Focus ST or Mondeo ST220?
Discussion
The Impreza is getting on a bit now in terms of both age and mileage plus we have a baby on the way and my wife doesn't like driving it (steering and clutch too heavy, gearbox a bit notchy etc). I've never owned a Ford but am of the understanding that modern Fords drive well, are fairly reliable and cheap to service/repair. I like the idea of these two big-hearted Fords, I would be looking at a 5 door hatch in either and could spend up to £7k.
A quick browse on autotrader, would suggest that this should get me one of the later, low-mileage ST220s or an early Focus ST. But which is better? On paper, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in terms of performance and economy. I know that neither are very economical but I'm used to that with the Impreza and my mate seems to get better fuel consumption out of his Focus ST than I do out of the Impreza. The Mondeo I imagine is probably more spacious, has a bigger boot and may be more comfort-orientated but having driven my mate's Focus ST, it feels pretty huge (even though it's the 3 door) and less wieldy than my Impreza. However, I love the engine and gearbox, it rides pretty well and handles tidily enough (you can feel the power tugging at the front wheels but it is fairly well damped). However, I have heard that the early Focus STs (pre-2008) can suffer fairly disastrous engine failures. I am not aware of any issues with the Mondeo's engine. So which is the better in terms of a driver's car and a family car and which is the better buy?
Am I missing any better alternatives? I guess the obvious alternative would be a mk5 Golf GTI which would probably be more economical but for the same money, I would probably be looking at an older, higher mileage car. Any thoughts/experiences of either car would be appreciated.
A quick browse on autotrader, would suggest that this should get me one of the later, low-mileage ST220s or an early Focus ST. But which is better? On paper, there doesn't seem to be much of a difference in terms of performance and economy. I know that neither are very economical but I'm used to that with the Impreza and my mate seems to get better fuel consumption out of his Focus ST than I do out of the Impreza. The Mondeo I imagine is probably more spacious, has a bigger boot and may be more comfort-orientated but having driven my mate's Focus ST, it feels pretty huge (even though it's the 3 door) and less wieldy than my Impreza. However, I love the engine and gearbox, it rides pretty well and handles tidily enough (you can feel the power tugging at the front wheels but it is fairly well damped). However, I have heard that the early Focus STs (pre-2008) can suffer fairly disastrous engine failures. I am not aware of any issues with the Mondeo's engine. So which is the better in terms of a driver's car and a family car and which is the better buy?
Am I missing any better alternatives? I guess the obvious alternative would be a mk5 Golf GTI which would probably be more economical but for the same money, I would probably be looking at an older, higher mileage car. Any thoughts/experiences of either car would be appreciated.
) 0000 said:
The Focus for me. I had a Mk3 Mondeo before the ST and I'm not sure it's much smaller really, the boot's just a different shape.
80k miles so far on my '07 without a disastrous engine failure - hadn't heard of it happening either, worryingly.
Sorry, didn't want to concern you. Split cylinder liners apparently according to the evo buying guide. Modified cars are especially susceptible. 80k miles so far on my '07 without a disastrous engine failure - hadn't heard of it happening either, worryingly.
A few issues with liners on some Focus ST's but it is not a common problem, more bad luck and really quite rare. The engine is a development of the Volvo 5 pot and it makes a lovely warbling noise.
Oil filter housing diaphragm is an issue though on pre-facelift cars. Common fault but not catastrophic failure inducing; you'll know when it's on its way out due to the eerie spaceship noise and high oil pressure
Most ST's get re-mapped, especially the older ones, as it is a cheap modification considering the BHP gains. Bluefin, Dreamscience, etc. supply hand-held DIY handsets.
The ST is a great car if you source the right one but be aware there are plenty of abused examples out there too.
Performance wise there's probably not alot in it between the ST and V6 Mondeo. A standard ST (or Mondeo) is no match for a Scooby though and the handling can feel a bit lardy.
I'd take the ST though (especially in electric orange)
Oil filter housing diaphragm is an issue though on pre-facelift cars. Common fault but not catastrophic failure inducing; you'll know when it's on its way out due to the eerie spaceship noise and high oil pressure
Most ST's get re-mapped, especially the older ones, as it is a cheap modification considering the BHP gains. Bluefin, Dreamscience, etc. supply hand-held DIY handsets.
The ST is a great car if you source the right one but be aware there are plenty of abused examples out there too.
