I really like the Focus ST and was comparing it to the WRX as "potential" replacement for my 8 when it konks out. anyway, i've decided to wait until the new wrx comes out.

however, I heard about the Fiesta ST. smaller and lighter than the Focus ST, so it appears to be a better value.



i'm pretty sure the mazda 2 will never come in a F/I version.

would it appeal to you?

 

Went to one of Ford's drive events and ran its Big Brother Ford, the Focus ST on a course they set up. It was ok, nice racing style seats rock and decent power spooled up after a fashion. With fresh tires it understeered not so nicely, so coming from an RX-8 it felt like any FWD car does, handling wise, IOW not very crisp.

"If" its handling is tweaked similar to the Focus ST, and "if" it's as light or lighter than the current US Fiesta ~@2600lbs, the proposed 197HP and 214 lb-ft of go motion will put it into competition to be a fun go cart ride for sure. Here's hoping anyway

 

I can't imagine going to a wrong wheel drive econo hatch after owning an RX-8. Move forward , not backwards.

 

You would be buying a worse built and cheaper materials used civic SI.....

 

...some people own different cars to suit the task at hand...I have three currently... RX-8 trac car, Turbo grocery/dump car, and hwy luxbarge... doesn't mean each can't have some fun built in. This one could well be a nice grocery gocart, stop light city car, or twisties runabout

 

Yeah it would be a cool alternative car to run around town in I guess. But not an RX-8 replacement

 

Prior to the RX8 I've owned an 04 Matrix XRS (180hp fwd), 07 Mazdaspeed 3 (300whp FWD when done) and an 09 CSX Type S (Civic SI, 200hp FWD).

All had the typical FWD drawbacks, but the MS3 was the biggest offender. Reviews complain about torque steer, that didn't even bother me. It was the lack of being able to put the power down exiting a turn, and the feeling of understeer that made the driving experience less enjoyable. After the MS3 I vowed to never bother with a higher HP fwd car again.

I like the ST, and as a daily driver the cost of running and torque are real advantages however IMO its not worth the trade off. I'd stick RWD or go AWD unless you're committed to needing a DD and are picking between another FWD platform like a golf, civic etc. in which case you my as well get the quicker one. If you're buying it for the purpose of any genuine performance desires/driving pleasure, you'll be sadly disappointed

 

From my understanding, you believe the new Mazda6 would be a much better replacement for RX-8 owners. Correct?

I've been watching your comments in that thread.

 

No way. If they put the speed 6 Turbo DISI engine it and made it rear wheel drive then yes.

 

If we're talking only about FWD hatchbacks I would personally take a hard look at the fiat 500 abarth essesse. If FWD is not an issue then the golf R. (so sexy) if body style isn't an issue then I would personally look at the 370Z FR-S/BRZ or to go completely different the new wrangler.

 

the Fiat 500 in any form = Euro Crap.

 

Euro crap is still tons better than American top of the line lol.

 

Save the GT500, and CTS-V/ZR1 from the crap pile.... I like those

 

If you say so. Crap is crap. There is a reason British sports car have a reputation for being unreliable. The Abarth in particular (not British, I know) is a joke, especially the US version.

 

Once upon a time Fiat was laughed out of the US for poor quality, and wouldn't be back if they hadn't bought Chrysler.

I doubt you have been within 500 miles of the new Corvette or Viper, so that is your extremely biased opinion.

 

I'm sure I have, I drive all over the country lol. But you are right it is a biased opinion but one that has come to be that way with experience. Not only from myself but millions of others. If we are talking today's standards, American cars are bottom of the barrel. Sure at times there were crappy cars everywhere at some point but if you take america's segment leading cars for quality against European or Asian counterparts they all lack. Every single one. And that's not an opinion but a fact.

 

Price point for top of the line American cars is generally a lot less than their European and Japanese counter parts. (Let's face it, they are the only 'Asians' that make a decent car)

Take the recent Top Gear as an example, LFA $380 k, Vanquish $270 k, Viper $97. You pay a LOT more and don't get any better performance.

 

Well I dunno, when i think of VW, Audi, and Saab I generally think of unreliability. I am a big fan though. My boss has many cars but is a Mercedes nut (half german, born there) and one of his loves was a 2003 S55 AMG with 50k on it. In the last two years he has put about $10,000.00 into it fixing minor things (trunk, shifter mechanism, head unit, supercharger pulley). Then last week the doors refused to lock. Well it turns out they are air actuated and the whole system had leaks in it. Well $5,000.00 (over $4,000.00 in parts) later the doors were repaired.

Well since it is a 6th car for him, he decided to trade it in on a new Infiniti EX37 for his youngest daughter. They gave him $14,000.00 for it and it was in immaculate condition and dealer maintained. BB on it was like $18,000.00. 50,000 miles ago he paid almost $100,000.00 for it. He was really bummed that it had depreciated that much considering the condition.

 

Very true. But then again the LFA was a HUGE money pit. But switch out the LFA with the GT-R though and you get similar performance for 85k-ish. Granted the LFA is breathtaking and sounds better than any car on the market. I think the Asian and European cars can ask that because they are better quality wise. Performance is another beast altogether. Take the ZR1 vs an Enzo. Similar power but the ZR1 is just a beefed up vette where the Enzo is art.

My dad buys AMG Mercedes' religiously. He loves it. Hasn't had many problems with his but he trades em in every three years for new ones.

My first car was an '87 golf 1.3 with a 4 speed and 55 whopping hp lol! Till this day my second favorite car I've owned. Was 12 years old when I bought it. I loved every second in it.

 

The car lol not me.

 

I agree the finished product seems more refined when it come to most European cars, Japanese car finish is usually pretty good too(depends on price). American cars are pretty basic and don't have the refined feel, a finish that leaves something to be desired.
I just don't think the newest American cars out deserve the title of garbage yet. I think they are at least trying to get better. I still don't think I'd buy one just yet, I like Japanese cars too much.

 

What's sad is that my boss lost way more on his first gen CL63 (bi-turbo V-12) but for some reason he was not as attached to that one as he was the S55 and SL500 previous to that. That car had it's fair share of issues as well.

His wife has a GL550 that is a 2010 and the power-steering has been repaired twice and recently it spent a month at the dealer (replacing parts until the problem was fixed) for a random shut off issue that was very serious. The whole car would just cut off, electronics and all, luckily it happened on their street and not on the Interstate. But they are looking at the new GL's because they love Mercedes so much.

Meanwhile is daily (2010 Acura MDX SH AWD) is closing in on 70k and has never been to the dealer for anything.

But if it's one thing i get, it's being in love with a car that has major issues,

 

You are right, having a passion for something makes everything alright. I have been lucky so far. In three years my 07 sport hasn't put a foot wrong. I've changed plugs,coils,wires when I bought it and a battery last month. That's it on the maintenance front. No worse than my 01 celica GT I had before it.

 

Not for me...

 

There is no comparison, that's like putting a vett against a smart car.