I'm just going to be honest and I hope this gets read. I love your content savagegeese and I do for the real reason that it's not fake. A couple year ago I stumbled across your channel when I was driving a civic si. My friends and I all were like "mod life bro!" and booost but as I watched your old video you said kids grow out of that and I did. I wondered a long time why your channel isn't as big as some others but now I finally get it. This is real feesback and some people who mod especially younger kids get this pressure that they need to mod like tj hunt or they won't be accepted. my old friends now that still are doing that ricer junk say your content is boring. I say it's a breath of fresh air. Please keep up your passion.
+Serenade Blue Thank you and, I know the young crowd does not get it. Its rare because that scene is mostly about show and status. The mod culture is constantly about whats next, how to out do the next guy. Its like the male equivelent of buying purses and shoes. Not all people are that way but most are. And as I am sure you have learned you get older most often you grow out of it because its a law of dimishing returns. Expensive. I ran forums in the 2000s and all the early 20s people who helped me and were so passionate disappeared after college, getting married. When kids came, cars culture was last thing on mind. I have seen it over and over. I am still a huge car guy but it has evolved seemingly like it has for you. Thanks again.
Serenade Blue I stopped modding cars after I installed a stage 3 tune on my 2004 Saab 9-5 Aero that blew up the engine 6 weeks later. Once modding bit me in the ass like that I wanted nothing to do with it anymore. I should have just left that car alone. It was fine stock. If you mod your cars it's not a question of if, but when something that you modded on the car will come back to bite you in the ass, or you will grow tired of the mods eventually.
Yea once you get older and especially after kids you realize modding cars is generally equivalent to burning money and taking a good car and turning it into a rough riding, less reliable, hard to sale car. The only mods I do these days are ones that make my life better somehow, like a remote starter or window tint.
That's a good point I grew out of that modding scene too. Because I'm sick and tired of working on old and new problems daily. I like tasteful, functional, reliable mods still.
I'd love to have an R as well, I have a TDI and am waiting until the last week before I trade in for either a GTI or an R. Just heard we won't be getting the European horsepower bump in 2018 and it's making me re-think my relationshit with Fucking Volkswagen entirely. I need / want some realistic talk from the Goose.
Well that is true but I have the fiesta ST and that thing loves to scream.. Also these engines need to be rang out.. They are built to be screamers plus they are direct injection and get carbon build up.. They need high revs.
@@crosstolerance I did a major upgrade on my Focus ST 6 weeks ago [INTERCOOLER, SCOOP, COLD AIR INTAKE, SOUND DELETE, CATBACK 3 EXHAUST, ECOBOOST COLD SPARK PLUGS, AND A COBB ACCESSPORT]. Different car, a lot more love 😍.
@@crosstolerance The list is always expanding on the upgrades I want to do on the car. I'm planning a trek across America next summer so those two items are on the list, along with spider headlights.👍
This review was six years ago, and these cars sit in a weird place in the 2023 vehicle market. A lot of them have been modded and abused, yet there's still a price floor of around 12-14k unless the cars are absolute basket cases. Wonder if its an "End of ICE/fun manual cars, get it while you can" phenomenon.
A few years ago I drove my mom's old Focus around the twisty bends in the cottage country. I kid you not, it felt 100 times better than my wife's BMW. It was just so perfect.
I don't remember the year, but at some point Michael Schumacher optimized the Ford Ka suspension (what a waste, LOL) and I assume Ford benefitted from that know-how for their other cars, too. Related to that anecdote: Testers considered the Ka's handling better than the VW Golf's, and then Michael Schumacher offered VW to help them improve the Golf's suspension, too, and they were so triggered, one VW guy almost literally saying: "Who does he think he is?!?"
I love cloth seats, the ubiquity of leather as a ‘luxury’ material pisses me right off. Oh you want 19” alloys and a sports body kit, well you have to have leather seats then, oh fuck off.
