Ford Focus ST | High Mile Club
Something of a forgotten fast Focus, the final one is now on offer for £10k
While it’s hard to imagine now, with the hot hatch sector as sparsely populated as it is, the fourth (and final, it seems) Ford Focus ST launched into a packed marketplace in 2019. The Hyundai i30 N was fun and great value, the Megane had returned as a handsome five-door, the Golf GTI was as good as ever in Mk7.5 form - as were the related Octavia and Leon - the 308 GTI was still soldiering on with some old school appeal… Buyers were spoilt for choice. And so it was hard to stand out. With the Fiesta surely ranking as everyone’s favourite fast Ford, the Focus was maybe forgotten about just a tad.
The demise of the RS was a disappointment, and perhaps the Focus looked a tad plain as well. But underneath was another great Blue Oval hot hatch, engaging and capable chassis hooked up to a stout turbo four in the nose. It was fun as all Focuses should be, with a welcome dash of extra sophistication on top. When we pitched a Mk4 ST against the Golf, Megane and i30 N, the Ford came out on top - it really was that good. With the estate option as well, for proof that fast wagons existed beyond the Golf R.
It just kept getting better, too, as much like the Fiesta, the Focus gained an Edition model with flow-formed wheels and coilovers; as well as introducing a funky new colour, the Edition made for an even grippier, better riding Focus ST. Mountune’s upgrades didn’t overwhelm the car, either.
But all that was quite a few years ago now, sadly, and with times moving as fast as they are, the Ford-badged hatchback with a manual gearbox and 2.3 litre engine isn’t something we’ll see again. Still, the benefit of passing years is more affordable used examples. The ST always looked competitively priced, as is the fast Ford way, and now the first examples are beginning to dip below £10k. As with so many cars, it’s probably taken a little longer than expected; such is the way of used cars in the 2020s.
This 2019 ST manual has the Performance Pack, bringing in a Track mode, shift lights and red calipers; if white isn’t the best colour for one then it’s not the worst either. What’s especially interesting about this one, though, is that it’s already covered 133,000 miles; not perhaps mega mileage, but still a fair return for a seven-year-old performance car. Those miles have all been accrued with one owner as well, which is reasonably encouraging. Check out the bolsters on those famously chunky Recaros, too: someone has been careful getting in or out. Or, more likely, only done big journeys that haven’t needed much entering or exiting.
Frustratingly, there’s not a mention of history, though the MOT is flawless and there are at least three Continentals on the wheels. Nothing about the condition in the pics would suggest it’s some high-mile hack, instead something that’s been used more than average and cared for accordingly. Now at £9,981, there’s all sorts of potential for the second owner: carry on in a similar fashion and enjoy a great modern hot hatch for less than the rest, refresh a few bits to bring it back to its best, or perhaps upgrade for occasional track use. For those who had forgotten about the Focus, this one looks like a great reminder.
Assuming the worst.
Goodbye, and may your god not bless you.
Actually, I reckon it looks pretty good and packs quite a punch with 276 bhp.
Assuming the worst.
Goodbye, and may your god not bless you.
Actually, I reckon it looks pretty good and packs quite a punch with 276 bhp.
He had the earlier 2.0 Focus ST before but was always a bit concerned about the engine problems they can have, these seem a lot more robust.
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff