Focus ST

Harry · Post by **Harry** » Tue Sep 11, 2007 12:05 am

C50 wrote:Oh

Still.. cars not to my style anyways. It's just a Focus to me

Like-wise

dawolf · Post by **dawolf** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:41 pm

I think Vauxhall's are generally better but these modern Ford's do seem well built and reliable. Just that a lot of these new cars seem to look the same.

Post by **Lauren** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:00 pm

dawolf wrote:I think Vauxhall's are generally better but these modern Ford's do seem well built and reliable. Just that a lot of these new cars seem to look the same.

Its been that way for years though hasn't it? Manufacturers follow a conservative stance in order to ensure that they appeal to the widest demographics of potential buyers.

Negativvv · Post by **Negativvv** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:46 pm

Lauren wrote:
dawolf wrote:I think Vauxhall's are generally better but these modern Ford's do seem well built and reliable. Just that a lot of these new cars seem to look the same.

Its been that way for years though hasn't it? Manufacturers follow a conservative stance in order to ensure that they appeal to the widest demographics of potential buyers.

And later on they release hard core models to satisfy the more enthusiastic driver, like Clio Cup and BMW M3 CSL etc...

dragoonlordz · Post by **dragoonlordz** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:56 pm

I wouldn't be seen dead in a Focus ST for the simple reason only pikeys drive hatchbacks

IMHO all hatchbacks are extremely butt ugly with no exceptions lol
I will never buy a nasty stinky awfull skank-my-ride lame Pikey's hatchback ever in my entire life

Post by **Lauren** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:30 pm

dragoonlordz wrote:I wouldn't be seen dead in a Focus ST for the simple reason only pikeys drive hatchbacks
IMHO all hatchbacks are extremely butt ugly with no exceptions lol
I will never buy a nasty stinky awfull skank-my-ride lame Pikey's hatchback ever in my entire life

LOL!

Gross-generalisations.

matt_mr2t · Post by **matt_mr2t** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:58 pm

C-50 - "it's just a Focus" said right after you suggested buying a Honda. One of the most boring brands in the automotive industry.

Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

BTW - MOST engines the valves can hit the pistons, our "safe" engines are a rarity believe it or not.

Post by **Speedy** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 11:27 am

dragoonlordz wrote:I wouldn't be seen dead in a Focus ST for the simple reason only pikeys drive hatchbacks
IMHO all hatchbacks are extremely butt ugly with no exceptions lol
I will never buy a nasty stinky awfull skank-my-ride lame Pikey's hatchback ever in my entire life

Seriously

Focus is a seriously underrated car, mega reliable, reasonably good fun to drive. Pokey in TDCi and hot versions. Old shape drives better than new

Race Idiot · Post by **Race Idiot** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:18 pm

Speedy wrote:
Focus is a seriously underrated car, mega reliable, reasonably good fun to drive. Pokey in TDCi and hot versions. Old shape drives better than new

I aggree, I rented a wheesy 1.6 version when I went to spain and they don't half have some fantastic road there. I would have enjoyed the 2 there but even so the focus was good fun even with the skinny bridgestone turanzas that it had, it didn't seem to wallow about like some MKV golf's i've driven and not much body roll. I can imagine with some decent rubber it would have been even better. It just got a bit gutless when you were high up in the mountains, but it was just a 1.6.

Post by **Speedy** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:25 pm

We sold our 1.6 and got a 1.8TDCi instead, much better

Negativvv · Post by **Negativvv** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:13 pm

Speedy wrote:We sold our 1.6 and got a 1.8TDCi instead, much better

Exactly how good is the TDCi? I almost got one and im encouraging a friend who get one as he needs a newer car and doesnt have the slighest interest in 4 wheeled stuff except for saving money/a reasonable ownership prospect!

Ian Geary · Post by **Ian Geary** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 7:59 pm

Some of the new ford TDCi engines are running into reliability problems - the huge fuel pressure is upsetting the fuel pumps I believe.

from what I recall of top gear tests, the VXR, whilst being more powerful on paper, had a much pooer chassis and was slower round the track than the ST.

It's unlikley that Ford would release a car that would have reliability problems - they've got to service it after all. The Volvo T5 lump has been very well proved over the years. And when Fords do break, they are a damn site cheaper to fix that Toyotas! (e.g. Escort boot struts £16 Celica boot struts £200!)

