[guyinohio]

Hey all - I think there is a good chance the ST will be my next car. I'm here trying to learn about them and make an informed purchase in the spring. I'm 43 married with 3 kids and work abut 40 miles from home so this car seems to suit me. Fun, power, room for the kids, good gas economy. Did I mention fun?

I've owned some sports cars - 92 mustang LX, 91 Sentra SE-R, 2004 Neon RT, currently 2001 Miata LS. I drive the Miata about 9 months/year and love it, but it's becoming impractical with carting kids to sports etc. I also have a 2006 Audi A4 convertible (yes we like the drop tops) but I'm considering selling both convertibles and getting one of these. Hoping to find one ~$15-17K in good shape.

I like the Rec seats. I'd like to know exactly what the ST3 package brings and what its worth, as well as any other things obvious to those who have been here for a while.

Thanks for being here.

Duane Scott (guyinohio)

 

[jam360nml]

Hey all - I think there is a good chance the ST will be my next car. I'm here trying to learn about them and make an informed purchase in the spring. I'm 43 married with 3 kids and work abut 40 miles from home so this car seems to suit me. Fun, power, room for the kids, good gas economy. Did I mention fun?

I've owned some sports cars - 92 mustang LX, 91 Sentra SE-R, 2004 Neon RT, currently 2001 Miata LS. I drive the Miata about 9 months/year and love it, but it's becoming impractical with carting kids to sports etc. I also have a 2006 Audi A4 convertible (yes we like the drop tops) but I'm considering selling both convertibles and getting one of these. Hoping to find one ~$15-17K in good shape.

I like the Rec seats. I'd like to know exactly what the ST3 package brings and what its worth, as well as any other things obvious to those who have been here for a while.

Thanks for being here.

Duane Scott (guyinohio)

ST3 package includes HID headlights, upgraded infotainment system, and full leather recaro seats.

 

[galaxy7]

Dude, I'm almost in the same boat as you in the fact my reasoning was the same as yours for getting a Focus. I'm a diehard mustang fan and would have preferred that route but it made no sense in my life right now. I'm a huge a gear head as any guy on here, single dad of two, commute 120 miles round trip a day (but only 2 1/2 days a week of that). Still wanted a great looking hot rod that was a blast to drive, comfortable for the three of us, somewhat efficient. Enter the ST. One thing I have learned is the interior (and the car) is smaller than I initially imagined. I would not want this as a car to live out of with a wife and three kids. However, I love it and it's comfortable once inside for me and my two. Luckily I still have a crew cab F150 for larger duties. The 3 is the way to go. It's worth the price point for the upgrades.

 

[KBOB2000]

I have had my ST for 3.5 years, got the ST2 package and I can tell you what I would have done differently. I wish I had gotten an ST3 with a sunroof, mostly for the heated seats. The sunroof I never expected to miss but it was really nice to have with the climate here in Germany (never liked them in Florida). If I were in the market today, I would take a long look at the GTI. A friend just picked one up and it is really nice. The resale value will be a decent amount better as well (I know, you're looking for used, so this doesn't matter). I would also echo the interior being a bit smaller than I anticipated. If your kids are small it might be okay, but not rear facing seats small, because they do not fit well. I would suggest putting everyone in the car if that is going to happen often and check the fitment. Other than that, it has been a really fun car to own and if you find a clean one you'll likely love it.

 

[Cowlynz]

Welcome. Good luck with your search.
For 15-17K you might find a used 2013/14 ST1 (Base model) with high miles.
An ST3 in good shape would be closer to 18-20k.
Hope you find what you're looking for.

 

[Kdub085]

Thinking of letting my 2015 TB ST3 go as-is...for the right price anyways. Still under Ford warranty and I bought the extended warranty. I have all of the original parts too... 7500 miles.


Cobb AP3 (w/ e30,93oct tunes) Cobb RMM, Injen intake, FS WERKS short shifter kit, depo catless DP, depo 3.5" fmic, intake and TB spacers, dual oil catch can, eibach pro-kit 1" lowering springs & coming soon Greddy cat back.

Just throwing it out there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FordFocus897]

Thinking of letting my 2015 TB ST3 go as-is...for the right price anyways. Still under Ford warranty and I bought the extended warranty. I have all of the original parts too... 7500 miles.


Cobb AP3 (w/ e30,93oct tunes) Cobb RMM, Injen intake, FS WERKS short shifter kit, depo catless DP, depo 3.5" fmic, intake and TB
spacers, dual oil catch can, coming soon Greddy cat back.

Just throwing it out there.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

How much?

 

[Kdub085]

How much?

It'd have to be enough to make we walk away, more than 20 less than 30.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[thechriskarel]

Buy one man....it's a great car and probably exactly what you're looking for. The only thing that may be better would be like an Acura TL, but I think the new ones are all automatics :LAME:

 

[guyinohio]

That's funny that you say that. That last time I was looking seriously it was at an '08 Acura TL-S. Also was looking at the Mazdaspeed 3, or even just the 2.3L na 3. I want to buy an American car. The Acura was an auto but it had the paddles. I have a new driver in the family so another Auto would be a reasonable buy, but she logged some time in the Miata and I think she'll be fine with the stick should she need to drive it. End goal is 3 girls that can all dive a six speed.

 

[galaxy7]

I have an auto car with paddles...using manual shift lasted about a week, and then in auto is where it went. My kids WILL know how to drive a manual. I know it's already been mentioned and seems like your kids are older, but yea...I would totally not want this car dealing with car seats.

 

[Johnbian]

You can easily find an st3 at that price point, you just have to search for it. I got my '13 st2 about a year and a half ago with 30,000 miles for 18k. I commute about 2,000 miles a month for work and the st is great on the highway, the driving position is very comfortable on long drives, and I feel there is ample leg room in the rear for this segment. If I had an opportunity to do it over I would buy the same exact car

 

[guyinohio]

Update: I'm official! I purchased a 2013 Ingot Silver ST3 yesterday. I bought it off a dealer lot in a little town in eastern Ohio. I met the owner of the dealership. He has an RS, nice guy. I had been checking on it and trying to figure out how to get there and get it home (3.5 hour away). I was in a text conversation with their "media girl" (the person who contacts you in 30 seconds when you send an email inquiry). I had asked her a few specific questions and checked to see if it was still available. She sent me a text on Friday evening telling me there were two people coming Saturday to look at "my" car. I got there at 8:00am and drove it, bought it. While I was signing the paperwork a guy walked in and asked to drive the Focus ST under the canopy. The sales guy politely told him the car was "under contract". Dude, if you are on here, sorry. Keep looking. It happened to me too.

The car has s FocusST.org sticker in the rear windows so I assume the owner was/is here. Also it has a unique red vinyl pinstripe around the grill. If you owned this car, I'd like to talk. In short, I'm very happy. The car appears to have been somebody's baby. I have a few questions already, but I'll search them out first before I post anything.

 

[guyinohio]

Proof of purchase

 

[UnfocusedST]

Congrats on the purchase.

Sent from another garage.

 

[Pelican of the Desert]

Silver is such a great color - nice find and great story! Hope the former owner turns up for you.

 

[guyinohio]

Silver is such a great color - nice find and great story! Hope the former owner turns up for you.

I really like the color. I would have bought anything but Black, Yellow or Red. I really like the metallic dark silver but couldn't find everything else with it. We have 5 cars right now and 2 are silver, and two are white. The Miata I just sold was black and I don't want to deal with black until I can afford a trailer queen someday, and maybe not even then.