Project 'Me BooSTa'

[Ken]

It's a pretty neat car. I like it a lot. I don't think I love it. It does everything it's supposed to do, pretty well. I just don't really connect with it much. It's fun to drive, but I don't see myself keeping it past a year or two.

You know what fixes that? Cobb.

[Jake]

It's a pretty neat car. I like it a lot. I don't think I love it. It does everything it's supposed to do, pretty well. I just don't really connect with it much. It's fun to drive, but I don't see myself keeping it past a year or two.

You know what fixes that? Cobb.

What, so I can torque-steer into oncoming traffic in 4th gear instead of just 3rd?

[Sully]

I think you summed it up best at VIR last time. "Well the bigger wheels and tires (compared with the se) would hit the frame under full lock, so Ford just made the wheels turn less"

Its a cool little car but idk if it would be my pick either. My dad just got a new focus company car. Granted its the sedan and the base model but its got some cool bits of tech for an "economy" car. Granted its cost like 4k more than a dart And its the first new new car I've gotten to play with. Overall I'm impressed by most of it but even my dad(who's not a power person) says it seems to lag when you give it gas. So I guess the na four is just another econo box engine without enough power to merge into traffic.

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[Jake]

I think you summed it up best at VIR last time. "Well the bigger wheels and tires (compared with the se) would hit the frame under full lock, so Ford just made the wheels turn less"

Its a cool little car but idk if it would be my pick either. My dad just got a new focus company car. Granted its the sedan and the base model but its got some cool bits of tech for an "economy" car. Granted its cost like 4k more than a dart And its the first new new car I've gotten to play with. Overall I'm impressed by most of it but even my dad(who's not a power person) says it seems to lag when you give it gas. So I guess the na four is just another econo box engine without enough power to merge into traffic.

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Well, if he's got a SE with the PowerShit (sorry, PowerShift) dual-clutch auto, I'm sure it's pretty laggy. Ford really dropped the ball on that transmission. I've driven a SE 5-speed and it was a blast. 100 less horsepower than the ST, but happy to rev and got 30+ mpg doing it, the entire time. The SE's make 160 hp, not slouchy if you can rev it out, but I bet that autobox is trying to shift at 2,800 rpm between each gear, so you can never get on the power.

And yeah, the ST is a riot to drive, but there are little reminders that it's an econobox with a turbo and fancy seats. And it's embarrassing when you have to 3-point-turn a U-turn. It's been called "the $25,000 M3" by several magazines, and I won't disagree, but the M3's are a bit more purpose-built. It's a good value for a hot-hatch-brand-new, but I'm not smitten by any means.

[xvxax]

What's next? RWD again?

[Ken]

And it's embarrassing when you have to 3-point-turn a U-turn.

Hahaha, thought that was just me that had to suffer through that.

[Jake]

What's next? RWD again?

I have a random, probably dumb, hankering for a Z4 3.0si coupe.

Hahaha, thought that was just me that had to suffer through that.

It's so bad. Glad I'm not alone.

[JustinG]

Ken, more throttle will remove 2 of the points in your 3 point turn. Jake....your SOL, symptom of WWD.

[Jake]

Ken, more throttle will remove 2 of the points in your 3 point turn. Jake....your SOL, symptom of WWD.

I wonder if the e-brake is covered under the 6/60 powertrain warranty. That would make u-turns a LOT easier.

[BLINGMW]

ebrake probably is, tires probably aren't.

[kcook]

didn't see that coming. figured you'd keep this car for quite some time.

[Jake]

I follow @Ford on Twitter, and discovered today that a software update was available for the Sync system. So, let me walk you all through the mesmerizing process of updating the giant touchscreen.

1. Find out an update is available. If you do not have Twitter, I am not sure where this would be discovered.

2. Locate a 2GB (or more) flash drive. Go to syncmyride.com and ask to download the update. Get to the part where a Java applet wants to run and watch it fail, because Java on Mac doesn't play well with Chrome. Open Firefox and try again.

3. Wait for 20+ minutes while some Ford Java applet downloads the files straight to your flash drive. When it's done, discover that they are approximately 500 MB in size. Wonder what the hell takes up that much space.

4. Get to your car to leave work, start it and plug the drive in. Press OK when the angry lady inside the dashboard asks if you are really sure you want to do this, as the car must be running for a minimum of 30 minutes.

5. Spend your entire drive home listening to snippets of whatever radio station you were last playing, as the entire system reboots a minimum of seven times.

6. Have Cee-Lo Green interrupted and hear "Congra-Shoolashuns, you-r car hasbeen uPdayted to the latest vershun of Sync, please visit doubleyou-doubleyou-doubleyou dot sync -" and hit okay while muttering obscenities and almost crashing into a Geo.

Get home and revel in the fact that when the screen is showing all four quadrants of information, you can now see the RDS info for whatever song is playing on FM radio. Wonder if the whole process was worth the effort.

[Dave]

That sounds like it must have been simply AWFUL.
10 years ago, if your car had a minor software glitch, you were SOL. Hell, only recently did manufacturer Navigation systems stop saying "tough shit, pay us if you want it updated".

[Jake]

That sounds like it must have been simply AWFUL.
10 years ago, if your car had a minor software glitch, you were SOL. Hell, only recently did manufacturer Navigation systems stop saying "tough shit, pay us if you want it updated".

I'm just being dramatic :lol: but yes, it was quite the experience compared to every other car I've owned. It is neat that Ford can add new features a year later (or more) if they so desire.

I doubt I'll ever see the benefit to a manufacturer navi system over smartphone...

[Jeff]

Sounds like the process to update the 8.4in uconnect!

[Jake]

I have a Stig in my dashboard!



The "main screen" wallpaper (aka the four quadrants) can be customized with any 800x384 pixel image. Easy process of dropping it on a flash drive to upload to the car. I'm too lazy to make any myself, but some folks on the ST forums made a few and I thought this was a neat (if terribly cheesy) little touch.

[Sully]

You can do something similar for GPS startup screens. My dads new GPS loads an M3 logo still because I'm too lazy to change it and the old GPS used to load a gsx-r logo but since its in the truck, it now loads F-150 RAPTOR SVT :grin:

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[V1GiLaNtE]

After going from the Miata thread to this.. Is Jake getting rid of both whips..? Sounds like you've gotten a little lost as to what makes you happy to drive..

[premiershine9]

Z4 3.0's are fun to drive

You seriously debating getting rid of es ST?

[Jake]

After going from the Miata thread to this.. Is Jake getting rid of both whips..? Sounds like you've gotten a little lost as to what makes you happy to drive..

Nope, the ST is staying around for a while now that a new project is entering my hands. I was waffling about selling one car or the other, and the Miata kinda made the decision for me. I think having the straight-six goodness in the track car and a turbo hatch as my daily will be an alright combo for now Although, if Mazda really nails it with the ND Miatas (coming in a year or so) - and still offers the power hardtop - I may be persuaded to change up the DD.