Talk me out of buying a Focus ST
Discussion
At the moment I drive a 2013 Chevrolet Aveo LTZ. For those not familiar it's a 1.4 eco-hatchbacky thingy on the same chassis as a Vauxhall Corsa. Nice, very well equipped, does the job. Bought it preregistered with 8 miles on the clock and have it 3 years later with 22,000 miles.
However, there's a 2009 Focus ST3 for sale near me. Probably be £4k-ish more than the trade in value of my Chevy.
I'm sure everyone here is going to agree with me that it's a monumentally stupid idea to spend £4k on swapping a 4 year old car with 22,000 miles for a 2009 car with 60,000 miles, right?
Right?
If I was stupid enough to ignore everyone telling me not to, what issues should I look out for if buying the Ford?
Cheers!
However, there's a 2009 Focus ST3 for sale near me. Probably be £4k-ish more than the trade in value of my Chevy.
I'm sure everyone here is going to agree with me that it's a monumentally stupid idea to spend £4k on swapping a 4 year old car with 22,000 miles for a 2009 car with 60,000 miles, right?
Right?
If I was stupid enough to ignore everyone telling me not to, what issues should I look out for if buying the Ford?
Cheers!
I don't think it's a stupid idea (although some on here will tell you you are not a car enthusiast 
) and they're generally pretty reliable although economy is very poor.
Lots of info (including a buying guide) here -> http://www.focusstoc.com/forums/forum/11-focus-st-...
Chris
) and they're generally pretty reliable although economy is very poor.Lots of info (including a buying guide) here -> http://www.focusstoc.com/forums/forum/11-focus-st-...
Chris
I just agreed to sell my 2006 ST-3 black 3 door with 69k miles to webuyanycar type place for £3500 as new car is incoming and could not be bothered with tyre kickers.
Great engine, they chew thru front tyres, if you get a modified car be careful that driveshafts are okay ( these are made of chocolate).
Check that there is no clutch slip, clutches can be a weak point.
Bushes go very quickly and have a really good look at the arches, front and back, rust is very common, especially at the back where the sills meet the arch.
Get yourself on focusstoc forum, they know everything and can help with any problems, best 10 quid or so I ever spent.
Great engine, they chew thru front tyres, if you get a modified car be careful that driveshafts are okay ( these are made of chocolate).
Check that there is no clutch slip, clutches can be a weak point.
Bushes go very quickly and have a really good look at the arches, front and back, rust is very common, especially at the back where the sills meet the arch.
Get yourself on focusstoc forum, they know everything and can help with any problems, best 10 quid or so I ever spent.
Without delving into the specifics, I would say it's not a stupid idea at all.
Only you know if you can afford it, and whether there are more important things your money is needed for.
But if you get enjoyment from owning such a car, then that is worth the money.
Example from my past: at uni, I agonized for ages about buying a £200 amp and some £200 b&w speakers, when I was absolutely skint.
Yet I have had literally thousands of hours enjoyment from that set up over the last 30 years, and I am so glad I didn't play it safe.
If it all goes wrong, ok, you might lose a bit of money. But if you don't do it, you lose the chance of ever knowing.
As I said, you'll know if you can afford to lose the cash, but given you're thinking about this seriously, I expect you can make it work!
Hth
Ian
Only you know if you can afford it, and whether there are more important things your money is needed for.
But if you get enjoyment from owning such a car, then that is worth the money.
Example from my past: at uni, I agonized for ages about buying a £200 amp and some £200 b&w speakers, when I was absolutely skint.
Yet I have had literally thousands of hours enjoyment from that set up over the last 30 years, and I am so glad I didn't play it safe.
If it all goes wrong, ok, you might lose a bit of money. But if you don't do it, you lose the chance of ever knowing.
As I said, you'll know if you can afford to lose the cash, but given you're thinking about this seriously, I expect you can make it work!
Hth
Ian
Cheers for the advice so far, although none of you are doing a very good job of talking me out of this.
Moneywise, things would be OK but my main worry is the potential headache of having a car with 60,000 miles on the clock and worrying about the things that could, and do, go wrong with cars of that mileage.
