Been out of the R/C World for a month now.

[Thirdgen89GTA]

Made a HUGE purchase, at least for me a huge purchase.

In a strangely impulsive, yet financially planned move I have purchaced a BRAND NEW 2013 Ford Focus ST.

Back in November of last year my 2006 Pontiac G6 GTP was damaged due to some Jerks attempting to throw rocks over a wall. Said rocks landed on my car causing about $4000 in damage due to spread damage. Nothing structural, all cosmetic. The shop I took the car to through insurance was top rated, and my friend had had work done there before. Only I didn't get such service. Instead, I got a half assed repair job. Every time I went to pickup the car, they had damaged it in some way. Scratches that weren't there, freshly painted doors that had scratches in them. Torn weather stripping. After 4 attempts to have the car fixed they finally got it right. But I was left with wind leaks, and a car that didn't feel right anymore.

So, early March this year I jumped the gun a bit and decided to go car shopping. I had two cars in mind. ONLY two.

My requirements were pretty unusual in a daily driver.

• MUST Be a hatch back or wagon. 4 Doors optional.
• Must NOT be a SUV
• Must be Manual
• Must be Sporty
• Must be economical.
• Must have some bells and whistles.

I hate SUVs, I love sporty/manual cars, I require decent fuel economy. I also have a dog, so a Hatch Back makes life 10x easier for that. But I want a performance car.

Those are pretty far ranging requirements in a sub $30,000 price limit.

What I was left as choices were the 2013 Ford Focus ST, and the 2013 Subaru WRX. I actually preferred the Subaru WRX, however the 4 dealerships I visited gave horrible initial trade in values for my G6, well below Blue Book.

The 2nd option the Ford Focus ST was pretty much sold instantly when I went in, and they initially offered $9k on my G6, I asked for 11K, and they came back with $10.5k, I owed 7k on the car. Step one Accomplished, receive good value for the old car.

The 2nd part was I had X plan pricing with Ford, which automatically knocked about $2k off the MSRP of the vehicle.

I haggled with them for about 2 days on options, but ultimately knew I was buying a Focus ST.

And so 2 days later, I drove home a Performance Blue Focus ST, with the ST2 package. While not the top package, it had all of the options I wanted with the exception of HIDs.

Total price of the car? MSRP's for $28.5k, I got it for $23k.

The Low down?

• 252hp, 270lb/ft Direct Injected Turbocharged 2.0L Inline 4
• 6 speed manual gear box
• Recaro Partial Leather seats with blue inserts matching the paint (much more comfy than full leather)
• Sat/Nav/MP3/Ipod/USB/Blue Tooth/etcs.......
• Top speed 155mph
• 35mpg best economy so far.

Untitled by thirdgen89gta, on Flickr


Untitled by thirdgen89gta, on Flickr


FordFocusST by thirdgen89gta, on Flickr


FordFocusST by thirdgen89gta, on Flickr