2013Focus ST vs 2013 WRX

[gp177]

I took the ST for a test drive today and I have to say, this is a really good car. It may not be quite as fast as a WRX but you really get a lot of car for the price (although not as much as it first appears since nobody should buy the base package).

My initial impresions:

The recaro seats are amazing.
The artificial engine noise sounds a little artificial.
Torque steer correction works well.
Gear throw felt a bit long but not bad.
I prefer an earlier clutch engagement point but again not terrible.
Suspension was firm but not punishing (right on IMHO).
VW and Mazda are now playing catch up.

[Kwrxp]

I drove a red st before I bought my WRX. If I had wanted a FWD car, this would have been it. Those recaro seats are amazingly nice. The car is also well built and looks nice at that. It is way too pricey though with the recaro seats, I think it was something like 27k and the dealer wouldn't budge.

[Calvinball]

I forgot about the engine noise thing.

What is the base model missing that is essential?

[zax]

The artificial engine noise sounds a little artificial.

I really like the new Focus. I rented one recently and was very impressed with the way the car drove. I'm not surprised that its performance-oriented brethren is a pleasure to drive. I think Ford would have done well to add a proper LSD to the car, but it seems the trend is moving to e-LSDs (erhm SUBARU).

[Kwrxp]

I forgot about the engine noise thing.

What is the base model missing that is essential?

The recaro seats. The focus suffers from the base ralliarts problem, terrible seats. The recaros are necessary.

[Callahan]

IMO, RWD or AWD is the way to go for a performance car. Torque steer will always be a problem with FWD, especially with higher hp offerings.

[Surfari]

Test drove both and now own a 2013 wrx. Resale will be a lot better too.

[legacy_gt]

i can't get over the front and rear of the focus. handles great for a fwd car.

[skidgel]

Look at one before I got my wrx dealer wouldn't let me test drive and keep pushing a '12 fusion on me and then they had a 5k mark "because they are so on demand" so 33k and a ****ty attitude I said going back to Subaru

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I727 using Tapatalk 2

[Pool Runner]

i can't get over the front and rear of the focus. handles great for a fwd car.

I too don't like the nose of the car, the rear looks good especially with the center exhaust. But now today I just read about the release of the Fiesta ST, that is a package I would like better, and good mpgs to boot. The Fiesta gets back to the original WRX size which should be a riot to drive. IMO Subaru is behind, they really need a sub Impreza type hot-hatch, coupe or sedan like NOW.

When you really think about it, the rest of the industry is slowly copying the WRX DNA, a low priced, high performance product that real and average people can afford to drive. Subaru still has a leg up with AWD & turbo power for under $27K but it won't be long before we see another company do the same.

[EndlessSea]

I am currently looking between these two very cars. 13 st vs 13 sti
IMO

Both cars felt about equally fast, they put there power down differently, but felt overall equally powerful

St pros, way better interior/sound system/seats/tech, basically everything inside the car is light years ahead of the Subaru, gas mileage is a given 23 vs 32 highway, not even close, recaro seats are amazing, sound system is excellent, an st2 is about 10k cheaper than a sti. I guess that's it for me.

Sti pros, way more mod friendly since the st has an integrated exhaust manifold which severely limits turbo upgrade potential, factory brembos, dccd, Awd, transmission has great feel and solid shifts, it's a proven platform all the bugs worked out of it. Tons of proven aftermarket support, awd launches are second only to sex lmao. Not as good(comparatively) sti Seats and stereo are easy changes so that's no biggie

Just my observations please don't take them to heart. they are just OPINIONS from a own neither looking to buy a turbo 4 door guys perspective. Cheers!!

[Pool Runner]

I don't think comparing the ST to the STi is comparing an apple to apple. I think the ST is closer to the WRX, the STi is on a whole different level, just my opinion though. If you factor in the WRX, then Subaru is a much better bargain. I don't feel or believe no matter how cool the Recaros are or the handling, I'm not paying $30k or more for a Focus. That's what they go for out here and in some cases more with markup.

Would rather have a Golf R every day of the week.

[Pool Runner]

I don't think comparing the ST to the STi is comparing an apple to apple. I think the ST is closer to the WRX, the STi is on a whole different level, just my opinion though. If you factor in the WRX, then Subaru is a much better bargain. I don't feel or believe no matter how cool the Recaros are or the handling, I'm not paying $30k or more for a Focus. That's what they go for out here and in some cases more with markup.

Would rather have a Golf R every day of the week.

[Officer Cartman]

I test drove the ST the other day, and like EndlessSea said, the interior is light years ahead of the WRX in every way. Fit, finish, great stereo, SYNC, etc.

But the torque steer on them is just ridiculous! If you don't notice it, you're probably not driving it hard enough. Also, with the drivers seat all the way back, there's absolutely NO legroom for someone behind me. The trunk also looked pretty small and shallow from what I could see.

An interesting car, but I guess I'll stick with the WRX for now..

[Pool Runner]

I test drove the ST the other day, and like EndlessSea said, the interior is light years ahead of the WRX in every way. Fit, finish, great stereo, SYNC, etc.

But the torque steer on them is just ridiculous! If you don't notice it, you're probably not driving it hard enough. Also, with the drivers seat all the way back, there's absolutely NO legroom for someone behind me. The trunk also looked pretty small and shallow from what I
could see.

An interesting car, but I guess I'll stick with the WRX for now..

While this car is cool no doubt it will never be as durable a WRX, that nice interior will look like complete crap in no time, the Sync will have tons of glitches ( I have Sync in my F-150 and it works right 80% time) Since at the core it's still a Focus and resale value will completely blow because of it.