Performance wise there's probably not alot in it between the ST and V6 Mondeo. A standard ST (or Mondeo) is no match for a Scooby though and the handling can feel a bit lardy.
I'd take the ST though (especially in electric orange)
Edited by Red 4 on Friday 23 March 22:07
white_goodman said:
0000 said:
The Focus for me. I had a Mk3 Mondeo before the ST and I'm not sure it's much smaller really, the boot's just a different shape.
80k miles so far on my '07 without a disastrous engine failure - hadn't heard of it happening either, worryingly.
Sorry, didn't want to concern you. Split cylinder liners apparently according to the evo buying guide. Modified cars are especially susceptible. 80k miles so far on my '07 without a disastrous engine failure - hadn't heard of it happening either, worryingly.
Not driven the ST220 but one of the guys who set up focusstoc.com also ran mondeostoc.com and owned one. It was a very nice bit of kit, and almost as quick as the Focus. Neither will delight in the fuel economy stakes though; there are cars out there that deliver a lot more oomph for the consumption.
Standard cars like for like, the outright performance is very similar. The Focus is very tunable, the Mondeo isnt unless you have deep pockets. Try both, and chose whats best for your needs. Mondeo is more grand tourer and the Focus more grown up hot hatch in its execution .
I was going to get a Focus ST and then i tried the Mondeo, i do not regret that choice two years later and have driven many a Focus including the RS and a Mountune one in that time, and still i love the Mondeo!
I was going to get a Focus ST and then i tried the Mondeo, i do not regret that choice two years later and have driven many a Focus including the RS and a Mountune one in that time, and still i love the Mondeo!
white_goodman said:
Sorry, didn't want to concern you. Split cylinder liners apparently according to the evo buying guide. Modified cars are especially susceptible.
Load of s
te basically, quite a few cars have went, some have been standard, some have been modded sub 300, some have been modded past 300. 2007 cars are supposedly weaker, but mines been fine modded for a while now. It's luck of the draw basically. I'd pick the Focus, I have a 5 door one so I might be a bit biased.I was in the same situation a few years back,
I found the Mondeo too bland in all honesty, its a big car that really felt like a big car. There is nothing wrong with them, and as family cars you can't knock'em, however there was just nothing to be excited about.
I found the space in the Focus was more then enough for Me, the wife and our little boy (along with all he needed). Was sedate enough around town, more then comfy enough when on long Journeys (4 men driving to Holland was a breeze). But as said, with a decent bit of open road you could still blast down it and really enjoy the road. Only real down sides were, the seats are mounted pretty high, and the MPG is not all that great, probably about the same as your Subaru.
Best thing to do will be to test both, with your wife and see which she will be happy driving as well.
ETA, if you do get a Focus, DO NOT get the 3 door, as you will soon get fed up with having to lean almost all the way into the car to put the child in the car, and will struggle to keep them asleep when getting them out.
I found the Mondeo too bland in all honesty, its a big car that really felt like a big car. There is nothing wrong with them, and as family cars you can't knock'em, however there was just nothing to be excited about.
I found the space in the Focus was more then enough for Me, the wife and our little boy (along with all he needed). Was sedate enough around town, more then comfy enough when on long Journeys (4 men driving to Holland was a breeze). But as said, with a decent bit of open road you could still blast down it and really enjoy the road. Only real down sides were, the seats are mounted pretty high, and the MPG is not all that great, probably about the same as your Subaru.
Best thing to do will be to test both, with your wife and see which she will be happy driving as well.
ETA, if you do get a Focus, DO NOT get the 3 door, as you will soon get fed up with having to lean almost all the way into the car to put the child in the car, and will struggle to keep them asleep when getting them out.
Edited by KrazyIvan on Tuesday 3rd April 09:42
GaryST220 said:
I'd suggest the Mondeo on every level except tunability.
Exactly this. We have an ST220 Estate and I can't believe how well it goes/drives for such a massive car. Extreme comfort and bags of space for everyone and the dogs. It also feels extremely calm at speed, as well as having a lovely engine note.However, a remap can get 260bhp out of a Focus ST... Same can't be said for the V6 Mondeo.
If I didn't need an estate I would probably have chosen a Focus ST given a direct choice of the two, but I am in no way disappointed with the Mondeo.
P.S. Mondeo ST mpg stories worried me abit (people talking about being in the teens) but I have averaged 28mpg over 2.5k miles and I haven't driven like miss daisy. Got 33mpg on a 300 mile run too.
Edited by Donatello on Tuesday 3rd April 09:56
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