Focus ST - Oh my giddy aunt!

wassap

wassap

wassap

Permabanned
Joined
18 Oct 2002
Posts
12,336
Now that i have finally wiped the grin of my face.....i have a had a fun test drive in a focus ST3, dear god what a corker, ford have finally got it right with this ST, the power delivery, the handling,the ride just about everything about this car is spot on.

The engine is a corker, turbo lag is a minimum, the torque is there in every gear, and boy does it fly, absolutely no torque steer, i always thought 180bhp was pushing it in a fwd motor, the focus admirably copes with 225 horses through the front wheels, i absolutely love the power delivery.Engine note is interesting, certainly not as meaty as my V6, but the turbo whooshes like the best of them and the pops on overun are orgasm inducing!.

Then we are on to the drive, the handling is spot on, the ride is so well balanced it copes with road undulations very well, not fidgety at all it soaks it all up in its stride, unlike the CTR might i add. this car absolutely adores roundabouts btw :p steering is electrical, but it gives really good feedback, and its a nice chunky wheel too.

The interior is quality, the leather seats are comfy and not slippy at all, the dash is all good stuff unlike the previous focus, the on;ly downside is that the handbrake is on the wrong side, its too close to the passenger seat.

All in all this car is spot on, price is just right the looks,performance all live up to the hype.

I have a Golf GTI,Leon Tfsi and a civic 2.2 diesel all lined up in the next couple of days,to be perfectly frank, they have a lot to live upto.

Now do I go for an orange one :d
 
I wanted it in orange, but i couldn't imagine it driving it all the time, it's too in your face.

So decided on a panther black ST3, every thing you have written above is spot on, the handbreak isn't a problem though and the noise is fantastic
 
yeah I'm really impressed with the new ford cars, I drive my instructors 2006 fiesta 1.4 zetec for my lessons, tis very nice.
 
I'd have to have it in orange, makes it stand out more. Having said that, I had a gold Astra Couple before now, so I like my funky colours :)
 
They are lovely cars I just can't stop thinking about what else you could buy a few years older. RWD and more Brrrrrrrrrrrrm

But I know peeps likes new cars and without you taking the depretiation hit I wouldn't have any second hand bargains to buy.

So thanks :p

Back on topic, it did get a blinding review from Top Gear, but I do think it needs to be Orange otherwise it looks a little normal
 
I want an orange one,just so i can have a sign in back..............youve een tango'd!

Im looking at a ST2 with recaro pack and either orange or the performance blue, looks like the lead times are hideous if you have options, 3-4 months :O
 
Steve said:
They are lovely cars I just can't stop thinking about what else you could buy a few years older. RWD and more Brrrrrrrrrrrrm

But I know peeps likes new cars and without you taking the depretiation hit I wouldn't have any second hand bargains to buy.

So thanks :p

Back on topic, it did get a blinding review from Top Gear, but I do think it needs to be Orange otherwise it looks a little normal
Click to expand...

Ahh thats the advantage of company cars tho !

Heres a blue one which looks good imo http://www.ffoc.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=107141
 
The only ST's i've seen on the roads have been Orange and I was really unimpressed with the colour. It just looked bland, almost like a pastel shade.

Maybe well waxed on a sunny day they look good but in the winter grey skies they look nothing at all imo.
 
[DOD]Asprilla said:
From what I understand the Focus ST engine a Volvo unit and they know a thing or two about putting a lot of power though fwd.
Click to expand...

Engine maybe volvo, but chassis is still focus, it certainly is an impressive package.
 
wohoo said:
Engine maybe volvo, but chassis is still focus, it certainly is an impressive package.
Click to expand...

I don't doubt it for a moment. I'm actually surprised it's not a bit quicker to be honest given the powerplant, although I'm only looking at paper specs and I've not driven it.
 
Steve said:
They are lovely cars I just can't stop thinking about what else you could buy a few years older. RWD and more Brrrrrrrrrrrrm
Click to expand...
True, I had my heart set on a Focus ST3 but now I'm thinking that I could get a second hand M5 for similar money and suddenly it's a tough decision to make :)
 
Certainly a lot of mods available for it, theres talk of 250 brake achievable pretty easily, unfortunately i wont be allowed to do any mods unless they are easily removable.
 
wohoo said:
Certainly a lot of mods available for it, theres talk of 250 brake achievable pretty easily, unfortunately i wont be allowed to do any mods unless they are easily removable.
Click to expand...

If it's a engine then the chip can be reprogrammed and be entirely undetectable. I can have my S60 raised from 250bhp to 310bhp if I want.
 
panthro said:
I have to admit though, as much as I like the ST, the grey plastic interior puts me off.
Click to expand...

ST3 = no grey interior stuff, all black :)

The engine was taken off a T50 if i recall right. Nice engine :)
 
hilly said:
The engine was taken off a T50 if i recall right. Nice engine :)
Click to expand...

T5 I think although Volvo call it a 2.4 and Ford call it a 2.5. Dunno what to make of that. I have the older 2.3 version but there isn't a lot in it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom