FINALLY! My brother has a Fiesta ST and bragged to me, a focus ST owner, that his car had a Doug video and mine doesn’t. Thank you Doug for fixing that, you have made my day!
You can say that it scored higher unfortunately doug (as much as I love his vids and his funny , enthusiastic demeanor) he's among the smallest of minorities in auto journalists that chose a FoST over a FiST, the majority enjoyed the Fiesta ST more and as the everyday driver guys said Fiesta finished 6th in driver's car of the year and the biggest endorsement was auto journalists who get to drive alot of cool cars for free someblong term used their own $ to buy a Fiesta ST ....however I must say my 1st choice was a Focus ST, but am glad I ended up with a new Fiesta ST.
I loved my regular fiesta but the lack of a up and down shift button is why I got rid of it. I want a transmission I can lock in gear and control down and up shifting. That's all the Powershift transmission was missing to make it really fun to rally and beat on in the back country logging roads and on pavement. That was the one thing it really needed.
@@stevenplaskett7728 my wife bought a red fiesta se with the power shift....surprisingly the non ST felt quick and handled very well but the powershift was crazy. If in sport mode it shifted better (not great) but in auto there were times it didn't want to shift when trying to cross through multiple traffic lanes on a turn (not fun or confidence inspiring )or would shift too early and leave a lack of power. The Fiesta ST with the strictly manual and 75hp 100ish torque gain over the SE made for the most fun I've ever had when it comes too cars. The 4k I saved between Focus ST price went to a custom exhaust, blow off adapter, Fiesta ST 200 airbox w cold air feed, upgraded intake, crossover pipe , turbo inlet, downpipe, short shift adapter, short shifter, various interior and exterior mostly cosmetic upgrades cobb accessport various tunes from different tuners. Now all of that can be done to the focus ST as well but my mods all together still didn't add up too the difference in price. Now don't get get wrong different dealers with different deals can bring the price much closer but what moat auto journalists have said is the Focus ST feels like a muscle car the Fiesta ST feels like a sports car and as weird as it sounds they say the Fiesta feel faster though its not. Most chose the Fiesta ST because it was more fun however it comes down to what you need it for .....Focus slightly nicer interior, more room more cargo space handles well more power than Fiesta....Fiesta way better turn radius , handles better, feels faster, overall more fun. So if it's your only car and you need the room Focis all the way, if straight line speed is all that matter Focus (though Fiesta feels faster and only reason it's slower 0-60 is not the power difference but that it requires an additional shift to 3rd gear to hit 60) if back roads and twisties then Fiesta if overall fun then Fiesta as well. As everyone but Doug and a very small minority of auto journalists agree. However you can't go wrong with either.
@@stevendobbs3568 I drove both (As well as the GTi, Type R, Megan RS, Focus RS) before buying my Golf R. The Fiesta is a *lot* better than the Focus, less torque steer, more responsive, more connected, more fun. The ST has the power advantage sure, but I'd take the chuckability of the Fiesta over the power of the Focus, especially since the Focus only has an open diff.
Does the 🙄 in your opinion mean that ford wants to look cool by taking lambo rims or that the gallardo wheels look so cheap that even a ford focus has them?
The best thing about this little rocket is ... they basically go unnoticed by cops. It simply looks like every other rental Focus on the road. Thanks for the video.
Can confirm. I've driving mine 127,000 miles and I've only been pulled over ONCE. Last summer on I-87 approaching the town of Ausable. I'm talking the absolute middle of fucking know where. 80 in a 65. Oopsie.
I wonder if the objective of doug with this score thing, is to show how useless giving a mark to a car is. I mean, maybe I'm wrong. But, when I see Doug enjoying that much a car for all its pros, and see the low score, I always think, what was the point? This car seems great for what it is, and the score just make it look insipid. Maybe there is something behind that. Or not...I don't know actually.
The problem is that this car is on the same performance scale as a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, and the same practicality scale as a Sprinter Van, so an all-rounder like a Focus ST kind of drowns in its own advantages, its above average at everything, but not a supercar or a cargo van.
Side note: I hope the PS5 gets some better games than the same old first party stuff they had on PS4. Bloodborne and FF7R were outliers in a sea of dour third person action games that were still copying the basic gameplay mechanics of RE4. I think the Series X will be the better console for that Retroarch support, while the Switch has nothing but killer title after killer title.
And none of this is to mention just the sheer happiness and joy in seeing another ST roll around on the road past you and both of you just look at each other through the glass and are just like "fuck yeah".
I swear the ST is almost a factory sleeper, you see another one and you both know how much fun we’re both having even though it basically looks “normal” especially compared to the RS. I think they absolutely nailed making the front end a bit meaner with a slight wing that’s not overkill
It's like when motorcyclists do the little finger thing to eachother lol. As a fiesta ST owner, I only see one of those on the road every other month or so. They seem more rare in the states. I see a few focus st's a month
Yeah I mean regular ass SUVs which are by no means loose still get like a 3-4. Doug’s scale is absolute so no normal car should really get above a 5 (ST being closer to true sport)
Dougs an actual genius. Instead of paying for rentals like he would when he used turo, he can now just borrow the cars being sold on Cars and Bids to review, free. And where is CNC??
2016 Focus ST owner. If the 2013 model is at all similar, there are 2 relatively cheap and easy things you can do to vastly improve the driving experience in these cars. Doug mentioned the "vagueness" of the shifter, I fixed that issue by swapping out the rubbery shifter cable bushings with aluminum ones in less than an hour, all the vagueness is gone. The position of the gas pedal is also not ideal (way WAY behind the brake, no idea why it's placed so awkwardly), but I fixed this with a spacer that brings the pedal closer to the driver's seat. Less than $100 and less than 2 hours and the basic driving experience vastly improved!
FWIW, the throttle placement feels awesome when doing threshold heel-toe on a race track. Awkward as hell to heel-toe in normal driving though. And completely agree on the shifter bushings. I love the shifter feel after that and a short shift plate.
Right? I’m a ‘15 owner too. I knew I had to get a 15+ for the facelift as the exterior is more clean, but I never really realized how different the interiors of the pre ones are.
Man just the difference between the st1&2 and st3 packages were major. My local dealership had an st2 that i test drove but I didn't want the tangerine scream and wanted the upgraded stereo and hid projectors and the nav so they had the st3 drive up from a nearby dealership... And i really was let down by the center console. The st1&2 had more console storage and better placement of the cupholders. The st3 has nowhere for a phone or ANYTHING to go other than the cupholders.
Doug on Sunday nights: “Thisss, is Sunday night dinner. It is a 2021 dish of Spaghetti and meatballs, with garlic bread on the side. We will chew it, swallow it, then we are going to review it.”
No, it's "This is SSspaghetti, and today we're going to review it. We're going to go over its quirks and featurs, take it for what is, a meal, eat it, let it digest, come out the exhaust, then give it a doug score"
Doug: This little piece of plastic that you'll never see doesn't EXACTLY match the piece next to it. Literally everyone else: Thank you Ford for putting the money in the powertrain and suspension instead of e-brake trim pieces.
Although probably not the abominable narcotic that you mention, I also was wondering whether there may be more emphasis to the gestures in certain sections of these latest videos or whether it might be a recording or a playback issue. I mention this not in order to negate excitement but because there seems to be something artificial, not to say disingenuous about it.
Okay, but still, he has a point in that Ford did a good job in making it subtle and matching with the panel gaps of the car. Maybe they should have made it completely symmetrical by putting an identical square piece on the other side.
@@DeliciousHotShmoze If they did put a square piece on the other side, then people will think it's a fuel door and complain that the identical piece doesn't open. People don't like fake pieces.
As a designer, I’d also like to add that it most likely wasn’t the designer’s vision to have that number spelled out. We are merely vessels for someone else’s ideas, so that idea probably came from the top down. Rarely are design decisions solely the designer’s.
