Focus ST170 (My First Car)
Discussion
This is my first legal to drive car. Bought it in September. Not a bad car for a 17 year old 
only paid £550, passed MOT first time with only tyres as advisories (On Nankang NS2R's now anyway). 104k on the clock, what makes mine special is the history. My dad owned it new from 2003-2005, he traded it in for a 225 Leon for 2 reasons 1.) It refused to rev over 4K 2.) The suspension just bottomed out on every small bump. I remember going to test drive it after our 2000 Turbo was stolen, have some very good memories in it. I found it when I was on holiday, messaged the guy and told him the history, he offered to keep it for me until I came back. Test drove it to make sure the 2 issues it had new were gone, they are. Drove it home from Leeds to Liverpool that day. It was up for £700, he did it for £550 and drove infront of me to a petrol station on the way home. The guy was an interior upholsterer which I guess explains how the interior looks like it did 14 years ago. Overall I'm very happy, I have some big plans. Going to sort all the arches out, and a small piece of rust on the boot. Going to fix the panel gap on the front wing from where it was reversed into in 2004, wheels refurb, Miltek exhaust, Piper Cross induction system and some small odd jobs. Couldn't be happier, alot of family were shocked to see it again. Only gripes are the fuel economy which is poor (in the 20s), the seating position is quite high, although it does make it much easier to see out of I guess. Looking forward to the years of ownership. I plan on putting a private plate on before I sell it so I can keep the current reg for all my future cars. I'll update as I update the car.
Boot isn't mismatched, it's the lighting in the driveway, does it to every car
only paid £550, passed MOT first time with only tyres as advisories (On Nankang NS2R's now anyway). 104k on the clock, what makes mine special is the history. My dad owned it new from 2003-2005, he traded it in for a 225 Leon for 2 reasons 1.) It refused to rev over 4K 2.) The suspension just bottomed out on every small bump. I remember going to test drive it after our 2000 Turbo was stolen, have some very good memories in it. I found it when I was on holiday, messaged the guy and told him the history, he offered to keep it for me until I came back. Test drove it to make sure the 2 issues it had new were gone, they are. Drove it home from Leeds to Liverpool that day. It was up for £700, he did it for £550 and drove infront of me to a petrol station on the way home. The guy was an interior upholsterer which I guess explains how the interior looks like it did 14 years ago. Overall I'm very happy, I have some big plans. Going to sort all the arches out, and a small piece of rust on the boot. Going to fix the panel gap on the front wing from where it was reversed into in 2004, wheels refurb, Miltek exhaust, Piper Cross induction system and some small odd jobs. Couldn't be happier, alot of family were shocked to see it again. Only gripes are the fuel economy which is poor (in the 20s), the seating position is quite high, although it does make it much easier to see out of I guess. Looking forward to the years of ownership. I plan on putting a private plate on before I sell it so I can keep the current reg for all my future cars. I'll update as I update the car. Boot isn't mismatched, it's the lighting in the driveway, does it to every car
Takes me back!
I was part of the team at Cosworth back in the day that developed the engine, the first VVT Zetec for Ford, project code "GJ", feels like an eon ago now! Even with the new cylinder head the engine was a bit of a donkey, not quite a GTi really, but a very decent car, especially in the handling stakes ;-)
(The guy that led the project at CT is now V12 engine lead at AML.....)
I was part of the team at Cosworth back in the day that developed the engine, the first VVT Zetec for Ford, project code "GJ", feels like an eon ago now! Even with the new cylinder head the engine was a bit of a donkey, not quite a GTi really, but a very decent car, especially in the handling stakes ;-)
(The guy that led the project at CT is now V12 engine lead at AML.....)
Nutty9000 said:
Nice first car but crikey I'd have hoped for more than 170 bhp for that much insurance. Did you get a quote on anything meatier?
I wanted a Leon 225, got similar insurance prices but couldn't afford to buy one. Looked at a 205 GTI too, but same issue as the Leon. Didn't want my parents to buy me a car, so only really had about £1000 to buy one. I think you would have been quoted £2000+ for any car, first years always a killer. I payed through the nose for my first car a R19 16v chamade, back in 2001, £1850 with Mum as main driver. Still can't believe she trusted me with her 6 years NCB. Very naughty, but it's in the past and I never claimed (never have).
Good on you for not going the 1.3 shopping trolley. That would have been a bigger waste of £2k.
Good on you for not going the 1.3 shopping trolley. That would have been a bigger waste of £2k.
Don't ever sell it, get your dad at least to buy it when you want to move on. I would kill for my first or second car back. They are so special and one with that history so unique I guarantee you will regret it.
