R32 // ST220 // Focus ST // GTI

[Hudson1984]

Ok,

so i've narrowed my next car choices to these:

R32
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009053...

FOCUS ST
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202009073...

MONDEO ST220
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202008192...

GOLF GTI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202006120...

[stargazer30]

Can't comment on the others but I've had 4x Focus STs. 3 of them were the mk2 2.5L volvo engine in your link. My current whip is the mk3 Focus ST too.

for the mk2 FST...

Pro's
Comfy
Quickish
lots of torque, and remap well
legendary 5cyl engine note

Con's
You need shares in Shell as they only do low 20s MPG
07 plates have chocolate clutches which slip if you map them
Some cars like to eat drive shafts and crack engine liners (but these are remapped/tuned, stock should be fine)
A bit front heavy on the handling due to heavy engine.

[Hudson1984]

stargazer30 said:

Can't comment on the others but I've had 4x Focus STs. 3 of them were the mk2 2.5L volvo engine in your link. My current whip is the mk3 Focus ST too.

for the mk2 FST...

Pro's
Comfy
Quickish
lots of torque, and remap well
legendary 5cyl engine note

Con's
You need shares in Shell as they only do low 20s MPG
07 plates have chocolate clutches which slip if you map them
Some cars like to eat drive shafts and crack engine liners (but these are remapped/tuned, stock should be fine)
A bit front heavy on the handling due to heavy engine.

don't mind low 20's the Volvo only gets high 30's and that's on diesel, so 20's is fine.

I'll probably keep it stock, i've no need for anything faster..... I'm sure i'll change my mind in the future but i'm only aiming for about 18 months out of it and will reassess what we need at that point.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Loving the oddball inclusion of an ST220. I loved my old ST TDCI and would love a 220 but its a big, heavy car. Definitely in a different league to a hot hatch. I'd also look at some independent reviews of the place selling it - I was going to put a deposit down on a Cooper S being sold by that place until I read some reviews and I'm glad I didn't

[Hudson1984]

Yeah I’m already impressed with the people selling the focus.

They’ve offered to deliver it free!

[Xcore]

Ed30 golf or r26 megane. Focus’ interior design and feel is horrible

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

That particular R32 looks nice. Quite high mileage maybe? (Although I s'pose only 10K per year ish)

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

2 sMoKiN bArReLs said:

That particular R32 looks nice. Quite high mileage maybe? (Although I s'pose only 10K per year ish)

Driver's seat a bit scuffed up.

I had an R32 and I absolutely loved it. They do have a lot of presence, more so than say a Golf R.

[Hudson1984]

Agreed it’s a cool car and certainly possible.

Few thingS that’s putting me Off being the seat, and whilst it’s cheap for an r32, against the focus it looks expensive and not much faster.

I dunno of the list, the focus seems the better option

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

OP, do you live at the BBC? ( or is it me?)

(Post code for delivery comes up W1A 1AA )

[Hudson1984]

Lol not me, that’s not my post code

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

Hudson1984 said:

Lol not me, that’s not my post code

I must have popped a spoof post code in at some time.

[2 sMoKiN bArReLs]

I had an R32 for maybe 8 years. I was a fab car. Not the fastest, not the best handing, but somehow just lovely.

[Hudson1984]

Yeah I love an awd, had an a5 Quattro and really enjoyed the grip of it.

I like the r32 but the extra price is hard to justify over the lower priced ST, with lower mileage, cheaper running costs and cheaper insurance in a package pretty similar in speed.

That being said, the r32 offers more higher smile factor I think and is a bit different

[Belle427]

Id take the R32 even though the running costs are quite high, the mileage would put me off that one though.
The 5 pot in the focus can sound awesome with a nice exhaust but I’m not a huge fan of the looks.
The Focus is probably the sensible buy though.

[Hudson1984]

crucial factor has come into play....

the wife prefers the golf....

[ZX10R NIN]

Show her the 3.2 I sent in the other thread & she may change her mind.

[Hudson1984]

incorrect, she thinks the Audi looks too old - i'm on her side there, especially the 3 door. I never liked that generation in 3 door.

[si_xsi]

Had 2 R32s and a GTI, R32 for the win, followed by Focus close 2nd. Like belle says, high running costs but worth it. I'd find a better one than the one in the link, manuals probably a safer bet at higher mileages unless the dsg has had a mechatronics unit, and check chains on vagcom if you can. Dont be out off by a slight rattle at idle as most are likely to do it at that mileage as the tensioners can wear but if it's not stretched it should be ok.

[Hudson1984]

See, that's the thing, it's only the price of this one that puts the R32 on the list.

I like it, the wife likes it - however if that mileage makes it a concern it's coming off the list.

something below 100k is closer to £7k, I can't justify that, it's mostly a toy, and I can't justify that when the ST is so much cheaper for the same fun factor - and if I decide to, easier tuning too