Car is a blast to drive. It's hard to think of any downsides if you are a driver type and you are in the market for a practical commuter type car that you want to feel good about driving. I rarely think, I should have gotten the Mustang GT instead. I think about what I could have put into my house with the money but I'm actually in my car more than I would be in my hot tub or pool or landscaping or whatever.. This is still a relatively inexpensive car and you need a car. May as well make it a fun to drive car. I came from a POS Jeep with no payment to this thing and you could never get me back in that death trap after driving this.. Hope this helps.

 

Hi FST FAN, Thanks for that! LOL, How do ya know I need a new car, have we rolled on route 23 or route 15?
Yep, I'm a driver. Other posts talk about motor mounts, so is that a free recall.
Another post talks about Oil issue. do I need to worry about ST being in the shop?
I could work on my ZX5
what is a TSP that I see written in posts?

 

TSP is a chemical used to prime a surface before painting. TSB is a technical service bulletin -- in this case, one that replaces the motor mount (and a couple of other related bits) for free. Think of it as a recall, but only if you call the dealer with the "known issue."

As far as other problems go, one post is not statistically relevant. Aside from the rear motor mount, there are absolutely no common problems with this car.

If you don't need a car, don't buy one. Put the money into your house. You're almost guaranteed to get a return on that money. In my case, I needed a car. I have a 150k mile WRX that was starting to rust in a pretty bad way. Not so much the body, but things like bolt heads (for instance on the timing belt cover). It took me more time to take off the timing belt cover than it did to change the actual timing belt.

 

Silver.........I'm not sure where you're going with this question my friend. First, I will politely tell you (before perhaps, someone else not-so-politely tells you) there are many threads here that cover potential buyers questions and concerns before purchasing. Try a search or two and I think you'll find what you're looking for.

But more to the point, I'm not sure how you can compare a car purchase, and what return you get on your investment to that of a home?? What does one have to do with another? Those are value drivers only you can answer for yourself. Now if you want an amazing car, what I can tell you is that after 6k miles I continue to be satisfied and look forward to my 1 hr commute home from work every day. The TSB (it's a B, like bulletin) you inquired about will be done at no cost by the dealer. I've not experienced oil issues of any type. I have a '14 for what it's worth so maybe some of those kinks, if any existed, were worked out by the time I got mine. (except the rear motor mount - which I'm in line to have repaired).

So do you or do you not NEED to purchase a vehicle? If you do, this is a no-brainer to me. Especially for a guy like you who already loves the Focus platform. If you don't need a car, and are considering purchasing one to have for recreational use or just as another toy, what value it brings to you vs. the value investing 25k in your home seems like an illogical question / comparison. I have no idea how to respond to that except to say............does your house need 25k sunk into it more than you need a new toy?

Good luck whatever you decide.

BTW - I live in MD now, but grew up in West Milford Twp. I've run up and down 23 more times than I could tell you. Good times, man. Good times.

 

I won't recommend a Focus ST to anyone until Ford sorts out their absolutely horrible build quality. Junk motor mounts, bad wiring (causing the cars to stall), parts that are back ordered until the year 2700, rattles, headlights flaking apart, interior trim pieces falling off (or are the completely wrong color). I understand mistakes happen on new cars, but I've never seen it as bad as it is with this car. There's no indications that have been posted on here that 2014 models have been improved.

If your car is anything like some of the members on here, you will regret it very quickly. I have a 2013 ST1 with 5,000 miles on it. My car suffers from just about every single TSB that's out there for these cars and my Ford dealership won't fix it because no one has any of the damn parts. I went to pop the hood in my car the other day and my hood latch broke off. It seriously ****ing broke off. Now I can't open my hood.

I love my car through all of this, but I can't imagine everyone is like me. Because of that I tell people not to buy it. I tell my friends of all the issues I've had with my car and they cannot believe anyone would hang on to it through it.

 

At the bottom of your statement you say that you love your car through all of this. Isn't that telling? First of all, while I understand that a few folks have had evil Foci.........you have to acknowledge that you are in the overwhelming minority. Most owners have not had the frequency of issues as you. Far more have had nothing of concern at all than those who've had redundant issues. Right? So your advice is to recommend avoiding the vehicle, even though you are one of few owners who have issues? And despite all of this still love your car?

Umm ok. :wink:

 

You most certainly are in the minority!!! LOL, to think otherwise is just....ohhhhh never mind, it's not worth the effort! :tongue:

 

When you have a chance check out on YouTube "The Sweeney" on Top Gear part 1&2, their making a movie with a Focus ST... Pretty cool! Funny as heck ...Just saying ?

 

When you have a chance check out on YouTube "The Sweeney" on Top Gear part 1&2, their making a movie with a Focus ST... Pretty cool! Funny as heck ...Just saying ��

That movie didn't use a Focus ST at all as they weren't even released in Europe at the time, all the film cars were 1.6 L EcoBoost Zetec S models with ST bumpers, exhaust and fake dash panel pods in order to look like the real thing. They were built by Ford for the film, but they weren't about to give away their prototype/ development mules for the filming.

 

I love my ST, and i am paying more then i should coming with some negative equity. But i am young and dumb haha. With that said, my ST has been flawless so far, minus a few paint chips that they fixed and a little third brake condensation but not bad at all. People have to understand, this is a first gen car in the states. And just like any first run stuff you will have problems. Hell look at electronics, but you dont see people not buying xboxs or playstations bc of past problems. There are about 15 ST in the area and we all converse regularly and none have had issues either. A forum is bound to have more issues then positives, bc we all now the good about the car.

 

All cars ar terrible investments, period. If you think putting the money in a house is a better idea you are right. If you need a new Car the FST is an awesome car for the money.

 

A thread was recently created for people to rate their cars. It's kinda of new but overwhelmingly so far people are happy with their cars

http://www.focusst.org/forum/focus-st-discussions/11499-rate-your-st.html

 

I have wanted Toonces to drive my Focus over a cliff on multiple occasions. We're on good terms now though.

 

You need to decide if the "drive" is worth the money. If you are a driver, you will be able to evaluate this.
If you are just a commuter that is impressed with the acceleration, well then, how much do you like the acceleration.
As to the driver that thinks this is a poor car, but loves it. Everyjuan has the same motor mounts. I don't think my car is poorly designed just because of one item that is now being addressed.
So far, My car has been flawless with the exception of the MFT. That is now fixed with the v3.6 update.
Some people think that if there is a problem, then the whole thing must be a POS. Others are willing to wait for the company to come up with a fix. I knew that Ford would come up with updates to the MFT and I hoped they would come up with something for the motor mount. I am in manufacturing (very large aircraft) and know sometimes you go with what you have and fix it later.

 

Thanks All, I appreciate the majority that are saying 2013 ST is best hot hatch for the money, and that for any issues there is a TSB that Ford is willing to resolve.

 

Remember, people who visit and frequent forums are usually the ones who want to modify their cars, or are having issues and they are looking for information. Think of all those other owners who don't have any issues and don't post on forums.