Just drove a ST

[sflirbr]

I went by my preferred Ford dealer to see their newly arrived ST. I was offered a test drive right away. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance. If you don't want to be disappointed in your current Focus, don't drive the ST. It is a night & day difference to my SEL. Lots of torque at lower RPM and it pulls right to red line. I was chugging around in traffic and left it in 3rd gear. It would pull easily from 1500 rpm and I didn't feel the need to go to lower gears to get the engine to respond. The suspension is great and feels a lot more solid and balanced - no understeer when pitched into off ramps at speed. Too bad the ST suspension upgrade is more involved than just springs and struts. I didn't like the sound tube gimmick they used on the ST. I took it off my 2011 GT right away.

Thanks to Ken Marks and Dave Linebaugh at Paul Miller Ford in Lexington, KY.

If could get my wife to drive a manual, I would have ordered the ST on the spot. What a great commuter / AutoX car. The tester was loaded with a $29K sticker. Don't buy the first one on the lot! Everyone at the dealership thrashed this one.

[Sponsor]

[NickCornell]

I'm jealous, I'd kill for an ST. I think the mk3 ST is so rounded in all aspects

[Mazingo]

Originally Posted by sflirbr

Everyone at the dealership thrashed this one.

It's not the first time I hear about dealerships employees abusing cars.Yes these cars are made to be driven,but it should be done in respect with the break-in period recommendations.There's no reason for salesmen to redline the engine just for the kick of trying it.This will not break the car ,but will affect it in the long run.And this is even worst on a turbocharged car if they don't allow warm up and cool down period to prevent the turbo bearings from running dry.

[RonMaiden]

Very unprofessional of the dealership guys to do that to a new car.

[wilsonfocus86]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

Very unprofessional of the dealership guys to do that to a new car.

That's why you just order one so they can't! Right?!

[Mazingo]

Originally Posted by wilsonfocus86

That's why you just order one so they can't! Right?!

This as nothing to do with it.If the dealership want's to use a car for joyrides,they can simply put the "demo" sticker on it and sell it that way.

[streetfocus]

There is no break-in requirement for new cars. The ST is ready and able to be "thrashed" from day 1. The sales people should give adequate cool down of the turbo before shutting it down though if the have really been laying into the boost.

[sflirbr]

I didn't say they abused it. Why does this forum always have to turn into dealer bashing. It was driven like it was intended. It just isn't a new car any longer. Most people who drove it wouldn't have to drive it at 60% to think they were going fast. It has just had a lot of butts in the seat. I think it is great that Paul Miller Ford put the car out there so people could really drive it. I had the car at 75% of its capability on one on ramp and the salesman and passenger stiffened up and grabbed onto whatever was close. Didn't hurt the car a bit and I would be doing it on a regular basis if I bought one - I drive my cars, but I don't abuse them. Doing burnouts, trying to power shift, etc. doesn't make you faster, just abuses the car for no reason.

How about complimenting the dealer for their efforts to show off the car and Ford for producing it!!!

[1sloho]

Originally Posted by sflirbr

I didn't say they abused it.

ya kinda did...

Originally Posted by sflirbr

Everyone at the dealership thrashed this one.

[Mazingo]

Originally Posted by sflirbr

I didn't say they abused it. Why does this forum always have to turn into dealer bashing. It was driven like it was intended. It just isn't a new car any longer. Most people who drove it wouldn't have to drive it at 60% to think they were going fast. It has just had a lot of butts in the seat. I think it is great that Paul Miller Ford put the car out there so people could really drive it. I had the car at 75% of its capability on one on ramp and the salesman and passenger stiffened up and grabbed onto whatever was close. Didn't hurt the car a bit and I would be doing it on a regular basis if I bought one - I drive my cars, but I don't abuse them. Doing burnouts, trying to power shift, etc. doesn't make you faster, just abuses the car for no reason.

How about complimenting the dealer for their efforts to show off the car and Ford for producing it!!!

Your comment was.And I quote:"Don't buy the first one on the lot! Everyone at the dealership thrashed this one."

That doesn't sound much like a compliment to the dealership.If you don't want us to judge the professionalism of those employees,you should use a better words to discribe your experience.