I've only had one run in with a Focus ST, on the M1, when I caught one up (along with a 180 clk kompressor). We left the merc behind, but there's no way I could reel the focus in.

I love the comment about hatch back cars. Personally I'd never say never. I've owned non hot hatches, and they are chuckable, can look good dressed up and are practical too.

And those in glass houses shouldn't throw stones - I wonder what ST owners would say about a 1250kg pop up lighted, 14" wheeled car designed in 1989 made with Toyota part bin suspension and switch gear?

The MR2 turbo is fast, but it's not the pinnacle of motoring design (IMHO)

Ian

matt_mr2t · Post by **matt_mr2t** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:02 pm

Well said Ian.

I think the issue (and only issue) I would have with modern hot hatches is they're all FWD unless your talking S4, R32 or Clio V6 all of which are nearly £30k

I wouldnt want a FWD car any more I have to say.

luthor1 · Post by **luthor1** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 4:09 pm

I dislike them because they're so huge and heavy and I can't see why they have to be. The Polo GTI is heavier by 50% over the original golf!!

Post by **Speedy** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:04 pm

luthor1 wrote:I dislike them because they're so huge and heavy and I can't see why they have to be.

One word - NCAP

Post by **Speedy** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:08 pm

Some of the new ford TDCi engines are running into reliability problems - the huge fuel pressure is upsetting the fuel pumps I believe.

I don't know about the newer generation, but our one from the previous generation of Focus has nothing wrong with it.

from what I recall of top gear tests, the VXR, whilst being more powerful on paper, had a much pooer chassis and was slower round the track than the ST.

I'll probably get flamed for saying it, but Ford generally do make cars which handle. Vauxhall don't in my experience (well, not for say, the last 15 years - and the VX220 doesn't count, cos Lotus glue that together for them). IIRC, all of the current generation of VXR badged Vauxhalls suffer from chronic torque steer

Exactly how good is the TDCi? I almost got one and im encouraging a friend who get one as he needs a newer car and doesnt have the slighest interest in 4 wheeled stuff except for saving money/a reasonable ownership prospect!

Its comfortably better than the 1.6na, probably better than the 1.8na as well. If they don't know/care much about cars, then the only thing which will matter to them is that they can put stuff in it, and it starts when you turn the key. Focus does both of these things very well

Slarty · Post by **Slarty** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:07 am

Ian Geary wrote:Some of the new ford TDCi engines are running into reliability problems - the huge fuel pressure is upsetting the fuel pumps I believe.

Um, really?

I work in the engine plant where we produce the Lynx engine (that's the 1.8D engine btw) and I've heard nothing at all WRT this?

As has already been said, Ford do produce good "drivers" cars nowdays, add to that the dealer network, cheap (er) spares and knowledge base and it's a winner.

I, however, drive a Toyota

Scotster · Post by **Scotster** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:37 am

I was going for a TDCI focus for the wife but the insurance is too high so going for the 1.4 or the 1.6 instead.

The 1.8TDCI is MUCH better than the 1.8. My dad has the 1.8 and its slower than a week in the jail. Handling is second to none though. It just grips and there is virtually no roll while getting all the comfort that is modern day ford. I drove it hard once or twice and the 1.8 doesn't like to be revved at all. Sounds like your killing it lol.

They do what they do VERY well though. Excellent cars in my opinion. Great for a daily driver anyway

Wouldn't be seen dead in one at the weekend though lol

Scott =op

shibby! · Post by **shibby!** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 4:00 pm

I do like some newer cars,

But if i was going to buy a newer car it would need to be quick!

Focus ST not really quick. FWD. I think it looks good though in white, with the blue stripes.
Old ST's are slow as xxxx!

R32, Ok so 4WD, but im pretty confident the Golf Gti is faster.

Clio cup, now we are talking about decent hatches, ok so its French, but man they are a hoot to drive.

As for Vauxhalls..........................

Well, this a 100% true story, everybody that works at the dealership round my way drives German.

Im a bit of a power guy, and to have a suitable upgrade of a car i would probably be running around 15k for one.

However hatchback, i would buy for the wife. ST would probably be on it. Thing is though, i wouldnt buy it for me.

Nick

luthor1 · Post by **luthor1** » Wed Oct 17, 2007 10:30 pm

Shibby - I'm with you mate, totally!

www.imoc.co.uk

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