Discussion
So I take it that the 170st is not in the running because it's to old and not quick enough?
That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
maniac886 said:
I have had my ST for roughly 2 years now and get around 250 miles out of a tank. I only do an 18 mile commute to the office and most of that is on the motorway. When I chose my car fuel economy was never an issue. Insurance for me is around the £1500/ year with mods declared but I think the high price is mainly due to my postcode.
I have had to replace the alternator(common fault), wishbone plus the other standard items(brakes,tyres etc)
I would say that if fuel economy is an issue for you the ST is probably not the best car for you, you don't want to be worrying about fuel economy every time you put your foot down as it will take the fun out of driving it.
250 miles out of a tank, thats terrible, 55 litre tank I suppose.I have had to replace the alternator(common fault), wishbone plus the other standard items(brakes,tyres etc)
I would say that if fuel economy is an issue for you the ST is probably not the best car for you, you don't want to be worrying about fuel economy every time you put your foot down as it will take the fun out of driving it.
Still my 330ci gets between 350 and 400 with a 63 litre tank and it has more power if yours is standard
Edited by T16OLE on Wednesday 23 November 11:09
I have friends with both the ST and VXR. Personally I prefer the ST overall. The VXR is a great car and looks fantastic but the ST has the edge. Although both mates are selling soon as they are both fed up with spending so much on fuel (they both seem to have the same affliction in the right foot that causes it to twitch...a lot)!
Changedmyname said:
So I take it that the 170st is not in the running because it's to old and not quick enough?
That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
I posted earlier that I had one. They are great cars IMO.That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
Bn ive seen plenty of volvo t5's running lpg. 
On the st engine, its right that its been in volvo's for years under the t5 name, right back to the 850.
Its found in a few different guises, 2.3 240bhp, is the most common, then a 2.5 found in newer cars but power was down to 220bhp, the best is found in the v70r and s60r, with a blue engine cover, that one is 300bhp again 2.5.
The st uses the 2.5 220bhp, with a ford management system, internally its identical.
Point of interest, the Volvo C30 T5, has the same engine and floorpan, but its cheaper insurance than the st.
On the st engine, its right that its been in volvo's for years under the t5 name, right back to the 850.
Its found in a few different guises, 2.3 240bhp, is the most common, then a 2.5 found in newer cars but power was down to 220bhp, the best is found in the v70r and s60r, with a blue engine cover, that one is 300bhp again 2.5.
The st uses the 2.5 220bhp, with a ford management system, internally its identical.
Point of interest, the Volvo C30 T5, has the same engine and floorpan, but its cheaper insurance than the st.
St John Smythe said:
Changedmyname said:
So I take it that the 170st is not in the running because it's to old and not quick enough?
That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
I posted earlier that I had one. They are great cars IMO.That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
I'm sick and tied of her scratching and scraping and bumper off my car.
Changedmyname said:
St John Smythe said:
Changedmyname said:
So I take it that the 170st is not in the running because it's to old and not quick enough?
That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
I posted earlier that I had one. They are great cars IMO.That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
I'm sick and tied of her scratching and scraping and bumper off my car.
I can't understand why you would want to pay almost £2000 A YEAR purely to insure the car. And then spend most of your time driving it in an urban environment. You WILL suffer with mpg in an ST in that situation. I ran one (an upgraded one running 290bhp) and it got me 28mpg on a motorway/dual carriageway commute. You will get less.
Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
I've recently done trackday's mate.
Done a Ferrari 360 and a Skyline GT-R. Skyline was amazing but it just makes me deoressed knowing I'll never be lucky enough to own something like that lol.
£1800 is cheap, considering I was paying £2200 on a 1.4 Focus.
My insurance isn't too bad as it's part of a birthday present.
Done a Ferrari 360 and a Skyline GT-R. Skyline was amazing but it just makes me deoressed knowing I'll never be lucky enough to own something like that lol.
£1800 is cheap, considering I was paying £2200 on a 1.4 Focus.
My insurance isn't too bad as it's part of a birthday present.
The Apprentice said:
Going into Newcastle or Metro Center mate, I put 200 just as a max, over the top incase I go anywhere for a weekend or so. And footie matches away.
I've been offered a 2006 orange ST 46000miles for 8k at a garage close to me.
5% APR over 2year. Got my head rattled now. Only got a week left to decide really.
Are you North or South of the Metro Centre?I've been offered a 2006 orange ST 46000miles for 8k at a garage close to me.
5% APR over 2year. Got my head rattled now. Only got a week left to decide really.
I'm from the Morpeth area.
rb5er said:
Baryonyx said:
I'd really look for something other than a Focus ST if I was spending that kind of money and prepared to get 20mpg on a good day. They're huge cars, they feel heavy and dynamically pretty uninvolving. They're more of a GT than anything. To me, the bulky feel and lack of agility kills it's hot hatch credentials stone dead.
You speaking from experience? 20mpg on a good day? Maybe if you are sat in traffic.And dynamically uninvolving and lack of agility? have you even driven one?? Totally contrary to my experience and EVERY magazine review at the time of release, yes the steering is weighty just as i like it but it is very easy to provoke the rear end into play when wanted unlike most hot hatches.. Yes they are heavy just as every car in that sector is.
I also had a friend with an astra vxr and even he agreed with me abd EVERY magazine review that the focus is better in every single way.
Changedmyname said:
So I take it that the 170st is not in the running because it's to old and not quick enough?
