Project 'Me BooSTa'

[Jake]

Alright, I have enough information together to make a build thread on this crazy order of mine. If nothing else, it'll serve as a spot to chronicle my progression of ordering and ownership, as I don't plan on too many mods for it. Yet. :roll:

I ordered a 2013 Ford Focus ST last Monday, November 12, from Koons Ford in Sterling. Following Rex's advice, I shopped four dealerships against each other and managed to get a pretty good deal on the car. Ended up discovering that a friend of mine, who sells Chrysler/Jeep for Koons, knew the sales manager at Koons Ford. So, he helped get me a deal, and I'm taking the car home for less-than-invoice pricing.

Basic details:

• 2.0L "EcoBoost" I-4 motor, turbocharged
  
• Dyno's at ~230 hp and ~270 tq
  
• Tangerine Scream paint
  
• Charcoal/Tangerine interior
  
• ST2 Package, which includes Recaro seats (leather bolsters, cloth centers), MyFord Touch, 10-speaker Sony audio system, and dual-zone electronic climate control
  
• Keyless start, which is high on my list of gimmick-y, but super cool, toys included with new cars
  
• No sunroof (less weight overhead, also, I don't fit as well)
  
• No navigation (I'm not paying $800 for something my iPhone does better)

So, that's that. I placed the order last Monday and have been anxiously waiting for updates. Ford claims 8 weeks or so. They also have a Facebook page where this woman named Natasha can give you ordering updates and other customer-service type of help. I got this today:



Once the car gets a VIN assigned, I'll be able to find out the actual build date. I'm guesstimating late December or early January for delivery. Maybe later January if there are holiday delays.

One of the NASA-MA drivers (races GTS with DJ) is buying my E36, and we agreed on a drop-dead sale date of December 20th. So, even if I don't have the ST, Paul gets the BMW. Fortunately, my friend Mike is going to let me borrow his Ranger in the interim. It's that, or drive the kill-all-mosquitos-that-ever-lived Miata.

More to come!

[NTIman]

Jealous :bow:

I guess this speaks volumes to me about the ST, because I never pictured you driving a Ford, a FWD, or a hatchback. Maybe I just don't know you well, but I'm going to act like the ST is just all-around badass.

[Jake]

I always dismissed FWD turbomobiles as "pfft, torque steer, fail-wheel-drive" until I drove this. I loveeee the Mazdaspeed3's, but they have an agenda that involves torque-steering you into the nearest tree. And the brand-new ones are heinously ugly.

Ford's got some great stuff out lately and the new Focus intrigued me when it came out. When I heard the ST was coming, I got a little excited. Then I sat in one at the DC auto show early this year, and I swear, the Recaros were built for me.

Also, I got over my anti-FWD bias once I graduated, got a big-boy job, and realized that drive wheels don't matter when you're commuting. Imagine that. And I still have the Miata (or whatever non-busted track car replaces it) to get my RWD fun on.

[NTIman]

Also, I got over my anti-FWD bias once I graduated, got a big-boy job, and realized that drive wheels don't matter when you're commuting. Imagine that. And I still have the Miata (or whatever non-busted track car replaces it) to get my RWD fun on.

I know the feeling. I always wanted a cool car, but given my lack of funds, the Corolla does just fine. I'd love to have an ST, but damn, I've only got 3 more months to pay on my car and I'll free up a few hundred per month.

[JPolen01]

Damnit Jake. Now I feel I should make a project thread for mine even though I'm KEEPING it stock.

[Jake]

Damnit Jake. Now I feel I should make a project thread for mine even though I'm KEEPING it stock.

You won't! There will be mods on that Si of yours before you know it.

And this is more to chronicle the ordering process and "living with it" experience, since it's new to the market and there have been a lot of curiosities. Nice to have it all in one place.

[Evan]

love your buildout! I think I would build it out exactly like that if it were me.
A big reason we bought a focus is because you could spec the options exactly how you want, no annoying requried option packages just to get that 1 thing that you like.

the DI 2.0t is an impressive motor, great power and fuel economy on regular gas.


ps- IIRC the time from placing the order to delivery was a little under 7 weeks for me.

[HAULN-SS]

How did you get leverage to negotiate on a car they have to order, instead of one already on the lot? I was always under the impression that was basically not possible...but ive never ordered a car that i bought new

[ScottyB]

i love you long time that you have the balls to get that color. modern car palettes have gotten so drab.

very excited to see how this car does on a global scale but I'll be following your adventures with this for sure. love hot hatches, and this one seems to be really, really well done.

