[TNcoupe]

Finally got the ST up to the Dragon today. First time Ive really been able to throw it around since I bought it. Learned a few things. It needs an oil cooler, better brake pads, better tires, stiffer springs, adjustable dampers, bigger sway bars, and needs to be rear wheel drive. First time Ive done the Dragon in something with less than 400hp and rwd since 2011. Just never could get in a groove with the car. The quick ratio steering rack really messed with me. Todays trip pretty much made me decide not to mod the ST cause it would take too many mods to get it where it needs to be and would prolly make it a terrible DD.

 

[TNcoupe]

Yeah, relatively slow but when the engine is living at 5500 rpms or better in 2nd and 3rd and sometimes 4th it got pretty warm today. 3rd hashmark on the temp gauge and it was only 67deg ambient.

 

[TNcoupe]

Not to sound like a ****, but did you read about this car before you bought it? Or test drive it? I dunno sounds like all common mods people do besides the oil cooler, which is one that is gaining steam. Maybe you needed a stang not a ST? It seems like you have plenty of experience in cars, it also seems like the ST is pretty different than your past ones though, some coilovers and tires sounds like it will solve 95% of your issues. Obviously the FWD can't do much about without putting in a new lsd and even then I am sure it wouldn't be the same as a rwd or awd.

I read plenty about the ST and test drove my buddy's stock 2013. Im not saying its a bad car but all the reviews make it sound like its the best thing since sliced bread. I just never felt like the car and I were on the same page. Maybe its cause I've never driven a turbo car or its been a long time since Ive driven a hot hatch FWD car, I dont know. Maybe the Goodyear F1s are just too unpredictable for me. My other cars, I know what they are going to do before they do it. As for needing a Mustang....maybe I do need one.

 

[TNcoupe]

Yeah, I understand they are 2 different cars...check my sig. I have both. I was just being a d***.

 

[TNcoupe]

Mission accomplished...lol

LOL...I aim to please.

 

[TNcoupe]

Most things you mention are things S550 owners upgrade too so what's the difference?

Just dont know how to justify putting that much money into a Focus.

 

[TNcoupe]

Nobody really. I will say this, and you guys will probably laugh but I love the shifter position and feel. I also like the gearing and the ST1 seats are really comfy on long drives.

 

[TNcoupe]

I have my RWD monster that I track already with a bunch of suspension mods but now that the 2021 Bronco has been officially announced to have solid axles front and rear this car's life will be a short one. I guess it will just be a good DD for awhile.

 

[TNcoupe]

Bronco! Now if it came out of the factory with faded paint, dents, huge tires, awesome suspension, i'll buy two.

I have a 1970 sitting at my dad's thats next in line when I finish the 55 Thunderbird. I'll have to have a new one if it's 2 doors and straight axles.

 

[TNcoupe]

Irony alert! "I don't like how my ST and I meshed on the Tail of the Dragon" and "I'm going to replace this ill-behaving car with a Bronco!"

I appreciate the chuckle for the evening.

Yeah, but the Bronco won't be praised as the best handling hot hatch ever. I know what to expect out of straight axles and 35s.

 

[TNcoupe]

How the hell do you turn off the Post Quotes notifications? Ive looked all over the user preferences and cant seem to find it.

 

[TNcoupe]

So does the Mountune Club Sport suspension ride rough? As of right now my wife hates riding with me in my Mustang cause its stiff. I guess I could stiffen the Focus suspension and she would never ride with me anywhere.

 

[TNcoupe]

Man no offense, but you sound a little car-spoiled. I think the ST is such a fun drive, and having been in auto sales for the last 4 years I have driven a lot of cars. Granted it's not the fastest or most technological car out there, for the money it's some of the most fun you can have, especially on a road like the Dragon. Mustang may be faster, but I have much more fun throwing my car into corners than any stock Mustang that's not a Boss or a Shelby. This car needs to be driven differently though, it's not an engine that's made to rev, you have most of your fun between 3500-5000 rpm, and it's got the torque to make those windy roads plenty exciting, not to mention responsive steering pretty crisp handling. Not a huge fan of the F1s though, my PSSs feel much better.

Maybe I am spoiled. The car seems fine on long sweepers it's just the tight twisties when you transition from left to right or vice versa that seem to get it bound up. Maybe a rear sway bar and tires will help. My last hot hatch was a 2002 SVT Focus 2 door and it was considerably lighter so maybe I'm expecting too much out of a $20k hatchback.

 

[TNcoupe]

I can wheel one pretty damn well and I know the road very well as I only live 45min from the Dragon and go all the time. I was held up by 2 dudes in new Vipers yesterday, can upload GoPro vid as proof if you need it. I just feel very disconnected from this car. Maybe need more seat time, better tires I dont know its hard to describe.

 

[TNcoupe]

I have to say, on the stock summer tires I felt more planted in my f150 around real curvy roads. It does have upgraded suspension and stuff, but still, you'd expect the ST to make it look silly on corners. After changing the tires I felt a lot better taking corners hard, even if I did switch to some all seasons. Maybe I'm just wierd, but you might be having a similiar issue. I think the stock tires are **** and I never felt good driving with them on.

Thats probably part of the issue and the fact that my Mustang that I usually run up there is on 285/35 RE11s all the way around. Much bigger tire and grip better than F1s. I guess I will do my last couple of mods I want to do on my Mustang then start messing with the ST and see what I can do with it.