Ford Focus ST3 - Winter Hack?

[rustyuk]

I'm looking for a fairly cheap winter hack for anything up to 6k.

We live in a semi-rural town and can get decent snowfall whilst the rest of the UK gets a cm.

In view of this i was looking at high mileage freelander 2. However, I don't like driving larger cars and wondered how something like a ST with winter tyres would cut being a winter hack.

They come with heated seats, heated front screen and I can get a 2008 60k ish so it should hopefully be reliable.

Would i be better just upping the budget and sticking with the freelander?

[Steve91]

Depends on whether you want something overly sporty or not. I wouldn't have thought that a Focus ST would be especially great with dealing with ice / snow. They're very torquey which isn't ideal in those conditions (in my experience!)

Kuga? They don't feel especially big to drive, and that'll have the same spec as the Focus but with 4WD.

[Darkslider]

Surely a Subaru or older Audi S-something quattro would be better choices for quick winter hacks?

[ZX10R NIN]

The Focus will be fine If you get some serious snow then a set of winters will see you right:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

Or you could go for it's bigger brother with the same engine with even more kit:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201...

[jamiem555]

I used my Mk3 daily through the winter we've just had. I have a set of gumtree special 18" alloys with Toyo Snowprox winters fitted and it was unstoppable. Heated leather seats and the heated windscreen make life so much more bearable. Favourite highlight was passing a Range Rover Evoque spinning all four wheels on a slight hill in about 6 inches of snow.

[Ilovejapcrap]

What you doing with it ?

Suzuki Jimny is a bit slow but great off road, cheap for parts, don’t go wrong loads of fancy bits you can get. You can get a 4x4 swift as well, again same applies bar the fancy bits

Just an idea.

[rustyuk]

Cheers folks, currently got an A250 lease that goes back in October so thought a ST 3 wouldn't be a massive change.

I live near some great driving roads and know I will be missing out on those crisp winter mornings sat in a freelander or kuga.

Had looked at audis too but other than a TT they all seem years behind the others in regards of interior spec.

Looking to buy some kind of 2 seater in the spring to go with the winter hack.

Edited by rustyuk on Tuesday 4th September 08:07