I have my dads 911 and it's going nowhere.
And if anyone knows where a145axb is, let me know.
I have my dads 911 and it's going nowhere.
And if anyone knows where a145axb is, let me know.
Gary C said:
Don't ever sell it, get your dad at least to buy it when you want to move on. I would kill for my first or second car back. They are so special and one with that history so unique I guarantee you will regret it.
I have my dads 911 and it's going nowhere.
And if anyone knows where a145axb is, let me know.
I can't see me selling it anytime soon. Even if I do, i'll keep the reg. I'd quite like to keep it alongside something else. I have my dads 911 and it's going nowhere.
And if anyone knows where a145axb is, let me know.
Brilliant car to have as a first car, well done. The history makes it even more special.
That'll be the best Leeds to Liverpool drive you will ever do. Nothing ever comes close to that first long drive in your first car.
At the ripe old age of 26, I'll be the boring old fart who says "be bloody careful". At 17, even if you have the actual driving skill (which you clearly do), even if you understand the capabilities and limits of the car (which you clearly do), it's the lack of experience of the stupid things other people do on the roads that can often be teenagers' undoing.
Even more so given the car's history, drive carefully and sensibly in it. You'll regret it for life if you crash it. I don't mean go dead slow everywhere, just be careful and only drive it fast where it's appropriate to do so.
That'll be the best Leeds to Liverpool drive you will ever do. Nothing ever comes close to that first long drive in your first car.
At the ripe old age of 26, I'll be the boring old fart who says "be bloody careful". At 17, even if you have the actual driving skill (which you clearly do), even if you understand the capabilities and limits of the car (which you clearly do), it's the lack of experience of the stupid things other people do on the roads that can often be teenagers' undoing.
Even more so given the car's history, drive carefully and sensibly in it. You'll regret it for life if you crash it. I don't mean go dead slow everywhere, just be careful and only drive it fast where it's appropriate to do so.
zarjaz1991 said:
Brilliant car to have as a first car, well done. The history makes it even more special.
That'll be the best Leeds to Liverpool drive you will ever do. Nothing ever comes close to that first long drive in your first car.
At the ripe old age of 26, I'll be the boring old fart who says "be bloody careful". At 17, even if you have the actual driving skill (which you clearly do), even if you understand the capabilities and limits of the car (which you clearly do), it's the lack of experience of the stupid things other people do on the roads that can often be teenagers' undoing.
Even more so given the car's history, drive carefully and sensibly in it. You'll regret it for life if you crash it. I don't mean go dead slow everywhere, just be careful and only drive it fast where it's appropriate to do so.
Thanks alot, I know my limits, and they come way before the car's limits do. I never really have the urge to open it up everywhere, not doing many miles until spring when the weather gets better anyway. That'll be the best Leeds to Liverpool drive you will ever do. Nothing ever comes close to that first long drive in your first car.
At the ripe old age of 26, I'll be the boring old fart who says "be bloody careful". At 17, even if you have the actual driving skill (which you clearly do), even if you understand the capabilities and limits of the car (which you clearly do), it's the lack of experience of the stupid things other people do on the roads that can often be teenagers' undoing.
Even more so given the car's history, drive carefully and sensibly in it. You'll regret it for life if you crash it. I don't mean go dead slow everywhere, just be careful and only drive it fast where it's appropriate to do so.
After a quick wash today, I got some pictures. Put some Waxoyl on the main rust areas to prevent any issues throughout winter. Wheels need a refurb, which with everything else will be done after winter. Took the awful aftermarket radio out in favour for an original 6 CD multichanger unit, that arrives on Saturday. Got a set of 4 Nankang NS2R's to go on this weekend. Found the spare tyre check sticker from when we traded it in for the Leon in 2005, still there. Steering lock in the car is the one my parents bought for it after the Subaru was stolen, not been used since 2008. Not bothered doing the inside today because it's going to be full of people who I can't imagine will wipe their feet The Waxoyl looks awful on the car, but it's worth it to keep it rust free. Got some new number plates ordered which will look much better. The keyring is the one that came with the Leon spare key, I always had it on my house keys, thought it looked good on the car key. Once my parents get their new cars next year, I'll start storing the car in the garage again. I'll get some more pictures on a better day.
The Waxoyl looks awful on the car, but it's worth it to keep it rust free. Got some new number plates ordered which will look much better. The keyring is the one that came with the Leon spare key, I always had it on my house keys, thought it looked good on the car key. Once my parents get their new cars next year, I'll start storing the car in the garage again. I'll get some more pictures on a better day. Edited by aaron_2000 on Friday 22 December 15:05
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