Quality vs fun factor

Soldato
Joined
13 Feb 2012
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Been looking at focus st 3's sub 50 k miles full service history. I have found a few examples ranging from 7.5-10k from 06 plates to 59 plate examples. I am happy to settle for a prefacelift (57 plate or younger) but the best examples of these seem to be around the 8.5k mark

The old man in me keeps saying save a little money and get something a little more sensible, or pay the same for something with a little more quality.

A couple of questions would be, is the st of comparable quality for other cars this age and of similar price?

Could I better spend my money on something of better quality (Volvo s40/s60 or BMW of some kind) that might not be as snappy or sharp from a driving point of view but will be better from a comfort/quality point of view.

Finally, not having much experience in this area of the used car arena, if I buy a car now for around the 8k mark I am fully aware that in 4 years time I would be lucky to get back 4k, but am I going to see a noticeable difference in getting something like the st over one of the aforementioned other options, or something someone else may suggest, or from this point out will the depreciation mainly be impacted by age and hence model make etc will have a limited impact on sell on factor?
 
the st is a theives fave. go for a civic less probmatic to keep, and you should not have many things to fix,

what sort of miles do you drive?
 
the st is a theives fave. go for a civic less probmatic to keep, and you should not have many things to fix,

what sort of miles do you drive?

I do around 4k a year, but mpg isnt a concern. Also car theift is not a concern factor where I live. Also the civic is just a little to close to the st, not really a step up in quality and a drop in power, with comparable reliability that it makes it a side step rather then a significant quality upgrade for the power/tuneability loss.

Like a Golf?
They are an option, but similar boat to the civic, except better power, sadly exterior styling is not as appealing.

don't like the one series unless its the coupe (or saloon, not sure which is the best word) and I would be suprised if I could get one of those in budget, but I will have a nose about. Way out of budget for anything sub 50k miles.
 
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Been looking at focus st 3's sub 50 k miles full service history. I have found a few examples ranging from 7.5-10k from 06 plates to 59 plate examples. I am happy to settle for a prefacelift (57 plate or younger) but the best examples of these seem to be around the 8.5k mark

The old man in me keeps saying save a little money and get something a little more sensible, or pay the same for something with a little more quality.

A couple of questions would be, is the st of comparable quality for other cars this age and of similar price?

Could I better spend my money on something of better quality (Volvo s40/s60 or BMW of some kind) that might not be as snappy or sharp from a driving point of view but will be better from a comfort/quality point of view.

Finally, not having much experience in this area of the used car arena, if I buy a car now for around the 8k mark I am fully aware that in 4 years time I would be lucky to get back 4k, but am I going to see a noticeable difference in getting something like the st over one of the aforementioned other options, or something someone else may suggest, or from this point out will the depreciation mainly be impacted by age and hence model make etc will have a limited impact on sell on factor?

You want to try and find a tidy example. Many of these cars will be modified and majority molested through their miles. They are great cars, and offer a lot for the money. The ST is NOT refined, this is my main and only niggle with the car, which often leads me to look at other cars. Currently driving a 1 series BMW at the moment, and it's noticeable. Much lighter steering, better turn circle, less harsh ride, much much fewer rattles.

I'd personally go for facelift 08>, as you get stronger components in the engine, that break in the weaker facelift. Rear diffuser looks really nice, and some nice touches in the interior (push button start as standard).

Depreciation is on my mind at the moment too, Ford have just released the new ST, which boasts 250bhp, from a 2.0 turbo producing only 168g co2. And can also achieve 38mpg on a run. This is the current ST's weak-link as the average from all ST owners is around 25-26mpg.
 
the st is a theives fave. go for a civic less probmatic to keep, and you should not have many things to fix

I certainly can't see a CTR (I assume you're referring to that) as less of a target than a Focus ST. The chavs love them "cos they rev high innit".

It's hardly going to be massively less reliable either - both the Focus and Civic are decently well built cars.

As to the OP, have you tried taking a Focus ST out for a test drive? That should give you an idea of whether the refinement of such a car would suit you. Personally I don't think it's as refined as a comparable Audi S3 or Golf GTI but then it's certainly a large step up from the dross at the bottom of the market too.
 
I certainly can't see a CTR (I assume you're referring to that) as less of a target than a Focus ST. The chavs love them "cos they rev high innit".

Chav's dont steal cars really - they can't. Stealing a car these days requires a team of pro's or an opportunist who finds an open door, be it a Fiesta or a Ferrari.

To suggest the CTR is a high theft risk 'becuase it revs high' is amusing.
 
I am in the same boat the used STs sure look nice, but a used hot hatch is it likely to need a new turbo soon? Liking the new focus ST too just need to work out how much money I can afford to kiss goodbye to.
 
I can. I would happily park a Focus ST outside my front door on a Saturday night. I would not, however, happily put a CTR there. Not because I would expect it to be gone the next morning, but because I wouldn't be surprised to be missing a wing mirror or two, or have dents on the door/roof.
 
Go have a look at BMW E46's; you could get a tidy 330ci or M3 for that sort of money.

I have an M3 and it's by far the best car I've ever owned; you get the comfort and quality yet it will make you smile every time you put your foot down.
 
I can. I would happily park a Focus ST outside my front door on a Saturday night. I would not, however, happily put a CTR there. Not because I would expect it to be gone the next morning, but because I wouldn't be surprised to be missing a wing mirror or two, or have dents on the door/roof.

Do you live in an area that dislikes Type R's?
 
No, just an area with three pubs very nearby, which always get fighting on Saturdays at kick out time.

A bug eye impreza got a going over last weekend, bins thrown at it, roof stood on, wipers snapped off.

[Edit] Thinking about it, the "revs high innit" was meant to be more of a throwaway comment - I just think that the CTR is certainly a "louder" looking car than the Focus ST. If you want a loud looking Focus you need to be looking at an RS.

I still feel my point about it being more of a target stands.
 
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You want to try and find a tidy example. Many of these cars will be modified and majority molested through their miles. They are great cars, and offer a lot for the money. The ST is NOT refined, this is my main and only niggle with the car, which often leads me to look at other cars. Currently driving a 1 series BMW at the moment, and it's noticeable. Much lighter steering, better turn circle, less harsh ride, much much fewer rattles.

I'd personally go for facelift 08>, as you get stronger components in the engine, that break in the weaker facelift. Rear diffuser looks really nice, and some nice touches in the interior (push button start as standard).

Depreciation is on my mind at the moment too, Ford have just released the new ST, which boasts 250bhp, from a 2.0 turbo producing only 168g co2. And can also achieve 38mpg on a run. This is the current ST's weak-link as the average from all ST owners is around 25-26mpg.

Hopefully any down points would be out weighed by the up ones! moving from an S reg renault megane i cant imagine i would be concerned to much with cabin quality, my thoughts were just about how much quality i could get for my money :D

I like some of the features of the facelift but dont know if its worth paying the extra 750+ premium to get one, but then in the grand scheme of things should i quibble over £750 on an £8k+ car when a prefacelift could need at some point £800 worth of work (alternator, oil diaphragm). The only other facelift down point is that is heavier by around 80kg and that would make a difference to me at least but again am i quibbling over a small point?

I honestly dont think the new ST is going to have an impact on the depreciation of the old ST as they are so far different in terms of engine and potential from one another. I think the Engine in the old ST is actually going to be a point that will help it age well.

Anyway, i guess my point really comes down is it good enough to get, considering i could get something as high quality as the above linked jag for similar money lol! guess i need to drive one really.
 
Hopefully any down points would be out weighed by the up ones! moving from an S reg renault megane i cant imagine i would be concerned to much with cabin quality, my thoughts were just about how much quality i could get for my money :D

I like some of the features of the facelift but dont know if its worth paying the extra 750+ premium to get one, but then in the grand scheme of things should i quibble over £750 on an £8k+ car when a prefacelift could need at some point £800 worth of work (alternator, oil diaphragm). The only other facelift down point is that is heavier by around 80kg and that would make a difference to me at least but again am i quibbling over a small point?

I honestly dont think the new ST is going to have an impact on the depreciation of the old ST as they are so far different in terms of engine and potential from one another. I think the Engine in the old ST is actually going to be a point that will help it age well.

Anyway, i guess my point really comes down is it good enough to get, considering i could get something as high quality as the above linked jag for similar money lol! guess i need to drive one really.

When I bought my facelift I considered it to be worth the premium over the pre-facelift. I had read the stories about weak engines and oil diaphragm problems of the pre-facelifts, and these were said to be rectified with new parts on the facelift.

I much prefer the looks of the facelift, more aggressive front end, with much better headlights. The alloys also changed, albeit a minor change, but they look a lot fresher and better IMO. And then there's the push start! Totally worth it for coolness! There's also the improved head unit, dash surround and dials etc. All make it a much nicer interior. But still rattles!!

The Jag is in a different league, servicing and maintenance alone will be much much more than the ST. And I'd hate to see a repair bill for one of those. I've had my car nearly 2 years and *touch wood*, nothing has gone wrong. I often consider changing to something more refined, but the car needs a bit of work such as 4 wheel alignment and new/better tyres. Hopefully this would improve the driving experience.

You'll probably want to set aside £500 for a re-map and intercooler, which transforms the car into an RS beater :)
 
The Jag is in a different league, servicing and maintenance alone will be much much more than the ST. And I'd hate to see a repair bill for one of those. I've had my car nearly 2 years and *touch wood*, nothing has gone wrong. I often consider changing to something more refined, but the car needs a bit of work such as 4 wheel alignment and new/better tyres. Hopefully this would improve the driving experience.

You'll probably want to set aside £500 for a re-map and intercooler, which transforms the car into an RS beater :)

my thoughts exactly with things like the jag, and similar thoughts about BMW's as well.

already plan on the remap intercooler work etc if i pick one up! just need to work out the figures and save for a couple of months i guess.
 
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