'15 GT or wait for Focus RS?

[Hack]

Sounds like that guy doesn't know how to properly launch his car. You don't just drop the clutch while revving to 5k rpms lol.

Huh. I know when I was reading a review of the WRX STI in C&D they said if you rev to blah and dump it then your 0-60 time is this (pretty good time), but if you rev to a more reasonable rpm and dump the clutch the car is much slower. Makes sense riding the clutch out will help the life of most components (other than the clutch) and get you a faster launch.

I assume with any boosted 4 if you don't get it up into boost and keep it there you'll be slow. The published 0-60 times will be max effort that most owners won't want to do at every stop light. So the 0-60 published for 4 cylinder turbo AWD cars are deceptive for that reason.

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[Supa LA]

Huh. I know when I was reading a review of the WRX STI in C&D they said if you rev to blah and dump it then your 0-60 time is this (pretty good time), but if you rev to a more reasonable rpm and dump the clutch the car is much slower. Makes sense riding the clutch out will help the life of most components (other than the clutch) and get you a faster launch.

I assume with any boosted 4 if you don't get it up into boost and keep it there you'll be slow. The published 0-60 times will be max effort that most owners won't want to do at every stop light. So the 0-60 published for 4 cylinder turbo AWD cars are deceptive for that reason.

They're always going to advertise the best times. When they abused the car to achieve said time.

True, keeping the boost up will vastly improve your launch. If the boost is falling or low, it'll bog down on launch. It takes a decent amount of practice to find the sweet spot. Every car is different, but in most it's somewhere around or under 4k rpm. This will help keep the working parts in good condition for longer also. The sti has a damn near bulletproof tranny tho. You can, however, snap an axel and wear out the clutch etc.

 

[w3rkn]

Just because you can't read or comprehend what i said doesn't make what i said invalid. Again tone down the holier than thou attitude Mr. BMW driver I would love to debate you but again do not insult me because you cant comprehend something.. ask for clarification before you make wild assumptions and insult my intelligence. You clearly don't know how to debate someone without insults and taking it to a personal level.

your misguided points.

1. ride quality is worse because i own a mustang. wrong. Never said that.. but interior parts are cheaper and the ride will not be as smooth or as quiet

2. the mustang is the best built vehicle. wrong. Again I never said or inferred that from anything I have posted. that is entirely you imagination.

3. the 350 & 350R will be poorly derived cars of the GT. wrong. Again
never said that. both versions they will have some upgraded parts but almost all will stay the same. and in terms of drivability the GT will be nicer that the 350R because they wont have the infotainment and will be stripped of creature comforts to save weight. with stiffer suspension for the track the 350R will not be ideal for road trips and overall DD. (so depending on how "track" they go with the RS the ride quality will go down)

4. Are you aware the RS is a performance vehicle? YES! when was that ever something we were debating, or was that just an insult/troll? Are you aware the GT and the ST are also performance vehicles?

5. The mustang is an "economy" vehicle.... WRONG! don't even need to explain any further on that one haha.

6. You drive a BMW... relevance to GT vs RS?

7. I feel that the mustang is manufactured to a different standard than other ford vehicles. Correct. I feel that way because it is manufactured to a different standard duh!

My main point for bringing up the ST!
8. The RS will have upscale components like the 350. WRONG. Yes it will have upgraded driving components and parts but it will still have the same interior/exterior as the regular Focus and focus ST with some minor cosmetic changes (ST+AWD+2.3=RS). if you don't believe me look at the interior photo's of the ST vs The RS with its hard plastics and bad ergonomics. They still put the drink holders in front of the shifter to get in your way! A center console to bash your elbow on! The ST had this same problem. if you missed the center console your elbow would get stopped by your side bolster from your recaro's. You had to lift your elbow up during gear change and couldn't rest it comfortably. That's the first thing my wife complained about on our old ST. It doesn't have a leather dash, setup for optimal spirited driving, leather stitching, leather door liners, metal trim, etc... so you tell me how the mustang does not have better quality? The RS is still going to be a cramped economy car you can't get around that! Having owned both I can tell you that the interior of the Focus is inferior to the mustang! especially when it came to spirited driving. I do have to admit i liked the clutch pedal position better in the ST. "I'm not talking out of my behind" you are, I actually have owned these cars and not just spent 15 minutes on a test drive.

