Sounds like you like the focus better. Why you switch?
2017 WRX Sport-Tec (Limited) vs. 2014 Focus ST
Probably a bit soon, but I wanted to write this while the Focus was fresh in my mind.
Focus shines in the following:
Paint (clear coat). Had it a week and already have a deep scratch that I can't help but feel would be negligible on the Focus. 2 stone chips after < 100 KM of highway driving.
Violence: I could easily chirp tires and pin myself back in my seat in the Focus. Pulled like a mofo and I'm puzzled why compared with the WRX: weight, torque specs are pretty darn close (more torque less weight in the Focus, but it comes on later).
Head Unit/stereo (Harmon-Kardon in WRX, Sony in the ST): the WRX is so laggy making voice commands, even with the suggestions turned off. Bluetooth call quality is pretty brutal. Hate how incremental the volume is: feels like you have to hold Volume +/- button on the steering wheel forever. HK in the WRX has better clarity, but the 10-speaker Sony system trounced it for stereo image and bottom end; HK sounds so narrow, like there's a single speaker in the center console.
Clutch/shifter: WRX feels like an el dente lasagna noodle; just some mushy play in there I don't like. And the shifter feels Fisher-Price at best, kind of crunchy notchy vs. smooth notchy of the Focus ST.
Aero Dynamics/Wind/Ride: I couldn't believe how much the WRX buffeted and wallowed in modest wind on a country highway (going 90 KM/H).
The WRX gets the nod for:
Seats: The Recaros were not FFF (Fat Friend Friendly). Actually unless your lady is a narrow Asian teen, she'll bitch about those seats. Weird thigh bolstering that was cramp city after long rides.
Exhaust: the Focus piped in the engine sound through the firewall, but it was hilariously feeble when you'd actually hear it in Real Life (tm). Got a lot of laughs taking people for a spin while I wound it out, then did the same with them on the curb as I flew by.
Refinement: The interior gets laughed at compared to the GTIs of the world, but it's a step up from the Focus for road noise, general comfort, smoothness on acceleration; can flip it into "family sedan mode" pretty nicely.
Turning radius the Focus was hilarious lock-to-lock: you'd think you're driving a bus trying to park sometimes, like 3 years later, I was still overshooting parking spot turn-ins...
Focus shines in the following:
Paint (clear coat). Had it a week and already have a deep scratch that I can't help but feel would be negligible on the Focus. 2 stone chips after < 100 KM of highway driving.
Violence: I could easily chirp tires and pin myself back in my seat in the Focus. Pulled like a mofo and I'm puzzled why compared with the WRX: weight, torque specs are pretty darn close (more torque less weight in the Focus, but it comes on later).
Head Unit/stereo (Harmon-Kardon in WRX, Sony in the ST): the WRX is so laggy making voice commands, even with the suggestions turned off. Bluetooth call quality is pretty brutal. Hate how incremental the volume is: feels like you have to hold Volume +/- button on the steering wheel forever. HK in the WRX has better clarity, but the 10-speaker Sony system trounced it for stereo image and bottom end; HK sounds so narrow, like there's a single speaker in the center console.
Clutch/shifter: WRX feels like an el dente lasagna noodle; just some mushy play in there I don't like. And the shifter feels Fisher-Price at best, kind of crunchy notchy vs. smooth notchy of the Focus ST.
Aero Dynamics/Wind/Ride: I couldn't believe how much the WRX buffeted and wallowed in modest wind on a country highway (going 90 KM/H).
The WRX gets the nod for:
Seats: The Recaros were not FFF (Fat Friend Friendly). Actually unless your lady is a narrow Asian teen, she'll bitch about those seats. Weird thigh bolstering that was cramp city after long rides.
Exhaust: the Focus piped in the engine sound through the firewall, but it was hilariously feeble when you'd actually hear it in Real Life (tm). Got a lot of laughs taking people for a spin while I wound it out, then did the same with them on the curb as I flew by.
Refinement: The interior gets laughed at compared to the GTIs of the world, but it's a step up from the Focus for road noise, general comfort, smoothness on acceleration; can flip it into "family sedan mode" pretty nicely.
Turning radius the Focus was hilarious lock-to-lock: you'd think you're driving a bus trying to park sometimes, like 3 years later, I was still overshooting parking spot turn-ins...
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Lease was up, but I do actually like the WRX and I think it'll be a wash, all things considered. And I haven't driven in the snow yet save for a quick dump that didn't last the other night; that's where I think the WRX will pull ahead.
Roger that. Congrats on your purchase. Still can't believe my 17 rex has 0 ability to put you in your seat.
It is surprising, to be honest. I don't know if it's the AWD or the torque vectoring flattening things out, but yeah, the WRX is not a violent animal.Roger that. Congrats on your purchase. Still can't believe my 17 rex has 0 ability to put you in your seat.
I've been in a focus st. It isn't thrilling by any stretch either. It just seems that way because you can spin the tires.
If you are looking for that punch in the face of older turbo vehicles the fa20f will never have it.
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If you are looking for that punch in the face of older turbo vehicles the fa20f will never have it.
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Not likely. They new turbo is a twin scroll and really does it's best at wide flat torque curves. Not the rush of sudden power of the older engine.^ what if you go stage 2?
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Nah.I've been in a focus st. It isn't thrilling by any stretch either. It just seems that way because you can spin the tires.
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Yah
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You're not doing it right then.Yah
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Nearly every measured metric of acceleration the WRX completely obliterates the focus. Not by a little by giant margins. The only thing the focus competed at is the 45-65 highway pull and it was a wash. So, your opinion is based off of gut feeling and not in facts.You're not doing it right then.
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The focus ST definitely feels fast while you're driving it but I would say it due to the size and the torque steer, which is the main reason I bought a WRX over it.
I could not accelerate hard in the focus without fighting the car into a straight line, whereas the WRX was easy power.
I could not accelerate hard in the focus without fighting the car into a straight line, whereas the WRX was easy power.
Violence. You like it or you don't.
I test drove a brand new ST about 3 weeks ago, if you think that car "pulls like a mofo", that's somewhat sad.
Neither the WRX or the ST are remotely "fast" in my book. They'll get out of their own way, but in stock form they are both pretty docile.
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Neither the WRX or the ST are remotely "fast" in my book. They'll get out of their own way, but in stock form they are both pretty docile.
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You could turn off traction control on the WRX and easily chirp tires, but whatever. I test drove a 2017 ST three days after I test drove a WRX Premium and I bought the WRX. Maybe my particular car is one off, but it definitely pulled harder than the ST.Violence: I could easily chirp tires and pin myself back in my seat in the Focus. Pulled like a mofo and I'm puzzled why compared with the WRX: weight, torque specs are pretty darn close (more torque less weight in the Focus, but it comes on later).
The WRX is indeed getting there quicker, but the ST, with all the nannies enabled, was a more visceral experience. That's all I'm saying. I'm not doing time trials, I'm not comparing this to any other car on the road, I'm saying when you're in 2nd with WOT, it's a much more violent (fun) experience in the ST vs. the WRX.You could turn off traction control on the WRX and easily chirp tires, but whatever. I test drove a 2017 ST three days after I test drove a WRX Premium and I bought the WRX. Maybe my particular car is one off, but it definitely pulled harder than the ST.
Also the Brembos are an upgrade over the stock WRX brakes.
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