Moneywise, things would be OK but my main worry is the potential headache of having a car with 60,000 miles on the clock and worrying about the things that could, and do, go wrong with cars of that mileage.
Amazing fun to drive, great ST3 Interior, beautiful Volvo 5 pot sound track. Came in good colours. Just an all round great car.
Bad points - super juicy for what you get. Easily sub 15mpg if you're really enjoying the car around town.
For those I have known who've owned them similar reliability to what others have said already.
A great buy for the price they are now, but buy with care and have money aside for bits and bobs. Plus make sure you're willing to deal with fuel costs!
Bad points - super juicy for what you get. Easily sub 15mpg if you're really enjoying the car around town.
For those I have known who've owned them similar reliability to what others have said already.
A great buy for the price they are now, but buy with care and have money aside for bits and bobs. Plus make sure you're willing to deal with fuel costs!
99dndd said:
At the moment I drive a 2013 Chevrolet Aveo LTZ. For those not familiar it's a 1.4 eco-hatchbacky thingy on the same chassis as a Vauxhall Corsa. Nice, very well equipped, does the job. Bought it preregistered with 8 miles on the clock and have it 3 years later with 22,000 miles.
However, there's a 2009 Focus ST3 for sale near me. Probably be £4k-ish more than the trade in value of my Chevy.
I'm sure everyone here is going to agree with me that it's a monumentally stupid idea to spend £4k on swapping a 4 year old car with 22,000 miles for a 2009 car with 60,000 miles, right?
Right?
If I was stupid enough to ignore everyone telling me not to, what issues should I look out for if buying the Ford?
Cheers!
I'm sure the Focus is an ok car. But ask yourself this. Do you need a large family orientated hatchback? If the answer is yes. Then the Focus is an ideal candidate. But if you don't need a fwd chariot designed for practicality and load lugging. The. There are arguably far more interesting cars for your budget. However, there's a 2009 Focus ST3 for sale near me. Probably be £4k-ish more than the trade in value of my Chevy.
I'm sure everyone here is going to agree with me that it's a monumentally stupid idea to spend £4k on swapping a 4 year old car with 22,000 miles for a 2009 car with 60,000 miles, right?
Right?
If I was stupid enough to ignore everyone telling me not to, what issues should I look out for if buying the Ford?
Cheers!
I would also advise checking out the real world mpg claims of the Focus. By all reports I've seen it likes a hefty drink. And is a little low on the power and performance it returns for the thirst. Also remember it'll be super unleaded too. Which pence per mile wise is like -2mpg more vs a car doing the same mpg on 95RON.
This might all sound harsh. And I'm likely to be the only one of this view. But you did say talk you out of it.
It really all comes down to how safe you want to play it. And frankly a family orientated mass produced Ford aimed at the common man, is about as safe as you can get.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 23 June 00:02
99dndd said:
Cheers for the advice so far, although none of you are doing a very good job of talking me out of this.
Moneywise, things would be OK but my main worry is the potential headache of having a car with 60,000 miles on the clock and worrying about the things that could, and do, go wrong with cars of that mileage.
60000 miles is nothing, don't worry about it. Even 160000 shouldn't give much cause for concern if a car has been looked after, routine maintenance aside.Moneywise, things would be OK but my main worry is the potential headache of having a car with 60,000 miles on the clock and worrying about the things that could, and do, go wrong with cars of that mileage.
te.99dndd said:
Cheers for the advice so far, although none of you are doing a very good job of talking me out of this.
Moneywise, things would be OK but my main worry is the potential headache of having a car with 60,000 miles on the clock and worrying about the things that could, and do, go wrong with cars of that mileage.
Loads of those ST's are still going with 2-3 times the mileage. I'm not saying they'd be a great buy, but 60k isn't a lot of miles.Moneywise, things would be OK but my main worry is the potential headache of having a car with 60,000 miles on the clock and worrying about the things that could, and do, go wrong with cars of that mileage.
You're probably just as likely to have issues with your Chevy as the Focus, the only difference is the Focus will (probably) be a bit more expensive to fix if something does go wrong.
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