Focus ST alternatives?

whitecrook said:
how on earth can you get that kind of money at that age?
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[TW]Fox said:
Anyone working full time and living at home can finance this sort of money and pay it back over 3-5 years without issue.
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Pretty much correct there, except the living at home part. I've finished uni and have been working full time for a year, the same with my girlfriend. Anyway, car dealers/banks/credit card companies will lend money to almost anyone.

As for the Astra VXR, the reason I never considered it to start with is that it's a little more expensive than the ST and the vRS, but mainly because of reports of how the car gets the power on the road - it struggles. Similarly, the ST and vRS only have electronic traction control, but most reviews suggest that they can both get the power on the road without too much of a problem. I also think the looks of the VXR are a little iffy (especially the back), and the centre console reminds me of an old friends 1.2 Corsa.... *shudder*. The power output is very impressive, but if it can't get the power down, or is really twitchy, I'd rather go for one of it's rivals.
 
Golf R32 (mk4), Golf GTi (mk5) or the Audi A3 3.2 Quattro would be my choices ;)

Though you've discounted these :( Shame! heh
 
I personally would go for the Focus ST out of what has been said. But i dont think i would buy one if i wanted a new car for roughly £18500.
 
I would want it. If I had £16 i would get the ST3.

But my age is not on my side and I dont have £16.
 
I'd love to know where has the ST-3 avaiable for 16k. By available, I mean realistically available at some point in the next few months.
 
15k is easily payable over a 5 year period, would probably work out at around just under £300 per month including interest if you borrowed the money. Thats not for me though, done it and wont do it again.

The only other car I would consider to the ST atm would be a Mk4 R32....absoloutely incredible car. The vxr looks as if (in similar wording to how clarkson would put it) it has crashed into the front of Halfords.
 
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Just back from test driving the Octavia VRS and the Focus ST. I also had a look at the Astra VXR, Golf GTI and the Renaultsport Megane F1.

The Octavia VRS was great. So much car for the money, comfortable, very quick, handled nicely and my girlfriend could drive it - great. However, no discount offered on the list prices due to high demand. The boot could consume small countries, seriously.

The Focus ST felt so much quicker compared to the VRS. Felt a lot smaller inside, much firmer ride, so much louder, seats gripped more... and oh god, the noise of the turbo, engine and exhaust were awesome. So addictive. No discount offered on the car directly, but was offered 1k above book value for my current car. Worry for me would be residuals in a few years time, and the worry that *everyone* might have one a few years down the line. Our test drive was quite short as someone else was booked after us and we arrived 30 mins late, but we're going back tomorrow to have a good look around the car and perhaps have another test drive.

Astra VXR - Test drive on Monday, I was fobbed off by the sales man that they were too busy. Interior seemed quite cramped and I didn't like the dash at all. Boot space is smaller than the others, and not as wide opening. I'll reserve full judgement till the test drive. Reverse gear is strange - it's so far over to the left you're hand is basically touching the passengers leg. (A good thing? :P)

Golf GTI - Test drive on Wednesday. I thought it's overpriced and rather dull. Extras are expensive. Probably out of our budget to be honest. Seems like a very grown up car, probably not suited to me really. :D

Megane F1 - no demo cars available until 2 weeks time. Very impressive car to look at, great seats and alloys. 0% finance offered on it, with free servicing for life. Didn't discuss trade in, but was advised they would match Ford's offer. Girlfriend isn't too keen on it because of its big arse. I liked it a lot, but with no possbility of a test drive for a couple of weeks and other models seem to have dodgy reliability... I might just forget about it.

Spend a good 6 hours looking at cars, what a great day out. :)
 
Residuals on the Focus ST will be not as bad as that on regular Fords. Typically, ST's hold their value well.

Compare the cost of a Mondeo ST200 to a Mondeo LX, for example. £1500 for an W reg Mondeo LX. £6000 for a W reg Mondeo ST200.

Same story comparing Focus ST170 with Focus Zetec, even though the ST170 wasn't that good. Again, Mondeo ST220 v Mondeo Zetec...
 
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