Focus ST170 (My First Car)

[LanceRS]

aaron_2000 said:

ZX10R NIN said:

Nice car they can be good fun fuel economy isn't the best as they're short geared

Fuel economy is dire

I remember these when they were released. A friend of mine bought one new (£17,500 if I remember correctly), at 80 mph in 6th it was only doing about 400 rpm less than the Escort it replaced.
I was lucky enough to spend a day charging around Dunsfold in them when the RS was brought out. Once I had found the traction control button they were brilliant fun. I didn’t like the gear change though.
Anyway enough of my misspent youth, enjoy the car and make the most of that Disclock.

[zarjaz1991]

aaron_2000 said:

Fuel economy is dire

You're 17 and it's your first car. Forget about fuel economy, just get out and drive it, have some fun in it. If it costs a bit of fuel, so what!

Plenty of time for boring crap like MPG spreadsheets when you are older.

When I was 17 and got my first Mondeo, I was just driving everyone everywhere, giving lifts to anyone and anybody, long distance or short, just because I could. Mates to college, old ladies to the shops, I did it all. I just wanted to drive it as much as possible because I was so excited and proud to have my own car that I had paid for entirely by myself. I've no idea what the fuel economy was like because I really didn't care.

Edited by zarjaz1991 on Saturday 23 December 16:21

[SebringMan]

Fair play to getting a family car back into the circles!

Insurance can be a funny thing, especially depending on where you are in the country. Until recently my friend used to always get cheaper insurance quotes than me for this very reason.

I do keep coming back to an ST170 but I have discounted them over the years. Have fun!

aaron_2000 said:

Fuel economy is dire

It does sound dire when you consider what I get from an M3 etc. but I was never that frugal footed a driver. What other cars have you driven and what figures have you got?

Enjoy good sir!

[aaron_2000]

SebringMan said:

It does sound dire when you consider what I get from an M3 etc. but I was never that frugal footed a driver. What other cars have you driven and what figures have you got?

Enjoy good sir!

I've driven family cars, my uncle's cars, and my cousins cars. Our 340i does about 40 tops. I'd say mine is getting 30 tops, although I never bought it for fuel economy so I won't discredit it on fuel economy either. I do like the smaller details, like the pedals spaced to heel-toe

[Glosphil]

I almost bought a ST170 in 2006, but went for a 2005 Honda Civic Type-S (2 litre 160hp) instead as I wanted the larger cabin and boot space. I did thoroughly enjoy my test drive in the Ford.

[RobXjcoupe]

Just a bit of maintenance advice. Make sure the drain holes in the bottom of the doors are kept clear of debris as they are small. Stops rust getting a hold.
The mk1 Focus used galvanised exterior panels so unless a bad repair or untreated deep scratch the body should be good for a long time.
Suspension arms front and rear do go rusty though. If you can budget new replacements it’s easier to keep the new rust free rather than battle with rusty originals
Mk1 focuses are well made though. I’ve only recently changed an 18 year old one for another slightly newer less miles car in estate bodystyle.
Good standard handling is the thing with a well maintained mk1 Focus

[aaron_2000]

RobXjcoupe said:

Just a bit of maintenance advice. Make sure the drain holes in the bottom of the doors are kept clear of debris as they are small. Stops rust getting a hold.
The mk1 Focus used galvanised exterior panels so unless a bad repair or untreated deep scratch the body should be good for a long time.
Suspension arms front and rear do go rusty though. If you can budget new replacements it’s easier to keep the new rust free rather than battle with rusty originals
Mk1 focuses are well made though. I’ve only recently changed an 18 year old one for another slightly newer less miles car in estate bodystyle.
Good standard handling is the thing with a well maintained mk1 Focus

Thanks for the advice, saved it on Word. It did have a repair done after being reversed into in 2004, but it doesn't seem to be rusting there so I think it's fine. Didn't know about the drain holes, probably wouldn't've either, so thanks alot

[RobXjcoupe]

aaron_2000 said:

RobXjcoupe said:

Just a bit of maintenance advice. Make sure the drain holes in the bottom of the doors are kept clear of debris as they are small. Stops rust getting a hold.
The mk1 Focus used galvanised exterior panels so unless a bad repair or untreated deep scratch the body should be good for a long time.
Suspension arms front and rear do go rusty though. If you can budget new replacements it’s easier to keep the new rust free rather than battle with rusty originals
Mk1 focuses are well made though. I’ve only recently changed an 18 year old one for another slightly newer less miles car in estate bodystyle.
Good standard handling is the thing with a well maintained mk1 Focus

Thanks for the advice, saved it on Word. It did have a repair done after being reversed into in 2004, but it doesn't seem to be rusting there so I think it's fine. Didn't know about the drain holes, probably wouldn't've either, so thanks alot

You are very welcome and have a fab Christmas

[aaron_2000]

RobXjcoupe said:

You are very welcome and have a fab Christmas

Thanks, you too pal

[petrolsniffer]

Max_Torque said:

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.....)

The first for ford vvt? I thought that was the puma's 1.7 engine?

[mcm87]

Great car.