I have a black 2014 ST with the exact same trim (all the way down to the rims)... I've owned it since '14 and it's seriously the most fun car I've ever owned, which is strange for me to say because I always preferred RWDs. It takes roughly an hour to commute to my office, but the time just flies by. Doug's absolutely spot-on when he talks about the steering... you don't just steer the car, you aim it. It's also a little on the firm side (not like it has no power steering, it just makes sure you really mean it). The power to weight ratio really translates into a car that feels waaaaay more powerful than it really is (which is a cool feeling). On some of my drives, I travel to some rural spots here in Louisiana that have a lot of twistys... that's where this bad boy shines the most. No matter what the turn is, you can gas right into it and you feel completely planted on the pavement. If you're way too fast, the car will do a dog-pisser and you won't even know it until it puts the wheel back down. As an owner that's had an ST for several years now (well over 100k miles), it's been (knock on wood) a very dependable and solid little ride. Treat the trans and clutch right and you shouldn't have any issues with it. Basically just be diligent with your maintenance and it should last you a while. The only exceptional cost I've experienced is tires... they're a bit pricey in my neck of the woods and I go through them pretty regularly for someone that doesn't take it to the track (though I admittedly peel out every once in a while). Last thing... I LOVE that the ST isn't a real head-turner with the exception of fellow car geeks that already know what it is. It just looks like a normal hatchback, but it has more than enough juice to entertain the hell out of ya. Super stoked that Doug had a blast with it. I also love the shifter... it's super short, but it fits perfectly with the interior design of the car. What I mean to say is that when you're sitting in the driver's seat, it's perfectly located and just wants to be in your hand. The Recaro seats might be an issue if you're a husky guy or gal, but I'm 5' 7" and 216 lbs, and the seats feel astounding (I say this as someone who has a ruptured disc in my lower back and is about to get fusion surgery). The seats are firm and the bolstering really does keep you locked in place. Wow, I didn't mean to write this much! I blame being locked in this damned house and home office for the past year! If you get a chance to test drive one of these, make sure you get either some highway tome or some time to take some curves!
My neighbor just got a black ST 3. He absolutely loves it. I was surprised it had all the features it has, and the power it definitely there. If it came between a ST or MK7 GTI I’d actually have a hard time choosing.
@@spideybuildscars - that would be a hard choice, indeed! I think the GTI has a more "grown up" vibe to it... I obviously have my bias, but the 7 is a really, really good ride. I'm def a fan!
burglar: *breaks into doug's house* Doug: *THISSSS....* is the 2005 Atchisson Assault Shotgun, and it is quite simply, the greatest shotgun ever made. It was developed back in 1972 and has been in business since. It will do 300 rounds/min and has either 20 or 32 rounds in each drum magazine it is also- burglar: u gonna shoot me or what Doug: not before you check out this Focus ST on cars and bids
I wish I could get my hands on one, sadly literally no-one owns one in my country. Not even a Ford "ST" Car. At least there's Golf GTi and Golf R though.
Honestly I love mine, 2016, 30,000 miles, I do dad stuff in it but when I'm on my own I can drop it a couple of gears and it makes me smile every time, not overly quick but fun through the turns.
I forget how many changes they made to this car after the 2015 refresh. Better map lights, way nicer steering wheel, better heated seat controls, nicer e-brake handle, and Sync 3 in 2016.
I was looking for someone to mention that this is...let me think...the 4th or 5th Focus Hot Hatch Generation to me here in Germany. There have been STs since 2002 and RSs became common with the neon green RS350 or whatever it was named. That boxy one ;)
European manufacturers always been more innovating than American manufacturers because US Governments banned lot of new innovations from the manufacturers. For example US banned directional headlights, so Citroën's DS and SM had fixed sealed beams headlights and no glass cover, unlike European models. Meanwhile Canada allows European headlamps, but not USA.
As a focus ST owner of two years it just made my day to see my favorite car reviewer enjoy the car this much. I want to keep mine forever but I have a mustang itch
@@gabecruz1045 I drove a '15 for 144k with no issues. By no issues I mean zero problems, not even a bad wheel psi sensor that people say is a common problem. Was a blast to drive too, great car.
Not to mention this car has such a potent aftermarket scene and is reliable af. I have an aftermarket turbo and WMI on mine for about 60k miles now and it has never missed a beat.
Yes reliable, mine has 96000 miles and has been tuned fir about 75000 of these miles and it’s been brilliant, few small things but overall fantastic. Owned since new
I didn't know you had these cars in the US. I thought these models were for the UK market. Glad to see you have them, they make a great sound and are very quick and handle great. edit: My bad, I thought this was the 5 cylinder version. Not such a great sound but still a nice car.
@@SgtSteel1 The 5 cylinder one is an amazing car. Does everything better than the version shown in the video and it has a better sound, huge boot and only 25 hp less yet it’s still faster and overall feels like a much more solid car. Plus with a few mods it can easily make 300+ hp just on stage 2
@@koga1330 Trust me, a Focus is much more engaging to drive compared to an Explorer or F-150. Can those be had with a 6 speed manual transmission? I didn't think so.
The ST is a really good bargain for now but I think the ST and the RS are definitely going to be praised even more in the future. Especially with the lack of hot hatches in America and the electrification of cars that they’re trying to roll out by 2035. These cars are already unique but soon it’ll be a relic.
As they say, "it's better to drive a slow car fast than drive a fast car slow." It always more relieving knowing if you destroy a part on a cheap car, you just replace it.
My point exactly. I sold Ford's and found the Focus and Fiesta ST's to be more fun then the Mustangs. A loaded Fiesta ST is cheaper than a base Mustang.
Trust me the value on these cars will only stay the same or drop even further, especially if you buy a 13-14 . Bought my 13 for $14k and in good condition it’s now worth about $8-11k after only a year and a half
I decided to get a fiesta ST instead and god, It's so much better (drove both) .. Put a tune on the Fiesta and its already quicker than the Focus, plus the handling is also better from the factory.
Been driving the FoST for 5 years, best car I've had. The base ST trim in 2016 was so much cheaper than the computer screen ones. The funny part is that the plastic area around the 4" screen widens out gradually, allowing you to wedge your phone in there. Instant hi-res maps!
I might need to buy a second car and so far this one is winning. I have my eye on a 2016 ST3 with 34K miles. Charcoal Gray. It's gonna be my daily driver.
Nail on the head - "It feels fun", even at normal speeds. I've driven a Golf R, and a Focus ST back to back - the ST just feels so much more fun way before the limit. The R doesn't feel fun until you're at 9/10s, and between 9/10 and 10/10 - there's a very fine line between feeling fun, and exceeding the capability of the car/driver.
@@Phantaam but other AWD cars way easier to have fun with, see the Focus RS. VW and Audi share the same problem, they're good in a straight line but that's where the fun generally ends.
"It's success led to the return of the hot hatch" And then Ford got rid of it. All praise hyundai, I guess, for being the last manufacturer of hot hatches that still sell in the US. If anyone wants a car like this new, what options do we even have? Golf? Veloster? anything else?
I don't understand why people complain about cars having fuel door? And the fact people like clean looking lines, yet all cars have cut-outs for the doors, fuel door, hood, trunk, fenders, bumpers, headlights, taillights, etc.
Got mine yesterday. I don't have words to describe how amazing the ride quality is with the full leather recaros. Having driven shitbox economy all this time and then getting an ST3 from 2014 is a huge jump in my ride quality.
ST is way more reliable and won't cost you a grand or more every time you need to change the spark plugs or altinator. $500 to $700 sensor replacements. I could go on forever. Audis are nice cars if you have an extra 1 to 2k to maintain it yearly.
@@Ricky_Grade10 EXACTLY, the people that are looking to buy an ST, really can’t afford or deal with the shenanigans of owning an over engineered piece of euro junk. These were such cool little cars.
Had mine since new in 2018 and now has 100k miles. Still surprises me when driving and it’s RELIABLE (only had clutch position switch and bad battery terminals). Will continue past 200k miles easily.
Doug, you didn't read the owner's manual this time? Sport mode is engaged when you press the traction control button, but that does not disengage traction control. To fully turn off traction control you hold the button for about 5 sec, then it's fully off.
I thought clicking it once disables traction control and then holding it turns off Electronic Stability Controll and ABS. That's how it is on my Fiesta ST at least.
It is funny because Doug talks about setting the TC off in a Focus ST like he is talking about a V12 Lambo, if you can't drive a stock focus without TC you shouldnt be driving anything with an engine bigger than 3 cyl 1lt.
@@Zeke19 ABS and torque vectoring are never off. Sport mode increases the threshold for traction control and stability control, ESC off turns them both off completely.
Enjoy the car, man! I've had two, they're great. I'd recommend getting a rear motor mount, it'll change the way it drives for the better! Almost no wheel hop with a better mount.
I used to own one of these before switching to an RS. I learned to drive a stick because of that car. And I enjoyed every bit of it. It definitely was a fun affordable hot hatch, and I hope they bring it back here some day.
