Mondeo ST vs Focus ST - Why such a price difference?

peterattheboro · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:36

Have been wondering today why on earth the Focus ST costs a lot more than the Mondeo ST220.

They are very similar cars when it comes to running costs. The only difference really is the engine that's under the bonnet. The 2.5 5 pot turbo(225bhp) vs the 3.0 duratec V6 (220bhp).

Last week I took a Focus ST-2 out for a test drive. I was quite shocked that it didn't have electric heated seats (suppose that's in the ST-3) or rear electric windows.

The Focus was £9000 on a 56 plate with 35,000 miles . My trade in value for the ST220 was £4200 with 45,000 miles which is is a 2004/54 car.

So even with the very similar costs to run the car, tax and insure it, why does the Mondeo suffer hefty depreciation and the Focus holds it's value much better?

A wild guess would be because that's what people will pay for the Focus with it being a true hot hatch. Where as the Mondeo is a comfortable saloon-like car (even in hatchback form). Is this what makes the difference that the Mondeo is just a barge with a big engine where as the Focus is a bit more bonkers?

Morba · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:39

No different to non st versions is it, so no surprise

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:40

Mate seriously, lol? The Focus is well wicked, its a proper cool hot hatch innit, why would you want to be driving around in some grandads Mondeo? lol

SALOONS ARE FOR LOSERS hahahahaha maybe when you are 50?

Aero · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:40

People don't want big cars the culture has changed to "small and practical" rather than "big and comfortable"

MikeHiow · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:41

Because the Focus is much faster and a proper hot hatch.

Tinders · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:42

Focus is cooler and more for the kids I guess, the Mondy is more of a grown up dad mobile.

My choice if i had no comitments would be a 3 dr focus, or if i had kids and a family, a Mondy ST.

5 door Focus ST is pointless imo if you need to comprimise.

SoliD · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:43

[TW]Fox;17567878 said:
Mate seriously, lol? The Focus is well wicked, its a proper cool hot hatch innit, why would you want to be driving around in some grandads Mondeo? lol

SALOONS ARE FOR LOSERS hahahahaha maybe when you are 50?

He owns a hatchback noob!!!!

peterattheboro · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:44

[TW]Fox;17567878 said:
Mate seriously, lol? The Focus is well wicked, its a proper cool hot hatch innit, why would you want to be driving around in some grandads Mondeo? lol

SALOONS ARE FOR LOSERS hahahahaha maybe when you are 50?

Do you sit outside shops observing the yoof of today taking notes on what they say as you have a talent for impressionism

Aero said:
People don't want big cars the culture has changed to "small and practical" rather than "big and comfortable"

Thing is, the Mondeo isn't that much larger than the Focus! Shocking I know, right!!??

Morba · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:44

Why not a 5 door focus st?

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:48

MikeHiow said:
Because the Focus is much faster

Much faster? Not really - power to weight for example the Focus is 159bhp/tonne versus the Mondeos 149bhp/tonne. The Focus is quicker, but it isnt 'much faster'. 'much faster' is quite a strong phrase which is really inappropriate in this context.

and a proper hot hatch.

Though this is true and much of the reason.

peterattheboro · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:49

MikeHiow said:
Because the Focus is much faster and a proper hot hatch.

Only have the Top Gear test track times to go on but:

Mondeo ST220 - 1.34.5
Focus ST - 1.34.9

Shocking I know, right!!??

MikeHiow · 13 Oct 2010 at 19:59

Top gear track times are about as reliable as a chocolate tea pot.

Having had a play with a friends ST220, I can categorically say that the ST is significantly faster both in a straight line and in the twisties.

You also need to factor in tunability as well.

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:01

MikeHiow said:
Having had a play with a friends ST220, I can categorically say that the ST is significantly faster both in a straight line and in the twisties.

Do we really need to go there? You know as well as everyone else how totally meaningless 'having a play' is.

I once 'had a play' with a V8 Vantage up a sliproad onto an empty dual carraigeway in a straight line and he didnt lose me half as quick as I thought he would. This must obviously mean therefore that a 530i is almost as quick as a V8 Vantage!!332312

Smokey26 · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:01

MikeHiow said:
You also need to factor in tunability as well.

Why? A tiny tiny percentage of people who own cars, modify them.

And it's not much faster, the Focus is a fat arse!

peterattheboro · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:03

That's why I said i've only got those to go on. Don't think the ST220 has been put against the Focus anywhere else.

However, i'll still class the Top Gear times as more reliable than you saying you're faster than your mate on a public road in a straight line or in the twisties. There are just so many factors involved.

Smokey26 said:
Why? A tiny tiny percentage of people who own cars, modify them.

And it's not much faster, the Focus is a fat arse!

He is right though. A £400 bluefin whatsit will add 40/50bhp to the Focus. You'll be lucky to get 15 from the Mondeo. You'd have to spent £1000 on the Mondeo to gain an extra 30 horsies.

[TW]Fox · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:09

peterattheboro said:
He is right though. A £400 bluefin whatsit will add 40/50bhp to the Focus. You'll be lucky to get 15 from the Mondeo. You'd have to spent £1000 on the Mondeo to gain an extra 30 horsies.

This is true but I suspect it has zero impact on the cars used value.

Smokey26 · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:14

[TW]Fox;17568103 said:
This is true but I suspect it has zero impact on the cars used value.

Exactly, mods don't add value to a car, never have , never will, certanly not a remap on a Focus, so it's got nothing to do with the OP.

Kappa · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:16

Think about it another way :

"I'm after a performance/quickish saloon/family car" ---> BMW or something, Ford Mondeos aren't known for that.

"I'm after a hot hatch" ---> Ooooh ST? GTI?

Thats the direction I see it, not everyone goes for bang for buck, they just want what they think is good or seen as good in the segment they're purchasing in. I mean, I dont think "I want 220bhp and have £6k to spend".

Kenai · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:19

I think a lot of it is just the Focus looks more interesting.

It may be pretty quick but the ST220 isn't the most exciting of things to look at. It does 'understated sporty' well but more people prefer something that looks the part. Hell, many people would pay more for a slower car that looked faster I expect, appearance counts for a lot amongst the general public.

peterattheboro · 13 Oct 2010 at 20:21

Kappa said:
I mean, I dont think "I want 220bhp and have £6k to spend".

I did. I saw things clearly when I was shopping for a new car. I bought a car for half the price of a Focus ST, same performance and it came with more toys including heated leather seats, which wasn't an option in the Focus at that time.

A win in my opinion