'15 GT or wait for Focus RS?

[Hockeypucks]

Hello, as you can see from my profile I'm in dire need of a vehicle upgrade. I have owned a '13 Focus ST and it was by far the coolest, most fun car I've ever owned. It was an absolute blast to drive and I regret getting rid of it. I bought a house that required a fair amount of work after I bought the ST so I didn't want the higher car payment while working on the house.

Anyway, house is all done and I have built up a fair amount of equity so I'm starting the process of obtaining a much needed fun ride. I can't afford two vehicles so whatever I get has to be a DD, which can potentially limit my options since we get plenty of white stuff here in Detroit.

I have driven a '15 EB manual and I was very impressed. Felt much faster than the ST did and the ride quality was similar (from my very limited test drive). However, I just don't know that I can buy a two door rear wheel drive sports car that isn't a V8. I really miss the feel/sound of a large engine so I'm not really contemplating the EB though it is a touch appealing.

With the announcement of the RS coming I feel I have to at least give it a shot because of the love I had for the ST. It's rumored to make an appearance at the auto show this year so I'll make the 20 minute drive downtown with hopes of catching a glimpse.

If anyone is still reading this novel I'll get to the point. Has anyone else cross shopped an ST with the GT? I know they're completely different animals but I want my next car to have Recaro seats and be fun as hell to drive. It's pretty much between the Stang and ST/RS since nothing else out there is drawing my attention. I've owned a 2003 Mustang GT (auto, slow and boring) but it's been a long time since I've owned a rear wheel drive car. I'll have to get in a GT to see how it rides/feels but I'm sure I'll love it. Gas mileage is a little bit of an issue but I want to put enough down on the new car to offset what I'll spend on petro. I drive about 350 miles a week to/from work but it's 98% freeway.

Does anyone else live in snow country and use a RWD car as a DD? If so, do snow tires really help? I put all seasons on the ST but most FWD cars are naturally pretty decent in the snow. This is a huge purchase so I just want to get as much info as I can and make the best choice. Thanks for any responses, I appreciate the valuable information I'm learning about this new Stang from all you owners.

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[gzstang]

I too had a Focus St and have to agree on how fun the car was. Never had a front wheel drive car that could corner like it did! The RS is going to be great although I am a little worried on the price... I think you may want to wait to see what the RS details might be could be your choice. That car with some good snow tires would be so fun in the snow! My mustang will only be a summer driven toy,plus I have been a Mustang guy for most of my life I wanted back in the game. Anyway not much help to you but good luck with your choice!

 

[foghat]

I have read the RS is going to be a limited edition. If true, it will likely be pretty hard to come buy and especially at msrp. If I had to guess, I bet it will be closer in price to a GT.

With proper winter tires, rwd is fine in winter. Especially with a limited slip diff.

 

[Hockeypucks]

I too had a Focus St and have to agree on how fun the car was. Never had a front wheel drive car that could corner like it did! The RS is going to be great although I am a little worried on the price... I think you may want to wait to see what the RS details might be could be your choice. That car with some good snow tires would be so fun in the snow! My mustang will only be a summer driven toy,plus I have been a Mustang guy for most of my life I wanted back in the game. Anyway not much help to you but good luck with your choice!

I figured I'd hear from some fellow ST owners Yeah I am a touch worried about the price of the RS. I guess that's why I'm comparing it to the GT. I have no idea what the RS will cost though I'm sure it'll be more than the ST3 I had, but how MUCH more will be the issue. I'd be ok with about 33k or so (especially if it were AWD) but that's right up there with a base GT so I don't know.

I think I'll have a better idea after seeing the RS at the auto show but I just crave that deep V8 sound with the right exhaust. You can't get that from a turbo 4 but you're right, the handling on the ST was phenomenal. Well thanks for responding.

 

[Hockeypucks]

I have read the RS is going to be a limited edition. If true, it will likely be pretty hard to come buy and especially at msrp. If I had to guess, I bet it will be closer in price to a GT.

With proper winter tires, rwd is fine in winter. Especially with a limited slip diff.

I'm sure the RS will be pretty limited but not impossible to obtain. That's another factor I really like about the RS, the prestige and rare quality it'll have. As sweet as this new Mustang is, they're gonna be very common (with good reason, I'm not knocking it in any way) but I would like to stand out as well. Thanks for the tire comment, I've never owned a DD RWD car (had a few trucks) so I would be a little worried about that.

I am liking the DIB GT with the 20" wheels, not sure why there are so few pics of these out there but I suppose most are going with the PP. I despise black wheels on any car so if I went with PP I'd have to immediately change those.

 

[JonnyMustang]

An AWD RS would be interesting but there's way too much in the air about it. Go with the sure thing and have fun. If the RS is as amazing as the Euro version, you can trade the Mustang in.

 

[B-52 Jetman]

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....

 

[Khyber]

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....

yeah and all but the rs is a monster in it's own right and class

 

[foghat]

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....

American icon, 50th anniversary - that's all fine and dandy, but in and of itself not a reason to buy a car. imho

 

[cosmo]

The new RS will probably run 0-60 times similar to a GT. Assuming weight of 33-3400 lbs and 350 HP through AWD, that thing will be fast. Id say you're right in that it will end up costing near a base gt, but I bet with any options the price will jump pretty drastically.

 

[BoomBoy]

RS for winter. GT for summer. That's what I'm doing with my GTI. Throw on snow tires and have fun.

 

[Hockeypucks]

An AWD RS would be interesting but there's way too much in the air about it. Go with the sure thing and have fun. If the RS is as amazing as the Euro version, you can trade the Mustang in.

I'm so over trading in cars way before I should so financially I want to make the best choice the first time but I understand what you're saying.

 

[Hockeypucks]

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'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.

 

[Hockeypucks]

RS for winter. GT for summer. That's what I'm doing with my GTI. Throw on snow tires and have fun.

This would be ideal but as I mentioned, I can only afford one car.

 

[Hockeypucks]

The new RS will probably run 0-60 times similar to a GT. Assuming weight of 33-3400 lbs and 350 HP through AWD, that thing will be fast. Id say you're right in that it will end up costing near a base gt, but I bet with any options the price will jump pretty drastically.

Believe it or not, I'm not much worried about the price of either. The GT I built on Ford's site was just under $40k so I'm sure the RS I'd build wouldn't be much (if any) less than that. It's quite a toss up but the GT is already here and driveable so it's difficult to really come to a conclusion. Really hoping the RS will be at the auto show.

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