Focus ST vs Golf GTI

[Pentoman]

Have driven both in ~2009 model year guise. The Focus was beefy on the torque side of things, with an interesting sound. Felt heavy up front and wasn't particularly nimble. An odd car in many ways, a bit of a GT but in a Focus body.
The Golf was an edition 30. This was less torquey and needed winding up but was great fun when you did. The engine had its own memorable character that was just different to the Focus'. It felt lighter in handling terms and had a Golfy feel to the whole thing - good or bad depending on preference. Neither were particularly involving or sporty. Decent everyday cars for a bit of red-light drag racing and they look nice.

Get whichever you think looks nicest..