Don't want to disappoint you, but they already killed RS completely, and there are rumors that next gen Focus and Fiesta will go all electric. So I guess it's "good bye" to fast fords for good... Enjoy your as long as you can ;-)
@@JoshuaTootell it's definitely a fun vehicle. And i enjoy driving it on winding roads. You should definitely look into finding a fairly new one. Might get a good deal on It.
I remember reading the interviews with the Ford engineers at the time about this car's development. The fact that they were boasting about oversteer and Nurburgring testing really impressed me. I was driving a 2012 GTI at that time, and when this thing came out it ticked pretty much all the boxes on my enthusiast list. The Tangerine Scream paint was thr cherry on top of the whole thing. Fast forward 10 years later, and I'm driving a Fiesta ST, but love the ST community including our Focus brethren
From pretty decent acceleration at lower speeds/tight roads excellent handling (especially for a fwd car), to getting 30mpg on the highway (plus a 4 cylinder car that actually has an exhaust note that sounds appealing and desirable), the Focus ST is undoubtably an exciting car to own/drive! I challenge anybody to get behind the wheel of an ST and not have a good time! Amazing to see how Ford nailed exactly what the modern enthusiast was wanting. I wish they could bring just the ST back to the US. Exactly what every young enthusiast with a budget would hope it to be.
I got rid of my 2014 Focus ST for a Taurus SHO and while the SHO was a fantastic car, I definitely missed the fun aspect of the ST. Doug pretty much nailed what I'd assume is all of the ST owners thoughts. For $13k-$20k now used, it's very hard to beat if you're looking for something quick, sporty, practical, and just a ton of fun.
Why would he try to list this as a negative? The plastic isn’t bending, that’s just the horn. It clearly works exactly as intended and is actually a nice feature.
Paid 15,000 for my 2017 several years ago with only 1,500 miles. Cobb jst 91/e30 tune. Makes 280whp and 390wtq. Big numbers for such a small overall investment.
When the Focus has a door open, the ambient lighting on the interior door handle turns red to alert people coming towards you at night. Always thought that was cool.
They're super common where I live, though I'd guess that half of them were traded in for an RS, which seem to be more common than an ST here in the Seattle eastside.
He's right, the driving experience is amazing. The ride/handling balance, steering, throttle response, and noise suppression but with a subtle growl is all well judged and sorted. I traded a BMW 335xi sedan for an ST3 have have zero regrets. It's the best driver's car I've ever owned, and practical and reliable. Yes, the dashboard is a low point. The only other downside is that I can't bring myself to sell it even at today's prices, so it looks like I'm a long-term collector now.
I still have my 2013 ST1 (base pack) and just a hair over 100k miles. I don't ever want to get rid of it - it's rare to see a hatchback on the road, let alone a stick-shift vehicle. It's nimble, doesn't waste it's own space, and is fun to drive every time. I've moved residences twice, drove across multiple states, hauled giant TVs, fence posts, and a grill in it. We need to go back to a time that hatchbacks were useful vehicles - giant SUVs are becoming just more and more ugly with their styling.
I bought my first focus ST in 2016. It was an ingot silver ST3 package. It had 38k miles all stock. I did some bolt ons and cobb ap with stratified tunes. In March of 2018 I traded it in a kona blue 2017 ST3 carbon fiber interior package with 1,740 miles. Every interior change ford made on the 15 and up was basicly what I disliked about the 2013. I still have the 17 with 57k miles and it has basicly every bolt on minus a big turbo. These cars are so fun, especially with more power and suspension upgrades. I feel they never got the recognition they deserved, especially after the RS came out.
@@antipodeanwizard1632 yes it should, nominally ST goes to 248 as Ford mentioned in the official spec, but usually tacho shows a little bit more than you drive in fact. . Maybe thats the reason
I just bought my ST a couple of weeks ago. 2013 Race Red with 30k miles. Easily the best purchase I've ever made. Ford discontinuing the ST and RS is nothing short of a tragedy.
I had a Sync 2 equipped Ford for 4 years. And it's utter trash. The thing has so many crashes, freezes, bugs and glitches, it's useless. And once you manage to reboot the thing it takes 10 minutes for it to boot.
*"Probably feels like a smart phone from 2013"* You obviously were alive back in 2013. Smartphone were faster and more responsive than any Ford's sync system in 2013
@@automation7295 I suppose you mean "weren't alive", and of course I was. I might have exaggerated a bit. Most cars were still using resistive touch screens in '13, whereas phones use capacitive tech. Phones are inherently more responsive, and I'm aware of this. As somebody who owned a crap Android phone in 2013, lemme just remind you: it wasn't *that* much better than what you saw in the Ford. My Motorola got extremely laggy to the point I replaced it after just a few years of use.
@@automation7295 phones have the benefit of yearly development cycles. Not just production cycles but development cycles. So, yes, phones in 2013 will ahead of automotive tech from that time. That's pretty standard across the all makes and models. I still believe Fords infotainment is good for when it came out.
I had a 2013 Focus hatch (the infamous Ford dual clutch) as my first car. I couldn't drive manual and the ST was out of my budget at the moment. I probably won't buy an ST but I like what it is after a test drive. It'll always holds a special place in my heart.
Ford Europe has been making hot hatches for decades, that is why this drives so well. The first focus ST was out over 20 years ago, they weren't trying something new, merely perfecting a nippy relatively cheap hot hatch
Irked me that Doug was referring to this as an American car company making something sporty. Yes Ford is American but this is Ford Euro which is very very different
Yes! Finding someone else saying this..... this is Ford Europe and which is totally different than Ford USA. So of course this ST will be good to drive. Don’t know why he think it will need to check for it’s handling and driving experience. This is not a American car lol
In Europe, the Focus was always a highly appreciated car, and the fast models especially were regarded as better drivers cars than the GTI's. And I'm a Golf fan. ;)
Toyota’s GR division is planning on releasing a hot hatch specifically for the US market, which has the potential to be very good. I heard a rumor that it will have the same powertrain underneath, but with a Corolla body on top.
I love how Doug never sounds like he can take himself seriously, even to the extent of pitching CardandBids, his own product! He just seems like he can't believe he's even saying this stuff.
It’s a shame Ford cancelled its Focus lineup in North America, because they still make the Focus ST and RS in Europe. They could have done like VW, who cancelled the non sports trims of the Golf and will keep offering the GTI and R versions because they actually sell better.
@@stevenplaskett7728 Ironically, the current ST still sold in the UK now has a 2.3 liter, yet the "no replacement for displacement" american drivers can't buy it.
Totally agree with your assessment! Having owned a 2014 ST, 2009 Mazdaspeed 3, 2016 GTI, and a 2019 WRX I can say that the ST is the best handling and most fun to drive, and feels quicker than it is. I do miss mine!
Love my 2016 Ford Focus ST (ST2) best daily driver ever! Mine is Kona Blue, the color that replaced Performance Blue. I like it , it’s deeper and darker shade.
A good start might be for those members, teenagers especially, who lack a sense of decency and who are impaired by a high impressionability, saturation and sexualisation to have their commenting, liking and subscribing functions revoked.
@@enforcement2 My comment is a reference to a line in the 2004 movie, Closer. That line having been made even more famous by the two Panic! at The Disco songs, “Lying is the most fun...” and “But it’s Better if you do.” in 2006. ua-cam.com/video/8AZxUtZ2ZgI/v-deo.html ua-cam.com/video/uBtH2YlNiNc/v-deo.html Aside from the extensive borrowing of classic lines from cinema for their song titles, the emo band Fall Out Boy also referenced Panic! at The Disco’s reference by using more of Natalie Portman’s lines from the movie Closer as song lyrics. But I believe you are correct. I should definitely have my commenting privileges taken away.
FINALLY! My brother has a Fiesta ST and bragged to me, a focus ST owner, that his car had a Doug video and mine doesn’t. Thank you Doug for fixing that, you have made my day!
You can also say yours ranked higher than the Fiesta
You can say that it scored higher unfortunately doug (as much as I love his vids and his funny , enthusiastic demeanor) he's among the smallest of minorities in auto journalists that chose a FoST over a FiST, the majority enjoyed the Fiesta ST more and as the everyday driver guys said Fiesta finished 6th in driver's car of the year and the biggest endorsement was auto journalists who get to drive alot of cool cars for free someblong term used their own $ to buy a Fiesta ST ....however I must say my 1st choice was a Focus ST, but am glad I ended up with a new Fiesta ST.
