Looking forward to how Honda is going to respond. While I feel the civic refresh was a step in the right direction, I feel Honda really nailed it with the new accord and Hope they keep the simple, clean designs coming...

 

Great car. Still no room in the back. Looks like MSRP will be $21,400. A real hot hatch, but not as much utility as the Fit.

I need that utility, and I hope others here do to, because that is what really sets the Fit apart. Everything else just sounds like bias on here, because frankly, there is indeed competition when it comes to performance and looks. I think it's safe to say the Fit is ridiculously reliable. Never seen so few complaints on a car forum in that regard. It's great looking too. If someone would just come out with a simple no-brainer bolt on turbo kit, I don't see any damn reason to give the car up for one of these hopped up newer models besides gaining some more in-car tech, which Honda will respond with soon enough. They've got everyone's players out of the gates and should be able to "fit" the new one into a competitive position.

As for being competitive in this segment the ST is in, I don't see Honda finding any new performance models as being worth it to develop at this point in time. They've got a business to run, and our armchair enthusiast internet opinions don't mean shit to their bottom line. Blame the youth demographic, because they are apparently afraid of car ownership. The economy has nothing to do with it, as can be shown by other recessions. Their parents tell them it's not safe, so they won't do it.

Our best hope is a quick second gen CR-Z. Don't people realize Honda has already set up a new sports model for their future iterations? It's just not fast yet. Someday it will be.

 

Fiesta ST can be built on the Ford website, add on a few options and you are in Focus ST price range.

I think you will see more in the compact car range with cars like the Focus ST, Forte 5dr GT, Civic SI, Dart SRT, Mazdaspeed 3, VW GTI and possible Toyota rear wheel drive hatchback based on the FR-S.

 

Not really. Yes, the $22,195 Fiesta ST can be optioned up past the $24,495 Focus ST base price. This is done by adding options, the most expensive being Recaro seats for $2k. Of course, if you wanted similar options on the Focus, you'd end up with a nearly $30k car, which again is several thousand $ more than a loaded Fiesta. Thus, as is often the case, you can either get a larger more powerful stripper model, or a smaller less powerful loaded model. I don't know this is much different than most automaker lineups.

In any case, those Recaros are sure to be less comfortable than the stock seats. If we say there are three types of drivers: People who actually track their cars, enthusiasts and branding poseurs .. Recaros appeal exclusively to the first and last group. Guess what I'm saying is, forget those seats, unless you're in one of those categories. And then what I'd say is, while I'm sure the ST car is quite fast, a car that small is mostly going to be too unsettled to drive really quick on a regular basis. Better to get that 1.0L option, which has a tremendous HP/Torque split (123/148). Then you'll have buckets of fun going not that fast at all, for like $16,500. Or put a bigger turbo on it later and some thick roll bars

Either way you won't be carrying much in the boot of any of those Fords. That's why Honda sells the Fit

 

Also you know what else is available for about the same price as a Focus ST?
2013 Ford Stripped Chassis Commercial Trucks | Stripped Chassis Super Duty, E-350, E-450, F-53 & F-59 Commercial Trucks | Ford.com

 

Focus ST with Recardo seats $26,800 Fiesta ST $24,190 about the spread on comparison of base to base. Not sure what discounts are offer before I got my Fit I got a quote of around $25k for the above Focus ST before it was even available from a local dealer. I was expecting the Fiesta to be closer to $20k for the base ST but looking around it is hard to find anything that offers the handling and power for less.


Quote form Motor Trend The Standard Fit is good and an Si version would probably cause Honda fans' heads to explode (and perhaps allow them to forget about the current Civic Si).

 

Its a little expensive. I want Honda to deliver either a turbo 1.5L or either upgrade the engine to something similar to a B16...
yea... i know
fat chance....
-bix

 

focus st's taking over honda's spot... ae86 vs crx is now frs vs focus st.

 

My wife is always asking me why I am looking at higher performance cars or even want one. I tell her because it is like being a nuclear power it is not that you are going to use it just knowing you have it. But in the real world my Fit performs great and I really do not know if I would really notice it. Maybe more torque than horsepower.