9. The mustang doesn't have a chance against the RS. Wrong WRONG WRONG! Yet again the RS will have to have about 300-330awhp and be under 3400lbs to be able to beat the Gt at the strip track or the street!

10. your can outrun mustangs and evo's all day. Wrong. If a 135i is tuned vs stock yes that's the only way that is possible. Even tune for tune that car is slower and cost more. but that's irrelevant to this thread anyways and beginning to think your just trolling at this point.

I'll reply to you in private.

 

[Supa LA]

Any more info on the RS? Are they still announcing everything next month?

OP- are you still going with the RS over the Mustang?

 

[wjlowe111]

Mustang or a Focus...really? I would think that to be a simple answer. Which is an American icon? With it being a 50th anniversary year, I would want to own a piece of automotive history! But that's just my humble opinion....

I know right; Mustang over a focus st or rs anyday. Its a V-8 muscle car; wth you guys thinking...RS is gonna be overpriced and its small as hell

 

[wjlowe111]

I'm guessing you've never driven an St? You might not say "just a Focus" if you had. Not sounding angry or anything, I know I'm treading dangerous waters by posting this thread in a Mustang forum but if the RS is half as good as everyone is predicting then I will have a tough choice, regardless of price. And an RS would also be a part of automotive history, though I greatly respect your view on the Mustang history.

I have had a Focus St; Its a kids car and it runs 0-60 in 5.5-5.7s flat with mods and tuner if your lucky; Definitely doesn't sound like a muscle car neither that's for sure and its front wheel drive; a lot of wheel hop and the intercooler is a joke!

 

[Hockeypucks]

Any more info on the RS? Are they still announcing everything next month?

OP- are you still going with the RS over the Mustang?

I'm actually now leaning towards the new Camaro (I know, blasphemy to say that on a Mustang site) but I just think it'll be the car for me. I'm most likely not going to get an RS simply because I believe I want a more "grown up" ride. The RS will be phenomenal and it's still tempting as hell living in Michigan but the power of a V8 is calling me.

I drove a 5.0 S550 a few weeks ago and I didn't get the "I have to have this now" feeling. I don't know what it was exactly, but I just think I would only be happy with a GT350 if I went Mustang. I may have to wait for the ZL1 to come out but either way, I will most likely end up with a muscle car.

 

[Supa LA]

I'm actually now leaning towards the new Camaro (I know, blasphemy to say that on a Mustang site) but I just think it'll be the car for me. I'm most likely not going to get an RS simply because I believe I want a more "grown up" ride. The RS will be phenomenal and it's still tempting as hell living in Michigan but the power of a V8 is calling me.

I drove a 5.0 S550 a few weeks ago and I didn't get the "I have to have this now" feeling. I don't know what it was exactly, but I just think I would only be happy with a GT350 if I went Mustang. I may have to wait for the ZL1 to come out but either way, I will most likely end up with a muscle car.

Sad to hear you're leaning toward the Camaro. I'm sure it'll be a nice car, but I could never own one. Maybe the 2016 will sway my opinion.

You say you drove a GT a few weeks back? Did you actually get to DRIVE it? Or was it more of a test drive? You have to get into it to know that omg feeling. Just my two cents. Good luck either way. Keep us posted.

 

[Hockeypucks]

Sad to hear you're leaning toward the Camaro. I'm sure it'll be a nice car, but I could never own one. Maybe the 2016 will sway my opinion.

You say you drove a GT a few weeks back? Did you actually get to DRIVE it? Or was it more of a test drive? You have to get into it to know that omg feeling. Just my two cents. Good luck either way. Keep us posted.

Honestly the S550 is the first Mustang I've ever been inclined to buy/look at. It's a gorgeous car and I still love seeing them in DIB but I'm still going to hold out and make my decision until after the Camaro reveal in May.

As far as really driving the S550, no it was more of a ten minute test drive so perhaps I just need to give it more time. I'll check in here as I usually do but I'm most likely going to pass on the RS.