I loved my regular fiesta but the lack of a up and down shift button is why I got rid of it. I want a transmission I can lock in gear and control down and up shifting. That's all the Powershift transmission was missing to make it really fun to rally and beat on in the back country logging roads and on pavement. That was the one thing it really needed.
@@stevenplaskett7728 my wife bought a red fiesta se with the power shift....surprisingly the non ST felt quick and handled very well but the powershift was crazy. If in sport mode it shifted better (not great) but in auto there were times it didn't want to shift when trying to cross through multiple traffic lanes on a turn (not fun or confidence inspiring )or would shift too early and leave a lack of power. The Fiesta ST with the strictly manual and 75hp 100ish torque gain over the SE made for the most fun I've ever had when it comes too cars. The 4k I saved between Focus ST price went to a custom exhaust, blow off adapter, Fiesta ST 200 airbox w cold air feed, upgraded intake, crossover pipe , turbo inlet, downpipe, short shift adapter, short shifter, various interior and exterior mostly cosmetic upgrades cobb accessport various tunes from different tuners. Now all of that can be done to the focus ST as well but my mods all together still didn't add up too the difference in price. Now don't get get wrong different dealers with different deals can bring the price much closer but what moat auto journalists have said is the Focus ST feels like a muscle car the Fiesta ST feels like a sports car and as weird as it sounds they say the Fiesta feel faster though its not. Most chose the Fiesta ST because it was more fun however it comes down to what you need it for .....Focus slightly nicer interior, more room more cargo space handles well more power than Fiesta....Fiesta way better turn radius , handles better, feels faster, overall more fun. So if it's your only car and you need the room Focis all the way, if straight line speed is all that matter Focus (though Fiesta feels faster and only reason it's slower 0-60 is not the power difference but that it requires an additional shift to 3rd gear to hit 60) if back roads and twisties then Fiesta if overall fun then Fiesta as well. As everyone but Doug and a very small minority of auto journalists agree. However you can't go wrong with either.
@@stevendobbs3568 I drove both (As well as the GTi, Type R, Megan RS, Focus RS) before buying my Golf R. The Fiesta is a *lot* better than the Focus, less torque steer, more responsive, more connected, more fun. The ST has the power advantage sure, but I'd take the chuckability of the Fiesta over the power of the Focus, especially since the Focus only has an open diff.
The wheels on this Focus ST are similar to the wheels on the Lamborghini Gallardo
lol ur right
Does the 🙄 in your opinion mean that ford wants to look cool by taking lambo rims
or that the gallardo wheels look so cheap that even a ford focus has them?
hahahaha damn right
@@Tkcb2799 🐡🐋🐘🐘🐠🦒🦘🦈🦌🐊🐏🐬🐪🐠🐖🦛🐠🐐🐟🐏🐳🐪🦈🐐🐠🐏🐳🐈⬛🦭🐎🦈🐫🦭🐩🦭🦚🦃🐓🐡🐋🐘🦒🐄🐆🦮🦓🐓🦢🐠🦈🦓🦛🦘🐎🐐🐕🦺🦭🐟🦌🐊🐎🐊🐪🐊
I was thinking the same 😁
As an owner of a 2018 Focus, I can tell you that all the pockets by the rear doors are for your children to fill with lego and empty juice boxes.
And you can never clean them out, you have to sell the car.
@@truantray 😂
YES! I have a 2013, and that’s all that’s ever sat in those little pockets.
Can confirm
I have takis sitting in mine. Unopened takis
The best thing about this little rocket is ... they basically go unnoticed by cops. It simply looks like every other rental Focus on the road. Thanks for the video.
Can confirm. I've driving mine 127,000 miles and I've only been pulled over ONCE. Last summer on I-87 approaching the town of Ausable. I'm talking the absolute middle of fucking know where. 80 in a 65. Oopsie.
Unless your a teen who puts a splitter and huge chassis mount wing on back and slam it on the ground lol
@@tim850csi you're a big boy now....time to get a big boy car ☺️
139k miles on mine, owned since new - never been pulled over
@@tim850csi are they reliable at that stuff of mileage?
Doug just raised the price of the Focus St..
only for a couple months, plus stuff sells for really high on that website
Doug said that R129 is the last classic Mercedes and they are still dirt cheap
Doug is the kind of guy that knows exactly what cars I like and makes videos on them to raise the price before I can buy one
I know what you mean. Have you been looking at these as well?
As he's selling it...what a wacky coincidence!
"It's great! 6 out of 10"
"It's great! 6 out of 10"
"It's great! 6 out of 10"
Deadass kills me errtime😭
I know what was with that
6/10 is good. It's better than average.
I wonder if the objective of doug with this score thing, is to show how useless giving a mark to a car is. I mean, maybe I'm wrong.
But, when I see Doug enjoying that much a car for all its pros, and see the low score, I always think, what was the point? This car seems great for what it is, and the score just make it look insipid. Maybe there is something behind that. Or not...I don't know actually.
The problem is that this car is on the same performance scale as a Lamborghini Aventador SVJ, and the same practicality scale as a Sprinter Van, so an all-rounder like a Focus ST kind of drowns in its own advantages, its above average at everything, but not a supercar or a cargo van.
Doug is the soul of a six-year-old unwrapping a PS5 Christmas morning, only every day is Christmas and everything he touches is a PS5.
Tay! Awesome seeing you here, hope you're doing well!!!
Mr chocolate rain how are you
Side note: I hope the PS5 gets some better games than the same old first party stuff they had on PS4. Bloodborne and FF7R were outliers in a sea of dour third person action games that were still copying the basic gameplay mechanics of RE4. I think the Series X will be the better console for that Retroarch support, while the Switch has nothing but killer title after killer title.
@@12ealDealOfficial Just get DevilMayCry 5. Vergil special edition. You will NOT be disappointed
Chocolate Rain!!
Regardless of the car, one thing will always stay the same: two t-shirts.
And. “THIS”
Also, “favorite” always comes with two index fingers. Edit: make that every 3rd word.
They don't call him 'Ole Dougie Two Shirts for nothing!
😂😂😂
That's the most un practical set up.
And none of this is to mention just the sheer happiness and joy in seeing another ST roll around on the road past you and both of you just look at each other through the glass and are just like "fuck yeah".
So true 😂
I swear the ST is almost a factory sleeper, you see another one and you both know how much fun we’re both having even though it basically looks “normal” especially compared to the RS. I think they absolutely nailed making the front end a bit meaner with a slight wing that’s not overkill
"YEA" 👍
It's like when motorcyclists do the little finger thing to eachother lol. As a fiesta ST owner, I only see one of those on the road every other month or so. They seem more rare in the states. I see a few focus st's a month
Hahaha! I do that all the time
> Doug can't stop talking about how extremely good the handling is
> Handling: 6/10
hahaha so true
Compared to more precise sport cars, seems fair
I think he meant extremely good for hot hatchbacks
It's funny because he only gives like 9 and 10 to hyper cars lol, so a 6 is actually pretty good for an everyday car
Yeah I mean regular ass SUVs which are by no means loose still get like a 3-4. Doug’s scale is absolute so no normal car should really get above a 5 (ST being closer to true sport)
Dougs an actual genius. Instead of paying for rentals like he would when he used turo, he can now just borrow the cars being sold on Cars and Bids to review, free. And where is CNC??
I think he should be a true gentleman and go back to cnc again, most of his fortune comes from those reviews and now he's not sponsoring them anymore
@@rinodb83 he doesn't owe CNC anything. They gave him cars to review for a day or two, and they got a ton of free publicity.
No way Turo charged Doug for all that marketing.
Product placement.
I think the lack of videos at CNC is a result of COVID. I could be wrong, but it’s quite plausible.
2016 Focus ST owner. If the 2013 model is at all similar, there are 2 relatively cheap and easy things you can do to vastly improve the driving experience in these cars. Doug mentioned the "vagueness" of the shifter, I fixed that issue by swapping out the rubbery shifter cable bushings with aluminum ones in less than an hour, all the vagueness is gone. The position of the gas pedal is also not ideal (way WAY behind the brake, no idea why it's placed so awkwardly), but I fixed this with a spacer that brings the pedal closer to the driver's seat. Less than $100 and less than 2 hours and the basic driving experience vastly improved!
does the 2016 ST have android auto
FWIW, the throttle placement feels awesome when doing threshold heel-toe on a race track. Awkward as hell to heel-toe in normal driving though.
