Well David, I realize this was started back in January but I thought I would respond as I'm on Florida's East Coast as well.
I have had SVT/ST vehicles since 1999 (SVT Contour/Focus), and all I have to say is this ST is great.
If you enjoy and can tolerate Idiosyncrasies’ of a high power front driver, you will enjoy the FFST. I drove a few other cars prior to getting this just because I knew the automotive press would pair them up in comparison testing. VW GTI, Dadge Dart, etc.... Again, this is no Evo or STi as it is only front wheel drive.
I'll put it this way, I was in Germany a few years ago and had an opportunity to drive an ST on the Autobohn and I was sold. I just had to wait til Ford brought it to the U.S.
I was going to have one some way. If I had to import one I would have.
Yes....you can say I like my ST
CocoaBob