Finally washed the ST

[lolibater]

[Apex]

Looks good.

I actually washed my Impala recently. It had been over 4 months since the previous washing and 3 months before that. I decided I need to take better care of the paint, so I plan on giving it a full detail, including clay bar, pretty soon.

[lolibater]

Yeah it's such a hassle trying to keep the cars looking so clean.

I wasn't able to wash it since I bought it due tot he recent clear bra installation. I got my order of soaps, waxes, and other detailing crap today, and decided to make it all pretty like.

[Apex]

That is one thing I like about motorcycles and bicycles....EASY to keep clean. haha

[Whiskey]

Originally Posted by Apex

That is one thing I like about motorcycles and bicycles....EASY to keep clean. haha

That just means you're not using them enough.

[Blystr842]

Beautiful! Wish my ZTW looked that smooth

[Snake]

Looks great! Did you get a chance to wax it as well?

[THE BIG SITT]

How do you like the ride? Why that over the MZS3?

[lolibater]

I've been in the Focus community for almost 4 years now. The interior is ages above the MS3, and the feel is much more refined in general.

I absolutely love it. Got a bunch of mods on it already though

[Alex]

Originally Posted by lolibater

The interior is ages above the MS3, and the feel is much more refined in general.

All things to console oneself with as the MS3 disappears over the horizon.

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Alex

All things to console oneself with as the MS3 disappears over the horizon.

ha.. but they are both FWD...

[Alex]

Unless you're driving in reverse...

[massacremasses]

Originally Posted by Alex

Unless you're driving in reverse...

haha thats why I like AWD...

[lolibater]

Originally Posted by Alex

All things to console oneself with as the MS3 disappears over the horizon.

lol. yeah i'd love to see one try. also would love to see an ms3 break the back end loose like the FST will; it won't.

[THE BIG SITT]

How does a FWD break the back end loose? Why would one want to break the back en loose on a FWD car?

[lolibater]

Do some research on it. I'm not looking to have to educate lol.

The whole point of the FST is that it handles with many RWD characteristics.

[lolibater]

From random site:

"Most front-wheel-drive cars are set up to understeer -- if you take a turn too fast, they try to slide straight ahead. They are tuned so that when you do what comes naturally in a panic situation -- lift off the gas and maybe hit the brakes -- weight is transferred to the front wheels, which get more traction, and the car turns a bit more in the desired direction.

The Focus ST exhibits what is known as "lift-off oversteer". Like most front-drivers, it understeers when pushed, but when you lift off the gas pedal, it transfers enough weight off the back end that the car starts to oversteer -- the back end comes loose. It may sound daunting, but it's actually a lot of fun. Here's how it went: I'd hot-shoe into a corner, brake hard, then turn in and ease back on the gas. The car would start to understeer (run wide). I'd quickly lift off the gas, the back end would get light, and the car would literally rotate and point itself in the direction I wanted to go. The more sloppy my driving technique, the more I was able to horse the Focus ST into this grin-inducing behavior. It's a good thing I was alone in the car, because I was laughing like a loon.

So why is this such a big deal? Because most automakers are hesitant to give us cars that behave this way. After (reluctantly) parking the Focus ST, I took a Mazdaspeed3 out on the same track. The 'Speed3 was very fast, but it didn't rotate the way the Ford did. Few front-wheel-drive cars do. (Powerful rear-drive cars will usually oversteer if you boot the gas at the right moment, but unless you are ready to catch it, they're just as likely to keep on spinning.) It's a big deal because Ford has identified the type of handling behavior that customers enjoy -- and instead of watering down the setup to make it more lawsuit-friendly, they gave us what we want."

[Blystr842]

Well put. Focus all day long! Wish I could afford an ST, but looking keeps me satisfied for now

[lolibater]

If you're ever nearby and want a ride along, let me know

I also installed the Steeda Rear Sway Bar, which makes the understeer/oversteer close to 50/50.

[Blystr842]

Heck yeah! Man that would be awesome! Don't know if I'd ever make it out to CA but I'll either be on the Ninja or in the ZTW.

I bet your ST handles like a dream. For now I'm only getting the Massive Speed Systems engine mount, FCM under-drive pulleys, H&R lowering springs, and Volant intake. I'd love to ProCharge it but that's a couple years from now.

How is the noise level inside the cabin?

[lolibater]

Originally Posted by Blystr842

Heck yeah! Man that would be awesome! Don't know if I'd ever make it out to CA but I'll either be on the Ninja or in the ZTW.

I bet your ST handles like a dream. For now I'm only getting the Massive Speed Systems engine mount, FCM under-drive pulleys, H&R lowering springs, and Volant intake. I'd love to ProCharge it but that's a couple years from now.

How is the noise level inside the cabin?

Nice, H&R makes good stuff, and CFM is always a pleasure to deal with.

The noise inside isn't too much, unless you're really on it. Cruising, I don't even notice it. I didn't want too much added noise inside; just enough so I could hear what the engine was doing. It should get even louder (in a good way) when my FSWerks Cool Flo Plus comes in.

[Blystr842]

Very cool! I've yet to see an ST rolling on the streets here however, I've got a cousin that's considering trading his 2013 WRX for the ST...

[Blystr842]

Here's a link to my "new member" post on the FJ forum. Pics of my ZTW are on the bottom of the page.

http://forums.focaljet.com/welcome-j...ber-texas.html

[Jono]

Originally Posted by THE BIG SITT

How does a FWD break the back end loose? Why would one want to break the back en loose on a FWD car?

Multiple ways. And Because under-steering sucks!