Way Cool Under $30K

[sithot]

Focus ST 252hp @5,500rpm and 270lb/ft @ 2500 rpm. Yes, it is quick.

2.0 liter twin turbo Ecoboost. This one was LOUD (color). Recaro seats that felt like I was being hugged
by a very affectionate fat lady. Wrapped up tight!

This one was $29,185.

Tom

[Macroni]

Saw one .....very loud color..... would love to see in black... also wonder about fit & finish

[sithot]

Sit in one. The seats are pretty darn tight.

The yellow isn't for me either. This one had yellow highlights on the seats as well.

I believe the seatbelts had "Recaro" on them in YELLOW too.

Build quality. Who knows? Ford isn't the worst of them.

All things considered a Honda Civic Si is a hoot for the money and Hondas are notoriously bullet-proof.

[Louie]

sweet cars. Amazing value for the money.

Also look at the Golf R. $3-5k more vs the ST.

[sithot]

Plus 1 on the Golf!

A lot of the cars we like are really starting to look alike. I like the new Hyundai Veloster too. Reminds me of the C30 Volvo!

I saw a mock-up of a hot-rodded Veloster in a rag this year with the wheel wells FULL of rubber and even bigger fender flares.
It was really over the top.

Tom

[CPRSteve]

I must admit that I was one of the few people who really, really wanted Ford to bring over the Focus ST. Now they have, and it's pretty darn cool in terms of both performance and design. Not bad, Ford NA.

What about the rear-drive Toyobaru twins, the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ?

The Scion starts at five bucks under 25 grand, and the Subie starts $500 higher.

The Subie starts at about 2747lbs wet and the Scion's about ten pounds lighter. Everything else mentioned is both heavier and front-drive. I've driven one and, while it's honestly too stiff to be fast on the fun, bumpy stuff we have within spitting distance of the shop, it's far more engaging than the vast majority of modern cars and I could definitely see getting out of it with a grin on my face after a day of back road driving.

Interesting, and sad, tidbit is that every car we've mentioned so far has electronic steering and every single one has been lambasted in the media because of it.