other cars. Which when you think about it, is really comparing apples to oranges no matter how you slice it because different manufacturers design cars with different goals. The ST is designed to be a family car that, when you want, can give the thrill of a performance car. You point out how they balance that pretty well. Can't wait till you all get the chance to review the Focus RS when Ford finally releases it, either later this year, or next year. Hopefully not next year.
Best ST review i've seen. Will buy my condo first and then ill park this there in about 2 years when the price is below 20k
Yes sir . Bang for the Buck indeed !
I have a suggestion, find and analyse the average price of a used car, at least in Europe, that is the best considering the cost of insurance and taxes. for the average family income.
Great review! Just bought a 2013 Focus ST and you said exactly what I was thinking before buying this car.
I've heard a lot of reviewers praising the Fiesta ST, and less so the Focus ST. Is it the weight that makes the difference?
Would you choose the Ford instead of the Leon Cupra? I drove the Cupra and it was awsome, haven't drive the Ford. Maybe you can do a test between Focus ST, Golf GTI and Leon Cupra
Just replaced the stock catback on my '13 with an Injen, ST roars now!
No this is the law of marginal utility. Econs 101. Diminishing returns relates to adding labour to fixed capital. But point taken and sweet car.
Used E46 M3 (get em while they're still affordable!), used Boxters, Elises... these'll all do fine for less, well, disregarding servicing and maintenance!
He's right. Bang for buck, the Focus ST is great value for the performance. I drove my friends ST and it's loads of fun, although fighting the torque steer isn't fun as compared to my mustang 3.7 where it just puts the power down quick. I'd highly recommend test driving the ST if you can! Looking forward to the Focus RS, hope to get it to replace my Impreza :D.
Excellent presentation of one of my favorite cars. Very insightful and nicely edited. Well done, mates! 👍
Thank you kindly.
This is an excellent video
The best way to sum up the Focus ST
XCAR excellent job
***** Always loved the XCAR videos,
Subscribed without a second thought
is there much of a performance bump with this redesign over the slightly older 2013 model?
Really having a hard time understanding the hate. All the people that come here and say "this is faster" or "this is faster". Did you not listen to the presentation???
The beautiful thing about this car and why I love mine so much is that it isn't the "best" at any one thing but is pretty good in all things.
The car is not a track car, so while it has a firm ride, it's not bone jarring uncomfortable. It has great performance but also can be driven economically.
And all this starting at around 22K (with incentives).
But the fact that I get so much car (fun and practicality) in one package for such a reasonable price.
This is the first car I have owned that I actually wake up looking forward to drive, and am kind of sad that my daily commute isn't a little longer
Will the UK version have a screen that big or is it going to be a tiny one like the last ones?
I want one even more now. Great video. The filming and editing keeps getting better!
Thanks man.
My dream car is the aventador. I have an aventador model and pictures of aventadors. And I might not be able to own one, but what you said is true. You don't need a fast super car to have fun.
Good review, but i don't agree about the critisism about the steering feel. Drove one the other day, and i liked it a lot.
The more I drove it, the more it bothered me. I was thrashing it though, on the motorway it was fine.
Drew Stearne
I took it down a Finnish B-road and loved it. Ok, the steering feel is not quite as good as the mk1&2 Focuses had (praise good old hydraulic power steering), but compared to a current-gen Golf GTi, this ST wins hands down in my opinion. I have never liked the Golf GTi though (except the first and second one), the vanilla ice-cream of hot hatches.
I wish mine had lumbar support..even a manual one standard would be great!
What wheels are on that ST? I bought one this year but those wheels were not a factory option even though I see them in a lot of pictures.
The Focus ST is such a fun car to drive. No, it's not a Lambo, but when a car makes you smile when you drive it? It's worth buying.
The facelift looks excellent!! I would really struggle to chose between this and the faster, more subtle Cupra.
If you have the little bit extra money the Cupra is worth it. The ST is seriously fun though.