 

[9secondko]

Get the GT and a seperate set of wheels for snow tires.

Much better car stock with much better potential for upgrades should you want to go down that road.

 

[Hockeypucks]

Get the GT and a seperate set of wheels for snow tires.

Much better car stock with much better potential for upgrades should you want to go down that road.

Says the guy who lives in Irvine haha. But you're right, a set of winter tires will be a must for me if I don't end up getting a beater for the snowy months.

 

[fly2low]

I am not worry about the price. Trying not to stereotype but here is my logic: Most Americans think that the bigger is the better. So, most people who come to buy Focus RS then see that they can get a decently equipped Mustang GT ("that thing has a V8!), thus will end up to go home with it. A more mature buyer coming with his better half and little ones see that they need the (big) space and will go home with either Edge or Explorer 3.5L V6 Ecoboost.

This is not a new train of thought. Even for ST buyers, some still think that if they can get a FoST at the same price with FiST then FoST is a better car, because "FoST is a better car with more power and room." While FiST buyers are dreaming of the resurrection of the FWD Lotus thus buying it for its lightness, tight suspension, and surprisingly a fitting engine (who would have thought a family car engine would make a good engine for FiST).

 

[davidw76]

I had the exact same dilemma, GT now or wait for RS. I am British so the RS badge means a lot more to me and is much more iconic than the Mustang, I grew up going to rallies and the Escort RS Cosworth was my dream car when I was young.

And until this generation, I've never really liked Mustangs at all. But this new one is just too good to ignore. A Focus RS makes a ton of sense on the roads back home in blighty, most journeys are relatively short and the roads are twisty. But here in the wide open spaces of the American west, a big V8 just makes more sense and is going to be a better long distance cruiser.

Also, I didn't want to wait another year or two to get my hands on an RS, and then have to deal with dealer markups. And I am a bit put off by the reports that the 4WD system only kicks in when the front loses grip. The rest of the time it's a FWD car apparently. Anyway, if it really is as great as I hope it is, maybe I will be tempted to trade in my GT for one. But not unless I can get it for MSRP or less!

 

[Supa LA]

I am not worry about the price. Trying not to stereotype but here is my logic: Most Americans think that the bigger is the better. So, most people who come to buy Focus RS then see that they can get a decently equipped Mustang GT ("that thing has a V8!), thus will end up to go home with it. A more mature buyer coming with his better half and little ones see that they need the (big) space and will go home with either Edge or Explorer 3.5L V6 Ecoboost.

This is not a new train of thought. Even for ST buyers, some still think that if they can get a FoST at the same price with FiST then FoST is a better car, because "FoST is a better car with more power and room." While FiST buyers are dreaming of the resurrection of the FWD Lotus thus buying it for its lightness, tight suspension, and surprisingly a fitting engine (who would have thought a family car engine would make a good engine for FiST).

Soo, what you're saying is people are going to buy a Mustang or the ST over the RS? Not 100% sure I'm understanding what you are saying here.

 

[davidw76]

Soo, what you're saying is people are going to buy a Mustang or the ST over the RS? Not 100% sure I'm understanding what you are saying here.

I think he is saying that American consumer tastes are changing. The "bigger is better" mentality isn't as strong as it used to be. American tastes are slowly becoming more like those in Europe where just because a car is small doesn't mean it's not desirable. For example, The Fiesta ST is regarded as one of the best cars you can buy right now. It is actually more fun to drive than the bigger, more expensive, more powerful Focus ST, because it's chassis is just perfectly tuned. In the past, Americans would have ignored it because of it's size (or Ford would not even have released it here). But that has changed.

The new Mustang is awesome, but it is kind of like a last gasp triumph for it's class. You could argue that's it's not a muscle car at all, more like a European sports car. And if you read reviews in places like Car & Driver, where they compare Mustang, Camaro and Challenger, they actually review them like sports cars, with the best handling car always winning. If they reviewed them as muscle cars then the Challenger would probably do a lot better!

Cars like the Fiesta ST, Focus RS and Alfa 4C are the future of sports cars (at least until everything is electric).

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