Focus ST v Golf GTI v Alternatives

Pre facelift ones are 231g/kg co2, meaning £425 per year in tax
Otherwise get a post facelift one with 224g/kg co2 meaning £225 per year in tax, but pay for it in depreciation.

Not sure how the government justifies such are large jump in £ for such a small increase in co2, but that's for another discussion
 
ringo747 said:
That sounds pretty decent actually. The focus would probably average about 23. Another thing in favour of the Golf is the comfort. Even in the Fiesta crusing on the motorway you have to almost shout at the passenger to have a conversation. I'd imagine the Golf is much quieter on the road than the Ford too.
Click to expand...

Average 23 on a motorway:confused: ... it really doesn't. More like 30.

23 when hooning it around more like.
 
ringo747 said:
Even in the Fiesta crusing on the motorway you have to almost shout at the passenger to have a conversation.
Click to expand...

Really? ...in a modern Fiesta even ...wow, I would have thought you could hold a normal conversation in one these days, I don't know about the Focus ST but the regular Focus MK2 is ok, I mean it's not an S class or an XJ but it you can talk at a normal volume in one at 70mph no problem.

Then again I remember a MK1 Fiesta a friend of mine had as his first car ...even Brian Blessed could struggle to be heard in that thing :p
 
Defcon5 said:
Do you have one? A guy on my team at work has one, and his average is 24mpg, mixed driving. Never gets anywhere near 30!
Click to expand...

I do indeed. You can easily get 30 out of it on the motorway. Mixed driving is nearer 25. I have a friend who has a golf gti and he gets about 27 with mixed driving. The mpg difference between the two would only really be a consideration if you were doing big miles each year.
 
Just been for a test drive in an 08 plate ST. It really is a nice machine to drive but the traffic was really heavy so didn't get a real good blast. It's an ST-3 and is seriously comfortable and a nice drive. Really surprised at how quiet it sounds until you stick the pedal down! The noise is lovely and I'm sure it would be fairly hard to drive sensibly!

I thought there might be more of a throw back in your seat type experience but it seemed fairly smooth in power delivery if that makes sense. I don't think the extra price difference for a Golf is merited especially when buying an 08 Golf doesn't even get you the newer model.

Plenty to think about over the weekend. The damage to the fiesta didn't go in my favour at all though as the dealers have enough excuses to lower the trade-in value without saying they will need to fix it.
 
ringo747 said:
Just been for a test drive in an 08 plate ST. It really is a nice machine to drive but the traffic was really heavy so didn't get a real good blast. It's an ST-3 and is seriously comfortable and a nice drive. Really surprised at how quiet it sounds until you stick the pedal down! The noise is lovely and I'm sure it would be fairly hard to drive sensibly!

I thought there might be more of a throw back in your seat type experience but it seemed fairly smooth in power delivery if that makes sense. I don't think the extra price difference for a Golf is merited especially when buying an 08 Golf doesn't even get you the newer model.

Plenty to think about over the weekend. The damage to the fiesta didn't go in my favour at all though as the dealers have enough excuses to lower the trade-in value without saying they will need to fix it.
Click to expand...

Indeed, it can be driven very quietly and sensibly when you want to. Then you've got that great sound when you give it a bit more of your right foot. The power delivery is very smooth and you don't get a turbo kick as such. You can feel it pull a lot harder when you hit 4k rpm + though
 
It is over 2 years old but has been well looked after and the ST3 trim is definitely nice. I think you would get even less enjoyment out of the golf but then again it wasn't a fast spin I had in it either.

A mate has a VXR Astra which would pull the wheel out of your hand when you hit the pedal - I definitely don't fancy something like that. Something subtle that looks not boyracerish but also is fun when you need it to be is what I really want.
 
The focus has the 5 cylinder volvo turbo lump doesn't it? I have a simmilar engine (in a Volvo) and it is a very smooth engine, it seems slow until you look at the speedo, and you think to yourself "daymn!"
 
mattyfez said:
The focus has the 5 cylinder volvo turbo lump doesn't it? I have a simmilar engine (in a Volvo) and it is a very smooth engine, it seems slow until you look at the speedo, and you think to yourself "daymn!"
Click to expand...

Yep - 2500cc engine in them. Was a seriously nice machine. Just need to see what I will get for the Fez. Might try selling it privately first but not easy sold.
 
Jono8 said:
Indeed, it can be driven very quietly and sensibly when you want to. Then you've got that great sound when you give it a bit more of your right foot. The power delivery is very smooth and you don't get a turbo kick as such. You can feel it pull a lot harder when you hit 4k rpm + though
Click to expand...

Try it with 300BHP :D
 
Jono8 said:
I do indeed. You can easily get 30 out of it on the motorway. Mixed driving is nearer 25. I have a friend who has a golf gti and he gets about 27 with mixed driving. The mpg difference between the two would only really be a consideration if you were doing big miles each year.
Click to expand...


Is yours mapped or anything? His only has about 5k on it, has your economy increased once the engine has worn in a bit?
 
There's something about the 5 pot engine in the focus st that always made me smile when I've driven one. In blue (NOT ORANGE) I think they look brilliant and quite subtle.
 
spaz said:
Out of the two I'd definitely have the GTi, in my opinion it feels more of a hot hatch than the ST which I don't think drives all that well tbh.
Click to expand...

Ignore this, I don't know if spaz drove an absolute dog of an ST, or a modified GTI or just has a plain dislike for STs but I and just about every motoring journalist found the exact opposite to be true.

The GTi is the grown up's hatch back, it is more refined and a little bit more woolly. A brilliant car by all means, but if is a driving experience you want, it doesn't quite tick all the boxes that the ST does.

The more exciting chassis, steering feel - the greater sense of communication, that beautiful 5 pot noise make the ST the choice for the man who wants a bit more. Sure you sacrifice on the interior compared to the Golf, but what you gain is a whole load of character and fun elsewhere.

Of course, you really need to get the ST out for a proper blast for yourself, as this is where it will really make sense.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom