Focus RS or ST for everday car

[bonesX]

After owning quite a number of Impreza's from classic to JDM 370BHP, I'm looking to try something different and like the idea of lighter and possibly more dynamic, so have been eyeing up the Focus - the Rs Mk1's & 2's plus the ST with a little extra tuning maybe.

Performance figures seem similar, but I'm after real road experience and what living with them is like.

Might be doing the odd track day in it too...

Cheers

(apologies if this topic has been done - search doesn't work too well with the short letters)

[rfn]

My mate has an ST-3 5 door, uses it to commute into London every day.
With this driving, he's averaging about 24/25mpg. Spend too long in stationary traffic, or when he has to commute across London to a site, it dips to 21/22.
He's chipped his and done around 20k in the last year - he loves it! Very comfy to drive, lots of toys etc. It's also bloody quick. Good fun on track too!

A very different car to the Mk1!

Edited by rfn on Tuesday 11th January 14:45

[VladD]

Sounds like a backward step to me. If you want a different experience why not buy a sports car? Honda S2000?

[ben_h100]

Have owned two STs; great as an everyday car. I imagine that the RS would be just as good but slightly more 'hardcore' suspension wise. Seats a bit harder as well.

[ex vtskid]

I wouldn't have thought an ST/MK2 RS would be lighter or more dynamic than an Impreza? Especially if you're talking about a Classic Impreza. Not got a great deal of experience but when I rode in an ST it seemed more of a cruiser than the Impreza I had at the time. It did have similar pace but mine was only a T2000.

The MK1 RS is meant to be a whole different story to that however.

[goldblum]

I have done some research into the very same.

A couple of things..The RS is a MUCH sharper drive than any ST...don't be taken in by talk of tuned/modded ST's..

As an everyday drive they are not a lot different from a normal focus...if you accept 20 odd mpg.

I was looking at a GGR tuned (345 bhp)RS but have decided to buy a straight RS,then run it to Leics for the tune.I think it's only £450

for the extra bhp/lbft torque so makes little financial sense to buy a tuned one and pay a premium.Might as well decide when you have your own

RS..you may think it doesn't need more.

Apparently very good cars and a real bargain for the performance,if you can stand the image...

[winshent]

get yourself over to the RS owners club website... http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk

[300bhp/ton]

bonesX said:

After owning quite a number of Impreza's from classic to JDM 370BHP, I'm looking to try something different and like the idea of lighter and possibly more dynamic, so have been eyeing up the Focus - the Rs Mk1's & 2's plus the ST with a little extra tuning maybe.

Performance figures seem similar, but I'm after real road experience and what living with them is like.

Might be doing the odd track day in it too...

Cheers

(apologies if this topic has been done - search doesn't work too well with the short letters)

What sort of money are you talking, as a MKII Focus RS is substantially more money than a MK1 or an ST.


Also you may wish you check your stats, as I reckon you'll find a classic Impreza weighs less than all of the Focus offerings. And even where the Focus is lighter it's only going to be by a smidgen, not enough to really notice from behind the wheel if I'm honest.


Slightly slower in a straight line, but have you considered a Mazda RX-8? I sort of see them as a sort of 4 door Elise type car, if such a thing existed.

If you really want to stick FWD hatch style then DC2 or DC5 ITR's are where I'd be heading.

However if you want lightweight then Elise, VX220 or modded MK1 MK-5 might be an idea or a FD RX-7.

Lots of kit cars too like GTM Libra's or GKD's Evolution.


If you need more than 2 seats then old school is the answer, a modded:





might well be worth a serious look.

[superman84]

bonesX said:

After owning quite a number of Impreza's from classic to JDM 370BHP, I'm looking to try something different and like the idea of lighter and possibly more dynamic, so have been eyeing up the Focus - the Rs Mk1's & 2's plus the ST with a little extra tuning maybe.

Performance figures seem similar, but I'm after real road experience and what living with them is like.

Might be doing the odd track day in it too...

Cheers

(apologies if this topic has been done - search doesn't work too well with the short letters)

Classic Impreza = 1280kg
Focus RS = 1467kg
Blob Eye Impreza = 1470kg

Hatchbacks are fatties these days

[Spiritual_Beggar]

300bhp/ton said:

Wa Wa Wee Wa!!!

Tis nice, thank you please!

[DickSkruttock]

Spiritual_Beggar said:

300bhp/ton said:

C'est beau!

[bonesX]

Hmmm... let's see: I've owned an Elise 165bhp - great ride, brilliant track car, but just not fast enough for road use. Overtaking was well, difficult.

My current classic Sti Wagon is possibly the nicest to drive of the many Impreza'a I've owned. It's the light agile feel I like. My 'blob eye' JDM was heavy. I took it to Anglesey TD once - terrible! The drive there and back was superb though. I have stuck with the wagon through an engine rebuild, then gearbox, clutch, suspension...etc and now think it's time to let it go. Aren't the classic Impreza's just too long in the tooth now?

I didn't realise the Focus RS was quite a heavy lump as the new age Impreza... fatties indeed ;-)

300/ton - good post, the RX-8 is one I've considered but not factored as yet. Also there's the Seat Cupra's. I've seen those doing well on track...

Goldblum - what do you mean by MUCH sharper (handling?) and don't be taken in?

Thanks for all your replies - not sure weather to throw the towel in and buy yet another scoob, or that nice red BMW - now there's a car I would NEVER have considered...

[goldblum]

bonesX said:

Hmmm... let's see: I've owned an Elise 165bhp - great ride, brilliant track car, but just not fast enough for road use. Overtaking was well, difficult.

