Why does the Focus ST get more attention than the SHO?

[rcryniak]

Just wondering... why does the Focus ST seem to get more attention than the SHO? It's not as fast, yet that car is used in professional racing whereas the SHO is not? Just wondering if anyone had any insights...

...on the plus side, it helps keep the sleeper nature going if not a lot of attention is drawn to it!

 

[SHOspazz92]

Just wondering... why does the Focus ST seem to get more attention than the SHO? It's not as fast, yet that car is used in professional racing whereas the SHO is not? Just wondering if anyone had any insights...

...on the plus side, it helps keep the sleeper nature going if not a lot of attention is drawn to it!

To put it nicely, the Focus ST is a superior performing car in every aspect EXCEPT for drag racing. While the SHO is nice the ST is a FAR better handling car. Not that the SHO handles terrible, but the limits of a 4400lb FWD Based, AWD sedan are going to be much lower then a 3,100lb FWD hatchback with good tires and a good differential. Even with EXTREME weight reduction, the SHO would still probably weigh well over 3500lbs.

There really isn't a single race series where the SHO would be considered a "Must Have" Chassis. The Focus on the other hand fits in to many race series and with enough money, do pretty well. I can tell you the Focus ST (Along with the Fiesta ST) are also the current Favorite G-Street cars in SCCA Solo racing.

-Sam

 

[rcryniak]

Well, then that answers my question... I've never driven one, so I was wondering why the fuss, and now I know. (thanks!) Always thought of a Focus as a total beater... in fact I was surprised when I first heard of the ST. Then I tried to talk my wife into an ST since she wanted a better performing car and likes "cute" things... and to me the ST is cuter than a Taurus, lol - anyhow, she wasn't having any of it, and wound up with a '14 Escape Titanium, which is actually pretty nice.

Anyhow, makes sense, thanks again!

 

[kevinspann]

Oh, the manual trans and $20,000 price difference kinda contribute too.

 

[typhoon5000]

Oh, the manual trans and $20,000 price difference kinda contribute too.

What Kevin said ^ x10!

 

[RonPorter]

Yep.....

1. Manual Transmission

2. Closer in weight & size to the original SHO, but better

3. See #1 above

 

[RonPorter]

Only thing better would be a Fusion with the V6 Eco and a manual transmission.

And if they added AWD, I might just break my promise of never buying another new car.

 

[RJ-92]

Oh, the manual trans and $20,000 price difference kinda contribute too.

Yep. Affordability. They will sell more of them.

 

[EcoPowerParts]

AWD RS model will make it super duper awesome.

 

[Off Road SHO]

Only thing better would be a FOCUS with the V6 Eco and a manual transmission.

And if they added AWD, I might just break my promise of never buying another new car.

There, I fixed it for you Ron.:wave: If they would come out with an AWD Fusion but lightened to the weight of a 2 door hatchback Focus, I would break my promise also.

Tom

 

[Roadkill]

Focus ST vs SHO

I drove 2 Focus ST models while shopping for my new car which ended up being the 2013 SHO w/PP. In reference to a previous point that a Focus ST can be had for $20,000 I do not know where you found that deal, but I'd jump on it because the lowest price of the 2 I drove was $27,895. The other with the Recaro seats in that dual color leather was more. Additionally, the colors offered on the ST with the exception of maybe Black White and Silver, are a bit adolescent for someone my age. I think a Focus ST in Ruby Red would actually look awesome yet understated. The cost for a compact car combined with the fact it doesn't have a manumatic available (do you spend more time on windy track-like roads or in traffic? For me, it is traffic and a stick sucks), and lack of "grown-up" colors made the decision for me to go ahead and spend the extra money for the SHO.
I have 2 small kids and that is about all that would fit in the back seat of the Focus. Don't get me wrong, the Focus ST is absolutely a blast to drive. The way it handles reminds me of a Lotus Elise but with massively more power.
I have fun in my SHO and with 3 adult-sized passengers and all their luggage to boot.
Maybe even more so once I scrounge up the funds for a Livernois package for my SHO

 

[SHOspazz92]

I drove 2 Focus ST models while shopping for my new car which ended up being the 2013 SHO w/PP. In reference to a previous point that a Focus ST can be had for $20,000 I do not know where you found that deal, but I'd jump on it because the lowest price of the 2 I drove was $27,895. The other with the Recaro seats in that dual color leather was more. Additionally, the colors offered on the ST with the exception of maybe Black White and Silver, are a bit adolescent for someone my age. I think a Focus ST in Ruby Red would actually look awesome yet understated. The cost for a compact car combined with the fact it doesn't have a manumatic available (do you spend more time on windy track-like roads or in traffic? For me, it is traffic and a stick sucks), and lack of "grown-up" colors made the decision for me to go ahead and spend the extra money for the SHO.
I have 2 small kids and that is about all that would fit in the back seat of the Focus. Don't get me wrong, the Focus ST is absolutely a blast to drive. The way it handles reminds me of a Lotus Elise but with massively more power.
I have fun in my SHO and with 3 adult-sized passengers and all their luggage to boot.
Maybe even more so once I scrounge up the funds for a Livernois package for my SHO

I have not look recently, but about a month ago there were about 20+ ST Focus's being sold across the country for 18.5-19.8K. Ford was running quite a few incentives at the time. It really wasn't all that difficult to find one for under 20k.

As far as Manuals and traffic....well, That's preference. I survived 2 years of Tokyo traffic with a manual, no problem. So I guess a 5 speed and traffic are two things that don't really conflict for me.

-Sam

 

[Roadkill]

The stick vs manumatic is definitely a personal preference, and maybe how large your left quad is plays into it as well, but I definitely think I got more practical bang for the buck with the SHO even with the $1500 rebate and 0% financing the Focus ST had going on when I was looking at them.