Fiesta ST vs the Focus ST

Consumer reports isn't exactly the paragon of accurate automobile reviews. In other years you could have read that a Volvo was better rated than a Corvette.

I would rather use Top Gear as an example because they review all kinds of exotics along with more pedestrian stuff, they have more hot hatch experience in Europe and they are real gear heads.

Track results are another good source. When a driver who is just figuring out his Fiesta ST is just barely behind a prepped Focus ST with an experienced driver at the wheel, I'm impressed and I'm pretty sure that pretty soon we will be contending for the win despite a major power disadvantage.

wash said:

I'm pretty sure that pretty soon we will be contending for the win despite a major power disadvantage.

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I'm thinking that mountune, cobb and others will help bridge that gap in the power.

That too but I think the Fiesta ST can compete in race classes that do not allow engine mods.

When it comes to suspension, there is only so much you can do before you permanently cross the street car/race car line so if we can beat a prepared Focus ST and stay on the street car side of the line, with stock power, there will be no more question about which platform is superior.

I beat a group of similarly prepped Focii at last week's auto-x. Some drivers were so-so, some pretty good.

The FiST is a really good platform.

I've yet to race one on decent tires. Difference between the two is likely a driver's race, unless the course really favors one or the other.

limbo said:

Hate to be play devil's advocate here but what did you expect? Poking at them that your car's better is always going to get emotional responses. You just look like a troll when you do that.

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oh no, I got the comments hating on us long before I said/posted anything. Finally got tired of it and started posting comparos.

I also got tired of explaining why a BOV is stupid (eg no actual gain of any kind) on the FoST. "I REALLY NEEEED to advertise my car is turbocharged!"
I am so glad the FiST community is free of such tomfoolery

BlueBomber said:

oh no, I got the comments hating on us long before I said/posted anything. Finally got tired of it and started posting comparos.

I also got tired of explaining why a BOV is stupid (eg no actual gain of any kind) on the FoST. "I REALLY NEEEED to advertise my car is turbocharged!"
I am so glad the FiST community is free of such tomfoolery

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Sounds like a good excuse to troll away, haha.

limbo said:

Sounds like a good excuse to troll away, haha.

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yep that's almost literally what my thought process was. "Fuck it, DROPPIN THE TROLL BOMB"

Well, I drive both daily. And actually the Fiesta ST (FSWerks SEMA car) gets driven more now since I'm working on the programming. The Focus ST has a HUGE advantage when it comes to the interior and grunt/punch/torque. I can't believe you can't get the leather Recaros in the Fiesta ST?? The Focus ST will get away from you if you aren't paying close attention while driving with the the ESC off. The Fiesta ST doesn't have the same muscle, but it's a fun car to throw around. The interior really bugs me when comparing it to the Focus ST. Don't hate me, I'm probably going to pick up my own Fiesta ST this week or next, since it makes little sense from my work point of view to have 2 Focus ST's. The Focus ST means serious business, though.

Somebody else said it well when they said the Fiesta ST felt like one of those acrobatic stunt planes and the Focus ST felt more like a jet fighter.

FSWerksVP said:

Somebody else said it well when they said the Fiesta ST felt like one of those acrobatic stunt planes and the Focus ST felt more like a jet fighter.

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I would say that this is a fair statement. The Focus is more like... an EF-111 compared to the Fiesta ST which is more like a trainer plane.

I have driven both, and owned a 13 Focus SE 5-speed and I agree, the interior of the Focus is better than the Fiesta. The Focus and Fiesta are similar but different, the Focus is meant to compete against the WRX, GTI, and other larger hot hatches. The Fiesta is meant to deal with the MINI Cooper, and other smaller euro hatches. I love our car's sense of constant eagerness (its like the car always wants to go fast, like an eager bulldog on a leash), but the Focus is much more of a serious performer.

A few years ago, I drove a highly modded Honda Fit (engine/handling) and it was such a blast. I thought that if Honda ever put an "si" package on a Fit, I'd buy it. Who knew that Ford would do that first. Focus was not even considered.

I owned an 07 Fit and really enjoyed it...in the city. Anytime it was on a hill or had to keep up on the highway, it felt vastly underpowered. The new Fit has 20 more HP so it seems like Honda is addressing that issue.

I drove a FoST when they first came out. I was driving a 2011 WRX at the time, and while the ride felt more refined, I wasn't too greatly impressed. Then again, I didn't get to flog it around. I was just doing a few laps around the auto circle and did a 5 second WOT run. The Fiesta ST had me 10 seconds into the test drive.

I was hoping that Mazda would build a speed2. They still might, but I'm not disappointed with my purchase. I agree on the above comment about the Fit. I drove one for a year. Thought it was a great car. Probably the best car Honda builds right now. But, it didn't have a decent engine, and that was sad. Even with 20 more hp, its still not in the same league as it should be with the Abarth, the ST, and the CooperS.

A friend actually has a highly modded Turbo fit... and still makes less power than we do.

jimclark said:

And when you're doing your Linda Ronstadt impersonation, Rod, it looks Blue Bayou!

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No, you didnt just do that??? :facepalm:

Drifter said:

No, you didnt just do that??? :facepalm:

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Hey, it could be true!

Hard to compare the two cars, as they're set up for totally different purposes. I have a few friends with Focus STs - many of whom have upgraded from the Mk II XR5 (or ST to the rest of the world) and the consensus is that they're brilliant all-round cars that just lack the theatre of the Volvo engine from the previous model. That said, the Fiesta is a much more chuckable car designed for fun. And Ford's done that rather bloody well... :smuggrin:

I instructed a novice autoxer this weekend in a Focus ST. It's fast, but not as quick as my car. I ran a mid-51, the best i can see that car doing is mid-to-high 52's**. It's large. Feels it. And heavy. But whoa! when it gets pointed straight is it fast.

**this comparison was brought to you stock-to stock everything. tires included.