Focus ST vs Civic Type-R

Dolph · 11 Jan 2008 at 18:26

One thing that's very bad about the ST is it's fuel consumption, it's pretty shocking. With regards to the old CTR, it's starting to get a definite image problem as it's price drops and plentiful supply mean it's getting into the hands of the wrong sort of owner, at least round here it is.

I wasn't a fan of the EP3 CTR when it was new, and IMO it really hasn't aged well.

bobert50 · 11 Jan 2008 at 18:28

I'm a big fan of the CTR but if i had the money for either its surely got to be the focus ST, just because it'd still have that "hot hatch" feel yet with power thats so accessible all through the rev's.

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2008 at 18:29

Tombles said:
I hope that this terrible over 25 policy does not stop me test driving the ST tomorrow as i will not buy a car i cannot test drive.

No franchised dealer has a policy like that. They are BSing you becuase they do not believe you are a serious buyer. Most garages will let alone of any age take a car out if they think they are serious.

I took a 530i SE out for a test drive today - guy just handed me the keys and say 'We close at 5, be back before then'. He didnt even ask how old I was.

Tombles · 11 Jan 2008 at 18:33

Yeah i thought it was a bit strange that they risk losing out on a sale because i am under 25 :rolleyes:

If they do say i am not allowed to test drive it then i will tell them to leave it then as im not spending that much on a car without test driving it and see what they say then.

Goksly · 11 Jan 2008 at 18:35

I test drove both. ST felt faster / slightly more responsive but I found the CTR more fun to drive and the ride was more comfortable.

I'd go with the CTR, although i wouldnt be surprised if there is still a 6 month waiting list...

willd58 · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:04

[TW]Fox;10869720 said:
I took a 530i SE out for a test drive today

Why?

[TW]Fox · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:06

It was cheap at 6 grand and thus a potential family runabout. So I popped down for a nose.

wassap · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:16

Goksly said:
I test drove both. ST felt faster / slightly more responsive but I found the CTR more fun to drive and the ride was more comfortable.

Ride more comfortable on the CTR? you having a laugh?

Are you spending your own money, if so buy a Golf GTI, the ST is a wonderfull car and is cheap, but it goes through tyres quickly (12-15k), and mpg is not great, i get around 30mpg with mainly motorway driving.

Ive had a ST3 for 18 months and 45k miles, and its truly been great, but its not as nimble as the Golf or the CTR, the big engine upfront comprimises the handling a touch, but that simply sublime engine and exhaust note more than makes up for it.

But mine's a company car, i certainly couldnt afford to run it myself, and i dont earn a pittance

You cant go wrong with any of them imo, GTi,ST,CTR all great HotHatches in their own right, they are all comprimised to a degree, but that makes them better for average joe, older Civics for example were just too harsh to do any serious miles in, people like me just had a choice of mundane mondeo's!

The reno Megane also gets rave reviews.

Xellos · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:22

Or get the FD2

http://www.litimports.co.uk/stocklist.asp?inc=204

Scuzi · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:28

[TW]Fox;10869720 said:
No franchised dealer has a policy like that. They are BSing you becuase they do not believe you are a serious buyer. Most garages will let alone of any age take a car out if they think they are serious.

I telephoned my local Honda dealer when I was up in Windsor and expressed an interest in the Civic Type R. I was told that unless I was over 25, I wasn't allowed to drive the car. The same went for the S2000 and the Nissan dealership across the road had the same policy for the 350Z. I offered to bring in my payslip to the Nissan dealership but they wouldn't budge. This was before turning up at the showroom and enquiring on the phone. I phoned Nissan HQ to complain and they told me it was a policy that most dealers implemented strictly. They were supposed to call me back to arrange a test drive with a dealer that was more flexible but never bothered.

I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't have bought the Civic but I would have considered an S2000 or a 350Z. A potential lost sale for a pathetic policy.

Tombles · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:33

To woohoo - I've had a Golf before and think i would like a change plus i see the ST for the price as a lot better proposition. The tyres and mpg don't concern me too much as i don't do high mileage a year.

thecremeegg · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:37

[TW]Fox;10869720 said:
I took a 530i SE out for a test drive today - guy just handed me the keys and say 'We close at 5, be back before then'. He didnt even ask how old I was.

Possibly because you turned up in a 530?

willd58 · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:39

Scuzi said:
I couldn't believe it. I wouldn't have bought the Civic but I would have considered an S2000 or a 350Z. A potential lost sale for a pathetic policy.

Insurance is a pain for them im sure, and I think the balls in there court to be fair, there the ones with the goods and if you "really" were serious about having that kind of car im sure you would make sure to test drive one.

The Running Man · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:41

any votes for a Mazda 3 MPS? could be an alternative to the focus...

Scuzi · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:43

willd58 said:
Insurance is a pain for them im sure, and I think the balls in there court to be fair, there the ones with the goods and if you "really" were serious about having that kind of car im sure you would make sure to test drive one.

Yes. I was a genuine buyer, I was out for that type of car and I had the money to buy it. I wanted a brand new car and I wanted to test drive one. Where else was I going to test drive a new 350Z or S2000? It's all water under the bridge now as I gave my business to BMW and pick up my new Z4 Coupe in 7 weeks. BMW were excellent, one of the main reasons they got my business.

I really want to drive it to those dealerships and stick my fingers up at them but I think I'll make do without as I'm supposed to be grown up now

wassap · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:49

Tombles said:
To woohoo - I've had a Golf before and think i would like a change plus i see the ST for the price as a lot better proposition. The tyres and mpg don't concern me too much as i don't do high mileage a year.

Ahhh in that case theres sod all to choose between the ST and CTR, the ST has the better engine in terms of noise and character, the steering feel is also better than the CTR.

The CTR is slightly better round the track.I personally dont like the looks of the CTR, that said i dont think the ST is pretty either.

Go and drive both, and see what you think.

Dolph · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:50

Nickg said:
any votes for a Mazda 3 MPS? could be an alternative to the focus...

Very fast car (quicker than the ST or the CTR for sure), a little lairy in driving style, well built in a japanese (as opposed to german) sort of way.

Worth a test drive, especially as they are within budget 2nd hand.

wassap · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:51

Nickg said:
any votes for a Mazda 3 MPS? could be an alternative to the focus...

Too much power for a FWD car, the electronics are in overdrive trying to keep the front wheels in check, and it really really lets the car down, plus it looks worse than the CTR.

wassap · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:51

Dolph said:
Very fast car (quicker than the ST or the CTR for sure), a little lairy in driving style, well built in a japanese (as opposed to german) sort of way.

Worth a test drive, especially as they are within budget 2nd hand.

Theres actually very little in it on the road.

Dolph · 11 Jan 2008 at 19:55

wohoo said:
Theres actually very little in it on the road.

Some of the in-gear times of the MPS will beat the S3, which is a fair bit quicker then the Focus ST.

On the road, in most cases there's very little between any of the hot hatches unless you ignore laws entirely, or have conjones of steel