And completely agree on the shifter bushings. I love the shifter feel after that and a short shift plate.
@@StogStudioFLI believe they started that in 2017. I own a 2017 and it has android auto along with apple carplay.
As someone who owned a 2015 ST, it’s really interesting to see how different the interiors were between the 2013-2014 and the 2015+
Right? I’m a ‘15 owner too. I knew I had to get a 15+ for the facelift as the exterior is more clean, but I never really realized how different the interiors of the pre ones are.
Man just the difference between the st1&2 and st3 packages were major. My local dealership had an st2 that i test drove but I didn't want the tangerine scream and wanted the upgraded stereo and hid projectors and the nav so they had the st3 drive up from a nearby dealership... And i really was let down by the center console. The st1&2 had more console storage and better placement of the cupholders. The st3 has nowhere for a phone or ANYTHING to go other than the cupholders.
The facelift was nice but they ruined the lower rear bumper cover IMO
Doug on Sunday nights: “Thisss, is Sunday night dinner. It is a 2021 dish of Spaghetti and meatballs, with garlic bread on the side. We will chew it, swallow it, then we are going to review it.”
@@deathsc0uthd825 💀💀💀💀
‘And im gonna poop it out and show you its quirks and features’
@@deathsc0uthd825 lmfao
And give it a Doug Score
No, it's "This is SSspaghetti, and today we're going to review it. We're going to go over its quirks and featurs, take it for what is, a meal, eat it, let it digest, come out the exhaust, then give it a doug score"
Doug: This little piece of plastic that you'll never see doesn't EXACTLY match the piece next to it.
Literally everyone else: Thank you Ford for putting the money in the powertrain and suspension instead of e-brake trim pieces.
If only they did that with the base Focus model, maybe Ford would still be making cars instead of trucks for fat people.
lmfao yes thank you ford for giving us a more walmart bargain bin interior.
Ford is on it’s A game when it comes to performance models of its production vehicles. I love my focus ST.
My 17 st2 is miles ahead of a better interior. Ford made the big jump in quality 15+ for everything.
I've driven my ST for 100,000 miles and never even noticed the e-brake trim. I was astonished he spent so much time talking about it.
Idk why but I love it when Doug reviews average everyday cars
Also, you are WRONG sir, Performance Blue was NOT the press car color, Tangerine Scream was.
Someone said it
Doug and actual research. Name a less iconic dual
@@14s0cc3r14 lol you mean name a greater set of enemies
I am wrong.
@@wronggg LOL, yes....apparently you are Wrong. Hi, Wrong, pleased to meet you!
There was slightly more crack in his coffee today.
You should see his Focus RS video
Being happy for an awesome car equals being on crack? 🤦♂️
@@bear2507 you know somethimes somthing IS A JOKE and / or a MEME . SO ITS NOT MEANT LITERAL
@@bear2507 no , your comment means being on crack....
Although probably not the abominable narcotic that you mention, I also was wondering whether there may be more emphasis to the gestures in certain sections of these latest videos or whether it might be a recording or a playback issue. I mention this not in order to negate excitement but because there seems to be something artificial, not to say disingenuous about it.
"You can't see the fuel flap"
Yeah it's that square looking thing right there
I know, he made it seem like it was invisible..
Stands out like a turd in a punchbowl
Ikr?
Okay, but still, he has a point in that Ford did a good job in making it subtle and matching with the panel gaps of the car. Maybe they should have made it completely symmetrical by putting an identical square piece on the other side.
@@DeliciousHotShmoze If they did put a square piece on the other side, then people will think it's a fuel door and complain that the identical piece doesn't open.
People don't like fake pieces.
As a designer, I’d also like to add that it most likely wasn’t the designer’s vision to have that number spelled out. We are merely vessels for someone else’s ideas, so that idea probably came from the top down. Rarely are design decisions solely the designer’s.
True in every industry unfortunately
Or some asshat in the Technical Publications Department thought he was being fancy...
I have a black 2014 ST with the exact same trim (all the way down to the rims)... I've owned it since '14 and it's seriously the most fun car I've ever owned, which is strange for me to say because I always preferred RWDs. It takes roughly an hour to commute to my office, but the time just flies by. Doug's absolutely spot-on when he talks about the steering... you don't just steer the car, you aim it. It's also a little on the firm side (not like it has no power steering, it just makes sure you really mean it). The power to weight ratio really translates into a car that feels waaaaay more powerful than it really is (which is a cool feeling).
On some of my drives, I travel to some rural spots here in Louisiana that have a lot of twistys... that's where this bad boy shines the most. No matter what the turn is, you can gas right into it and you feel completely planted on the pavement. If you're way too fast, the car will do a dog-pisser and you won't even know it until it puts the wheel back down.
As an owner that's had an ST for several years now (well over 100k miles), it's been (knock on wood) a very dependable and solid little ride. Treat the trans and clutch right and you shouldn't have any issues with it. Basically just be diligent with your maintenance and it should last you a while. The only exceptional cost I've experienced is tires... they're a bit pricey in my neck of the woods and I go through them pretty regularly for someone that doesn't take it to the track (though I admittedly peel out every once in a while).
Last thing... I LOVE that the ST isn't a real head-turner with the exception of fellow car geeks that already know what it is. It just looks like a normal hatchback, but it has more than enough juice to entertain the hell out of ya. Super stoked that Doug had a blast with it. I also love the shifter... it's super short, but it fits perfectly with the interior design of the car. What I mean to say is that when you're sitting in the driver's seat, it's perfectly located and just wants to be in your hand.
The Recaro seats might be an issue if you're a husky guy or gal, but I'm 5' 7" and 216 lbs, and the seats feel astounding (I say this as someone who has a ruptured disc in my lower back and is about to get fusion surgery). The seats are firm and the bolstering really does keep you locked in place.
Wow, I didn't mean to write this much! I blame being locked in this damned house and home office for the past year! If you get a chance to test drive one of these, make sure you get either some highway tome or some time to take some curves!
My neighbor just got a black ST 3. He absolutely loves it. I was surprised it had all the features it has, and the power it definitely there.
If it came between a ST or MK7 GTI I’d actually have a hard time choosing.
@@spideybuildscars - that would be a hard choice, indeed! I think the GTI has a more "grown up" vibe to it... I obviously have my bias, but the 7 is a really, really good ride. I'm def a fan!
burglar: *breaks into doug's house*
Doug: *THISSSS....* is the 2005 Atchisson Assault Shotgun, and it is quite simply, the greatest shotgun ever made.
It was developed back in 1972 and has been in business since. It will do 300 rounds/min and has either 20 or 32 rounds in each drum magazine it is also-
burglar: u gonna shoot me or what
Doug: not before you check out this Focus ST on cars and bids
Ha! That made my night
🤣🤣🤣
😂😂😂😂
Enjoyed this. 😂
It took a while to unfold, but it was worth it.
Check, mate!
I'm so stoked to see someone else get excited about these cars.
I wish I could get my hands on one, sadly literally no-one owns one in my country. Not even a Ford "ST" Car. At least there's Golf GTi and Golf R though.
I was excited because I own an ST
@@arteonyx where fo u live?
@@fiestahimself9135 Indonesia
I'm not excited because I drive an ST... I... 🤣
Honestly I love mine, 2016, 30,000 miles, I do dad stuff in it but when I'm on my own I can drop it a couple of gears and it makes me smile every time, not overly quick but fun through the turns.
Amen Brother! 🍻👍
I forget how many changes they made to this car after the 2015 refresh. Better map lights, way nicer steering wheel, better heated seat controls, nicer e-brake handle, and Sync 3 in 2016.
I agree. It’s crazy how much the refresh maked it so much more of a sound interior
The same goes for the mk2 focus. The facelift improved the front lights massively
I mean, if sync 3 is a hangup for someone, it can be swapped fairly easily.
The steering wheel and the led running light strip were big ones
I'd have the 2015+ ST with the diesel engine
It's fun to drive, because it's European. Ford has huge history with hot hatches on the old continent. Cheers.
I was looking for someone to mention that this is...let me think...the 4th or 5th Focus Hot Hatch Generation to me here in Germany. There have been STs since 2002 and RSs became common with the neon green RS350 or whatever it was named. That boxy one ;)
Remember the Focus Xr5 turbo with the mental 2.5 volvo engine ? Utter turbo roller skate
@@Spookieham It's modern classic 👍
European manufacturers always been more innovating than American manufacturers because US Governments banned lot of new innovations from the manufacturers.
