These are kind of drab - too much like the lower-level regular cars...the ST2 Recaros are so much nicer. With so much black on the console/center stack + manual A/C controls, it reminds me of the S model.
Only reason I ask is because although the Recaro's "look" awesome to me in the pictures... once I sat in them, I knew I couldn't live with them for a daily driver. The bolstering is so aggresive, I felt very uncomforatble in them.
Those seats don't look terrible, I'd be happy with that. However, it sucks you're basically stuck with NO options at that point. Only other option would be to get the ST2 or ST3 package, and swap seats + cash with somebody that wants them.
The ST2+ seats are so aggressively bolstered, they literally jab into the middle of my shoulders! The seats in my SE Sport are close to perfect for me, so I'd have to go the same route as you with a seat swap since they don't allow any real choice in options.
It's bad that I'm going to consider other cars simply because I can't have base seats, navi, and HIDs without Frankensteining options..
I hate the ST2 seats; they just reek teeny bopper with the colored side bolstering to match the exterior... the ST3's 8-way powered all leather is so much more sophisticated. The only way I could see somebody buying the ST2 seats is if you're 17 or middle age and going trough a mid-life crisis. The ST1 may not be in your face but they are Recaro and 100% more comfortable.
32 years old, soooo; not middle aged and no mid-life (that's what Vettes are for). Perhaps you could only see yourself driving those seats for the aforementioned reasons...
I drove in all three of those seats, and the most uncomfortable of the three was your vaulted ST3 leather! They'll be years before they break in and allow the driver's position to feel settled; just like the old rental car type seats: it feels like you're on top of the seat, and not in it.
And an argument could be made that if sophistication is what your shopping for you've been led astray; the general population in this country aren't gonna think any Focus has sophistication (with the exception of this lot)! I've been painting and color matching everything I thought would look good since I got mine in '03 which is why the ST2's appeal to me; but I'd take an LMFAO-themed animal print seat in a heartbeat over a sophisticated-looking one that didn't cradle me properly!
I can already see the symbiotic-swaps happening for these warlocks: if the elder-boppers hate the colory ones and the boy racers want the accented seats...
Drove an ST1 yesterday. The cloth seats fit me exactly like my Ti leathers do. I just wish they didn't look so bland. All that black fabric is so plain. It needs a pattern or some texture. Might be worth looking into aftermarket leather.
Liked the car otherwise, except for the lack of anything on the overhead console. Not even a sunglass holder....bah.
I love the Recaros. Keeps fat people out. I'm really hoping that the wiring harnesses are the same as previous model years and I can use them in my Focus.
I hate the ST2 seats; they just reek teeny bopper with the colored side bolstering to match the exterior... the ST3's 8-way powered all leather is so much more sophisticated. The only way I could see somebody buying the ST2 seats is if you're 17 or middle age and going trough a mid-life crisis. The ST1 may not be in your face but they are Racaro and 100% more comfortable.
You're correct my apologies... the cloth are not Racaro seats (I read that they were on other websites). As for the rest I stand by my opinion... haha.
You would be correct in that I never gave much attention to the Focus SVT... I was too much in love with my 03' Saab 9-3 Vector.
I actually really like the Sport seats quite a bit and fit my 5"10" 190lb frame. I've sat in the Recaros and they fit me great and around town would be nice but if I was in them for 5-9 hours would be a real test for those extended road trips.
The seats are exactly the same minus the leather for the SE sport seat/ST1 seat and the SEL/Ti in cloth or leather. Only the Recaro seats are different so they should swap right in, or you could just swap the seat covers.
I just ordered my ST1, also couldn't live with the recaros, the dealer is going to get my seats done in leather and I asked them to do PB stiching. I'll post pics when I get it.
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