[JPolen01]

How did you get leverage to negotiate on a car they have to order, instead of one already on the lot? I was always under the impression that was basically not possible...but ive never ordered a car that i bought new

You can negotiate on anything.

[Jake]

love your buildout! I think I would build it out exactly like that if it were me.
A big reason we bought a focus is because you could spec the options exactly how you want, no annoying requried option packages just to get that 1 thing that you like.

the DI 2.0t is an impressive motor, great power and fuel economy on regular gas.


ps- IIRC the time from placing the order to delivery was a little under 7 weeks for me.

Interesting you bring up options packages. I would have loved heated seats, but you have to get those with the ST3 package, which upgrades you to full leather, HIDs, and some other crap I don't care about. It's the one spot where I liked how the GTI was optioned over the ST (you can get heated cloth seats, standard, I think).

How did you get leverage to negotiate on a car they have to order, instead of one already on the lot? I was always under the impression that was basically not possible...but ive never ordered a car that i bought new

I started with "X-Plan," which is the discount you get through your employer or other means of qualification. You can join the SVT Club of America for $45 and get the discounted pricing, which is definitely worth it. So, Ted Britt told me they'd order a car at X-Plan pricing. It's about $160 above invoice, $75 processing fee, no negotiations beyond that. Pretty good deal IMO.

Then, I had my friend at Koons. The Sterling Ford sales manager called me and goes "We'll beat Ted Britt by $750." I think I'm about $600 below invoice on the car, even though Koons is charging me a higher processing fee. The out-the-door price still works out to be $500 less at Koons versus Ted Britt.

i love you long time that you have the balls to get that color. modern car palettes have gotten so drab.

very excited to see how this car does on a global scale but I'll be following your adventures with this for sure. love hot hatches, and this one seems to be really, really well done.

Thanks Scotty! I was debating between this Tangerine and the electric "Performance Blue." But, the PB is not exclusive to the ST... and part of me wanted that special "ST Only" paint color. Totally worth the extra charge to get it (another $495). Fun fact: the new Infiniti M45 is ONLY offered in like, seven shades of silver, gray, and beige. It's freakin awful.

Also, I was debating all-charcoal seats, or the charcoal/tangerine. There was no cost difference, and I think I'm glad I got the tangerine accents. It brightens up an otherwise-drab interior.

Some review called the ST "a $25,000 M3" and I could definitely see that. Very excited to see how it does at an autocross and on tracks.

[D_Eclipse9916]

Also, I got over my anti-FWD bias once I graduated, got a big-boy job, and realized that drive wheels don't matter when you're commuting. Imagine that. And I still have the Miata (or whatever non-busted track car replaces it) to get my RWD fun on.

I guess I have never grown up, I still get sideways at least once on my way to/from work when I can. :lol: Sideways? no way sir, I am in an automatic convertible :twisted:

That said, the focus looks a lot more fun than my pos. Since you ordered from Koons Sterling, requisite stopping by my house since its on the way back. I am jealous!

[Jake]

I still get sideways at least once on my way to/from work when I can

I wonder how well the handbrake is covered under Ford's warranty

And yes, you'll see it shortly after I take it home!

[Ken]

Honestly, keyless seems stupid at first, but i don't want another car without it. Good choice. Is the ignition push start or like mine where they at least make you feel like you're turning a key?

[Evan]

Interesting you bring up options packages. I would have loved heated seats, but you have to get those with the ST3 package, which upgrades you to full leather, HIDs, and some other crap I don't care about. It's the one spot where I liked how the GTI was optioned over the ST (you can get heated cloth seats, standard, I think).

ah...thats a bummer that they did that.
with the regular focus its the 'winter package' which is just heated seats and mirrors for pretty cheap and didnt require leather or sunroof or anything else (we hate leather)

[Evan]

How did you get leverage to negotiate on a car they have to order, instead of one already on the lot? I was always under the impression that was basically not possible...but ive never ordered a car that i bought new

you have MORE room to negotiate, since the cost/risk of the dealership is lower. they dont have to make payments for the car sitting on the lot, taking up space, etc etc.

people who believe the salesman when he says he has to charge you msrp for an ordered car are just bending over and taking it sans lube.
of course, those people probably arent smart enough to cross shop dealers either

[Steve85]

Love these! Congrats Jake.

As for the world acceptance, it has a chance of overtaking the Corolla as best selling car in the world this year.

[Jake]

Honestly, keyless seems stupid at first, but i don't want another car without it. Good choice. Is the ignition push start or like mine where they at least make you feel like you're turning a key?

Clutch in, push button, start video game.

[HAULN-SS]

I wonder if Natasha is real, or just a robit?

[Mike]

niiiiiice!