Car shopping: Focus ST and WRX 2012/13

**devilfluff** · 07-07-2012 09:15 PM

Originally Posted by rugbysecondrow

Second, I specifically picks the newbie area to ask my newbie question. You ought not troll these sections just to find agitation.

Third, I never referenced spec sheets, in fact I said nothing about specs.

You've done everything right.

The second comment was directed at Rayfields as a carryover from a previous discussion, and had no place in your thread. Sorry.

I'm very interested in the Focus ST, and it is one of several cars that are coming out which may be difficult to test drive. I know finding an Abarth to test is nearly impossible...

**rugbysecondrow** · 07-08-2012 05:10 AM

Originally Posted by RayfieldsWRX

I know you said it would be difficult to test drive them...but it essentially comes down to that. The driver feel of a FWD pocket rocket versus an AWD car are liable to be different, and only you can decide what works for you. Car and Driver was predicting something like 21 city/31 highway...which, while a bit better than a WRX, (19/25, if you believe Subaru's site. I got 27 out of my modded WRX last weekend on the highway), I'm not sure I'd use that as the basis for an enthusiast car decision. "How you drive" will have more to do with it.

Good luck!

Thanks and I agree. Another question than. For the WRX, do you guys use have dedicated summer and winter tires, or does the AWD coupled with some all-season tires do the trick? I live in Maryland where the weather very from hot as hell (now) to the possibility of 80 inches of snow in the winter, and everything in between. That is partially why I really liked the WRX, the AWD actually seemed like a safety feature as it would likely have better handling and control in foul weather.

Thanks

Paul

**Calvinball** · 07-08-2012 06:03 AM

Originally Posted by rugbysecondrow

Thanks and I agree. Another question than. For the WRX, do you guys use have dedicated summer and winter tires, or does the AWD coupled with some all-season tires do the trick? I live in Maryland where the weather very from hot as hell (now) to the possibility of 80 inches of snow in the winter, and everything in between. That is partially why I really liked the WRX, the AWD actually seemed like a safety feature as it would likely have better handling and control in foul weather.

Thanks

Paul

A set of all seasons would certainly be serviceable, BUT (there's always a but!)

These cars come from the factory with summer tires. They are useless in the snow from what I've read, plenty of anecdotes about having next to no control. So by the time your first winter rolls around, you'd be wanting to get something else anyways. Point being, if you see snow in the winter, you aren't going to want to wait until you wear out the summers so you can just put on a/s tires and call it a day, unless you can completely avoid driving the rex when it does snow.

Personally, I budgeted so that the very first "aftermarket" purchase I made was a set of steelies with winter tires. I got a set very lightly used for $600.

As far as your original question, really the best way to compare the ST and the WRX is going to be to wait and drive them both once you can. Luckily you said you're in no rush

There's a lot of subjectiveness that goes into buying a car. Reliability-wise, I'm willing to bet that both cars are perfectly fine. Most cars these days are generally reliable, unless there's something weird going on like the '09 engine failures, and then it should be something that the manufacturer would take care of.

Good luck!

**rugbysecondrow** · 07-08-2012 08:12 AM

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Calvinball

A set of all seasons would certainly be serviceable, BUT (there's always a but!)

These cars come from the factory with summer tires. They are useless in the snow from what I've read, plenty of anecdotes about having next to no control. So by the time your first winter rolls around, you'd be wanting to get something else anyways. Point being, if you see snow in the winter, you aren't going to want to wait until you wear out the summers so you can just put on a/s tires and call it a day, unless you can completely avoid driving the rex when it does snow.

Personally, I budgeted so that the very first "aftermarket" purchase I made was a set of steelies with winter tires. I got a set very lightly used for $600.

As far as your original question, really the best way to compare the ST and the WRX is going to be to wait and drive them both once you can. Luckily you said you're in no rush

There's a lot of subjectiveness that goes into buying a car. Reliability-wise, I'm willing to bet that both cars are perfectly fine. Most cars these days are generally reliable, unless there's something weird going on like the '09 engine failures, and then it should be something that the manufacturer would take care of.

Good luck!

**BigDaddyRex** · 07-08-2012 03:29 PM

Welcome to the forum, and enjoy your new WRX (c'mon, we all know it's the better car!

