Ford Focus ST170
Discussion
I found myself in the position to get a second car so decided on the ST170. I'd always liked them but missed having one from new so after looking at the prices thought I'd get one now I have a company van but can't use it for myself, we have a main car so this is for me as I work shifts and the GF doesn't! It'll be used as a runaround, dog and bike transport and to keep some miles off the main car.
I found this 83,000 mile example on ebay, £1400 bought it along with 12 months MOT
The front tyres were a bit shonky so I've had some Maxxis put on. £142 for the pair, mainly an experiment to see what cheap tyres are like...so far, I'm impressed!
It's now also had oil and filter, timing belt, aux belt, plugs, and all new discs, pads and fluid. It won't do all that much mileage so I painted the calipers in an attempt to hold off corrosion.
The eagle eyed will have noticed the odd black mirror on the offside! It took another blow shortly after I got it cracking the glass and making the whole thing even more wobbly than it already was! A new pattern one was sourced from ebay for £24. I actually quite liked it in black so I decided to try vinyl wrapping and did both mirror covers in carbon, film was a tenner.
I've also added a LHD reverse light with red bulb in place of the fog light to balance the rear end. And a Rusteze sticker cos I'm childish like that!
That's it for now as my insurance (long story involving expired NCB and Co. van) won't let me mod it, I may move to a mod friendly Co. for year 2. I might do a trackday, not sure yet! Would probably benefit from getting the geo checked too.
I've been really pleased with it so far, makes a nice noise, goes well without being too fast, even the GF likes it!
Bob
I found this 83,000 mile example on ebay, £1400 bought it along with 12 months MOT
The front tyres were a bit shonky so I've had some Maxxis put on. £142 for the pair, mainly an experiment to see what cheap tyres are like...so far, I'm impressed!
It's now also had oil and filter, timing belt, aux belt, plugs, and all new discs, pads and fluid. It won't do all that much mileage so I painted the calipers in an attempt to hold off corrosion.
The eagle eyed will have noticed the odd black mirror on the offside! It took another blow shortly after I got it cracking the glass and making the whole thing even more wobbly than it already was! A new pattern one was sourced from ebay for £24. I actually quite liked it in black so I decided to try vinyl wrapping and did both mirror covers in carbon, film was a tenner.
I've also added a LHD reverse light with red bulb in place of the fog light to balance the rear end. And a Rusteze sticker cos I'm childish like that!
That's it for now as my insurance (long story involving expired NCB and Co. van) won't let me mod it, I may move to a mod friendly Co. for year 2. I might do a trackday, not sure yet! Would probably benefit from getting the geo checked too.
I've been really pleased with it so far, makes a nice noise, goes well without being too fast, even the GF likes it!
Bob
Edited by BOBTEE on Thursday 28th May 13:01
Edited by BOBTEE on Thursday 28th May 13:03
I had heard about them never being as powerful as claimed and generally lacking in power. I've previously had a 1.6 zetec and after that an ST2 (225). I knew this would have a good chassis and I've done the going fast thing so I'm happy enough with this. It's not slow but you do have to get it up the rev range and keep it there or it seems to bog a bit.
I like the blue but I thought it might look like an RS wannabe, plus our Kuga is virtually the same blue! I really like the dark grey too but this came up at the right time, place and money.
As for the Maxxis tyres, just gave them a test...much better, even in the damp than the, admittedly old and knackered, Goodyear F1s! Will have to see how they age.
As for the Maxxis tyres, just gave them a test...much better, even in the damp than the, admittedly old and knackered, Goodyear F1s! Will have to see how they age.
I've been reading up on the manifold runner thing, gonna have a look at it some time. There's no management lights on but the lack of low down torque makes me wonder if it's working or not. Apparently there's a cam that breaks too. I am a mechanic though so I probably won't ever get round to it!
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