vrs oct or st2 focus

I'd go for a blue Focus ST. Just because i think the Octy looks a bit too understated, although being practical and quick (which is nice if your 30 with a wife, 2 kids and a dog), but just wouldn't be for me. Bottom line is they are both very good cars, but each one will say something different about you.

EDIT: ok, just noticed you are in fact 30ish with 3 kids lol.
 
vRS will be more functional, cheaper in upkeep and less tempting to chavs. Focus will drive better.
 
Is it just me or does 220hp from 2.5 turbo seem a bit low? especially since the main thing i hear about the focus is the bad economy?
but then again, the vrs is a brilliant 2nd hand buy as it depreciated rapidly (hence being an awful new buy).
 
VRS would be my choice, I'm just not a fan of the ST.

Don't get a new one though, too much depreciation.
 
I love the look of the vRS, go for that one. There is one that drives around near me in the mornings during the week in blue, looks fantastic completely stock as the bodykit/exhaust/wheels suit it down to the ground, especially the new shape ones (though not that new now)
 
Its a difficult one.

I've currently got a 57 plate vRS and like you I kind of fell in love with it on test drive and didn't think a Golf GTI justfied it's extra cost and the Focus was a bit small and would cost more to run.

Previously I'd had a Mondeo ST TDCi and decided to go petrol because my mileage reduced substantially. I thoroughly enjoyed owning the Mondeo and whilst the diesel engine was a compromise over an ST220 it drove fantastically well for a big saloon car. Perhaps not in a thrilling way, but the turn in, grip and feel were great and it was only when I drove something else and it was sliding about all over my route home at lower speeds than I would carry through bends in the ST that I realised just how well engineered the chassis, suspension and steering were. Sure, it would understeer if you pushed it too hard but you could always feel it coming and lift off before it was too late. After 2 years I still enjoyed driving it and never tired of throwing it around my favourite country lanes.

With the vRS I took it easy for the first few weeks to run it in and then started to push it. The engine is a peach and if you drive it sensibly it will do 35mpg, drive it like a loon and it will drop to 25. The brakes are fantastic. The ride and handling aren't so good - the ride is quite choppy and the body control is not as good as the Mondeo. Whilst it will ultimately grip as hard and the Mondeo it doesn't quite inspire the same confidence or have the same feeling of stability and the whole thing feels a bit of a compromise. With other cars I've had things have got better as I've owned them for longer and had chance to explore them and with the vRS I feel I know more or less what it can do and rather than getting better I keep picking holes in things. Perhaps the Golf GTI is worth the extra - a proper hot hatch where the Octavia is a quick family car.

I think I'd swallow the extra cost and have Focus, especially in 08 spec.
 
blueboy2001 said:
Its a difficult one.

I've currently got a 57 plate vRS and like you I kind of fell in love with it on test drive and didn't think a Golf GTI justfied it's extra cost and the Focus was a bit small and would cost more to run.

Previously I'd had a Mondeo ST TDCi and decided to go petrol because my mileage reduced substantially. I thoroughly enjoyed owning the Mondeo and whilst the diesel engine was a compromise over an ST220 it drove fantastically well for a big saloon car. Perhaps not in a thrilling way, but the turn in, grip and feel were great and it was only when I drove something else and it was sliding about all over my route home at lower speeds than I would carry through bends in the ST that I realised just how well engineered the chassis, suspension and steering were. Sure, it would understeer if you pushed it too hard but you could always feel it coming and lift off before it was too late. After 2 years I still enjoyed driving it and never tired of throwing it around my favourite country lanes.

With the vRS I took it easy for the first few weeks to run it in and then started to push it. The engine is a peach and if you drive it sensibly it will do 35mpg, drive it like a loon and it will drop to 25. The brakes are fantastic. The ride and handling aren't so good - the ride is quite choppy and the body control is not as good as the Mondeo. Whilst it will ultimately grip as hard and the Mondeo it doesn't quite inspire the same confidence or have the same feeling of stability and the whole thing feels a bit of a compromise. With other cars I've had things have got better as I've owned them for longer and had chance to explore them and with the vRS I feel I know more or less what it can do and rather than getting better I keep picking holes in things. Perhaps the Golf GTI is worth the extra - a proper hot hatch where the Octavia is a quick family car.

I think I'd swallow the extra cost and have Focus, especially in 08 spec.
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I haven't driven a mk2 but that reads like a carbon copy of my experience with the mk1 vRS.
 
Liverpool-Lad said:
Hey lordrobs, have you made any changes to your Octy yet?
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Nope. To be honest when I bought it I hadn't really planned to mod it at all.

I did look into a remap but the cost of the map plus the insurance hike was a bit steep. After doing that I decided to really drive the car and see what I thought was lacking and TBH it wasn't really pace. My main criticism is that as a driver I feel a bit disconnected from whats happening as there is vry little in the way of feedback. I'm now thinking maybe a rear ARB to dial out a smidgen of understeer? I'll have to check insurance wise but I can't see it being as much as a remap.
 
Step upto someone like Adrian Flux who deal with modified cars rather than the mainstream insurers. A remap and also something like a rear ARB cost me only £325 for the 2 and not much more in insurance...its really made the car come alive!

The Whiteline ARB is really good and is £125 i think. You may not want the extra power but I could never go back to a standard engine now, you will not believe the difference if remapped.
 
Liverpool-Lad said:
Step upto someone like Adrian Flux who deal with modified cars rather than the mainstream insurers. A remap and also something like a rear ARB cost me only £325 for the 2 and not much more in insurance...its really made the car come alive!
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Yeah I should look into the insurance thing a bit more, I've been a bit lazy and stuck with Privilege because the basic policy is very cheap and the unlimited business usage makes my life easier.

I probably don't do the car much justice in all fairness. It does most things exceptionally well and bar consumables and scheduled work its cost me just £28 in repairs over the last 8k. I'm just the kind of person that if you ask me about my car, house, phone, whatever I'll list all the bad points first :p

Sorry... won't take this any further off topic :o
 
My only advice, Go for the octavia, they cost less, come with more kit and look fantastic.The engine is a peach and is easily remapped should you get bored with its already good pace.
I have an 08 pd vrs and at the time of ordering, skoda were doing an offer throwing in 18"s, armrest, rear leccy wijndows. I chose the maxidot display, cruise control and xenon lights with self level and washers.
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gazzaa said:
i need it to be an st2 because ive 3 kids missis had twins on the 1st of march
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Are you sure an ST will be big enough? I've 3 kids also, and we ended up dumping our focus as there just wasnt the space... and with twins you're going to need a lot more boot space as well as a larger rear seating area.
 
I looked at buying brand new cars late last year and to be honest the ST left me cold. WHy there is such a big deal about them is beyond me.

It feels like your in an MPV. The Recaro seats are probably the worst "sport" type seat I've ever sat in. I did think the blinds in the rear doors were a good idea (I've got a daughter)

Certainly didn't make me want to pay the £400 a month Ford wanted for it.

I work next door to a Skoda garage and the VRS does seem an excellent family performance 4 door. Personally I don't really like the shape. I prefer the old shape.

If it was me buying a new family 4 door I'd look at a 2.5WRX Impreza. Theres some good deals on the outgoing saloon.
 
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