[sutherlandm]

Now please be gentle here!

I need to sell my R32 as it's such a thief target and I have to park it over a mile away in "safety".

Also setting up a new company and think an R is a bit flash (can afford it, but it's seems OTT when penny pinching elsewhere).

Can't find a garage to park it and basically plan to get up and running work wise then get a house with a garage and a decent motor (new R32?).

But UNTIL then, we need a low profile car that's still fun to drive and the Focus seems to fit the bill. Looking at about a year old so someone else take sthe deprecitation hit.

BMW image not right (and would be a target) and "normal" VWs and Audis just don't drive very well.

Please feel free to laugh heartily at me but has anyone driven one? Will check one out tomorrow.

This is just for a year or so BTW!

 

[hornetrider]

not driven an ST, but have driven several Focii and they do handle brilliantly... and its a small thing but I also like where the stereo controls are on the steering column... downside for normal Focii was I felt I was sitting "on" the seat rather than "in" it, however if there's sportier Recaros in the ST (dunno) that would probably be better?

a friend was in the market for one but decided on a Cooper S instead as he felt the ST wasn't pokey enough apparently

I quite like 'em though

 

[sutherlandm]

MCS has a useless boot or it would be high on my list!

Not sure about the seats but am ware the quality will be below the R.

Just need a "disposable" car to run around in for a year or two but can't bring myself to get something too dull!

 

[turbo paul]

i have driven quite a few of them. The chassis is very, very good but the engine is quite poor. You have to work it hard to get any sort of power out of it, which can be tiresome and even then its not very fast at all. They do look nice though. The seats are nice but the dash is still very 'ford'

Edited to say the seats are recaros and are very nice with heated leather.

 

[RayBanUK]

sutherlandm, had a few goes in these when I was a Universal Salvage and they are great cars. I love the way they look subtle and feel it too. Its more of a warm hatch than a fast car like turbo paul says but being honest, its not bad at all, think of it like a Vtec engine. Handling is brilliant though.

Universal use to have plenty for around 8K newish, but I just checked and they havent got any at the moment.

 

[EddyH]

My mum had one and my impressions were the engine was awful and you sit too high. Otherwise not bad. This one was sent round on an email at work a few days ago:

For sale - Ford Focus ST170

AirCon, CD changer, electric windows, remote locking, leather electric seats, abs, traction control, metallic black, airbags, etc.

2002 ?52 reg?

Full main dealer service history (serviced at 25k, 12.5k intervals)

Remainder of warranty

Taxed, MOT not required yet

27k miles

4 new tyres

Group 15, approx ?530 / year

Cost new ? 16,300.00

Ford dealership ? 11 ? 11.8k (similar age etc.)

Sell for ? 9750.00

Similar price to private sales e-bay / autotrader

will also pay for another service before selling (or when next due at 37.5k miles)

 

[sutherlandm]

Will check one out tomorrow.

Not expecting high quality, but realised that if I switch off my "Audi/VW only" button, there are actually some cars out there that offer a lot.

Not after mega performance, just enough to be "safe" but any warmish VW/Audi (A3,A4, Golf, Passat,etc) just seems to be pricey and poor to drive.

 

[spg]

Lad at work has just bought a 54 plate 3door ST170, i think

he paid about ?12k, it hacks me off that he's saved about ?4000

off list price and its only 6months old with 6000 miles on it!

Shame Golfs dont depreciate like Focuses!

 

[Baron Von Marlon]

Thought about a Seat ? Not as high profile, but same build quality and a couple of pocket rockets around !

Just a thought.

 

[djhorace]

****COUGH****

Civic Type R

****COUGH****

 

[Irish]

Also drove an ST170 when I was thinking about a Golf GTI back in 2002. Need to be revved but lovely exhaust note, Recaros are nice. GTI with 20 bhp less feels quicker but for what it is the ST170 ain't a bad car to tie you over for a year.

 

[cjp2k]

word of warning, apparently the st170 wheels are very desirable with the thieves so i have herd.. just something 2 think about

 

[djhorace]

Quote: posted by cjp2k on 01/03/2005 23:49:24

word of warning, apparently the st170 wheels are very desirable with the thieves so i have herd.. just something 2 think about

They probably fit on MKV Escorts or Fiestas. They will be the next Subaru Scoop.......

 

[sutherlandm]

They don't fit any other Ford - I checked!

It handles very well indeed, the engine is a bit uninspiring but apart from it being a Ford, it felt a lot more sorted than equivalent VWs or Audis. The one I tried had full leather Recaros and a OEM ICE upgrade.

Quick enough, subtle enough and may do the trick.

Don't want a CTR - Too Kev, too low specced (the Focus had everything) and too much like hard work.

 

[RayBanUK]

Glad you liked it Matt! I certainly wouldnt mind getting if I was to get a Focus. Seems like the right level of performance and subtley for what you are looking for. Are you going to buy new or secondhand? Secondhand prices for the ST170 are very good.

 

[bobski]

I think the standard 150BHP Golf 1.8T is faster to 60 than the ST170, so the engine can't be that quick if it is slower than a car with 20BHP less? Speed isn't everything though!

Think the ST170 will suit your needs well.

 

[sutherlandm]

I've read from 7.9 to 8.2 to 60.

Power to weight is 144bhp/tonne (a bit better than the mkIV) but the torque is a bit worse.

Golf better made but I just can't get on with the handling of all mk4s except the R32.

The Focus really is leagues ahead in the steering and handling department which is why VW nicked the Focus suspension engineer/designer and did a great job on the mk5!

 

[sutherlandm]

...and I'm also no looking for a car ro race everyone in.

Just something quick enough to be safe.

 

[chrisf70]

sutherlandm, I like you always had a VW/Audi button but a year ago went for a near new Mondeo 130TDCi. Although good it never really did it for me and with needing money for a wedding I've come back to VW and gone for a 2.0GTI. I know some peoples opinions of this motor ain't too high but even two weeks in the GTI is giving me a bigger smile on my face than a year in a fast, economical and good handling Ford. Think carefully before jumping ship and look at some of the 'lesser' VWs before leaving. []

 

[Irish]

An R to a 2.0 GTI! No offence but you'd go crazy!