My current classic Sti Wagon is possibly the nicest to drive of the many Impreza'a I've owned. It's the light agile feel I like. My 'blob eye' JDM was heavy. I took it to Anglesey TD once - terrible! The drive there and back was superb though. I have stuck with the wagon through an engine rebuild, then gearbox, clutch, suspension...etc and now think it's time to let it go. Aren't the classic Impreza's just too long in the tooth now?

I didn't realise the Focus RS was quite a heavy lump as the new age Impreza... fatties indeed ;-)

300/ton - good post, the RX-8 is one I've considered but not factored as yet. Also there's the Seat Cupra's. I've seen those doing well on track...

Goldblum - what do you mean by MUCH sharper (handling?) and don't be taken in?

Thanks for all your replies - not sure weather to throw the towel in and buy yet another scoob, or that nice red BMW - now there's a car I would NEVER have considered...

I simply refer to the fact that if one peruses the classifieds of various publications there are (spurious?) claims made that certain tuned ST's are 'as fast/faster than/

better riding' etc.. than the most recent RS.BUT the RS is apparently a better package on so many different levels it is hard to see how any ST is comparable.

[superman84]

bonesX said:

Hmmm... let's see: I've owned an Elise 165bhp - great ride, brilliant track car, but just not fast enough for road use. Overtaking was well, difficult.

My current classic Sti Wagon is possibly the nicest to drive of the many Impreza'a I've owned. It's the light agile feel I like. My 'blob eye' JDM was heavy. I took it to Anglesey TD once - terrible! The drive there and back was superb though. I have stuck with the wagon through an engine rebuild, then gearbox, clutch, suspension...etc and now think it's time to let it go. Aren't the classic Impreza's just too long in the tooth now?

I didn't realise the Focus RS was quite a heavy lump as the new age Impreza... fatties indeed ;-)

300/ton - good post, the RX-8 is one I've considered but not factored as yet. Also there's the Seat Cupra's. I've seen those doing well on track...

Goldblum - what do you mean by MUCH sharper (handling?) and don't be taken in?

Thanks for all your replies - not sure weather to throw the towel in and buy yet another scoob, or that nice red BMW - now there's a car I would NEVER have considered...

If you want something more dynamic than an Impreza, with all the advantages of a big turbo and AWD but with better handling and more power then buy an Evo. Focuses, Cupras, old red BMWs, RX8 are all a step down from the Impreza. I went from a P1 to an Evo 9 and although it may be heavier (1400kg) it is far more agile, sharper and far more modern inside and out than the classic Impreza. Much quicker round a track than any hatch too.

(Just checked and the RX8 is a fatty too at 1394kg)

Edited by superman84 on Tuesday 11th January 16:20

[anonymous-user]

Is it just me or did Ford go WAAAYYYYY over the top with the RS styling? Shame because I love them but the ST manages to look smart but purposeful, whereas the RS just looks cheap and tacky.

[Magic919]

If you want something different and it has to be dynamic and not lardy, give a 911 a spin. You can get a nice 996 for Focus RS money.

[stargazer30]

Hi OP,

I'm onto my third focus ST now. Compared to a scooby straight line performance is about the same, slightly better if the ST is mapped unless your talking vs an STI/ modded STI. Handling - scooby win. Comfort/interior - ST win. Tax - ST cheaper than newer scoobies. Insurance - a heck of a lot cheaper than a scooby (or so I found?)

Don't believe ford MPG figures the ST has the worst economy I've ever seen in a car in my life. round the doors sub 20mpg! on a motorway taking it easy maybe 28!

Also the ST has a superb engine, I love the 5 pot growl and its a very lazy torquey car to drive for easy overtakes.

[*Al*]

stargazer30 said:

Hi OP,

I'm onto my third focus ST now. Compared to a scooby straight line performance is about the same, slightly better if the ST is mapped unless your talking vs an STI/ modded STI. Handling - scooby win. Comfort/interior - ST win. Tax - ST cheaper than newer scoobies. Insurance - a heck of a lot cheaper than a scooby (or so I found?)

Don't believe ford MPG figures the ST has the worst economy I've ever seen in a car in my life. round the doors sub 20mpg! on a motorway taking it easy maybe 28!

Also the ST has a superb engine, I love the 5 pot growl and its a very lazy torquey car to drive for easy overtakes.

Tend to agree with this pretty much spot on. I've had a Subaru and also a Focus ST2 which i had remapped to around 260 bhp. The ST is a fantastic everyday car but fuel comsumption is a bit on the high side.

[bonesX]

stargazer30 said:

Hi OP,

I'm onto my third focus ST now. Compared to a scooby straight line performance is about the same, slightly better if the ST is mapped unless your talking vs an STI/ modded STI. Handling - scooby win. Comfort/interior - ST win. Tax - ST cheaper than newer scoobies. Insurance - a heck of a lot cheaper than a scooby (or so I found?)

Don't believe ford MPG figures the ST has the worst economy I've ever seen in a car in my life. round the doors sub 20mpg! on a motorway taking it easy maybe 28!

Also the ST has a superb engine, I love the 5 pot growl and its a very lazy torquey car to drive for easy overtakes.

Your +ve's are what I was hoping for in the Focus: big torque for easy overtakes - not too much lag, good and reliable engine - Impreza engine failures are all too common, as well as very expensive, the handling I don't mind being slightly less - I would prefer playful/predictable rather than huge amounts of grip. I don't cover too many miles so fuel is not a massive issue

I think the Focus might be a car which looks after itself a bit more too. An Evo needs more TLC than a Subaru doesn't it?

[Mastodon2]

bonesX said:

stargazer30 said:

I think the Focus might be a car which looks after itself a bit more too. An Evo needs more TLC than a Subaru doesn't it?

Older Evos need a considerable amount of attentions. 3500 miles service intervals on the models up to the the IX. The X has something like 10,000 or 12,500 mile intervals, but many reckon the X has lost the Evo edge.