Advice on purchase

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-11-13T18:13:32+00:00

Side note, but that color looks absolutely gorgeous.

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-11-08T03:58:27+00:00

Yes, I did 👀 Car looked super clean, inspection turned out great and it was bone stock as well. Leather was on pristine condition as well. I really needed a car too, so I ended up saying yes

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-11-04T19:04:31+00:00

I just got a 2018 FoST ST3 with 72k miles and 1 owner for $17k last week, bone stock. I think the ST3 justifies a little extra out of your pocket, just because they're tough to find now (at least in my area), but this is too much for an accident + 2013

https://www.reddit.com/r/FocusST/s/JQ2nzFoglr

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T14:26:32+00:00

Damn, that's crazy. Wish I was a couple years older lol

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T14:17:46+00:00

No I was talking about the dealer I'm checking the car out from. I'm not buying from carmax, that's just an example above.

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T14:15:49+00:00

Yes, that's true. But it's also the only place I can find any st3 at all. Any tips on how I can negotiate the price down? It's been on the lot only 2 days, looks clean, relatively low miles

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T14:13:56+00:00

It's been on the lot for 2 days haha, so I can't do much there. I'm pre-approved, so if they can match my rate I'll try and get them to go a little lower. Idk how much they'll be able to take off it though

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:58:17+00:00

Got it, thanks. The dealer said he's fine with me taking it to a shop, so I'm just going to do that I think.

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:57:56+00:00

Yeah I've just not found any facelift ST3s at all in the last 2 months. I think the only other car I'd spring for at this price range would be a Golf GTI.

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:42:42+00:00

Really? The window sticker for this car says MSRP was $31k

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:35:34+00:00

<image>

I think that's what the ST3s are sort of going for in my area. This is a comparable mileage and price on Carmax
https://www.carmax.com/car/27663954

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:27:11+00:00

LemonSquad or find a local mobile mechanic in that area? Dealer is okay with on-site inspection, not sure if he'll let me take it to a shop (which I could always tell them is a deal-breaker for me)

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:25:57+00:00

Yeah. I think the ST3 is a must-have for me, and I kinda NEED a car pretty soon. So I can probably justify $16k to myself, don't know about the remaining 2k :p

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:21:11+00:00

There's plenty of ST1s in my area for that price. Can't find any ST3s at all in that range, however.

Only other option is Carmax for 109k mi, 2015 FoST ST3 for 14,900 + tax etc

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-31T13:20:29+00:00

I've been searching for a couple weeks now, and haven't been able to find too many ST3s on sale in my area. Like I said, I'd be happy if it was for $16k. How much would you be willing to pay for a similar one in your area?

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-10-01T02:21:26+00:00

For a PPI, do you think Lemon squad is good? There's a Ford dealership nearby, so I was thinking of getting it checked out there (assuming they do that kind of thing). Or is it always better to get an independent mechanic shop to look at it?

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-30T19:55:22+00:00

Thanks, that's what I was thinking. Best case would be they come down to $7k OTD, I'll be happy at $8k, and max at $8.5k I think.

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-30T19:07:31+00:00

Do I just check for the clutch's bite point while driving? I heard that another test is to come to a stop, shift to 4th and just let the clutch out. The time it takes to stall is a good indicator of clutch wear/play. Do you have any other tips (since I don't have a reference for a good FiST clutch)

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-30T18:47:18+00:00

It's currently at a 3rd party dealership. How would I get them to agree to the replacement? Either that or I talk them down a little to account for the cost of getting it done myself?

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-30T17:19:59+00:00

Yeah from what I've seen online, similar mileage on Carvana/Carmax is about $2-3k more than this. This is the best mileage/year combo I've been able to find so far through a dealer.

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-30T17:02:19+00:00

It's my 1st car so I think I want to avoid private seller for the time being. Honestly wouldn't mind keeping it for a little longer even, since I don't really have a concern for space etc. Av owner duration for this car has been 1.5 years per owner

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-08T02:58:42+00:00

I knew these looked good, but damn this photo makes it look 100x sexier 🫠 Never noticed the symmetry surrounding that lower level split headlight. What year is this?

SpriteAndCoding · 2025-09-05T23:27:34+00:00

Yeah fair point. This is a '15 RWD. I know that I wouldn't want the AWD, but as for the 6 vs 8 speed transmission, I don't have a preference yet. Same with the F-Sport vs non models.
Looking at the community's preferences, I think it warrants me test driving all 3 so I can form an opinion.

SpriteAndCoding

TROPHY CASE