For example US banned directional headlights, so Citroën's DS and SM had fixed sealed beams headlights and no glass cover, unlike European models.
Meanwhile Canada allows European headlamps, but not USA.
@@automation7295 Interesting, I didn't know that, thank you. Cheers
As a focus ST owner of two years it just made my day to see my favorite car reviewer enjoy the car this much. I want to keep mine forever but I have a mustang itch
I feel you man lol. Imma keep mine forever it’s my daily right now but once I get a mustang, I want to make it my project car.
Hi are they reliable? Im looking at a 2013
Same bro
@@gabecruz1045 it’s been reliable for me but I’m also still under the power train warranty
@@gabecruz1045 I drove a '15 for 144k with no issues. By no issues I mean zero problems, not even a bad wheel psi sensor that people say is a common problem. Was a blast to drive too, great car.
Not to mention this car has such a potent aftermarket scene and is reliable af. I have an aftermarket turbo and WMI on mine for about 60k miles now and it has never missed a beat.
Reliable af??????
@@fergar0206 their not reliable my friend was giving me a ride in his stock focus st with 50,000 and the motor blew so I got a fiesta
Yes reliable, mine has 96000 miles and has been tuned fir about 75000 of these miles and it’s been brilliant, few small things but overall fantastic. Owned since new
110k miles on mine. Literally zero problems. It shocked me how reliable it has been.
@@Nikeair0117 probably lspi it, super easy to pop the motor if you boost it in hogh gear too low. 100% most common reason these engines blow.
They actually never got rid of the snowflakes, the other wheels were just a paid option.
Yup, they also got rid of the silver color option and replaced it with rado gray
@@travisr1324 *nardo
I didn't know you had these cars in the US. I thought these models were for the UK market. Glad to see you have them, they make a great sound and are very quick and handle great. edit: My bad, I thought this was the 5 cylinder version. Not such a great sound but still a nice car.
@@SgtSteel1 The 5 cylinder one is an amazing car. Does everything better than the version shown in the video and it has a better sound, huge boot and only 25 hp less yet it’s still faster and overall feels like a much more solid car. Plus with a few mods it can easily make 300+ hp just on stage 2
Yup is a darker gray
Sad that Ford doesn’t sell the Focus anymore, even Fiesta, Taurus, Fusion and any other Ford sedans in North America.
this is why i hate our country's raging SUV and crossover addiction
You can take my European Focus in exchange for an Explorer or F-150 :)
@@koga1330 We have the Explorer in the EU :)
@@peterzerbrich5255 but only the titanium version for 50K
@@koga1330 Trust me, a Focus is much more engaging to drive compared to an Explorer or F-150. Can those be had with a 6 speed manual transmission? I didn't think so.
It still remember Jeremy Clarkson saying ST stands for "sanitary towel" while reviewing a Ford Focus 😂
I think he also said something about waiting for the diesel 'STD' version (obviously standing for 'sexually transmitted disease').
yeah, the 2.5 inline 5 ST, the best one
LMAO I REMEMBER
@Nomen Clature I miss the original hosts too... The perfect trio in the world: Clarkson, Hammond and May
nothing sanitary about this particular focus ST due to doug spitting in it while drivingg lol
I have a focus from this era and I can confirm my butt can tell the difference between level 3 and 4. Absolutely love the feature 😂
Seconded 😂
I used to have a focus se and the jump from 3 to 4 was insane
3 is so weak and 5 so hot that you always gotta put 4😭
The ST is a really good bargain for now but I think the ST and the RS are definitely going to be praised even more in the future. Especially with the lack of hot hatches in America and the electrification of cars that they’re trying to roll out by 2035. These cars are already unique but soon it’ll be a relic.
As they say, "it's better to drive a slow car fast than drive a fast car slow." It always more relieving knowing if you destroy a part on a cheap car, you just replace it.
My point exactly. I sold Ford's and found the Focus and Fiesta ST's to be more fun then the Mustangs. A loaded Fiesta ST is cheaper than a base Mustang.
The reason I sold my 07 VW Jetta and bought an 05 Ford Taurus. Sure it’s not as nice, but it’s a hell of a lot easier and cheaper to maintain.
Same applies to motorcycles. But we say "it's more FUN to ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow."
Me:
Doug: THISSSS is a 2013 Ford Focus ST
'13 Focus ST *STONKS*
Me: NOOOOO
Depending on where you live get a fiesta ST instead.
Trust me the value on these cars will only stay the same or drop even further, especially if you buy a 13-14 . Bought my 13 for $14k and in good condition it’s now worth about $8-11k after only a year and a half
I decided to get a fiesta ST instead and god, It's so much better (drove both) .. Put a tune on the Fiesta and its already quicker than the Focus, plus the handling is also better from the factory.
If you’re located in Florida I’m selling a 13 st3
For reference I owned a 400whp focus ST and sold it for a bone stock fiesta ST because it drives that much more fun. I'm on my second fiesta!
Been driving the FoST for 5 years, best car I've had. The base ST trim in 2016 was so much cheaper than the computer screen ones. The funny part is that the plastic area around the 4" screen widens out gradually, allowing you to wedge your phone in there. Instant hi-res maps!
I might need to buy a second car and so far this one is winning. I have my eye on a 2016 ST3 with 34K miles. Charcoal Gray. It's gonna be my daily driver.
@@kingdavid52 that's the color of mine. Looks great in grey and also in white imo
@@derekgardin1512 I ended up buying a 2017 ST2 in Charcoal Gray and I freaking love it.
@@kingdavid52 yep they're great cars. Tons of fun and nothing but oil changes, brakes and tires.
@@kingdavid52 how much did you pay?
Nail on the head - "It feels fun", even at normal speeds. I've driven a Golf R, and a Focus ST back to back - the ST just feels so much more fun way before the limit. The R doesn't feel fun until you're at 9/10s, and between 9/10 and 10/10 - there's a very fine line between feeling fun, and exceeding the capability of the car/driver.
Thats because its awd and it takes a lot of pushing to get it to kick out and have fun with. The gti is a better comparison for the st
@@Phantaam but other AWD cars way easier to have fun with, see the Focus RS.
VW and Audi share the same problem, they're good in a straight line but that's where the fun generally ends.
America misses ford hatchbacks so much
Looking at sales numbers they don't really miss them at all.
THIS American is. Also, manual transmissions
@@JoshuaTootell Import a new one.
Not on my budget @@schwuzi
@@schwuzi they can’t (25 year rule)
"It's success led to the return of the hot hatch"
And then Ford got rid of it. All praise hyundai, I guess, for being the last manufacturer of hot hatches that still sell in the US. If anyone wants a car like this new, what options do we even have? Golf? Veloster? anything else?
Civic Type R
@@TekuTaurus Affordable the type R is not. Overpriced it is.
When it's way over priced they go away
Civic si
@Whitt Solak true but both ugly af.
Such a shame that the new gen isn’t being sold in America
Its because North Americans can't fit into them
@@bluruckuscrx8124 gonna go out on a limb and assume you tried to call north americans fat, its just too bad there are idiots all over the world!
just saw a 2021 at the supermarket, looks way better
the interior of the new Fiesta's and Focus' are very nice.
Ford Explorer ST
"there's no visible fuel door" literally shows big ass fuel door lid on the side smh
I don't understand why people complain about cars having fuel door?
And the fact people like clean looking lines, yet all cars have cut-outs for the doors, fuel door, hood, trunk, fenders, bumpers, headlights, taillights, etc.
@@automation7295 I don't think anyone complains about cars having fuel doors. It's just cool that Ford obscured the fuel door like they did.
But then they ruined it on the facelift! They made the lights smaller but not the fuel door so it stuck out!
Got mine yesterday. I don't have words to describe how amazing the ride quality is with the full leather recaros. Having driven shitbox economy all this time and then getting an ST3 from 2014 is a huge jump in my ride quality.
The way he says _"ESSS TEEEE"_ clearly shows how much he likes it
That's exactly what i yell everytime I overtake someone with my fiesta ST on a small B road....
