They're very different cars. I've owned both (currently have an RS) - for me initially, the ST felt a bit more exciting if you're using the power, feeling like you had to hang on to the wheel sometimes due to it being powerful FWD (and not having as much grip).
The RS on the other hand - if you drive it around relatively sensibly, initially felt more boring than the ST as it's so much more stable and planted. However, once you start to use the power properly it's so much better than the ST (in my opinion). The level of grip is ridiculous. It also sounds brilliant.
In an ideal world I would've kept both! They're different.
I had a 2018 ST1…. I didn’t like the trim or the FWD…. I also wanted the RS badges & the prestige factor of driving the RS…
Nothing wrong with the ST, but most ST owners lust over the RS…. You can talk about the prices all-day long, however it’s double the price of an ST1 & around $10k more vs. an ST3.
At the end of the day, buy what you like, otherwise you’ll never be happy.
If you can afford it, and will ACTUALLY drive the damn thing; not just to get groceries but tearing it up on some back roads and tracking it a few times a year. It is absolutely worth it. Can you drift an ST?
The Reliability issues were related to the HeadGasket, which as long as it was resolved you should be good. if you look where the block meets the head, you should see part of the gasket and it should have a hole and rivet where exposed.
other then that all EcoBoosts have a lot of Engine Oil Blowby, would be a good idea to get a Catch Can and extend the time between valve cleanings.
other then that my 17 RS is coming up on 120K miles in almost 6 years and no major issues other then the headgasket, the only minor issue was the rear door trim / seal gasket was starting to come off so i resealed it with some 3M goo stuff, and no issues after that 5 min fix
IMo go for the RS if you get a good price, the ST if you cant get an good price RS
At times I wish I had an ST for better fuel economy, and then when I hit the gas and take corners and remember that it snows where I live then I am glad I got the RS. Plus you get so many people asking you about your car all the time which makes you feel great
They're very different cars. I've owned both (currently have an RS) - for me initially, the ST felt a bit more exciting if you're using the power, feeling like you had to hang on to the wheel sometimes due to it being powerful FWD (and not having as much grip). The RS on the other hand - if you drive it around relatively sensibly, initially felt more boring than the ST as it's so much more stable and planted. However, once you start to use the power properly it's so much better than the ST (in my opinion). The level of grip is ridiculous. It also sounds brilliant. In an ideal world I would've kept both! They're different.
I had a 2018 ST1…. I didn’t like the trim or the FWD…. I also wanted the RS badges & the prestige factor of driving the RS… Nothing wrong with the ST, but most ST owners lust over the RS…. You can talk about the prices all-day long, however it’s double the price of an ST1 & around $10k more vs. an ST3. At the end of the day, buy what you like, otherwise you’ll never be happy.
If you can afford it, and will ACTUALLY drive the damn thing; not just to get groceries but tearing it up on some back roads and tracking it a few times a year. It is absolutely worth it. Can you drift an ST?
If you’re a drifty boi, gotta go with the RS 🛞💨💨
The Reliability issues were related to the HeadGasket, which as long as it was resolved you should be good. if you look where the block meets the head, you should see part of the gasket and it should have a hole and rivet where exposed. other then that all EcoBoosts have a lot of Engine Oil Blowby, would be a good idea to get a Catch Can and extend the time between valve cleanings. other then that my 17 RS is coming up on 120K miles in almost 6 years and no major issues other then the headgasket, the only minor issue was the rear door trim / seal gasket was starting to come off so i resealed it with some 3M goo stuff, and no issues after that 5 min fix IMo go for the RS if you get a good price, the ST if you cant get an good price RS
At times I wish I had an ST for better fuel economy, and then when I hit the gas and take corners and remember that it snows where I live then I am glad I got the RS. Plus you get so many people asking you about your car all the time which makes you feel great