Focus ST-2 Purchase

[Waynester]

I have just finalised a deal on an EO 3 door Focus ST-2, 2007. Its standard apart from rear window tints (being removed) and looks immaculate. I pick it up next Tuesday from a VW dealership in Derby.
This will be my 2nd ST, I bought an EO ST-3 new back in 2006. I only put 4000 miles on that car before selling to purchase a TVR. This time I will hold onto this ST longer.

I was swayed towards a mk II RS, but...this needs to be a daily driver, and I thought I would stress to much using it on bad weather, salty road days.
I also very nearly went for the mk 3 ST, the 4 cylinder version, but...part of what I love about the original ST's and mk II RS is that 5 cylinder engine.. it makes nice torque and a nice noise.

Edited by Waynester on Monday 30th December 14:59

[Justin S]

Nice car. If your going to keep it for a long while, make sure you take the front wheelarches out and clear the mud pocket behind the front wing to floorpan, which I found on mine. Sure in time it will be a place of rot.Other than that, I am sure you know the traits of the cars. Mines great and still have no want to swap it, 3 years into owning it.

[Waynester]

Justin S said:

Nice car. If your going to keep it for a long while, make sure you take the front wheelarches out and clear the mud pocket behind the front wing to floorpan, which I found on mine. Sure in time it will be a place of rot.Other than that, I am sure you know the traits of the cars. Mines great and still have no want to swap it, 3 years into owning it.

Good idea, something to think about. I did the same on my old MG ZS 180, and it was amazing how much mud, leaves and twigs was inside the inner wheel arch!
Looking forward to Tuesday.. im sure its bound to rain. :-/

[MDT48]

Had one just like that from new and loved it. Of course I also had it modded up to around 300bhp - the full Piper exhaust made it louder then the 911 I was running at the time :-)

I have a Mk2 FRS as my daily driver now and have no problem using it all year round. In fact it'd bloody filthy right now and needs a good scrub, clay and wax. I know what you mean about the sound of the five-pot - I've thought about chopping my RS in numerous times but I'm always won over by the sound, especially in car parks!

Simply love the Electric Orange colour, looks simply stunning in sunlight and at night under street lights.

[Waynester]

I hope I don't regret not getting the RS, it was only because this one was so mint and low mileage that I decided on the ST again. But I loved my first one so I'm sure I will again.

I can understand the dilemma in changing the RS, it's an awesome car..and with the 5 pot engine, it's just a great drivers car!

Already thinking about changing the exhaust to let the engine noise out a little more.
Quite taken with the Cobra, it certainly sounds nice!

[Jon321]

I owned a red ST-2 on a 56 plate prior to my current RS. Whilst different in many ways I do miss quite a few characteristics if the ST. Great cars and having already owned one you'll know what to expect. I had a few mods on mine to 'free it up' a little in terms of induction and exhaust which is where I found it most restricted.

[Waynester]

Jon321 said:

I owned a red ST-2 on a 56 plate prior to my current RS. Whilst different in many ways I do miss quite a few characteristics if the ST. Great cars and having already owned one you'll know what to expect. I had a few mods on mine to 'free it up' a little in terms of induction and exhaust which is where I found it most restricted.

Which exhaust system did you go for? There seems to be a great many options, full systems, cat back, resonator, non resonator..

Having listened to some on YouTube, I have to say the Cobra sounds very nice!

[Jon321]

Waynester said:

Which exhaust system did you go for?

I had a Miltek resonated full system as far as I remember. Sports cat, wider down pipe etc. It made a nice exhaust note with out producing much motorway drone or being too loud.

Cobra do indeed sound good.

[Justin S]

Be careful on what system you get. Some create a nasty boom on backing off or droning on the motorway. The Dream Science (later larger silenced system) made our ears bleed. That was even after I acoustically lined the boot floor and under the rear seat ( yes, there is nothing there !! have a look. We changed it for the Ferrita system in the end from Kalmar Union. Not as 'glitzy' as some systems available, but it works well. I also found that the 3 inch DS system, seemed to lack pre boost torque and the 2 1/2 inch Ferrita brought it back. I also have a sports cat and sports downpipe on the car. Big isn't always best. But the wife can hear the car , way before she see's it , allegedly !! But it can be reasonably quiet when needed. The system will work well up to 300 bhp, which is where I am sticking at.



Couple of piccies for you.

[DukeDickson]

Far too shiny - might have to put up a couple of pics of a more lived in example for some balance.

[Justin S]

Was when the sun was out. Actually the engine bay is different now and I have taken off the daft symposer pipe system and replaced the boost hoses with silicon. God knows how the car worked so well with the intercooler to inlet pipe. What a strangulated mess. Boosts much smoother now and quicker to get there.

[Waynester]

Looks very nice..I like the colour, somewhat opposite to the day-glo orange of mine!

Just changed my insurance over from TPFT on an MG ZS 180, to Fully Comp on the ST. Only £99.30 extra! Was expecting much higher.

[Justin S]

Cheers, am very happy with it. It gets no notice at all, anywhere. Which I prefer, to be honest. Just a mundane ole focus 4 door. Just had the wheels refinished a slightly darker silver to, so they don't stand out as much. Wife says she grows devils horns, when she sits in it and drives it. Really upsets a lot of unsuspecting drivers.

[thebigmacmoomin]

Reminds me Ive got some of my mods to sell from my Focus ST.