[Bluto]

I plan on eventually getting a 5th OEM wheel/tire to replace the spare anyway, then I don't need to worry.

A possible downside to that is that the floor probably would not fit in the lower position anymore since the OEM tire is 20mm wider than the OEM spare. I'm not too worried about the spare supplied with the car, have not had a puncture that required roadside repair in years....but am very glad the ST came with a real spare....FWIW I did have a ball of thick fencing wire puncture a tire awhile back and was very glad I had a Leatherman (and a flashlight) with me, was able to cut the wire off flush with the tire and limp home.

 

[Bluto]

this car will replace a honda fit (great car for what it is). in that car i bought a full sized steely. when i go on long trips i simply throw it in the back. the compact spare stays in its hole. for me sometimes i go places where having to find the same size tire on a weekend in the boonies simply isnt possible and being able to throw on a spare and roll (and still have a 2nd backup) is worth the slight trouble. normally the full sized spare sits in my garage.

i also have a WRX and was able to purchase 4 complete stock wheels/tires from a guy who was upgrading and that of course gave me 4 spares...

i do not like small spares and would not buy a car with only gunk as an alternative.

The ST spare (a 185/60-15) IS the same diameter as the cars wheels but is 20mm narrower so it is waaay better than the donut that comes with many cars and would probably go a very long distance in a pinch.
edit- I was curious so I checked mine out...it is a Hankook Optimo H426 which is a regular service four season tire, NOT a flimsy emergency only donut type...kudos to Ford for supplying a real tire that is the correct diameter and only 20mm narrower than the cars tires.

 

[Bluto]

What I find odd is that even though the tire appears to be a normal 15" tire, there's a warning sticker on the wheel addressing speed limits (50 mph if I remember right).

I'd guess that Ford's (and any other OEMS) lawyers have that sort of sticker put on ANY spare that is not exactly the same as the cars tires regardless of size and quality of the spare...