ST170 vs ST 2.5 vs RS Focus
Discussion
At some point soon - my trusty steed - Renault Clio 182 (04) will need to be replaced.
I've enjoyed :
Sublime handling
Real peach of an engine..
Xenons
Interior OK - mix of leather and alcantara
Frugal fuel consumption (32~34 average) near 40 on a run..
Not enjoyed -
it's a little small at the rear - boot area
Noise at speed
Build quality - creaks a bit here and there on the dash area..
but in all a great car ..
So - looking at a replacement at some point.
Had a ST170 (52 plate)(4 door) before this and enjoyed it .. but the engine was a little lacking but it was quieter and nicer to be in than the Clio..
So - what's you opinion of the replacement choices..
ST170 (2 door late model) bit gutless - is bluefin etc worth doing..
ST 2.5 - hear the rear visability is not great (G/F will also drive the car and for some reason this is inportant for shopping..)
Fuel consumption is high
RS Focus - looks great, what's it like day to day, fuel consumption - what's it like..ride quality etc..
I've enjoyed :
Sublime handling
Real peach of an engine..
Xenons
Interior OK - mix of leather and alcantara
Frugal fuel consumption (32~34 average) near 40 on a run..
Not enjoyed -
it's a little small at the rear - boot area
Noise at speed
Build quality - creaks a bit here and there on the dash area..
but in all a great car ..
So - looking at a replacement at some point.
Had a ST170 (52 plate)(4 door) before this and enjoyed it .. but the engine was a little lacking but it was quieter and nicer to be in than the Clio..
So - what's you opinion of the replacement choices..
ST170 (2 door late model) bit gutless - is bluefin etc worth doing..
ST 2.5 - hear the rear visability is not great (G/F will also drive the car and for some reason this is inportant for shopping..)
Fuel consumption is high
RS Focus - looks great, what's it like day to day, fuel consumption - what's it like..ride quality etc..
Edited by rev-erend on Friday 13th June 14:58
Great car the 182
I made the move from a Civic Type R to a FST a few months back and have no regrets.
Driven hard the FST will see return of about 20 - 24 mpg but you can easily achieve up to 35 mpg if driven with car.
I picked up a 07 FST3 with climate, rear park assist and bluetooth/voice control for £14495
take one out... that 5pot engine note is something else!
I made the move from a Civic Type R to a FST a few months back and have no regrets.
Driven hard the FST will see return of about 20 - 24 mpg but you can easily achieve up to 35 mpg if driven with car.
I picked up a 07 FST3 with climate, rear park assist and bluetooth/voice control for £14495
take one out... that 5pot engine note is something else!
If you want info on the Focus RS or ST probably best to have a read through at the relevant forums related to the 2 cars
Focus RS (RSOC) - http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1...
Focus ST (STOC) - http://www.focusstoc.com/forums/home.html
Focus RS (RSOC) - http://bbs.rsownersclub.co.uk/forumdisplay.php?f=1...
Focus ST (STOC) - http://www.focusstoc.com/forums/home.html
zippy144 said:
Hi
ST - ITS A VOLVO..... Common as Muck, the prices are dropping like stones
Regards
Tom aka Zippy
ST - ITS A VOLVO..... Common as Muck, the prices are dropping like stones
Regards
Tom aka Zippy
yes the engine is volvo in origin but thats it and what an engine it is
it sounds great pulls in any gear and goes rather well too.get some decent springs on and they do actually handle rather well too, what else can you get all the shopping in, do a trip to the local dump and then have some fun with a 430 spider on the way home
Here’s my view on each car:
ST170: Sweet handling chassis and great steering. Engine is underpowered. Understated / plain (delete as required) looks.
ST 2.5: 5-Pot engine sounds great, and light pressure turbo gives good low down torque. Can be tuned very easily to higher outputs. Suspension set up for good all round compromise so is a good day to day proposition, but when pushing hard the car feels nose heavy and too soft. Nicest interior and has the most supportive seats. Brakes fade badly after hard use.
FRS: Aggressive and purposeful looks. Engine gives a more explosive delivery i.e. it feels turbo charged, unlike the ST. Again, fairly easy to tune the engine to get higher outputs which the chassis is more than capable of handling. Ride is very firm so is the least comfortable to live with on a day to day basis, but in turn this gives the sharpest and most satisfying handling of the three by a long way. No nannying ESP or Traction Control, just your right foot and the excellent front diff which means every spirited drive is challenging but also very rewarding. Seats look good but aren’t as supportive as they should be. Due to rarity it will hold its money better long term compared to the other two by a long way.
ST170: Sweet handling chassis and great steering. Engine is underpowered. Understated / plain (delete as required) looks.
ST 2.5: 5-Pot engine sounds great, and light pressure turbo gives good low down torque. Can be tuned very easily to higher outputs. Suspension set up for good all round compromise so is a good day to day proposition, but when pushing hard the car feels nose heavy and too soft. Nicest interior and has the most supportive seats. Brakes fade badly after hard use.
