I found this article very informative and encouraging for Ford.

http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/co...s.-mazdaspeed3

My Brother has the SE version and I thought it rode well for an econocar. Road & Track really likes the ST version.

 

The comments from some of the boy-racer Mazda fans are pretty funny. The Focus has always been a very competative product. While GM and Chrysler are just catching up with the world (with the Cruze and the Dart) Ford is moving ahead. Now if Honda would only fix the Civic and offer it in a hot hatch version.

 

Yeah, the Mazda boys are upset. The funny thing is, they are both built on the same platform.

R&T also had a comparison of 8 econo cars and they found the Fiat Abarth to be #1. The Honda in the mix was the Fit, which came in last place.

 

The ST is a beast. I saw the Top Gear boys do a vignette about it on BBC.

Put it up against a Golf R though........

 

Here's an excellent discussion with Ford's VP of Engineering on the ST. It starts at the 21 minute mark and lasts for the rest of the hour.
http://youtu.be/fCWrjcPaFmw

 

Thanks for starting this thread LB!

I've been looking for a used car to DD but everything I've seen was either overpriced or junk - or both. I started researching the Focus a few days ago, drove an ST and SE today, and bought the SE hatch because of the price point and the fact that the ST isn't offered with the auto tranny and Barb will want to drive it too. A little over 20K out the door and it's everything I need for a DD and more.

I'm picking it up tomorrow - pics to follow. Anybody want to guess the color?

 

Ebony?

 

Close but no cigar. They have changed the color name this year,

And it's a blue metal flake.

 

Good for you. Please let us know how you like it after you have owned it for a bit. I probably won't be in the market for a new car for a few years, but I find myself looking at the new introductions and thinking about what my next car might be. As usual, I am all over the map and will probably cross test cars from several segments.

 

The base car lists at $24.5. Sounds like you got one hell'va good deal.