*Drop back to 3rd gear: ESSSSS TEEEEE! 😂
@@TheoSanders593 Drop a gear, and disappear ⚡
@@invincible.456 that's the ticket to happines! 😁👍
It also shows how much he likes to play for the other team. M
17:44 - Doug does funny spit
*If only Audi could take a note out fords to book Real air vents and exhausts*🤯👍🥇
@brandon saavedra eh
ST is way more reliable and won't cost you a grand or more every time you need to change the spark plugs or altinator. $500 to $700 sensor replacements. I could go on forever. Audis are nice cars if you have an extra 1 to 2k to maintain it yearly.
@@Ricky_Grade10 EXACTLY, the people that are looking to buy an ST, really can’t afford or deal with the shenanigans of owning an over engineered piece of euro junk. These were such cool little cars.
German cars just require more loving wouldn't swap my 3 door golf manual for anything (my personal most expensive "repair was tires" at 111k miles
@brandon saavedra I mean it is pretty stupid to compare an entire brand against just one car
Had mine since new in 2018 and now has 100k miles. Still surprises me when driving and it’s RELIABLE (only had clutch position switch and bad battery terminals). Will continue past 200k miles easily.
Doug, you didn't read the owner's manual this time? Sport mode is engaged when you press the traction control button, but that does not disengage traction control. To fully turn off traction control you hold the button for about 5 sec, then it's fully off.
My Fiesta ST is the same way, so it irked me when he said that.
I thought clicking it once disables traction control and then holding it turns off Electronic Stability Controll and ABS. That's how it is on my Fiesta ST at least.
It is funny because Doug talks about setting the TC off in a Focus ST like he is talking about a V12 Lambo, if you can't drive a stock focus without TC you shouldnt be driving anything with an engine bigger than 3 cyl 1lt.
@@Zeke19 ABS and torque vectoring are never off.
Sport mode increases the threshold for traction control and stability control, ESC off turns them both off completely.
@@acethedisturbed Sport and ESC Off modes also subtly adjust throttle response and increase the steering weight.
he literally uploaded this 5 days after i got my 2014 focus st, this is awesome!
Enjoy the car, man! I've had two, they're great. I'd recommend getting a rear motor mount, it'll change the way it drives for the better! Almost no wheel hop with a better mount.
Congratulations! How is it?
@@tomhill3907 Words cannot describe how amazed I am with it. The handling is the best part about it no doubt.
@@proto4747 I will look into that, thanks for the tip!
I got my ST today, same color and wheels. I really like it so far !
I used to own one of these before switching to an RS. I learned to drive a stick because of that car. And I enjoyed every bit of it. It definitely was a fun affordable hot hatch, and I hope they bring it back here some day.
RS is damn tempting for me.
Don't want to disappoint you, but they already killed RS completely, and there are rumors that next gen Focus and Fiesta will go all electric. So I guess it's "good bye" to fast fords for good... Enjoy your as long as you can ;-)
@@JoshuaTootell it's definitely a fun vehicle. And i enjoy driving it on winding roads. You should definitely look into finding a fairly new one. Might get a good deal on It.
@@arturwaligora501 yeah I heard. Which is why I'm going to keep my RS and never sell it. Probably will be the last stick shift I ever own.
I owned a 13’ and a 15’ ST before getting an 18’ RS. It’s like an addiction lol. I’ll never sell my RS for the same reason you stated.
a buddy of mine has a later model Focus ST, and I can confirm that these cars are more fun than anything else at this price point
can also confirm this is the case
@@julianc.6589 i can also confirm lol. my friend has a mk6 gti and my car is alot more fun to drive but his gti is alot more comfortable
It's tempting but I've had my civic for more than a year and I really miss rwd
As a 7 year owner I can confirm that too!!
@@George-nx4bp *Civics are pretty damn neat though*
I remember reading the interviews with the Ford engineers at the time about this car's development. The fact that they were boasting about oversteer and Nurburgring testing really impressed me. I was driving a 2012 GTI at that time, and when this thing came out it ticked pretty much all the boxes on my enthusiast list. The Tangerine Scream paint was thr cherry on top of the whole thing. Fast forward 10 years later, and I'm driving a Fiesta ST, but love the ST community including our Focus brethren
Doug: is about to begin a surgery
ALSO doug: Before we get started, be sure to check out cars and bids
played out joke
How did this get 58 likes in...46 minrjes oh god
69 likes= nice
I love how doug still reviews normal cars too
he is def the most genuine car you tuber
@@jamesdawson3094 the most consistent too!
From pretty decent acceleration at lower speeds/tight roads excellent handling (especially for a fwd car), to getting 30mpg on the highway (plus a 4 cylinder car that actually has an exhaust note that sounds appealing and desirable), the Focus ST is undoubtably an exciting car to own/drive! I challenge anybody to get behind the wheel of an ST and not have a good time! Amazing to see how Ford nailed exactly what the modern enthusiast was wanting. I wish they could bring just the ST back to the US. Exactly what every young enthusiast with a budget would hope it to be.
I drove one for a couple years. Absolutely loved this car and never had a single issue. Sad I ever sold it!
I am driving one, and feel it still fun to drive and practical!
that's why I'm resisting my wife's suggestion to sell mine, I know I'll regret it
@@jonjonr6 sold mine to buy her a “mom car.”
This was supposed to be kept secret 🤦. Now they are going to go up in value
I got rid of my 2014 Focus ST for a Taurus SHO and while the SHO was a fantastic car, I definitely missed the fun aspect of the ST.
Doug pretty much nailed what I'd assume is all of the ST owners thoughts. For $13k-$20k now used, it's very hard to beat if you're looking for something quick, sporty, practical, and just a ton of fun.
The wheel horn makes it easier to hit while driving with hands on the wheel I Iove it
And logically it's where the horn should be.
Why would he try to list this as a negative? The plastic isn’t bending, that’s just the horn. It clearly works exactly as intended and is actually a nice feature.
Doug is the type of guy to look at the handbrake base to see if it is matching plastic
Doug needs to understand that the fact that he reviewed, sat in, and drove the car adds at least 2 points to the value. Doug Value Score should be 10.
Paid 15,000 for my 2017 several years ago with only 1,500 miles. Cobb jst 91/e30 tune. Makes 280whp and 390wtq. Big numbers for such a small overall investment.
@TableRocked na probably not. I have all the stock stuff and it only has 30k miles
It took me a long time to come to terms that this is mazdaspeed 3 everyone been asking for, only it's built by ford.
Didn’t Ford make Mazda’s ???
@@Smileydudekxy Mazda used to be in a partnership with Ford from the early 70s, now Mazda left the partnership and is partnering with Toyota
You bet. That's the exact reason I bought it. You can get a better MS3, for way cheaper, with less mileage, and newer.
When the Focus has a door open, the ambient lighting on the interior door handle turns red to alert people coming towards you at night. Always thought that was cool.
I noticed that on mine but never knew why. I still don’t know why
Thank you for reviewing an older car.
Doug: They're too common to be cool
Me: I don't remember when I last saw one let alone a Focus in general.
I see them every day. I like them.
Depends where you live
They're super common where I live, though I'd guess that half of them were traded in for an RS, which seem to be more common than an ST here in the Seattle eastside.
@@Eric__J Yeah the east side do be like that.
Do you live in Antarctica??
He's right, the driving experience is amazing. The ride/handling balance, steering, throttle response, and noise suppression but with a subtle growl is all well judged and sorted. I traded a BMW 335xi sedan for an ST3 have have zero regrets. It's the best driver's car I've ever owned, and practical and reliable. Yes, the dashboard is a low point. The only other downside is that I can't bring myself to sell it even at today's prices, so it looks like I'm a long-term collector now.
Me: Hey I might be able to afford the Focus ST in a few years
Doug: says it's a great bargain
Also me: Welp! Lost my chance on that one
legit thinking the same, lowkey mad lmao
not a lost chance but a narrow escape
They’re not going anywhere. Even if the ST goes extinct you till have the GTI or the Veloster N
@@drsipp407 ST's be looking better though
hahahahah ill be able to sell mine for more now
I still have my 2013 ST1 (base pack) and just a hair over 100k miles. I don't ever want to get rid of it - it's rare to see a hatchback on the road, let alone a stick-shift vehicle. It's nimble, doesn't waste it's own space, and is fun to drive every time. I've moved residences twice, drove across multiple states, hauled giant TVs, fence posts, and a grill in it. We need to go back to a time that hatchbacks were useful vehicles - giant SUVs are becoming just more and more ugly with their styling.
