Tell me about... Focus ST3 Diesel Wagon

[Dan_1981]

Any owners or ex owners?

Looks great, performance seems decent, but I need the economy too due to 30k per annum

Seems you can pick up an ST3 sub a year or two old with minimal miles on now for £20k?

How much wiggle room do we think dealers such as Stoneacre or Evans Halshaw will have on that too?

[C.A.R.]

A bit sheep in wolfs clothing really?

Leon FR ST TDI is just as quick (maybe quicker?), cheaper, lighter, has more luggage capacity and doesn't shout about it half as much.

Focus is ever-so-slightly more frugal but real-world figures might tell a different story.

[WCZ]

everyone I know who's driven one was disappointed

[culpz]

There's something that i just can't get on with, with the diesel Focus ST. I'm not really sure what or why. I'd personally suggest something like a Leon FR, as said above, or maybe a Golf GTD. They can both be had in estate form.

[Dan_1981]

Hmmm that's a shame.

Quite liked the look of this one.

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

The SEAT is cheaper like for like too it seems.

Not looked at the golf.

[ScoobyChris]

WCZ said:

everyone I know who's driven one was disappointed

It depends what your expectations are. It’s a reasonably quick and economical sporty car which is a good steer and well equipped. I drove one back to back with a petrol (and bought the petrol) but I can understand why people choose the diesel. Lots of happy owners over on focusstoc.com

Chris

[Dan_1981]

Basically looking for a quickish daily hack that will need to do 30k per year so needs to be reasonably frugal on fuel.

Prefer estate as need the larger boot than the hatch offers

Focus / Golf / Octavia / Leon etc all considered.

Budget: Sub £20k

[RC1807]

Having owned an oil burner Octavia vRS TDI (2012 vintage) until last year*, we were VERY pleased with it.
Motorway mile muncher at 80mph and >40mpg. (* replaced by 230 petrol)

[greggy50]

Dan_1981 said:

Basically looking for a quickish daily hack that will need to do 30k per year so needs to be reasonably frugal on fuel.

Prefer estate as need the larger boot than the hatch offers

Focus / Golf / Octavia / Leon etc all considered.

Budget: Sub £20k

If you would consider an Octavia size car I would be looking at a 330d/335d estate personally as its a lot more car than a Focus ST estate for similar money (albeit a couple of years older)

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

[ZX10R NIN]

People that I've sourced for them have been very happy with them once they get there head around the chassis being a bit to good for the engine.

I've found them a very decent drive but if you're doing 30k a year I'd be looking for something a bit more comfortable, I have a Mondeo Vignale & I can't fault it it's a good steer loaded with kit, as well as a nice 210bhp engine (mines a hatchback) the boots huge so you may not even need an estate, out of the two I'd go with the Vignale but could understand why someone would pick the ST.

Alternative Options that are 2016 onwards & under 16k mileage wise:

Hatchback

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

Vignale 180/210 models

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...

ST Line

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

Octavia (you'll get a newer lower mileage one of these than the Mondeo but the Ford is a better steer) VRS

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

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

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

Volvo V60

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

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

Golf GTD

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/pl/track/click?max_mi...

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

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

Passat R Line

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

GT

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

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

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


Leon FR Tech

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

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/pl/track/click?min_en...

Mercedes C220 SE

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

E220 SE

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

CLA220 Sport

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

320d M Sport

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

Mazda6 Sport Nav

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

Or you could save a decent amount by going for a last of line Insignia you should be able to haggle a very decent discount.

SRI/Elite Nav

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...

I'd go for the Vignale but there really aren't any terrible options from the above so book some test drives & get the one you like.

[Dan_1981]

Thanks for the options

I’ve been considering an insignia seriously

How much discount do we think is plausible? Fear of diesel old shape model etc

[MrGTI6]

In your position I'd be tempted by one of these myself.

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

[ZX10R NIN]

Dan_1981 said:

Thanks for the options

I’ve been considering an insignia seriously

How much discount do we think is plausible? Fear of diesel old shape model etc

I'd be working to get another £700 off of the first one I listed keep it three years, or get them to give you another years worth of warranty on top of the existing plus some money off or free servicing.

Haggle hard & you'll land yourself a very nice car for a 14.5k, take their finance for 6 months & they'll be more amiable to your haggling.

[Guy-j88un]

Older BMW over newer Ford any day of the week.

[Fastdruid]

Ah the STD...iesel.

Not a car I personally "get", less a hot hatch and more a lukewarm hatch. Decent chassis but slow.

You can't tow with it either which crossed the ST off my list. Might not be an issue for you but also means no towbar mounted cycle carriers etc.

Demand for diesels is down some 26% last year and 6% down in January so I'd suggest a distinct possibility of a good deal (on any diesels tbh) if new.

[MrBig]

I’m going to buck the trend here. It’s a fantastic car. Goes very well (in my opinion, but I guess it’s what you’re used to) great chassis and handling, comfortable and plenty of space. Ours does a lot of town work but regularly sees 50+mpg with some longer runs thrown in. Struggling to think of something to replace it with at the moment. Our other car is Golf 7, which is more refined and a bit more classy inside but every time I get in the Focus it puts a smile on my face.