That was a very enjoyable, honest take on the ST. The turn-in aspect of the ST has me intrigued as twisty country road driving is a daily thing for my current location. Love how the country road example was brought up as you guys made the lap around that un-sold suburban McMansion development. :)
Please let me tell you this... the modern cars are becoming more expensive and to techy means more wiring, more hard to resolve and maintain the car... but for years I've been trying to tackle down a manual car that is Fun, Daily, Angry, and cheap: those are the 4 essence that I have been looking for. Cannot go with the GTI, STi, RS3, TT, and Z370, Mustang or Camaro Eco Boost cuz Pricy af… I'm stuck with only two options, the BRZ or this Focus ST because they both offer not only better price, but available aftermarket parts and even the expiration of the warranty I can almost find dozens of aftermarket parts for that I can guarantee, which one should I go??? they are both so good.
Stewart Rolen , they also cost much more money. The low price of the St gives it a huge advantage over the competition. Add a few options And the Gti becomes a far better option. No matter what options you put in the St the base Gti interior and refinement blows it away.
I wouldn't go so far as to say "blows it away" if you're talking an ST3. ST3 is very well equippred, and IMO comfortable. ST still has more power, better handling and given VW's track record, I would never buy one. Not that Ford has particularly good reliability/warranty, but the fact VW is below that is something to consider.
Wow that guy is really cool! Great review on a fun car, thanks for taking a look at it Savage Geese! I've had my Focus ST 3 now for a 1 year and it is a VERY cost effective way to go fast! The more mods the merrier, but stock this thing is a hoot from the dealership to 25,000km on the OD. So far so good!
I love the idea of buying an American sports car that can blow the doors off it's Japanese rivals (Civic Si) for almost 5 grand less but at this point in my life I'm more of a cruiser than a wannabee racer. The Civic is simply a more sophisticated car that does way better in terms of fuel economy. I just wish it didn't look so fucking stupid. What were you thinking Honda?
I really enjoyed this format of "viewer drives" with tom not contributing until his perspective at the end. Tom also is super natural and could be a contributor. Maybe include just a short comment on maintenance/reliability as well. Nice job to you both. I agree "drive with turb" segment is always entertaining part.
I know it may be old, but mind doing the speed3? Been looking for a good daily that will fit my kid yet not make me want to blow my brains out driving it every day with how boring it is. Currently have a fusion sport but its so bland and boring its ridiculous.
Have you ever driven/made a video on the old 1 Series platform (E82etc) specifically the 135i? They’re becoming the new Supra in the tuning scene and a turbowski underbody toughness assessment would be amazing.
Did anyone else peep that they blurred out the license plate except for 69😂😂 they funny af for that but in all seriousness you should do a review on the Nissan 370Z
I bought a Fiesta ST over the Focus ST...in part because I just can’t over the amorphous blobs that they call tail lights on the Focus. Not knocking anyone who owns one though.
Dark Horseman No its totally understandable This is gonna sound like im being dickish but im not. I bought a focus because the fiesta looks like a tiny little egg. And i couldn't get past it
Now in 2020 that these cars are down to $12,000 used for reasonable condition, 100,000 miles (without getting the most broken salvage title clickbait build), this video is worth bumping and re-watching.
The panel gap at the front is adjustable by two rubber mounts under the bonnet. Same as any car, they can be misset. Nothing to do with build quality. Cheers, love the vids btw.
Good day savage. I noticed that there is one (perhaps random) awkward mute in your videos lately. Could it be an editing bug? It's at 11:36 in this video, almost right in the middle. Maybe it's my browser.. Exciting review by the way. I own a '16 Fiesta ST w/ recaro's.
Man, if I wasn't broke as shit i'd love to own a Focus ST. It looks like it's a ton of fun to drive and would be very usable in the day to day. Also despite all the electronic safety equipment and controls it's a car that you really drive without being, well, shitty. Another good video, interesting to see more branching out, keep up the good work!
