Focus ST (mk3?) ???

[Wusss]

So the 'I want a nice fast, well-handling, little car' investigations are now leading me very much towards the Focus ST 2l eb (petrol, manual). Hmmm... Bit more than I wanted to pay, bit more power than I'd intended, and haven't driven one yet, but sat in one and it felt very good indeed, not at all big as I'd expected. Some look the dogs ****s, too!
Please tell me anything that I need to know about buying one, caring for and living with and driving it. What's needed, what should I look out for? Think it'd be a 16-18 plate.

And is there really merit in buying super low mileage petrol models these days (especially if that means maybe never really been run for long distance or got properly warm or used in the revs etc)? Thinking if there's direct injection carbonising issues, particularly.

Thanks.

[ZX10R NIN]

Very good cars, mileage wise going for one with sensible miles & good spec isn't the worst thing especially if you yourself aren't doing big miles, getting something with sensible miles won't be an issue.

Buy on condition rather than just the miles.

[Wusss]

Well, wish me luck, coz I just agreed to buy one :-)

[ZX10R NIN]

Good luck, do your checks especially a Vcheck as it'll tell you if it's had any insurance repairs.

[Pit Pony]

Is cruise control an optional extra ?

[Wusss]

Don't believe that it has cruise control. Is an ST2. Bought from a Ford main dealer who originally sold it 3 years ago to its 1 previous owner, & also serviced it: about as much history as I can get, I think... Not sure what a V check is, but is HPI clear.

[sherman]

Pit Pony said:

Is cruise control an optional extra ?

I have an st3. It has cruise control.

[ZX10R NIN]

Vcheck is another type of HPI but unlike HPI it tells you if your car has had any insurance repairs carried out.

You can retro fit cruise control onto the ST you'll need this:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FORD-FIESTA-MK7-MK7-5-S...

& around £60-80 to have it programmed by the dealer.

[Wusss]

I don't intend to be driving in a straight line long enough to need cruise control

[Nyloc20]

My wife’s on the last year’s PCP on her second ST3, she’s a home carer doing lots of short journeys so we went for the diesel. I travel further afield so give it a blow out when she’s not working. They’ve both been totally reliable, doing approx 15k miles per year, apart from a couple of issues with the tyre sensors on both cars, replaced under warranty. We hardly ever use the cruise control but it’s been useful on long euro trips.
We’re both cutting down our work nowadays so will probably buy her current ST at the end of the contract.