That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
The ST170 is nice warm hatch. MPG on them is not that much better than the ST2 though. I used to get 23 urban on the ST170 and 19/20 on the ST same driving. They are no where near as quick as an ST2 though.That's a shame I rather like the understated look of them.(not that I want one)and better on fuel than the 2.5ltr volvo unit.
Maybe this could tied you over until you can afford something better?
snorkel sucker said:
Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
Sound advice, totally wasted on the average young male driver. The cheap/fun/light/better handling car will get him ripped by his mates because..You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
its old
its got less bhp (weight doesn't come into it)
doesn't have the toys
can't fit a massive 15" sub in it
stargazer30 said:
snorkel sucker said:
Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
Sound advice, totally wasted on the average young male driver. The cheap/fun/light/better handling car will get him ripped by his mates because..You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
its old
its got less bhp (weight doesn't come into it)
doesn't have the toys
can't fit a massive 15" sub in it
I agree though, the lure of something powerful is a strong one when you are 21, but there is a lot of knowledge on here from those of us who have been there/done that, and with hindsight could have made a smarter choice.
At the end of the day though, if it is driving that is a priority, getting there a bit later than everyone else, but having more fun getting there, is half then fun, no?
And, to the OP in response to my reply above, sure, a Ferrari/Lamborghini "trackday" is one thing, but very different to getting in your own car and taking to the track. That is what I wss suggesting, and would add that in those laps, you will learn more about your car, and have more enjoyment than many thousands of miles on the road could ever give you.
Couldn't care less if It could or could not fit a sub in. Just cause I'm young, doesn't mean I want to show off, blasting music and meeting up at McDonald's car park.
I appreciate advise on petrol etc.. but not being made to be a "chav" cause I want a nice sporty car when I'm young. If I wanted a chav car I would have buy now.
Trying to make the right decision because I want comfort and performance.
Handling doesn't concern me mucb, it'll never see a track and roads around mine aren't exactly roads which need amazing hanling.
I appreciate advise on petrol etc.. but not being made to be a "chav" cause I want a nice sporty car when I'm young. If I wanted a chav car I would have buy now.
Trying to make the right decision because I want comfort and performance.
Handling doesn't concern me mucb, it'll never see a track and roads around mine aren't exactly roads which need amazing hanling.
Biker's Nemesis said:
The Apprentice said:
Going into Newcastle or Metro Center mate, I put 200 just as a max, over the top incase I go anywhere for a weekend or so. And footie matches away.
I've been offered a 2006 orange ST 46000miles for 8k at a garage close to me.
5% APR over 2year. Got my head rattled now. Only got a week left to decide really.
Are you North or South of the Metro Centre?I've been offered a 2006 orange ST 46000miles for 8k at a garage close to me.
5% APR over 2year. Got my head rattled now. Only got a week left to decide really.
I'm from the Morpeth area.
It's not bright orange, mind you.
snorkel sucker said:
I can't understand why you would want to pay almost £2000 A YEAR purely to insure the car. And then spend most of your time driving it in an urban environment. You WILL suffer with mpg in an ST in that situation. I ran one (an upgraded one running 290bhp) and it got me 28mpg on a motorway/dual carriageway commute. You will get less.
Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
This. Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
If you're happy with a car that returns 20MPG then you might as well do it properly.
You claim you want comfort and performance so take a look at the following.
Volvo S60R
BMW 328i E36
BMW 330i E46
BMW 530i E39
BMW 540i E39
Alpina B10 V8
Alpina B10 3.3
Mercedes C43 AMG
Surely driving around in a 4.4 ltr V8 BMW is far cooler than a Ford Focus (lets be honest here, you want one because your mates will think it's cool and you want to impress them).
Apart from the AMG Mercedes, none of them should cost much more to run than the ST. They can all be purchased far cheaper than a decent ST can too which will go along way in offsetting fuel and maintenance costs.
All of the above cars will seat 5 too so you have no excuse
Tonberry said:
snorkel sucker said:
I can't understand why you would want to pay almost £2000 A YEAR purely to insure the car. And then spend most of your time driving it in an urban environment. You WILL suffer with mpg in an ST in that situation. I ran one (an upgraded one running 290bhp) and it got me 28mpg on a motorway/dual carriageway commute. You will get less.
Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
This. Take the advice from many experienced people on here. Don't go wasting your money at your age on something that is going to cost you the earth to buy and run, purely because you think it looks cool. Use your head, and some ideas on here, to get something which is fun to drive and cool in a way not obvious to your average Joe.
You will have much more fun talking to people about your car, probably meet many more interesting people from car clubs/enthusiasts etc, and spend less money.
If you have £5k saved - fair play to you. I would spend that, or less, and not worry about being in debt.
I would also strongly suggest that you spend some of the money you save doing some trackdays and / or performance car tuition. At 21, that would be the best money you could spend, and you will get much more enjoyment out of your performance cars now and in the future.
If you're happy with a car that returns 20MPG then you might as well do it properly.
You claim you want comfort and performance so take a look at the following.
Volvo S60R
BMW 328i E36
BMW 330i E46
BMW 530i E39
BMW 540i E39
Alpina B10 V8
Alpina B10 3.3
Mercedes C43 AMG
Surely driving around in a 4.4 ltr V8 BMW is far cooler than a Ford Focus (lets be honest here, you want one because your mates will think it's cool and you want to impress them).
Apart from the AMG Mercedes, none of them should cost much more to run than the ST. They can all be purchased far cheaper than a decent ST can too which will go along way in offsetting fuel and maintenance costs.
All of the above cars will seat 5 too so you have no excuse
Edited by Corsair7 on Wednesday 23 November 14:05
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