ANTAUS Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 http://www.autoblog.com/2012/11/20/2013-ford-focus-st-vs-2012-volkswagen-gti-comparison-review/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpvbs Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 They seem to be giving the GTI bonus points for being a basic stripper model (they like that there are no steering wheel mounted audio controls?). I can understand liking simplicity in things, but the market seems to have demonstrated that it likes the bells and whistles. The ST styling (interior and exterior) may be a bit much for some, but it is a sports model and a lot of those buyers expect that. I do think it would be worthwhile to consider offering the 2.0 EB as an option in the Titanium, with appropriate suspension and brake upgrades, for those looking for something more subtle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4d4evr-1 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I like UGLY women because they are not likely to be tempted by another man.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I understand people who prefer understated to overstated, but the entire VW lineup aside from the Beetle is barely stating anything on the styling front. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 The comments are good for a laugh.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted November 21, 2012 Author Share Posted November 21, 2012 I agree, styling wise they are beginning to look old and bland at this point. I do agree the Focus' interior is a bit busy, but nothing earth shattering either. VW are beginning to look like late 90s products at this point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 The comments are good for a laugh.... I know, funny stuff...obviously theres a LOT of VW loyalists..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I also got a big kick out of the comments. I never realized there were that many GTI loyalists. It really makes me want to drive a ST. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I also got a big kick out of the comments. I never realized there were that many GTI loyalists. It really makes me want to drive a ST. car is a hoot and dare I say it borders on TOO refined.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moosetang Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 I know, funny stuff...obviously theres a LOT of VW loyalists..... Many of whom have never owned a VW for any amount of time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aneekr Posted November 21, 2012 Share Posted November 21, 2012 (edited) car is a hoot and dare I say it borders on TOO refined.... The GTI or the Focus ST (or both)? I love the GTI myself, but "too refined" isn't an inaccurate description of the current Mk6 version. In fact, I don't think VW offers factory equipped summer performance tires on the 2013 model - a must on any true sports car! Edited November 21, 2012 by aneekr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Versa-Tech Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 If the ST had a Haldex Gen 4 AWD setup, I'd take it... Otherwise, my R32 is owns it. Sorry... It just does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 (edited) Contrary to the article the rear seat of the Focus does fold flat. The rear seat bottom is forward hinged. You pull up on the back of the seat bottom and it moves upright down into the rear footwell behind the front seats. The headrests do have to be removed but the seat does fold flat. I discovered the hinges by accident while vacuuming and figured this out. I suppose if i read that section of the owners manual it would have explained that. Edited November 27, 2012 by StangBang 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 If the ST had a Haldex Gen 4 AWD setup, I'd take it... Otherwise, my R32 is owns it. Sorry... It just does. It's hard to believe with the power on tap that the next Focus RS won't have either Quaife LSD or AWD. I think it will be nigh on essential with +300 hp on tap, the new Focus ST is squirrely enough in the dry.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sherminator98 Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I understand people who prefer understated to overstated, but the entire VW lineup aside from the Beetle is barely stating anything on the styling front. I was shocked at how much I liked the restyled Beetle when I saw it in person. I really liked the faux moonie style hubcap look wheels on it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twmalonehunter Posted November 22, 2012 Share Posted November 22, 2012 I was shocked at how much I liked the restyled Beetle when I saw it in person. I really liked the faux moonie style hubcap look wheels on it. Funny how tastes differ. I can't stand the beetle, any of them. To me one of the most ridiculous looking vehicles made. As for the ST, I don't really find the exterior to be boy racer at all. And I like the "busy" interior. I wish I could have waited for the ST, but needed a car last year. I will have tough choice in a couple of years between the ST, new Mustang, or possible Fusion ST. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 I was shocked at how much I liked the restyled Beetle when I saw it in person. I really liked the faux moonie style hubcap look wheels on it. VW did good with the new Beetle redesign. I really like that they got rid of that ridiculous fishbowl roofline and transformed it into having the classic more upright windshield with a more level forward roof. The atrocious old craplastic dash and interior is finally gone for something serious looking better related to a GTI. It no longer looks so much like Barbie's dream car, but rather more like the last Super Beetles.. More like a poor man's Porsche. The retro moon wheel caps are awesome. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StangBang Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 (edited) Many of whom have never owned a VW for any amount of time. We had an 07 GTI for less than a year. It had power windows that worked when they wanted to and an A/C compressor failure in the middle of summer that required us to wait for a compressor from Germany to repair it under warranty. That car was traded soon after. Anyway, i will never forget the evils of working at a Volkswagen dealer when everything they made from 1999 and up was sheer garbage with numerous repeat warranty failures simply because of cheap disposable parts designs. The cost of all those warranty parts and repairs could have been mitigated if they designed quality parts the first time. Skimp now pay later. Of course cars outside of the warranty period required owners to pay for the same repairs multiple times. Every one of my peeps with a VW of that era was cursing it to hell. I sure hope VW quality has come along better since then but i would never allow another one in my garage. All i can say is none of our current and past brand new or like new Fords have had any serious quality issues other than a few nitpicking things here and there which seem normal and expected. I am not even having issues with MFT in the Focus which only had slight lag before the software update. Edited November 27, 2012 by StangBang Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted November 27, 2012 Author Share Posted November 27, 2012 Ive had 12 friends (many which I avoid now), that HAD VW's. I have never seen such an unreliable POS...and this is going back from 1999. We aren't talking about a button not working, or something minor, they had bigger items go wrong with them. There was one for a period which I was going to the dealership with her every weekend for 3 months because it was always something new. All but ONE learned from their mistake and went with something else when it was time to purchase another vehicle. Funny how some of the vehicles exhibited the same problems. 3 of their Passats had the interior molding around the doors, warp and fall off in a similar manner. ALL the Jettas interiors smelled like Burnt Crayons. The Passats had a moisture/moldy smell to the A/C, which 4 of them had to have consistantly looked it. 2 had turbo problems costing thousands. Urrgg I rather just not remember. It was such an annoyance having to go with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
97svtgoin05gt Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 If the ST had a Haldex Gen 4 AWD setup, I'd take it... Otherwise, my R32 is owns it. Sorry... It just does. Naa..it doesn't Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timmm55 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 The only problem I see for the Focus ST is you can't find a base model. Everyone I've seen is loaded to the gills with options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NickF1011 Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 The only problem I see for the Focus ST is you can't find a base model. Everyone I've seen is loaded to the gills with options. That's only a "problem" for the buyer. If dealers are selling them as quickly as they get them, selling more expensive versions is only good for Ford. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 The only problem I see for the Focus ST is you can't find a base model. Everyone I've seen is loaded to the gills with options. I sold a factory order base model...only issue I see is added dealer markup...$2500 over seems to be the number locally... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deanh Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 The GTI or the Focus ST (or both)? I love the GTI myself, but "too refined" isn't an inaccurate description of the current Mk6 version. In fact, I don't think VW offers factory equipped summer performance tires on the 2013 model - a must on any true sports car! ST, pulls like a train but I wish there was a "HOLY CRAP" moment for $hits and giggles.... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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