Focus ST and Golf GTI- why the different buyer demographic

[m444ttb]

McClure said:

Yep.

This is reflected in the dealers too, from my experience. Looked at a Golf GTI and Focus ST in 2007 (when I was 28). The VW dealer acted professionally; the ST dealer assumed all I was interested in was performance and treated the test drive as an excuse for a hoon - "I'll drive it 5 miles out and you can drive it back". In that 5 miles out he scared the living st out of me by accelerating from lights through a village (30 limit), around blind bends, all the way up to 90. "Muppet" doesn't even begin to describe him.

Edit: I'd rather have a Volvo C30 T5 than an ST.

I had a very similar test drive experience in Swindon in a SEAT Leon Cupra R about 6/7yers ago. Car nailed from cold too.

Keep meaning to read up about the T5. How similar to the ST is it?!

[anonymous-user]

rb5er said:

St John Smythe said:

Motoring press seemed to think the opposite when they both came out!

Really? They thought the golf sounded better and was faster and the st was better on mpg?

Jokers

Golf was better on the track so pretty much minus the sound. Jokers? Is it the 90s again?

[Sam.F]

Chicane-UK said:

See - I never see Golf GTI's being spanked around. In fact I don't think I've ever seen one being driven in anger!

Come to Cumbria! Mine certainly gets it throat cleared every weekend

I seriously considered the ST a couple of years ago (and still would if they'd put the seats a bit lower and allow you to spec cruise control) so I guess I must be the exception to the rule!

[McClure]

m444ttb said:

Keep meaning to read up about the T5. How similar to the ST is it?!

I think it's basically an ST in a different dress, with the aggressive edges slightly smoothed off (eg the engine is tuned slightly differently to be more progressive).

[Colonial]

N3ldv said:

Hahathats that's rubbish I would say 95% of rs are owned by genuine people, as for doctors driving a gti must be a poor doctor

So doctors aren't genuine people?

[Zyp]

hornetrider said:

Golf GTi: leather brogues, levi's, oakleys and polo shirt.

Focus ST: shell suit, baseball cap, gold necklace and Nike Air.

/nutshell

You see, I fall into the Golf category (bar the polo shirt) but I'd never have one.
I have had a Mk1 Focus RS, though.....

And I'm not a white collared worker.

[N3ldv]

Colonial said:

So doctors aren't genuine people?

Yes they are but up my way I would say doctors are more into BMW, Audi, Merc a more sophiscated car / branding

I don't know what brand I fall into as I have a mk2 rs and a gtd, I just don't like people tarring things with a brush and rabble a lot a shi@

[rb5er]

St John Smythe said:

rb5er said:

St John Smythe said:

Motoring press seemed to think the opposite when they both came out!

Really? They thought the golf sounded better and was faster and the st was better on mpg?

Jokers

Golf was better on the track so pretty much minus the sound. Jokers? Is it the 90s again?

The focus is faster though in every gear and to every mph, and sounds better and does worse mpg so those 3 things at least they must have got wrong.

[ciaranthemurph]

Dracoro said:

Aren't white collar professionals allowed to be be proper petrol heads then?

Anyway, the vast majority of new fast Fords I see (and most other sporty or flash new cars for that matter) are driven by people in suits, your white collar professionals if you will....

These focus drivers will be on their way to a court appearance.

[Ecurie Ecosse]

I'm a "white collar worker" and was fairly ambivalent towards the ST and Mk5 and Mk6 GTIs, but all this chat has made the ST sound much more attractive.

The GTI drivers sound like pious bores. (But not the Mk2, as I have one )

[Tonsko]

Maybe turn the OP's question round: what brand decisions over the years have allowed the manufacturer's to aim their products at different market segments? I.e you don't choose the car, the brand chooses you by appealing to your sensibilities.

[MarkRSi]

Mastodon2 said:

Chicane-UK said:

I've never seen GTis or STs being driven in anger] Civic Type-R's on the other hand.... jeeeezus....

I've you've ever driven one, you'd know why

Yep


You'd think all the Golf hot hatches were TDi one's especially as these seem to be the ones driven most aggressively...

[paulmoonraker]

Mastodon2 said:

Chicane-UK] [I've never seen GTis or STs being driven in anger said:

Civic Type-R's on the other hand.... jeeeezus....

I've you've ever driven one, you'd know why .

Perhaps because you need to rev the tits off it to get anywhere

[rb5er]

paulmoonraker said:

Mastodon2 said:

Chicane-UK] [I've never seen GTis or STs being driven in anger said:

Civic Type-R's on the other hand.... jeeeezus....

I've you've ever driven one, you'd know why .

Perhaps because you need to rev the tits off it to get anywhere

yep, they are probably only trying to achieve 40mph and driving totally legally

[Number 5]

I really like both and i would proudly drive either, where does that put me? (besides on the fence)

[deltashad]

My cousin was raving on about his Focus ST, so, for the first time since the XR3i days in 1983 I went to the Ford showroom to have a look with a new perspective. ST was splattered in Italics everywhere throughout the interior.

The salesman came over and asked if he could help me. I said no thank you and walked back to my car and drove away.

[LooneyTunes]

rohrl said:

Doctors do earn a lot of money but most aren't car nuts. My local surgery staff car park is usually full of very ordinary Peugeots and Toyotas.

Having to do home visits, not always in the most salubrious areas, wouldn't affect your choice of work car?

[rb5er]

deltashad said:

ST was splattered in Italics everywhere throughout the interior.

Really? It only says it on the steering wheel on a standard version.

[Biker's Nemesis]

My cousin was raving on about his Golf GTi, so, for the first time since the MK 1 Golf days in 1982 I went to the VW showroom to have a look with a new perspective. The interior reminded me of my Grandfathers Austin Allegro from the 1970's.

The salesman came over and asked if he could help me. I said no thank you and walked back to my Ford and drove away.

[deltashad]

rb5er said:

deltashad said:

ST was splattered in Italics everywhere throughout the interior.

Really? It only says it on the steering wheel on a standard version.

[url]

Said it twice on the same steering wheel, sure it said it on the clocks too.

For the record, I've never even gone into a VW showroom and looked at a Golf GTi

Edited by deltashad on Saturday 7th April 10:06