Nice work. I'd consider this car in the near future as my 07 GTI is getting a little long in the tooth. I'm passing on the GTI this time as it is made in Mexico. VW did not pass any of thief savings to the customers. I'm talking about the GTI for sale here in Canada. I'm sure the one sold in the UK is made in Germany.
I cannot disagree with any part of this video, really. Great job.
How would you put it compared to the Leon Cupra 265 ?
And i heard suspensions were really hard for everyday use...True ?
Yes its nice that ST, looks good, sporty and contemporary - Though I would not dare to take it in that color even that I like it (kind of promises a little too much, with an RS it would be okay) would properly go for a White or Black, but thats subjective.
If you've grown up and become practical, these cars are perfect. But for some the childhood dream never ends, and there will never be a substitute for that poster on the wall.
With some hard work, clever saving and of course good luck, owning a Testarossa actually isn't as unreachable as one might imagine. Check out the for sale listings. There are TRs for sale in much of the developed world, and the prices are not beyond the reach of mortals........yet. But, as they say, the purchase price is only the beginning in exotic car ownership. However, if the Countach was your dream car, sorry. They are rare enough that prices have really run away. Buy a Testarossa and hope that someone will swap cars with you for a few hours.
On paper, cars like the Focus ST are superior in every way. Modern hot hatches are capable and fun enough to make an old Italian supercar irrelevant for almost everyone.
......Almost.
love the newer shape and wheels on this makes it much more mean i want to trade my Fiesta st in for one
From an US BMW driver: great work!
Good video - I have a mark 2 ST225 (in electric orange) and I'd imagine I'd still choose it over the newer mark ST's, they don't seem to be quite as exciting and angry!
***** Hmm that's difficult. Still think a nice mark 2 RS would go down a treat - maybe mountuned as well haha
I like the Focus, but my choice would be Seat Leon Cupra 280. It's more expensive but still reasonably priced.
Facts are - it has 50HP more which is quite a difference and it's more practical.
Now the stuff that divides opinions and that's the design and quality of the materials. Facelifted Focus cleared the center console and it looks better than before but the Leon has nicer materials and I like it's dials and interior layout more.
From the outside Leon looks sharper and more serious and those LED headlights are really cool.
Focus looks more like a hot hatch than the Leon and has that nice new grille and headlights but I prefer the Leon.
Oh man an ecu tune on the focus bam 50hp
daybreaK It remains to be seen how would it handle the extra power. Probably reqiures bigger/better brakes and tires. I like these cars just the way they are.
Denis Lalić oh they love to breathe great little tuning platform look at the cobb kits and stuff, the suspension is good so are the brakes, with stickier tires like some toyo r888 youd be sticky as fuck. not to mention car tends to rotate through corners as well
Just because there seems to be some confusion about it, I'm actually Scottish, not Welsh, American, Irish or Canadian. I'm from Glasgow.
Noted. Though we weren't confused TBH.
;-)
excellent presentation....and good humour
(subscribed)
im considering trading in my 15 civic Si for 15 St but not sure if i should. Any thoughts?
+rhydon my tauros I'm pretty sure I'm going to get the ST because I test drove it and loved it right away. I have an 04 Civic Si EP3. The ST is so much better in every way (obviously). I have yet to test drive a 15 Si coupe :( I've been to 2 Honda dealers and they were out.
Very good review and the Focus ST is just a lovely package for the money. But when we talk of childhood dreams It's even better when you realize that for the half of the money you pay for the Focus you can get a real used supersaloon like an M5, M3, Merc AMG, Audi RS4 or RS6, Impreza STI, Mitsubishi Evo or even a Porsche 911 - the 996s are very cheap at the moment.
in my country people like more Skoda then a ford and I couldnt understand this fact, RS in each brand is a sporty car of course but this car and the feeling you get driving a ford is not even the half exciting as Skoda just my sensation.
Top presenter/reviewer. He is quality. Kudos.
Thank you kindly.
Anybody know When the 2015 model of this car getting released in the U.S?
