High Performance 2012 Ford Focus ST

[kam327]

Originally Posted by vanace

6th gear shouldn't be a factor for much. Just hiway acdeleration in 6th... so what. If I want to accelerate I will downshift. For autocross type stuff you will never see 6th gear. But it will give the rags something to complain about. They never like Ford anyways.

You're assuming the vast majority of ST buyers will only be using it on the track? This car is supposed to be performance for the masses, an everyday driver, etc. Automobile in the Sept issue said "Our only reservation [about the transmission] concerns the excessively tall top gear - it undoubtedly helps to save fuel but forces the driver to downshift frequently to keep up the momentum at freeway speeds." That's going to be mighty annoying to anyone using it primarily as a commuter car and secondarily as a weekend racer.

This is the main reason they were able to eek out an extra mpg over the lighter and less powerful GTI. But I bet it gets mentioned almost every time there's a ST / GTI comparo...

[ST Focus]

Most cars have 5th and 6th gear as over drives (4th gear being 1:1 or close to it).

Its not like they are going to make power. Those that shift to 6th tend to loose power and top end speed as its just for economy not performance.

I would like to see if Ford matched the final drive and trans ratios to the power band.

[ST Focus]

FWIW in my area most drive 70 to 80 MPH, so if place tested it at 50 to 60 MPH and thought it was tall, maybe they should have stayed in 5th...

[RonMaiden]

a 6 speed is nice when cruising on flat roads at 75+ and does improve MPGs but not a performance gain.

[DognamedMack]

In my opinion if your driving for performance than you are usually running in a lower gear to keep the RPM's up. Sixth gear would probably not even be used.

Ya I only have 5 gears now but I will cruise around in 5th gear at times at 30-40 MPH to save a little gas. Seems to be the same with a 6 speed just cruising at 55-65.

You can't be lazy when it comes to a manual transmission. If your complaining about having to shift at highway speeds what are you going to do in bumper to bumper stop and go traffic?

[RonMaiden]

Driving a manual is a dying art as many young people I know couldn't drive a stick to save their lives.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

Driving a manual is a dying art as many young people I know couldn't drive a stick to save their lives.

I think there are 3 reasons people choose manuals. Sporting intentions, lower initial cost, and higher fuel economy. Higher fuel economy is probably the primary reason why a third of all cars sold in 1980 had a stick. But with todays automatics, manuals have lost that 3rd advantage. And in some cars, like the Focus Titanium, the 2nd advantage is gone too (they cost the same).

[RonMaiden]

There's alot of manuals still on the road and you never know when you might have to drive one and having that knowledge comes in handy. I've been fortunate to have had the opportunity to drive alot of cars I'd never be able to own and most were manuals and if I didn't possess that skill I would'a missed out on some neat experiences.

[sctrooperlx]

I have a question, I got a st2 on order does anybody know if you will be able to buy the hids from ford and install them yourself???

[Peregrine]

Originally Posted by sctrooperlx

I have a question, I got a st2 on order does anybody know if you will be able to buy the hids from ford and install them yourself???

I would imagine at some point you would be able to. This time around, I'll be buying a spare set before someone at Shelby decides to buy up the rest of the lot like they did with the Machs. Bastards.