2013 North American International Auto Show & Focus ST

[1stDearbornSVT]

Hello again Focal Jet community. I have not posted here in over 7 years. After having my first year SVT for only 19 months, I sold it. I loved that car. After news of a ST on the horizon, I have been following progression here in Dearborn, MI where I reside. I have been watching the test mules fly around the streets here for the past 2 years (we are spoiled here in Dearborn to be able to witness this stuff everyday). I saw one catch some air coming over the test hill in the proving grounds last summer. That sold me. I am buying one. Just got back from the auto show at COBO hall and they had 3 ST's on display and one of the race-ready models. I have some pictures and will post them as soon as I can get them off my phone. Good to be back!

[Comatose]

I'm almost going crazy waiting for Ford to start taking orders. I've been saving up for one since the day the prototype ST was first shown in 2010.

The more responsible part of my brain is telling me to buy a nice, economical Fiesta (they seem like pretty great cars in their own right), but my id is doing it's best Jeremy Clarkson impression and filling my subconsicous with cries of "POWER!!"

Sure I could get a Mazda3 or a GTI, but a big part of my decision to stick with Ford is the cost of the inevitable repairs and maintenance and, while I haven't exactly looked around, I've yet to hear of a better deal on OEM parts than what Tousley Ford provides.

[Binky]

It's SO hot in that blue...

[Comatose]

That blue is my #1 colour choice as well.

[Chadwicksracing]

Wow, those images look better than a lot of the ones I have seen taken at LA... The Blue is great...

Did you get to speak anyone about the car?

[1stDearbornSVT]

I've spoken to some engineer friends of mine here in Dearborn. They tell me that I will be in for a big surprise. One of the quotes was "this car feels nothing at all like your SVT did or ever could" He wouldn't elaborate further. I will tell you they sound amazing. I was stopped at a light on Rotunda Drive a couple nights ago right in front of Fords R&D center and a black test mule was a car ahead of me and a lane over. The driver gave it the beans off the line and the car sounds great. Cant really describe the sound but I will assure you there is no RICE!!!!! Closer to German performance. Im excited. I hope to soon be changing my name to 1stdearbornST!!

[Chadwicksracing]

I've spoken to some engineer friends of mine here in Dearborn. They tell me that I will be in for a big surprise. One of the quotes was "this car feels nothing at all like your SVT did or ever could" He wouldn't elaborate further. I will tell you they sound amazing. I was stopped at a light on Rotunda Drive a couple nights ago right in front of Fords R&D center and a black test mule was a car ahead of me and a lane over. The driver gave it the beans off the line and the car sounds great. Cant really describe the sound but I will assure you there is no RICE!!!!! Closer to German performance. Im excited. I hope to soon be changing my name to 1stdearbornST!!

That sounds great! I hope to be in a Focus ST before next year some time. It seems like it will be a very fast car with room to improve with ECU tuning, and other bolt on mods.

[1stDearbornSVT]

Lets hope it does not take someone a whole year to crack the ECU tuning codes like it did with the SVT's.

[FORDSVTPARTS]

Do they have one on tour that you can actually sit in or are they pulling the typical, stick it on a platform and let you view it from six feet away?

Drives me nuts the way Ford does that, I can send my kids over to play in a $100k Corvette or Mercedes but I can't sit in a Fiesta (couple years ago) or GT500 or new Focus.




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[1stDearbornSVT]

This year more cars were locked than not. The ST was on a platform. The ST-R was not on a platform but it was locked.

[bluebyutoo]

This year more cars were locked than not. The ST was on a platform. The ST-R was not on a platform but it was locked.

Same as last year

[FORDSVTPARTS]

I'll never understand that, it makes no sense.

I can sit in high end Audis, Porsches, Jaguars etc. But I can't sit in a Focus.


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[COSVT03]

Man, they sent me out to do a PDI in a GT500 ... along with trying to send the whole shop.
The original buyer backed out because they put more than 2 miles on it.

But yeah, whats the point if you can't get in an look at it. Is it because some small detail might change before the actual launch or?

[1stDearbornSVT]

Only wish I have: 2-door!!!!!!!!

[FORDSVTPARTS]

Only wish I have: 2-door!!!!!!!!

Exactly.

For what a new ST would cost me I could have my SVT completely redone, boosted, install a Torsen and keep driving a car I know I already love that has the correct number of doors.



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[SilverSVT]

Exactly.

For what a new ST would cost me I could have my SVT completely redone, boosted, install a Torsen and keep driving a car I know I already love that has the correct number of doors.

And have a car that is still 10 years old?

Makes no sense...

[FORDSVTPARTS]

And have a car that is still 10 years old?

Makes no sense...

I'm not in the habit of buying cars just to have a new car, I buy a car because I WANT that particular car and I know the new ST is going to be a great car but I will NOT buy a four door car for my daily driver.

My SVT might be ten years old but it certainly doesn't drive like a ten year old car and spending some more cash to keep it going is far cheaper than buying a brand new car.

Don't get me wrong, I'm thrilled that Ford is bringing the ST but I am bummed that they're sticking us with those extra doors.

[Chadwicksracing]

2 Door hopes, Fiesta ST.. But, only for EU Market...and more bad news..its still a concept

[JakeBrewer]

2 Door hopes, Fiesta ST.. But, only for EU Market...and more bad news..its still a concept

Don't worry, like the OP said, perks of SE MI area... stuff about Fiesta ST here.

[Chadwicksracing]

Thats' good. Because I am thinking of taking a job by Bay City.

Where do they do most of their testing at? Closed tracks? and greater Detroit area? Dearborne?