[Flofocus]

Really cant wait to test drive this....

[ANTHONYD]

pretty sharp.

Flo, what are these going cost?

[Flofocus]

they didn't talk about msrp at all, and I didn't see any signage.

[02_svt_guy]

What color was the interior? never seen one that wasnt that SCREAMING ORANGE.

Thats the exact color i want!!

I bet the placement of a front license plate bracket is gonna kill the gorgeous look of the front.

[Flofocus]

trying to remember....iirc it was black and blue....

[ZX3_2NV]

veryyyy nice I love that colour, I heard rumours that Canada is only gonna get the orange one thought. Hope thats not the case.

[02_svt_guy]

(01-17-2012, 10:14 PM)ZX3_2NV Wrote: veryyyy nice I love that colour, I heard rumours that Canada is only gonna get the orange one thought. Hope thats not the case.

I wouldnt be surprised if we only get it fully loaded and in 1 color. Thats how the MS3 came at first.

[Drivesthebeast]

If they price it under $35,000, they might actually sell more than a handfull...as I and others mentioned in the thread about the Veloster Turbo compared to this car, nobody is going to pay $600-$700 per month for a hatch...regardless of how awesome it is...

[moon111]

Beside being new and pretty, I way prefer the looks of the 1st generation Focus.

Don't like the wheels, mirrors, rear ST logo, taillights, or exhaust tip.

[02_svt_guy]

(01-19-2012, 09:15 AM)moon111 Wrote: Beside being new and pretty, I way prefer the looks of the 1st generation Focus.

Don't like the wheels, mirrors, rear ST logo, taillights, or exhaust tip.

I agree with the mirrors... wish they didnt have the plastic base and the exhaust tip/placement. I think mk2 RS duals would of been prettier.

[NOS2Go4Me]

I don't mind the centre exit exhaust - it reminds me of the Saleen N2O Focus, but more polished than that ever was.

Of course, I'm a purist and I'd have to have a hell of a reason to actually "buy" this car as I'm not impressed with the curb weight bloat that has crept on nearly all sport compacts in the last 10-15 years. This is why I'm going to such pains to get Subsonic right. Hell, I'd import a Escort RS Mk.2 if I could find one that I liked once they become eligible.

It's a great car, but Ford seems to really be tip-toeing back into the sport compact pool for fear of pissing off the Mustang boys that are paddling around with their beer and water wings. This is why the SVT Focus was a powertrain milquetoast offering - the chassis and suspension, the cockpit... they were all spectacular. But no RS motor. That would have angered the Mustang boys.

I can see that as the years pile on, so long as Ford is too worried about selling the Mustang crowd their people wagons for their wives / whipped husbands and their DDs / weekend toys, Ford Canada will still always treat the Focus performance crowd as an anomaly - or an afterthought. Yes, we have the "ST" now - but time will tell if this car is really any "better" than the Mk.2 Focus ST. It doesn't hold a candle to the Mk.2 RS / RS500, obviously.

This sounds like I'm angry. I'm not. I'm sad for the fact that many Focus guys will snap up the new ST because "it's the best Focus we'll ever get from Ford", and they might just be right. The problem is that we deserve MORE. We deserve a 300BHP RS Focus. We deserve a serious allotment of track-ready accessories and / or options package (ala Laguna Seca for GT500, but obv a little tamer) for those who really want to beat on the track. We deserve more than what we're being given after being faithful Focus fans for over 12 years.

If the new Focus ST is a sales failure, it's because they waste so much of Jost Capito's development efforts by not marketing / pricing it effectively. Personally, I hope I'm proven completely wrong and that it sells out completely.

[02_svt_guy]

Well the mustang bar is considerably higher now with a 300hp v6 and a 400hp v8... not to mention a ludacris 650hp production top dog. I believe this is just the start of what we will proudly call a true pocket rocket from ford available on our side of the pond. I also believe the fiesta has helped us because it has identified the focus for what it is; not a econobox. We will get the mk 3 RS and we will get any other offerings ford has coming down the pipe in regards to the Fiesta and Focus. Sadly Europe will never get the mustang at a cost that makes it a bargain like it is here; pay back is a bi@tch for all those tormented years without the RS or proper ST. Expect to see major price hikes for a RS though. prob somewhere slightly north of the Golf R.

[NOS2Go4Me]

I'd love to believe you, bud. I hope we do get the RS as well. I'm not holding my breath tho. It took this long to get a global ST here after they cancelled the SVT/ST170 offering.

[02_svt_guy]

(01-21-2012, 01:20 AM)NOS2Go4Me Wrote: I'd love to believe you, bud. I hope we do get the RS as well. I'm not holding my breath tho. It took this long to get a global ST here after they cancelled the SVT/ST170 offering.

The NEW global line makes me believe we will. but they arer holding the wagon version of the ST from us so who knows.

[Flofocus]

(01-21-2012, 12:12 AM)02_svt_guy Wrote: Expect to see major price hikes for a RS though. prob somewhere slightly north of the Golf R.

That's the problem. The Golf R starts at 39k. semi loaded, 41k. If an RS is more than that, they won't sell any here. Like c'mon - you guys going to drop 41k+ on a ford focus?

Seriously doubt it.

[NOS2Go4Me]

Considering my 07 ZX5 SES that wasn't even loaded went for $22Gs? I'd definitely drop over $30 large on a fast-mover ST/RS. The coming ST is a little undergunned in my books. 260BHP or more would be better. The only detriment to the entire car is no true LSD or AWD. I'm definitely waiting a bit and seriously considering buying one used after 2 years.

[Flofocus]

sure, over 30...

that's not what I asked though. Would you drop over 40k on a ford focus?

[NOS2Go4Me]

If it had at least 300BHP AND either AWD or a true LSD? Yes, I'd definitely consider it. Especially if it was a true RS-class car, lighter than the ST - kind of like a true WRX fighter.

[Flofocus]

You're one of the rare ones...reason why that car will never do well here.

for 40k, I'm going down to the states and picking up a 01-02 911 turbo or picking up a 2 year old STi and making it 600whp. 40k opens a lot of doors and a ford focus wouldn't be on my list.

I guess we'll see how these kind of cars will do. The VW Golf R is a awd turbo hot hatch starting at 39k, let's see if they sell well here.

[NOS2Go4Me]

Oh you know I'm in love with 911s, Nate. Not sure I'd go 911 Turbo tho - just lots of extra consideration and maintenance. I'm looking for a "true" 911 - late 70s or 964-era 911. Just the whole visceral air-cooled, flat-6 snarl experience. Driving my buddy's 1989 Carrera 4 was one of my finest moments in a car - and we never went over 140 KM/H. Well, maybe once or twice.

If I want to go faster, I'll save my pennies and get a Caterham from BC.