)

The biggest difference between them will likely be the difference between FWD and AWD. They are very different animals in the handling department, and in how they put the power down. A well sorted out FWD car can do it well, but there are times when it really impacts things (test drive a Mazdaspeed 3 to get an idea). AWD is strong off the launch and great in any type of slippery weather, but it does add some weight to the car and drivetrain loss of power.

If you deal with bad weather during the year, you will love having AWD. Rain, snow - with tires for the right time of year (a must!) you will have plenty of grip.

I would find a way to test drive each before I buy 'em, as theses two cars will feel fairly different. Enjoy the process, and post up pix after you get your '13 from Subaru. (BTW - the latest word seems to be that the models sold as '13s will be the same as the '11s and '12s.)

**YorkWRX11** · 07-08-2012 05:14 PM

AWD>FWD personally I will never go back to a FWD car. I absolutely love the AWD I feel much safer driving my AWD WRX as well, especially in the rain. Im in SoCal so the weather here is pretty nice. FWD Wheel Spin is annoying. IMO I would take Japenese car reliability any day over an American vehicles. Also subaru WRX maintains its value extremely well.. I doubt you can say that about a Ford.

**WRXZX141K** · 07-08-2012 11:19 PM

I don't see how anyone is comparing a focus to a WRX.

This shouldn't even be a debatable topic.

**Anub1s** · 07-09-2012 12:20 AM

Originally Posted by WRXZX141K

I don't see how anyone is comparing a focus to a WRX.

This shouldn't even be a debatable topic.

The ST is no normal Focus. If it were a regular Focus we were discussing, then there would be no comparison, however the ST's speculative numbers put it in direct competition with the Mazdaspeed 3, GTI, Mini, and even the WRX.

**WRXZX141K** · 07-09-2012 01:07 AM

Originally Posted by Anub1s

The ST is no normal Focus. If it were a regular Focus we were discussing, then there would be no comparison, however the ST's speculative numbers put it in direct competition with the Mazdaspeed 3, GTI, Mini, and even the WRX.

Regardless, it's still wrong wheel drive, and a focus.

The SRT4, is still a neon.

IMO None of those cars compare to the WRX's, I test drove them all, except the ST obviously.

**Anub1s** · 07-09-2012 02:49 AM

Matter of opinion, as you stated. Each of the above named cars has their ups and downs, the WRX does as well. It all comes down to which car the driver likes more.

**Calvinball** · 07-09-2012 03:55 AM

There are those who would say the WRX doesn't compare to a GTI, what with it's cheap unrefined interior and loads of understeer.

And those who would say the WRX doesn't compare to a MS3, heck you're spending thousands more and not getting as many features and stuck with a way softer suspension!!1!

See what I did there?

It's all subjective, like Cody said.

**rugbysecondrow** · 07-09-2012 05:34 AM

I agree guys. The AWD as a ride characteristic as well as a safety feature is a big plus for me. There is a place for a FWD Ford ST and I hope it does well, really well. The Ford seems like a daily driver that can be fun to drive with some performance, not a performance car trying to also be a daily driver.

In addition, one of the HUGE factors for me is buying a car which will hold its value. There are used 2011 WRXs selling for darn near the price of a new 2012. Historically, it seems even the 6-7 year old WRXs hold a really good value, so there little hit for buying a new one plus there is more value there when/if I decide to get a newer WRX or move to another vehicle.

All that being said, hopefully I will be able to drive both to make a decision. Thanks all.

***RayfieldsWRX*** · 07-09-2012 05:55 AM

Originally Posted by WRXZX141K

The SRT4, is still a neon.
IMO None of those cars compare to the WRX's, I test drove them all, except the ST obviously.

The WRX/STI is just an Impreza, yet another tarted-up econobox.
Obviously I'm a fan, but let's not get carried away. Ford's line of small cars is huge in Europe, and well-thought-of, by the people there that I've spoken with. I probably wouldn't wind up in a Focus ST myself...but I wouldn't discount it as a selection for someone else.

**zax** · 07-09-2012 06:28 AM

The Ford Focus ST looks to be a fantastic small car. Ford U.K. has built a myriad of excellent compact cars and hot hatches. Having driven the new focus (about which I was VERY impressed), I can only imagine that the line-topping (in the U.S. at least) ST will be even better.

Originally Posted by Calvinball

and stuck with a way softer suspension!!1!

I consider this a plus!