Focus ST v Golf GTI v Alternatives

ST definitely sounds like it fits the bill better than the Golf. Any savings in cost can pay for any extra costs in running the ST. I think I am going to give this one a miss though as it turns out I know of the guy who used to own it and he was as rash a pilot as they come.

The dealer said it wasn't mapped but I know for a fact that it is. It was mapped and new exhaust added but I think it was a standard exhaust on it. Would this be a concern? Maybe the map would be dependent on the exhaust they added together? I wouldn't know.
 
If he wanted to sell whatever unit he used to remap the car with, it's likely he would have had to take the map off the car before he sold it.

How bad is this guy, and how much do you know? I'd rather buy a car where I can easily speak to the previous owner - just about everyone who has a fast car will have ragged it, very few people buy a fast car (much less a hot hatch!) to potter around in.
 
A remap and an different exhaust wouldn't be of much concern to me.

I bought mine standard, it would be returned to as close to standard if/when I come to sell it though.
 
MikeHiow said:
If he wanted to sell whatever unit he used to remap the car with, it's likely he would have had to take the map off the car before he sold it.

How bad is this guy, and how much do you know? I'd rather buy a car where I can easily speak to the previous owner - just about everyone who has a fast car will have ragged it, very few people buy a fast car (much less a hot hatch!) to potter around in.
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I'm not sure what unit was used. There is no console to select different settings that I'm aware of. Aren't the Dreamscience ones like that?

I don't know that much about him really except that he is friends with a relative. They tell plenty of stories but to be honest I don't think it is that bad. The car looks in great nick. I don't think this guy had it long enough to be honest. He sold it to buy a Shogun jeep!
 
MikeHiow said:
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.
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I drove a brand new ST500 which belonged to someone I know and the GTi was from a VW garage. I do have a dislike for Focus STs though, very overrated, like most modern hot hatches by Ford.

Ignore the rest of my post then where I then go on to recommend the Megane R26, the car that easily outclasses the Focus ST according to your esteemed motoring journalists ;)
 
The ST's 2.5 litre engine drinks way too much.

I'd go for a one of the following -

Astra VXR
Golf GTi
Megane RS

I test drove an ST a few years back.... I found it rather bland tbh. Was not what I expected.
 
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