brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I purchased a new daily driver/autocross car. I went with a 2014 Focus ST with the ST3 package without the moonroof in Tuxedo Black. I bought it on August 21st. My first choice would have been performance blue, but the black one is the only one I could find with the ST3 package without the moonroof. No moonroof was more important to me than getting the exact color I wanted.

First, here are a few shots I snapped. Has been raining a lot lately.




I also considered the Fiesta ST, 15 GTI, and 15WRX.

The fiesta was a blast to drive, but the interior was awful, especially the dash that looks like it was made from a used tires rubber. I also banged my elbow on the center console every time I shifted. The rear seat is almost useless also.

I typically try to avoid cars in their first year of production because of the issues and having to go back to the dealer for tsb's.

The 15 GTI is a nice car. I am not really feeling that front end design though. It is also rather pricey and can only compare against the ST in base trim. I would want to add options which would take it over 30k. I kept thinking if I am going to spend that much I would just get a 15 WRX STI. I also read that on the GTI you can't fully disable the traction control or esp. That was a deal breaker for me. I read that the new golf r will have the option to turn it off completely.

The WRX is nice and was my main focus competitor. The dealer didn't have one for me to drive though.

I am really impressed with the Focus ST. It is a blast to drive. It isn't quite as much fun as my gutted acura cls6 though, but for a stock fwd car it is amazing. My cl is the best fwd car I have driven by a long shot. The acura does seem like it would be better suited for road courses and the focus seems like it would be better for autocross. Both cars have amazing turn in. The ST brakes are really nice. The hydraulic steering in the CL feels a lot better then the electric steering in the focus. The artificial feeling when you go faster is kind of bad. The rack is really quick and should be great for autocross and it goes where you point it so can't complain too much.

The Focus seems more willing to let the rear end get loose(great for autocross) than my cl. That could be because of how I modded the CL or maybe just its character.

My one major gripe with the Focus is the pedal placement and the fact that the accelerator and clutch pedal arms are made of plastic. It is impossible to heel-toe or blip the accelerator because the gas pedal is by the floor and the brake is so high up. I wish I could just move the brake back but don't think that is an option.

I purchased this accelerator pedal spacer mount.
http://www.garageline.com/interior-b...dal-mount.html

Here it is installed. The oem bracket the pedal mounts to only uses 2 mounting points it seems. There is also a gap between the sheet metal and the bracket. That gap combined with a oem bracket not stiff enough, a plastic accelerator pedal arm, and the spacer making the accelerator arm a longer lever means there is a lot of lateral play in the pedal. There was already lateral play in the oem setup also, but it got worse. My cl is all metal and no lateral play. You might be able to see in the pic for the time being I shoved a big piece of aluminum behind the oem bracket to try and alleviate some of the play. It helped some, but still too much play. I will work on a solution later on. The issue is when trying to heel toe or blip the gas, the pedal can shift to the right and make you miss it.


New pedal placement.


Here are some goodies I received. Oem car cover, Ford Racing Intake Snorkel, and Green Filter.


I also ordered the UK Ford Power Starter Button, Mountune Quick-Shift Arm, and some Billet Aluminum Black Ford Emblems.

I debadged the rear Focus and ST emblems.

I have been going back and forth whether I want to mod the car for SCCA G stock class for autocross, or say screw that and mod the car how I want to and just run with local car clubs for fun.

I did spend 3 days cleaning the car, claying it, and applying 5 coats of Zaino Show Car Polish with their detail spray in between coats. Then I finished it off with Zaino Clear Seal.

That is about it for now. More updates and mods to come.

Sarlacc

This is confusing, I thought you hated black(s)?

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

haha let the flaming begin

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I forgot to mention I will be doing my first autocross this Sunday. I also registered for the free Octane Academy Driving Experience for October. I am really excited for that.

princelybug

iTrader: (16)

Congrats!

gnuts

iTrader: (1)

i really like the ST. Hopefully i can drive one some day. I'm trying to convince a cooworker to test drive one. Any plans for more boost or go fast parts?

justnspace

iTrader: (1)

Nice car!!

have fun!!

charliemike

Congrats! I hope you get many years of enjoyment out of it.

RPhilMan1

Congratulations! Very nice choice.

You bought it at Wickstrom Ford in Barrington? I live pretty close by. Did you by chance have Michelle as your sales rep? A couple of weeks or so ago I passed by Wickstrom on my way home from the gym and a TB ST was out with a guy test driving it and it looked like Michelle was in the passenger seat. I gave a thumbs up as I took off from the stop light. Didn't happen to be you by chance was it?

Good luck with the modding and if you have any questions feel free to ask! Cheers.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

I will most likely do some power mods. I have not decided the route yet. You could do the ford racing tune, or the mountune package and still keep the warranty if the dealer installs it. I might go the mountune route. I would rather the dealer not touch my car though. If I decide to avoid dealer I would go with Cobb Access port v3. I already have a huge list of parts to buy. It kind of makes you appreciate that the cl had so little support. It was easier to make choices.

I want to do Tint next, then need to buy winter wheels and tires. I don't want to go crazy like I did with the cl since I need to daily it. Not sure if I want to do struts and springs or the KW v3 coilovers. I still need to do a lot of work to my cl this winter. I need to install custom headers, exhaust, custom engine harness, install a cage and tune with the AEM stand alone. The focus might need to wait it's turn. The CL is still my main focus, no pun intended.

Yea I bought it at Wickstrom Ford. I live in Lake Zurich. My sales rep was a male. They did have 2 black focus st when I was there. Both had st3 package, but other one had a moonroof. I have not seen a silver focus st yet in person. I did see a younger guy in a black st when I was test driving but he didn't wave. Did you get your ST at Wickstrom? I mentioned the free Octane Academy Driving Experience to all the sales reps and none of them even heard of it. They thanked me for informing them. Did you not go to it? Are you ever going to do any local autocrosses or events?

You used to have a silver b5 Audi S4 right? One of my friends had an audi s4 and he was always showing me ur ride on the forums.

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

Fuck off.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

If you don't like me just stay out of my threads Mr. Judgemental.

Sarlacc

Sarlacc

ultimate pot>kettle>black right there.

ttribe

With your history of s***ing all over other people's threads with regularity, you have a TON of nerve here.

oonowindoo

i was just about to post "let's hope to make it through the first page" before i came in and found out it is too late for that.

brian6speed

iTrader: (5)

Everyone is jealous of my sexy cars.

fsttyms1

First thing i would do is get a better set of pads. I have seen others smoke a set of pads auto-x'ing the focus ST due to the brakes being used as a dif to get power to transfer to the outside wheel. :

gatrhumpy

iTrader: (1)

DAMNIT DUDE! Mountain Dew is now all over my computer!

UA6

Mr. Maker

iTrader: (4)

I hope you run over a bag of dicks and dick blood splatters in your mouth.

Marcelechka

^

ttribe

TopSpeed556

LOL! This post made my day. It's funny how he bought a Ford and after posting racist comments he thinks people will care about his Ford Focus

TopSpeed556

oonowindoo

i am glad you have a sense of humor.

Marcelechka

Boooy, tough crowd... jeez!

cjTL

iTrader: (2)

Congrats on the ST. The 2.0EB is a very fun powerplant and there are a number of performance mods available for it.

evilone

not a tough crowd ...we all just hate the OP.

neuronbob

MY EYES! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA! STOP IT!

OP, congrats on your ST.

StreetKA

iTrader: (8)

congrats i think im picking up soon fiesta st

Crazy Bimmer

Congrats! Love that car!


Why you didnt wait for the facelift one?

1StGenCL

Nice pickup, congrats!

fuzzy02CLS

iTrader: (2)

Congrats!

I just didn't like the car when I test drive one. The interior just seemed typical Ford cheap. Felt like I was in a rental car.....Oh wait I was in a rental Focus before
And it's still a focus....even in that trim.
that & FWD are what turned me off of it.