A Civic EP3 Type-R will do a faster 0-60 and you can pick plenty up secondhand from about 3k. Though the prices are rising now.
Please supply us with a link of a stock ep3 doing that
Nice video! I have a TS '13 and really like it! Not sure about the refresh; but then I have a stake in liking the old one... Both nice looking, the newer look is a bit more homogeneous, ie. WRX, Mercedes, but that seems to be the look of the day. The car is great fun to drive if you push it a bit, and great with the family of four and the dog for a trip to the coast. You're right, you could do far worse. A stellar ride for us mere mortals!
Dude! Where you get that jacket!
At last a proper honest review, thank you !
Excellent video!! Im new to watching videos made by you guys but I gotta say you guys make better videos than motortrend, car and driver and edmunds by a long shot. Great work. Im subscribing👍..
One of my vehicles is close to 500 bhp and 500 ft lbs of torque. When I hear the numbers for the focus it seems slow.
Big Back this arguably (hopefully) the most pointless comment I'll see all day...
ST 2015 grey looks beatiful from the front. I don't also mind the yellow ST from 2011. But personally I don't know why, I am still saving my money for ST from 2010, where there is a bigger engine (2.5L, not 2.0) and more power (250hp instead of 225). Maybe also because I do have FF MK2 FL from 2008 (also with 18" ST Alloy Wheels, black roof, tinted windows, kind of a boy racer style) and I can only dream about having one of those hot hatches. Kia Ceed doesn't fit me, Focus RS (green/black) from 2010 stands just in front of my frontyard and neighbour loves to keep it shine and polished to the limit, but RS seems for me like a not really a car that you would use for driving to work. GTI/GTD looks not so good for me. Other sport hatches just don't drop this magic onto me like Focus ST. BTW. Great video guys. Great presenter....
+edmunek The focus st mk 2 has a 2.5ltr producing 225hp the mk3 has a 2ltr producing 250hp so the mk3 is more powerful.
But how can you compared Testarossa RR vs Focus FF ? The Ride experience : Very Different, Not even close.
Does anyone know if ford addressed the torque steer issue with this redesigned model?
Hopefully they did but I guess that's normal on front wheel drive vehicles.
I'm watching this video in 2023 wishing Ford could bring this back.
Great video! Been longing to get into this car and see how it compares to the MK7 GTI.
***** I am going to a Ford Ecoboost Challenge event in a couple of months. I hope they have a 2015 there.
The Mk7 GTI is something i really want to try out I love my Mk6 but people suggest that there are some improvements worth looking at in the MK7 yah the ST is nice but I like that German engineering.
OspreyBravo18 The Mk7 is definitely a fantastic car. I was able to drive one, without the optional performance pack, and loved every minute of it. I have never driven the Mk6 so I can't compare.
TechNation Interior is very similar from what I have seen I have heard that the difference is in the gear ratios it supposedly has longer 1st and second gears than the MK6 which for manual users is a big deal I learned stick in my car and I feel like I wore it out really fast because of those gears having a relatively steep learning curve.
OspreyBravo18 Yes. I know exactly what you mean. The car that I drive now has a fairly short first gear.
Don't like the rear bumper ,
Not the 19"wheels £200 a corner for a tyre no thanks I keep the Y spoke 18"
But otherwise I do like the Facelift cabin and Front end. Over the pre Facelift and So I've heard it drives better , I'm not over keen on the Oversteer on mine it's fitted with Goodyear F1 and the rear don't feel attached to the front .
PCP has made a mid to high end Range Rover Sport accessible to most peroxide blonde 50+'s. Cars are to dome extent, no longer a reflection of Net Worth.
This might have been the most bang for your buck at the time, but I have a feeling the new RS package is even better!
I was looking forward for this car but not until the new Focus RS was announced.
Smiles per gallon. 😎👍
Does this car have a dashboard that takes up half the cabin and a windscreen so steeply raked, you almost bump our head on the sun visors, like the old model?
I had no problems with it.
i love this channel