I had one of these what feels like ages ago. Wish I held onto it longer. Enjoy the crazy gear ratios!

I can’t remember the exact terminology as it was so long ago but as part of the VVT there’s an actuator connected to a flap in the manifold. This will almost certainly have failed by this age if not maintained and it usually gets stuck in the high revs/power position. My maintenance advice would be to check this ASAP - lots of material online. With it stuck it destroys the fuel economy in normal driving conditions and it’s hard to notice as it still pulls hard at the top end. My mpg increased to 35 or so from 22 (averages) when I sorted mine. It’s one of the reasons these cars get such a hard time on the mpg front as they all fail at some point and as they fall into cheaper and cheaper price brackets people stop giving them the TLC they need!

Have fun!

[drab1]

Is that the inlet manifold runner thingy? I keep hearing about this and have no idea how to check it...

Lovely looking car op, we must have bought them around the same time :-) I'll start a sister thread if I find the time.

Let me know if you're still looking for LEDs, I've replaced all mine and have some spares. It is Xmas after all!

[aaron_2000]

drab1 said:

Is that the inlet manifold runner thingy? I keep hearing about this and have no idea how to check it...

Lovely looking car op, we must have bought them around the same time :-) I'll start a sister thread if I find the time.

Let me know if you're still looking for LEDs, I've replaced all mine and have some spares. It is Xmas after all!

I am actually, thanks

[aaron_2000]

mcm87 said:

Great car.

I had one of these what feels like ages ago. Wish I held onto it longer. Enjoy the crazy gear ratios!

I can’t remember the exact terminology as it was so long ago but as part of the VVT there’s an actuator connected to a flap in the manifold. This will almost certainly have failed by this age if not maintained and it usually gets stuck in the high revs/power position. My maintenance advice would be to check this ASAP - lots of material online. With it stuck it destroys the fuel economy in normal driving conditions and it’s hard to notice as it still pulls hard at the top end. My mpg increased to 35 or so from 22 (averages) when I sorted mine. It’s one of the reasons these cars get such a hard time on the mpg front as they all fail at some point and as they fall into cheaper and cheaper price brackets people stop giving them the TLC they need!

Have fun!

I think I'll get that checked out after Christmas, thanks for the tip

[Mr Whippy]

A friend had a 3dr st170 in metallic grey while I had a 306 gti6.

We used to blast up a by-pass on the way to work.
They were very close on speed.


I particularly liked the long 1st and 2nd gears and the noise in the ST170.
It felt very planted and refined and wouldn't have gone amiss with another 1000rpm on the top with 200bhp.

They were really great cars for the time imo.
They no doubt still are if you can find a nice one and look after it

[drab1]

aaron_2000 said:

drab1 said:

Is that the inlet manifold runner thingy? I keep hearing about this and have no idea how to check it...

Lovely looking car op, we must have bought them around the same time :-) I'll start a sister thread if I find the time.

Let me know if you're still looking for LEDs, I've replaced all mine and have some spares. It is Xmas after all!

I am actually, thanks

Pm me and I'll send over the spares!

[aaron_2000]

drab1 said:

aaron_2000 said:

drab1 said:

Is that the inlet manifold runner thingy? I keep hearing about this and have no idea how to check it...

Lovely looking car op, we must have bought them around the same time :-) I'll start a sister thread if I find the time.

Let me know if you're still looking for LEDs, I've replaced all mine and have some spares. It is Xmas after all!

I am actually, thanks

Pm me and I'll send over the spares!

More than generous, thanks alot Doesn't let me email you, I think you'll have to PM me

[drab1]

You should have mail... That's my good deed done for Xmas

[aaron_2000]

drab1 said:

You should have mail... That's my good deed done for Xmas

Replied to you on my main e-mail, appreciate it

[aaron_2000]

Got the interior lights, fitting them tomorrow. Thanks again . I've driven the car enough now that I've started spotting out some things I do dislike on it. The seating position is absolutely terrible. I sit as low down as it will go and I still feel high up,except I can't see where the nose is and it makes it horrid to park, that with the worst turning circle I've ever experienced makes it a nightmare in car parks, being a pretty new driver, I had one of those 'oh st' moments in a tight car park when I was about 5cm away from the car next to me, I really thought I wouldn't be able to get it out being at an angle it does sound pretty crap at high revs too but that's really nitpicking, bought brand new centre caps ready for the wheel refurb, the original radio is back in too. Looking to upgrade the exhaust to a Scorpion front to back system, I've heard them in person and they're not too loud, just raspier. Recently completed a 200mile round trip where I figured out I have a fuelling issue, 90 miles exactly on half a tank of petrol in normal driving. In the next couple of months I'll be booking it in with a specialist like Graham Goode to get all of that sorted out, including a new clutch/flywheel. Keep meaning to get the stone chips and rust sorted out, that's probably going to happen next month or 2. Not got anymore photos yet, but the more I drive it, the more I enjoy it. A Ford Ka will be joining it soon as I'm going to be buying one to clean up and sell, more to get more in depth on working in mechanical stuff again as I don't wanna learn on mine.