hmm....
maybe a replacement for the daily driven ACR......
im subbing for real world milage and long haul impressions. ford is the only mannufacturer of american cars that i would consider purchasing new at this point in time.
im off to do some googling on this thing, as well as the fiesta.
michael
And back again. I'm dead tired from the drive back, but until I get more posted here is my final tally: 2,446 miles, 46 hours behind the wheel, 26.1 mpg average overall, one day at racing school, two drag strip passes (rained out), one cruise night, one car show, one car museum, one submarine, four race tracks, and 15GB of photos/video to sort through.
I put a bunch of stuff on my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/classicsbrian
And you can see the Flickr photos from the gallery here: www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/2013+Focus+ST+Road+Trip!-208487.xhtml
In short: the car is AWESOME! I was chasing down Mustangs at Hallett. My friend (a hired gun race driver) was in another bone stock Focus ST embarrassing some of the Shelby and Boss 302 Mustangs on the track. The handling is insane. It just claws itself out of corners and pulls like hell on the straights. I ran at 15.3 at the drag strip, which isn't bad considering I haven't been at the strip in over 15 years. The car could have gone faster.
It is fantastic on the highway too. Just leave it in sixth and dip your toe in, whoooosh, you are passing cars with ease. I loved running through the mountains of Tennessee in sixth just powering up mountains.
If you have the means, I highly recommend this car.
Not bad mpg as well. The car was fast but didn't "feel" fast when I drove it but I did not get to drive it on track. Did you cook the brakes on the track with the E-diff?
Well crap. Me and my 'Murican bias.
I could see myself replacing my focus SVT with one of these. As much as I love coupes and sports cars, I would have a hard time giving up the space that a hatchback offers.
Did that mpg include the track/strip time? Any estimate of the mpg without track days?
How's the torque steer?
sergio wrote: How's the torque steer?
Torque steer was only bad when the ESC was enabled.
Jaynen wrote: Not bad mpg as well. The car was fast but didn't "feel" fast when I drove it but I did not get to drive it on track. Did you cook the brakes on the track with the E-diff?
Drive the car with the nanny ESC turned off. MUCH better and to me it felt like the torque steer went away as well. I did cook the brakes but I don't think it was the E-diff that did it, but the extreme braking I was doing while catching up to a Boss 302. I came into the pits with the rotors smoking. Boo-ya!
peter wrote: Did that mpg include the track/strip time? Any estimate of the mpg without track days?
The overall MPG was with track time. Before hitting the track I got 26.9 on the drive to Tulsa running 89 octane, and 27.1 with 91 octane.
Coolness.
I need to see this drive train in a Connect...
slefain,
I sent you a friend request.
~ John 
So why does the rear floor look like it sits up so high? Is it just an optical illusion?
The trunk or back seat?
The rear floor is not really that high. There is an almost full size spare under there plus the stereo amp and a couple little storage nooks.
So here's a video of me making a lap at Hallett in the car.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0whRJbGsZ4s
Too bad it was the end of the session and I only got one lap on video.
My friend Steve McCarley took Ford's own Focus ST out for a few laps and was playing around:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P49jRj_jzn8
At one point he made a lap without using the brakes, just because he can.
slefain wrote: At one point he made a lap without using the brakes, just because he can.
Running 2:00 lap times following those hard parking Mustangs.........that doesn't seem as though it would be hard to do.
Even 90whp Miata's have to use the brakes a bit to turn a quick lap out there. 
And here it is, my road trip article!
www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/2013+Focus+ST+Road+Trip!-208487.xhtml
I still have to do my review of the car. That is next.
slefain wrote: I still have to do my review of the car. That is next.
Like an idiot, I read the article and thought "damn, I thought this would be more of a review of the car?" 
Any update on the baby seat pictures lol?
Wait, premium/91 isn't required for the engine?
slefain wrote: My friend Steve McCarley took Ford's own Focus ST out for a few laps and was playing around: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P49jRj_jzn8 At one point he made a lap without using the brakes, just because he can.
Is this the same Steve McCarley who autocrossed a gorgeous, blue Z-car and lived in the Stockbridge area in the '80's? If so, it's a small world and tell him I said "Hi".
Great article on the trip, Brian, but it appears you didn't have time for a proper visit with the Batfish. For anyone with an appreciation for anything WWII and a tolerance for the smell of old diesel, a self-directed tour of the sub is awesome. The museum isn't real pretty but the good stuff is what's on display.
Now, let's hear about the car.
smog7 wrote: Wait, premium/91 isn't required for the engine?
Premium isn't even required in the 5.0 Mustangs, however, lower grade fuel means you are giving up HP.
smog7 wrote: Wait, premium/91 isn't required for the engine?
Premium isn't even required in the 5.0 Mustangs, however, lower grade fuel means you are giving up HP.
z31maniac wrote:smog7 wrote: Wait, premium/91 isn't required for the engine?Premium isn't even required in the 5.0 Mustangs, however, lower grade fuel means you are giving up HP.
SAAB turbos have been this way for ever.
Slefain, Can I get some data on the two kids seats in the back? I've got one son and another on the way so that data is what medical professionals call "vital". I'm also curious how this car stacks to a Ford Taurus SHO or otherwise.
Xceler8x wrote: Slefain, Can I get some data on the two kids seats in the back? I've got one son and another on the way so that data is what medical professionals call "vital". I'm also curious how this car stacks to a Ford Taurus SHO or otherwise.
No problem. The boys fit fine in the back seat, but there is no way a stroller would fit in the hatch area. A rear-facing car seat would fit barely with the front passenger able to ride but not be comfortable. If it is you and the two kids, this is perfect. If you want to take the whole family to the beach there is no substitute for the SHO.
If you are looking for a new Dad mobile for occasional child toting duties, the Focus ST is a fine choice. My oldest son kept saying "zoom it up Dad" while we rode around. If I had money (which I don't) I'd be looking hard at this car as a daily.
And finally here is my actual review of the car: http://www.autotraderclassics.com/car-article/Classic+Reviews%3A+2013+Ford+Focus+ST-211234.xhtml
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