FRS: Aggressive and purposeful looks. Engine gives a more explosive delivery i.e. it feels turbo charged, unlike the ST. Again, fairly easy to tune the engine to get higher outputs which the chassis is more than capable of handling. Ride is very firm so is the least comfortable to live with on a day to day basis, but in turn this gives the sharpest and most satisfying handling of the three by a long way. No nannying ESP or Traction Control, just your right foot and the excellent front diff which means every spirited drive is challenging but also very rewarding. Seats look good but aren’t as supportive as they should be. Due to rarity it will hold its money better long term compared to the other two by a long way.
Hi there,
I've done exactly the same thing over the last 4wks and traded in my 182.
I chose the ST3 and can honestly say there are no complaints and the engine is the dogs
Granted you swap the mid 30s to mid 20s in fuel consumption but as much as I loved my 182 the ST beats it all hands down(as long as you dont mind more frequent trips to the petrol station)
I've done exactly the same thing over the last 4wks and traded in my 182.
I chose the ST3 and can honestly say there are no complaints and the engine is the dogs
Granted you swap the mid 30s to mid 20s in fuel consumption but as much as I loved my 182 the ST beats it all hands down(as long as you dont mind more frequent trips to the petrol station)
The 3 are very different beasts IMHO.
St170 was fun and sweet handling but the only real way to get good power is old school engine work or forced induction (both need 5k+) bluefin is inneffective for the price on a NA car. I didn't find mine that good on fuel (think clio is better). I loved mine but it didn't have enough to make me keep it.
RS was great when I drove one but they seem almost like a kit car in the way all have different character and as said they do hold their value well, + they are as light as the 170 and on a smooth road its a focus.
ST225 quick as hell compared to the 170 and like a bigger car, feels heavier and more planted but probably a less direct comparison to your clio than the other 2. Fuel economy seems to be crippling their values at the minute and thats only going to be getting worse.
Probably from the 3 I would choose the RS as its the best of both worlds. But as a comfier motor new ST if you can stand the depreciation and consumption.
St170 was fun and sweet handling but the only real way to get good power is old school engine work or forced induction (both need 5k+) bluefin is inneffective for the price on a NA car. I didn't find mine that good on fuel (think clio is better). I loved mine but it didn't have enough to make me keep it.
RS was great when I drove one but they seem almost like a kit car in the way all have different character and as said they do hold their value well, + they are as light as the 170 and on a smooth road its a focus.
ST225 quick as hell compared to the 170 and like a bigger car, feels heavier and more planted but probably a less direct comparison to your clio than the other 2. Fuel economy seems to be crippling their values at the minute and thats only going to be getting worse.
Probably from the 3 I would choose the RS as its the best of both worlds. But as a comfier motor new ST if you can stand the depreciation and consumption.
depends on what you want from the car. For a thrash about country roads the RS is probably the best for for actually driving day to day the ST is the winner. very easily tuned. great comfort and lots of toys.
yes its a volvo engine, who cares!
Wouldnt even consider an st170
Ps i dont own one of these so im not biased, but i am thinking about an ST to replace my M3.
Mark
yes its a volvo engine, who cares!
Wouldnt even consider an st170
Ps i dont own one of these so im not biased, but i am thinking about an ST to replace my M3.
Mark
I have an ST3 so I'm biased but for £400 extra with a remap you get 270bhp. I've never suffered brake fade but then its a road car not a track day special.It can be a Q car or a head turner depending on colour. Fuel economy is pants if you push it hard but an easy run on the motorway will get you 30+
If you have any doubts dont test drive one, i fell in love with the noise in the cabin when you accelerate hard and after a k&N and dreamscience were added its even better.
If you have any doubts dont test drive one, i fell in love with the noise in the cabin when you accelerate hard and after a k&N and dreamscience were added its even better.
binman jim said:
hi, i really think you should definetly consider an integra type r DC5 bacause i think i has the best charactaristics of all 3 of those cars in 1.
he said he wanted a car that didnt creak and was not noisy at speeds and he liked having space in the back. the honda has none of those things. the honda is fast and furious but im not sure thats what he said he is after. anyway how has it got ANY characteristics of either an st170 or an st? 4 wheels perhaps?Edited by mateyboy on Thursday 17th July 09:24
Hey Rev, i bought a new EO ST (sold it recently) and can only say it was a lovely car. It's all about the engine in the ST. 2.5L 5 Pot turbo.
Nice low down torque. And the engine note was an added bonus.
Fuel could be heavy, depends on your driving style and use but can be a -ve.
The RS is a fine car, and having less made and the adding of those 2 letters means the value is held better than the ST.
Beware of any 'tuned/chipped' cars. You know the drill.
My old ST, wish i'd kept it.
Seriously looking at the new RS now.
Nice low down torque. And the engine note was an added bonus.
Fuel could be heavy, depends on your driving style and use but can be a -ve.
The RS is a fine car, and having less made and the adding of those 2 letters means the value is held better than the ST.
Beware of any 'tuned/chipped' cars. You know the drill.
My old ST, wish i'd kept it.
Seriously looking at the new RS now.
Edited by Waynester on Tuesday 22 July 11:37
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