I have a regular ford focus hatchback (same year). One of the only cars I can say I still enjoy to drive.
me: takes a shot everytime doug says hot hatchback
also me: blacks out in my hot hatchback
When I was selling these back when they were new, Performance Blue was the hot color. At least in the Philly region
Bro im from Philly. I just commented. I seen a few brand new St with all the trim fixings driving around. In person they look nice as hell!
Ford did a good job with the design for these. I still think they look good
Bought my ST in 2013, still driving perfectly as a daily driver! Absolutely a pleasure to drive
Honestly feels weird seeing Doug review a car I own
I bought my first focus ST in 2016. It was an ingot silver ST3 package. It had 38k miles all stock. I did some bolt ons and cobb ap with stratified tunes. In March of 2018 I traded it in a kona blue 2017 ST3 carbon fiber interior package with 1,740 miles. Every interior change ford made on the 15 and up was basicly what I disliked about the 2013. I still have the 17 with 57k miles and it has basicly every bolt on minus a big turbo. These cars are so fun, especially with more power and suspension upgrades. I feel they never got the recognition they deserved, especially after the RS came out.
2:40 cmon Doug, no one was fooled, everyone literally saw the fuel door instantly, its a neat integration, but its not exactly hidden...
Greetings from Germany : my Focus ST goes almost 270 on autobahn so tacho range is ok.
That's impressive: so you can overtake, say, a 6 cylinder BMW which is factory speed limited at 250?
@@antipodeanwizard1632 yes it should, nominally ST goes to 248 as Ford mentioned in the official spec, but usually tacho shows a little bit more than you drive in fact. . Maybe thats the reason
I have one as well and live in Germany. BuT I have the Turnier, Wagon version
I just bought my ST a couple of weeks ago. 2013 Race Red with 30k miles. Easily the best purchase I've ever made.
Ford discontinuing the ST and RS is nothing short of a tragedy.
My 2015 Performance Blue ST is smiling right now.
Tangerine Scream is the original press color though lol.
2014 performance blue here
@@benbunch4159 yellow or orange? 😳😳
"does not feel like a smart phone."
Probably feels like a smart phone from 2013...
I had a Sync 2 equipped Ford for 4 years.
And it's utter trash. The thing has so many crashes, freezes, bugs and glitches, it's useless. And once you manage to reboot the thing it takes 10 minutes for it to boot.
*"Probably feels like a smart phone from 2013"*
You obviously were alive back in 2013. Smartphone were faster and more responsive than any Ford's sync system in 2013
@@automation7295 I suppose you mean "weren't alive", and of course I was. I might have exaggerated a bit. Most cars were still using resistive touch screens in '13, whereas phones use capacitive tech. Phones are inherently more responsive, and I'm aware of this.
As somebody who owned a crap Android phone in 2013, lemme just remind you: it wasn't *that* much better than what you saw in the Ford. My Motorola got extremely laggy to the point I replaced it after just a few years of use.
Haha yes, exactly
@@automation7295 phones have the benefit of yearly development cycles. Not just production cycles but development cycles. So, yes, phones in 2013 will ahead of automotive tech from that time. That's pretty standard across the all makes and models. I still believe Fords infotainment is good for when it came out.
I had a 2013 Focus hatch (the infamous Ford dual clutch) as my first car. I couldn't drive manual and the ST was out of my budget at the moment. I probably won't buy an ST but I like what it is after a test drive. It'll always holds a special place in my heart.
Ford Europe has been making hot hatches for decades, that is why this drives so well. The first focus ST was out over 20 years ago, they weren't trying something new, merely perfecting a nippy relatively cheap hot hatch
Irked me that Doug was referring to this as an American car company making something sporty. Yes Ford is American but this is Ford Euro which is very very different
Yes! Finding someone else saying this..... this is Ford Europe and which is totally different than Ford USA. So of course this ST will be good to drive. Don’t know why he think it will need to check for it’s handling and driving experience. This is not a American car lol
Ford Europe is falling apart in Europe they don't sell as much of cars they sold 10 years ago
@@bluruckuscrx8124 yet they still have the number one selling car in the uk every year, and 3rd best selling car too
@@battfinkz UK is not the whole Europe
I’ve never clicked on a Doug video any faster 😂😂
I have a 2013 ST in the UK.
It is simply a great motor. Love it.
In Europe, the Focus was always a highly appreciated car, and the fast models especially were regarded as better drivers cars than the GTI's.
And I'm a Golf fan. ;)
Sadly the Focus is doing terribly on sales in Europe right now
Yeah, even the regular Focus handles great for a regular car. Ford hatchbacks are the best-handling ones unless you're spending mad money.
Who is sad that the GR Yaris is not coming to the US, probably the most desirable hot hatch rn
There will be a GR Corolla for the US market coming later this year.
@@ultraguy8771 Yes and I cant wait to see it
@@ultraguy8771 wont be the same
Toyota’s GR division is planning on releasing a hot hatch specifically for the US market, which has the potential to be very good. I heard a rumor that it will have the same powertrain underneath, but with a Corolla body on top.
@@BarbWaltersMusic thats for sure, The Corolla is more heavy than a Yaris so if its the same powertrain it might be slower.
I love how Doug never sounds like he can take himself seriously, even to the extent of pitching CardandBids, his own product! He just seems like he can't believe he's even saying this stuff.
Oh man I love with Doug demuro becomes regular car reviews! forget all them McLaren's, because this is what I really want to watch!
It’s a shame Ford cancelled its Focus lineup in North America, because they still make the Focus ST and RS in Europe. They could have done like VW, who cancelled the non sports trims of the Golf and will keep offering the GTI and R versions because they actually sell better.
Sadly they don't make RS anymore. You can only get ST which has 280 hp and FWD.
I bet it comes back full electric. Remember the UK is banning combustion engine sales in the next 10 years 100% battery powered only
@@stevenplaskett7728 Ironically, the current ST still sold in the UK now has a 2.3 liter, yet the "no replacement for displacement" american drivers can't buy it.
Americans aren’t interested
Totally agree with your assessment! Having owned a 2014 ST, 2009 Mazdaspeed 3, 2016 GTI, and a 2019 WRX I can say that the ST is the best handling and most fun to drive, and feels quicker than it is. I do miss mine!
The Focus ST is like the SRT-4 Neon during my time in high school
Hahaha I had an SRT-4 neon. Loved that car despite all the hate it got. I’d buy one now as a project car 🤷♂️
@@ptubby1996 The SRT-4 nickname was Skittles
I still want an srt4. Good luck finding a clean one now lol
You can really tell how much doug loves the car from his face in the driving section, especially towards the end
Even though he was only driving it on the freeway.
I think that little spot is for business cards my guy ... DO NOT PUT YOUR CREDIT CARD IN YOUR GLOVE BOX!!!
I thought it was for proof of insurance cards
I live in Germany and have the Station Wagon version of this car which was never brought to North America. Top speed 255kmh😅
Doug: "I love how the Focus ST drives!"
Also Doug: *gives it a 6 out of 10 in Fun Factor*
I mean.. thr Focus RS exists
Love my 2016 Ford Focus ST (ST2) best daily driver ever!
Mine is Kona Blue, the color that replaced Performance Blue. I like it , it’s deeper and darker shade.
The focus is such a fun little car I love mine
“Ford Focus st: The most fun you can have in a car without taking your clothes off.”
... but it’s better if you do.
A good start might be for those members, teenagers especially, who lack a sense of decency and who are impaired by a high impressionability, saturation and sexualisation to have their commenting, liking and subscribing functions revoked.
@@enforcement2 My comment is a reference to a line in the 2004 movie, Closer. That line having been made even more famous by the two Panic! at The Disco songs, “Lying is the most fun...” and “But it’s Better if you do.” in 2006.
ua-cam.com/video/8AZxUtZ2ZgI/v-deo.html
ua-cam.com/video/uBtH2YlNiNc/v-deo.html
Aside from the extensive borrowing of classic lines from cinema for their song titles, the emo band Fall Out Boy also referenced Panic! at The Disco’s reference by using more of Natalie Portman’s lines from the movie Closer as song lyrics.
But I believe you are correct. I should definitely have my commenting privileges taken away.
Good comment.
Just bought a 2014 Focus ST with the ST3 package, my first manual car and I love it! The blue really pops in the sun
Awesome! Congrats!
Doug is the kind of guy who has
Be sure to check out Cars & Bids on his medical alert bracelet.
Also bars and kids as well
@@spywalkz1 DrugScore