Focus ST170 alternatives?

[leeharding]

Hello all,

Im thinking of purchasing a Focus ST170 2002 model, what other alternatives would you recommend looking at before I decide to go for the ST?

Cheers
Lee

[thetapeworm]

What has attracted you to the ST170 and what sort of budget do you have?

[Tonberry]

EP3 Type R

Probably better in every way.

[JamesNotJim]

For similar money the only car I could think of would be the Corolla T-sport (When I say similar money, I mean within £500-1000).

I just sold my St170 and bought a Golf GTi.... I'm so pissed off with myself. The Focus didn't rattle, drove so much nicer, had a better driving position... basically it was all round a better car.

Buy the ST170, you'll love it.

[sidekickdmr]

I had an imperial blue st170, it was tuned upto 204 hp so not quite standard, however I loved it!

Was one of the best cars ive had!

however you should consider civic type r, megane 225, clio 172/182!

[slipstream 1985]

celeca 190

[Gun]

All depends on driver age, when I bought my ST170 I looked at some Type R Hondas as well and they were twice as expensive to insure when I was 21. I loved my ST170 while I owned it, it could've done with a bit more power but the handling was superb.

[leeharding]

im 25 now... getting old.

Budget is between 3-5k, I'm not touching anything French or Italian, only Japanese or Ford.

Insurance on a St170 is around £450

[sidekickdmr]

Just out of interest, why no french?

Are you one of there people that think its going to fall apart around you?

a 172/182 would be an epic car for the money

[Gun]

Seat Leon Cupra?


http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/2039141.htm

Also very easy to increase the power.

[300bhp/ton]

leeharding said:

Hello all,

Im thinking of purchasing a Focus ST170 2002 model, what other alternatives would you recommend looking at before I decide to go for the ST?

Cheers
Lee

There are loads of alternatives, but it depends what you are after from a car and your budget.

1. Do you really need a hatchback?
2. Do you need to carry more than 2 people, if so how often, who and for what sort of distance/time
3. Do you need to haul stuff?
4. What sort of fuel costs and mileage do you have a month?
5. What interests you in a car? Speed, HP, handling, looks, image, perceived image, tunability, noise, comfort?
6. How long do you plan to own the car, are residuals an issue?
7. What sort of roads do you drive on (city, motorway, A roads or B/C roads)?


With some answer to those, alternatives can then be suggested!

[stevenr]

After owning both an ST170 and a Clio 182 i would go for the Clio again every time.I love my Fords but i'm afraid my Clio was better in every way than the ST170.

People talk about the frenchies being unreliable but that Focus was truly awful,spent more time in the dealers getting repaired than it did on the road.

I may have just got a bad apple but to me it was the end of modern ford ownership.For the moment anyway.

[300bhp/ton]

Tonberry said:

EP3 Type R

Probably better in every way.

All except it looks like a van crossed with an MPV.

[Matthew_Eames]

Audi S3 would be my choice, a bit more refined (road noise on the Focus is particularly bad in my experience) 1.8T with lots of potential and 4wd for all weather performance

This would do nicely and you could get it in your budget (or go for a cheaper one and have cash left over for a remap http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1861547.htm

[Fire99]

300bhp/ton said:

Tonberry said:

EP3 Type R

Probably better in every way.

All except it looks like a van crossed with an MPV.

Maybe so. Funnily enough I had two ST170's followed by a Civic Type R (on demo for a few days each) and was able to compare back to back.

The Focus had slightly better steering feel and the leather seats I had in mine were very comfortable.

However, the seating position was typical modern ford and just that bit too high even with the seat height set at its lowest and its biggest issue was the engine.

The Civic begs to hit the high numbers on the rev counter and rewards you for it. Both the ST170's felt really harsh at the top end which put you off driving it too hard.

Overall, the Civic is where my money would go.

[Section 8]

JamesNotJim said:

For similar money the only car I could think of would be the Corolla T-sport (When I say similar money, I mean within £500-1000).

I just sold my St170 and bought a Golf GTi.... I'm so pissed off with myself. The Focus didn't rattle, drove so much nicer, had a better driving position... basically it was all round a better car.

Buy the ST170, you'll love it.

Out of curiosity can i ask what mk and model GTI you have?

[icedcupra]

civic type r is a great car unless you want to drive everyday



no jokes- the pug 306 d turbo has more torque than a type r (check for yourself if you dont believe me)

im biased but i have a seat cupra 20vt

its torquey, its nippy- it gives good returns on mpg- i only throw synthetic at it, so it isn't hissing at me and acting up

shell v power makes her faster

downsides- its so f**king plastic inside the car... yes you wont care when you're enjoying the drive, but still- im a perfectionist

the ride is too stiff

its not as fast as a sub
or an evo

so its gotsta go.... think ill sell it to my brother- full dealer service history and been kept in such excellent condition ill never sell it to just anyone off the street. i want the car to go to a good home

so all in all i would suggest buying a sub wrx or an evo (thats what ill probably do, unless i buy an R32 skyline)

[young_bairn]

I had an Mag Grey 3 Door ST170 for 5 years and enjoyed the ownership. Really good chasis and steering. Also, I had the full spec with heated leather recaros, xenons, climate, audio pack so inside was a good place to be. Traded it in and got just under £3k trade in with 55,000 miles on the clock getting one around your budget with top spec will be no problem.

I was 20 at the time I bought it and was half the price to insure compared with the CTR.

Alternatives would be Mk1 Audi S3 if you like a bit more torque.

[leeharding]

sidekickdmr said:

Just out of interest, why no french?

Are you one of there people that think its going to fall apart around you?

a 172/182 would be an epic car for the money

Personal experience, the constant rattling, reliability, feeling like your driving a tin on wheels, Ive had 106 GTI, Saxo VTS and GTI-6 PUG and I would never buy any of them again, not being funny I have a 1988 MR2 that was a more enjoyable, reliable drive than any of them.

I've been in a 172 and dont get me wrong for a few k that could tempt anybody

Edited by leeharding on Wednesday 8th September 21:19

[leeharding]

Few things to mension I require a 5door as I have a young kid, i'll be using it everyday for work which is a 20miles round trip.