In my experience, mixed driving (calculate it by trip meter every fill up), I get about 24-26mpg, and that does include getting on the throttle a good bit at different times over the course of the tank. Mine is a 2016, not sure if that'd make any difference efficiency wise, but I doubt it should. I have an FSWerks 93 Oct tune and averaged 25mpg mixed driving on my last tank (city and freeway) and going wide open throttle at least 6-12 times over the tank, but generally just commuting. I've also tried with the stock tune and got similar results, about 25.5mph mixed. The lowest averages I've gotten have been 22-23mpg. I think recently, gas may have switched from winter/cold weather formula to summer/warm weather, so probably getting a little more efficiency now. Babying it and driving like a sane person, I think you could eek ~27mpg out of it mixed driving, but driving like that kinda defeats the point of a car like this.
I’m pretty sure the owner of the car is referring to mpg average and not real world estimate mpg. I still 30-32 mpg on the highway going over 80. I’m also tuned and have other performances parts
Holy fuck are the st's sold in america also built in germany? My Facelift MK3 doesn't have such shitty panel gaps, neither did any of the 2 MK4's I looked at yesterday. The pre-facelift interior is just an absolute dealbreaker, for what otherwise is a great car for the pricepoint.
Just wanted to say I’m a big fan and you helped me in making the decision to pick up a 2014 ST3. Been watching for years and I trust your judgment and reviews. Thanks again💯💯✌🏽
Another great video. By the way, if you do end up coming to NY and driving our 318i convertible, you're free to also drive my stock 2016 VW GTI w/ Performance Package (6-speed) if you still haven't been able to get one from VW yet :)
you reviewed the '13,'14 interior as being bad, which I agree with, but what did you think of the '15+ interior? I see you were driving one on the track.
Excellent review again! Never been a fan of the Focus st. Torque steer, and in spite of its power , putting that power to the ground is a pain. The clutch is an on off switch. Impossible to beat at its real would price point. I am curious to see how the long term reliability will be. I Don't have a problem with the interior or exterior at this price point ( other than the small back seat) and the ride handling balance is good. The toughest and only real competition for the Focus St is the Excellent Fiesta St. The Fiesta st is a far far better car. Even if it's real world price is more. The Fiesta St is one of the most entertaining cars to drive under 30k. In many situations I find it MORE entertaining than my Brz.
I have the Fiesta ST and yea it is crazy fun and just makes you laugh how playful it is and how easy it is to throw around on the tarmac.. Never ever gets old ! :D
I watched your RS review and loved it - still bought one tho and watching this review (I owned a 2103 ST before the RS) it struck me why I struggled with your views on the ride quality. Your roads are awful! No wonder you complained about the RS!
Glad to finally hear your opinion. Been driving my 2016 st1 for almost a year. Glad I leased it, because it looks like all the 2nd generation ecoboost engines are benefiting from port and direct injection. I pulled off my intake manifold at 5500 miles a couple months ago. An absolute joke how much has already caked on .
I still think the Elantra Sport is an amazing buy. I wish they made a slightly upper-spec version...perhaps one with like 250hp and an LSD. That would be perfect. Then I'd have to buy it over this
As an ST owner I will say that the ST1 package interior is lacking for sure. Also, though the ST1 has seats that fit everyone and are pretty comfortable, the ST2 and ST3 get the Recaros that are not comfortable for anyone that's 200 lbs+. Overall it's a great option for a fun daily. Great review
0:26 That's a Tom Thanks movie. I like an unruly FWD because indeed it gives you that character and excitement that in a RWD car would be the rear's tendency to break out. In lack of a race track where you are aiming for fractions of seconds, it is a huge plus to have a car that toys a little with you, that, through some means, gives you a better feeling of the engine's power working on the car.
This video is not really accurate...the ST3 is totally different...better interior, better seats, better stereo and the HID and LED headlamps...much different than the stripper model reviewed in this video...
This video is extremely "accurate". When you get an ST3, you're not paying $20,000 (or less), you're paying way more. And then, the philosophy of use for the Focus ST can get defeated can't it? Because even dressed up with fancy seats and infotainment, it's still a Focus. It's still just a practical commuter car with a turbo.
