# Best Replacement for Ford Focus SVT **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [June 5, 2018, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489 "2018-06-05T21:45:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/21 "2018-06-06T16:13:16Z")
That one was not on my radar at all, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/22 "2018-06-06T16:32:14Z")
Also, any tips on negotiating? I told them to just give me the best price they could on the fiesta with tax, title, etc. And that I was going to decide on a car tomorrow and then buy it from whatever dealer within 60 miles gave me the lowest number. Also, that the price was a completely separate decision from financing or trade in. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/23 "2018-06-06T16:35:05Z")
Focus already has about $4,000 in incentives on the hood. don’t know how much more room you’ll have, but worth a try. especially if they have one which has been sitting in inventory for a while. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/24 "2018-06-06T16:40:20Z")
Yeah, they have one last 2017 they have been trying to get rid of. After telling them I was leaving and would come back if they had the best price, they brought back a number 1k cheaper. 20.6k all told. ---
**Author:** ![Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/a87d85/32.png) [@Tired\_and\_Cranky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tired_and_Cranky)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/25 "2018-06-06T16:41:04Z")
If you don’t like the cargo capability of the Fiesta, I don’t think the Veloster or C30 will work. The Veloster doesn’t appeal to me. I really like the C30 though. If you don’t care about the muscle-car attributes of the Focus ST, you could consider a regular Focus or even a Chevy Cruze hatchback. They are decent cars. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/26 "2018-06-06T16:58:42Z")
Thanks. The fiesta ST is zippy as hell. It has a roadster feel. I might try downgrading it though and see if that is still as good. ---
**Author:** ![polar\_bear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ec9cab/32.png) [@polar\_bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/polar_bear)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/27 "2018-06-06T17:15:49Z")
I hope you realise the Fiesta is not the same segment as the Focus. Here in the Netherlands the Fiesta is B segment (along with the Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai I20, Kia Rio, Peugeot 208, Audi A1, Mazda 2 etc). The Focus is C segment, along the lines of the VW Golf, Hyundau i30, Kia Ceed, Peugeot 308 and Audi A3, Mazda 3). These normally considered a family size hatch, while the Fiesta and its like are often the second car in a family, only used around town. ---
**Author:** ![jz78817](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jz78817/32/1028_2.png) [@jz78817](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jz78817)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/28 "2018-06-06T17:17:56Z")
> [@polar\_bear](#): > > I hope you realise the Fiesta is not the same segment as the Focus. Here in the Netherlands the Fiesta is B segment (along with the Volkswagen Polo, Hyundai I20, Kia Rio, Peugeot 208, Audi A1, Mazda 2 etc). > > The Focus is C segment, along the lines of the VW Golf, Hyundau i30, Kia Ceed, Peugeot 308 and Audi A3, Mazda 3). These normally considered a family size hatch, while the Fiesta and its like are often the second car in a family, only used around town. you are correct, but in the years after the Focus SVT cars have grown in size and bulk for a given segment. Segment is based on interior dimensions and not vehicle size; so a 2018 Fiesta is likely to feel closer to the size and heft of a 2003 Focus. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/29 "2018-06-06T17:49:57Z")
> [@jz78817](#): > > you are correct, but in the years after the Focus SVT cars have grown in size and bulk for a given segment. Segment is based on interior dimensions and not vehicle size; so a 2018 Fiesta is likely to feel closer to the size and heft of a 2003 Focus. That is what I found to be true. Also, this fits my lifestyle. No kids, not going to have any. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/30 "2018-06-06T21:01:43Z")
Thanks so much for the help, everyone. I really appreciate the advice. Right now we are looking at a new 2017 FiST or a 2012 Mazdaspeed3 with fairly low mileage that I should be able to test drive tomorrow. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/31 "2018-06-06T22:26:46Z")
> [@Capn\_Carl](#): > > How about a VW GTI? An older one won’t have the modern features that you don’t like. Aim for around 2008-2010. I REALLY like my 17 GTI. It has more electronic bells and whistles than I want, but I’m able to ignore MOST of them. I’ve not heard any significant problems with any of the earlier generations. Would be tough to beat the combination of practicality and fun. ---
**Author:** ![Wesley\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wesley_clark/32/20581_2.png) [@Wesley\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wesley_Clark)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2018, 11:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/32 "2018-06-06T23:11:35Z")
Test drive a Honda Fit, see if you like it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Vorlon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/d07c76/32.png) [@The\_Vorlon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Vorlon)\ **Post date:** [June 7, 2018, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/33 "2018-06-07T03:47:44Z")
> [@flight](#): > > Good idea with the Veloster! Just test drove the 2017 fiesta ST. That is the new SVT (probably because I had a 3 door SVT.) Really like it. Disappointed in cargo room. The SVT had sets that the bottom folded up before the top folded down leaving an absolute ton of space. So for a 3 door I think it had more room than either the current figure out fiesta. Sad they abandoned that design. Run away from the Veloster, they eat expensive tires, and lack a spare. The local tire shop got to the point that they kept one on hand for my son, since the car needed them so frequently. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2018, 3:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/34 "2018-06-08T15:58:38Z")
I owned a 2008 Mazdaspeed3 and replaced it with a 2013 Focus ST. Both are great cars. The Mazdaspeed3 had a harsher ride, less fuel economy, less electronics, but maybe was a little faster. I miss the rain-sensing wipers. The Focus ST is based on the same platform and has similar horsepower and torque, but is more refined. It has quite a bit of comfort and convenience electronics. I didn’t care about the touchscreen (available on ST2 and ST3 trims) but I’ve really come to like it. It has normal controls for the radio and heat/AC if you don’t want to use the touchscreen. I’ve never driven a Fiesta but I will say the Focus ST doesn’t have a lot of rear seat leg room, and it has good cargo room but not great. I can’t imagine a Fiesta would be better. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/35 "2018-06-09T02:53:00Z")
> [@Dinsdale](#): > > I REALLY like my 17 GTI. It has more electronic bells and whistles than I want, but I’m able to ignore MOST of them. > > I’ve not heard any significant problems with any of the earlier generations. Would be tough to beat the combination of practicality and fun. I’m not surprised you like it. Some auto magazine writers are saying the latest GTI is the best car on the market. ---
**Author:** ![flight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/bbce88/32.png) [@flight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flight)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/36 "2018-06-09T07:49:30Z")
Thanks for the help everyone. This morning I bought a 2017 Fiesta ST. I had contacted every dealer with one within 100 miles and asked for the single best price they could give me and then would buy based on that. I gave the place I test drove a vehicle a second shot at matching the price though. I ended up getting one that happened to have just about every available option, including the Recaro seats I really liked (much like the SVT seats, but better). The first dealer not only couldn’t match their price, their best was $3,400 over it. Apparently the place I bought from was just trying to get rid of it (they did have a far larger number of 2017 Fiestas than anyone else. So very happy with the car and the price. Thanks again. ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2018, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489/37 "2018-06-09T17:04:55Z")
Congrats. That’s a great car, you’ll have a lot of fun with it. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-replacement-for-ford-focus-svt/815489.md?page=1)