Focus ST or Octavia Vrs (petrol)

[pablo36]

Can't decide between these for my next car. Currently have an e39 530 Sport but it is getting a bit long in the tooth so think a change is due this year. I fancy something sportier but need 5 seats and 5 doors.

As I see it the pros and cons are as follows:

ST - Pros - Engine sounds great, 5 Star NCAP, handling, discreet (in certain colours), reliable,

Cons - Poor consumption, smaller boot than VRS, less equipment, poor range due to poor consumption, slightly chavey image, not as well built as VRS (rattles, fewer 5 doors around.

VRS - Pros - large boot, quite economical for performance, good ride, handles well, well equipped, well built discreet

Cons - less characterful engine, only 4 star NCAP, DRLs a bit chavey, slower than ST, styling trying a bit hard, based on an economy special, people will laugh when I tell them I bought a Skoda (!)

What do you guys think? Have I missed anything and which would you go for and why?

Cheers

[rob.e]

I think you've pretty well summed up both cars there. You now just need to decide which of those aspects are most important to you

For me, I couldn't give a toss what some people (who normally are the ones who know jack-all about cars anyway) think about the badge so I chose a skoda.

I would have loved the charismatic 5 cylinder warble of the ST, but the other aspects of the vrs are more relevant to me right now (space, performance, economy etc).

Mine's mildly modified; suspension, engine map and a few little cosmetic bits - details in my garage.

HTH.

[*Al*]

If you need 5 seats it'll have to be a Focus ST2 as ST3s are 4 seaters only.

[pablo36]

Yes it is a shame about the ST3 cause I like the leather. A bit silly of Ford really I think.

[tali1]

pablo36 said:

Yes it is a shame about the ST3 cause I like the leather. A bit silly of Ford really I think.

Impractical - but they look cool -hence why it seems ST3 is most popular of the ST range -so not silly Ford

[redgriff500]

Surely there should be other cars on your list.

[pablo36]

There were but ruled them out - Why what would you expect?

[sparks_E39]

Focus ST for sure.

[FraserLFA]

ST. No question. Focus, Lexus and cockroaches will be the only things left after the hollocaust. And the Ford is fun

But get it in Orange, don't be discreet. Arrive everywhere kicking and screaming. It's what the car's about.

[nottyash]

Both good cars. I saw Focus ST3 3 doors brand new for £16000 and a petrol VRS Octavia for £15200 last November with military discounts. Griffin and Ace car sales.
I was tempted at a diesel Octavia VRS coming in at £15800.

[HereBeMonsters]

Having had the choice recently, I chose the Skoda. It feels bigger, more refined and a more comfortable place to be. If I wanted a balls-out hatch, I would have gone for the ST, but as I already own a 205 GTI, it was a bit too similar.

[BHML]

HereBeMonsters said:

Having had the choice recently, I chose the Skoda. It feels bigger, more refined and a more comfortable place to be. If I wanted a balls-out hatch, I would have gone for the ST, but as I already own a 205 GTI, it was a bit too similar.

Ditto - I had a good few drives in the ST before deciding on the petrol vRS.

To the OP: I wouldn't worry too much about 4 star Euro-Ncap. You can specify curtain airbags as an option for a couple of hundred pounds (if ordering new)

[pablo36]

thanks for the replies.I would be buying secondhand I assume most vrs wont have the extra airbags.

It seems there is no clear winner here.

I am leaning towards the ST since it is more of an out and out hot hatch and the VRS seems a bit sensible.

Also if I want to go sensible there are other better sensible cars from the class above the VRS which give more comfort, space, safety & refinement - perhaps what I am thinking is that the VRS is neither one thing nor another where as the ST is clearly an in your face hot hatch.

[Welshbeef]

I loved the engine sound in my I5 coupe really good and loved to ring it's neck.
Not driven a focus so cannot comment on the noise.

I4 fine but nothing special.

Mpg may be a concern to you if so bear it in mind ditto ved differences and potential increases.


Personally I'd have selected the GTI over both of these - and as used the GTI 30 or Pirelli editions

[HereBeMonsters]

pablo36 said:

thanks for the replies.I would be buying secondhand I assume most vrs wont have the extra airbags.

It seems there is no clear winner here.

I am leaning towards the ST since it is more of an out and out hot hatch and the VRS seems a bit sensible.

Also if I want to go sensible there are other better sensible cars from the class above the VRS which give more comfort, space, safety & refinement - perhaps what I am thinking is that the VRS is neither one thing nor another where as the ST is clearly an in your face hot hatch.

The ST is still a heavy beast though. Not quite a "chuck it down a B road" sort of car in my opinion, more a fast flowing A road car.

The other cars I was looking at were the Volvo V50 (I think, or was it V40?), and the Golf. Golf wasn't quite in my price range at the time, but probably would be now.

[pablo36]

fair point the ST is by no means a small hot hatch like say a clio sport. The other car I quite fancy is a 130i. But the rear wheel drive e39 has been a real pain these last two winters!