So, it looks for me like it's a GTI or Golf for a hatchback. Or, I might keep my '13 FR-S... I'll look to see if you did a review of it or the BRZ. Thanks for doing the heavy lifting for me! PS You are not "fickle" about the interior; you are "discerning." :D
SG. You need to drive an ST3. Although at this point you are probably going to say who cares? This car is not made anymore and the world has moved on. Well, I guess that’s true for America where most FAT Americans are obsessed with SUV’s and pickup trucks. The Focus ST3 is such a fun car. Mine is a 2013 with 75K on her. Only one $1000.00 repair in six years. I can’t complain. She is Honda like reliable. I love this car and I came out of a 2006 Acura TL 6 speed manual. The manual transmission in my ST blows the TL box away. I purchased the TL new in 2006 and put 158K miles on her. The clutch was starting to slip and she needed new McPherson struts and shocks. The ST gives up nothing to the more expensive TL
I get 28 to 31 mpg highway if I go 70. It's possible to get 35 to 40 mpg going 55 on a flat surface (At least what my computer says). And you get like 20ish mpg if you're going 80 tho. I live in michigan so the elevation definitely has something to do with it.
I bought a 2014 Ford Focus ST in January of 2015. ZERO mods. It runs great. Great power. I have the ST1 and while the interior is not posh like some cars for me its the engine that stands out. I ruined a '92 GTI and a '93 Corrado SLC in the early 90s with way too mods from tuner catalogs back in the days before the internet. my journey to stock performance began in 2004 with a E36M3, hence my ST has remained stock and very reliable.
Great production value, no doubt but I'm not sure where the venom comes from concerning the "bottom of the barrel" ST1? I believe even Chris Harris said "Ford is just trying to give you a lot for your money" and I think compared to other cars the ST2s and ST3s are shocking values. The ST1 has NO comp at the price unless you are looking at used Speed3s or Fiesta's. My last point is this constant complaining from reviewers about the turning radius and the fact that you have to pull the headrest to lower seats (pull seat bottoms as well); I live in an urban area, lots of tight turns and changing direction; if the radius is the trade off for better steering then who cares? Seriously what's the difference between a 2point and 3point turn? As for the seats; have you sat in the rear of a Fit or a Mazda3? Thin is the best you can say about those seats. The Focus is a five door that most people use for passengers, would it be better to a quick-fold seat? Sure but I would think my passengers are more important than my tires or IKEA pick-up.
You are buying an "American" car built in Mexico and American cars have their strength and weaknesses like their German and Japanese counterparts. The advantage of buying an "American" car is value for the money (i.e., more features than found on a Japanese or German car).
Considering the fact that the interior of a car is the place you spend most of your time, I would believe it would be one of the most important things to consider when buying a car. The ST's cheap feeling interior would get old faster than its steering rack. I was between the ST and GTI when I was car shopping. The ST was fun to drive and engaging. I HATED the horrendous torque steer though. It's the main reason I went with the GTI. The GTI is much more refined and just as engaging as the ST (Though the GTI was 3k more expensive).
Any chance you can do an updated review of the 2017 focus ST? im trying to decided between wrx and the ST because I work in EMS and keeping with that if it snows and I still have to get to work the WRX fits the bill in versatility, but I know that if I throw a good set of snows on the ST it COULD possibly keep pace with the WRX if it were running all season tires. But I can get the ST3 package fully loaded at like 27K but the wrx i'm breaking 30K and I still don't really have everything I want. Also I love the way you review you take all the general hype away from the car, and you talk about the facts, you look at the realistic positives and and negatives, and you dong giggle like a 9 year old school girl when you floor it.
Love the exterior design, hate the interior. I don't care about soft touch plastics or whatever, but everything is so vertical. It's hard on the eyes and the feel. As a person prone to fits of claustrophobia, I've learned that vertical lines make me uncomfortable.
I bought a 2016 ST (ST2 package) and love it. Yes the suspension is a bit hard and there is brake fade (had that happen once). Where I live lots of hills and twisty county highways.......Lots of fun. Many times I go on google maps just to find the longest route just to get where I want to go.
