Going to buy a focus st-3, any advice or warnings?
Discussion
There very thirsty, go through tyres like theres no tomorrow and some of the interior trim will rattle regardless of what you do to stop it 
However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
I had one previously and sold it for a few reasons and would only offer the advice to think about what you really want in a daily driver.
I bought the Focus (2007 with recaro leather interior) as I was sold on the engine note after a couple of test drives. But to own, after the novelty of the engine note had warn off, I found it a bit big (for me), a bit uninvolving handling wise (although very competent), not especially nice inside (personal taste again) and the real killer was very thirsty.
I now have a Clio 172 with a few mods and I can not rate it highly enough as a daily driver. I find it much more involving/enjoyable to drive, the steering is about the best I have felt in a front driver, I personally much prefer the interior and the car is more my size, it is as fast as the focus in 95% of situations and I haven't for a second regretted my decision to sell the Focus and buy the 172. It doesn't have the engine note, but it doesn't have the fuel bills either.
the point I am getting to (apart from i love my 172), is consider what you REALLY value in a daily driver before buying.
I bought the Focus (2007 with recaro leather interior) as I was sold on the engine note after a couple of test drives. But to own, after the novelty of the engine note had warn off, I found it a bit big (for me), a bit uninvolving handling wise (although very competent), not especially nice inside (personal taste again) and the real killer was very thirsty.
I now have a Clio 172 with a few mods and I can not rate it highly enough as a daily driver. I find it much more involving/enjoyable to drive, the steering is about the best I have felt in a front driver, I personally much prefer the interior and the car is more my size, it is as fast as the focus in 95% of situations and I haven't for a second regretted my decision to sell the Focus and buy the 172. It doesn't have the engine note, but it doesn't have the fuel bills either.
the point I am getting to (apart from i love my 172), is consider what you REALLY value in a daily driver before buying.
Sammo123 said:
There very thirsty, go through tyres like theres no tomorrow and some of the interior trim will rattle regardless of what you do to stop it
However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
Out of interest do you have any issues with clutch slip on remapped cars? Good friend of mine has a bluefinned one running around 320 lbft of torque and 252bhp but he is experiencing the clutch slipping in 3rd at peak torque? (its only an 07 with less than 30k so wouldnt expect this?)However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
I've owned mine since March 2006 and don't plan on getting rid any time soon. Everyone mentions the fuel economy, which is poor compared to it's rivals. Short journeys round town are in the low 20s mpg, but if you keep the speed down 30 or more is possible on a cruise. It's not the cost that gets me down though, it's the 300ish mile tank range. I live in the nw and drive to France a lot. This is the only car I've owned, or know of, that needs to refuel before getting on the ferry.
Other stuff to look for... Corrosion around where the hatchback hinges meet the body. Wet carpets. Body kit coming away along the sills. Failed lacquer on the wheels. Stone chips and other paint damage on exposed areas. These cars have had numerous technical bulletins and recalls, mostly for minor things, but it's worth checking they've all been done.
Now the good stuff. The engine, get it in third gear put your foot down and it feels like it will keep on accelerating forever. The sound alone has got to be worth something over all it's rivals. Handling is good, but it doesn't feel light. The rear can feel surprisingly mobile if you don't do your braking in a straight line, which can be good or bad depending on what your after. Fuel range aside, the car is a great tourer. I've been all over Europe, and it's relaxed on the motorway, fun on the bends and can overtake most things without worrying too much about what gear you need. Being a Focus, practicality is good, big boot and loads of other storage.
Running costs are not high. I haven't experienced mega tyre wear. 12-15000 out of the fronts and more or less twice that from the rear. Tyre prices are ok as it's a common size. Mine consumes literally no oil between services despite me monitoring it religiously. Servicing is not expensive, even at the main dealer. I service mine at home now it is out of warranty. The timing belt isn't due for 10 years or 100000 miles, but looking at the space under the bonnet, that won't be a cheap exercise.
Finally, get yourself signed up to focusstoc.com for a wealth of useful stuff.
Other stuff to look for... Corrosion around where the hatchback hinges meet the body. Wet carpets. Body kit coming away along the sills. Failed lacquer on the wheels. Stone chips and other paint damage on exposed areas. These cars have had numerous technical bulletins and recalls, mostly for minor things, but it's worth checking they've all been done.
Now the good stuff. The engine, get it in third gear put your foot down and it feels like it will keep on accelerating forever. The sound alone has got to be worth something over all it's rivals. Handling is good, but it doesn't feel light. The rear can feel surprisingly mobile if you don't do your braking in a straight line, which can be good or bad depending on what your after. Fuel range aside, the car is a great tourer. I've been all over Europe, and it's relaxed on the motorway, fun on the bends and can overtake most things without worrying too much about what gear you need. Being a Focus, practicality is good, big boot and loads of other storage.
Running costs are not high. I haven't experienced mega tyre wear. 12-15000 out of the fronts and more or less twice that from the rear. Tyre prices are ok as it's a common size. Mine consumes literally no oil between services despite me monitoring it religiously. Servicing is not expensive, even at the main dealer. I service mine at home now it is out of warranty. The timing belt isn't due for 10 years or 100000 miles, but looking at the space under the bonnet, that won't be a cheap exercise.
Finally, get yourself signed up to focusstoc.com for a wealth of useful stuff.
Chr1sch said:
Sammo123 said:
There very thirsty, go through tyres like theres no tomorrow and some of the interior trim will rattle regardless of what you do to stop it
However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
Out of interest do you have any issues with clutch slip on remapped cars? Good friend of mine has a bluefinned one running around 320 lbft of torque and 252bhp but he is experiencing the clutch slipping in 3rd at peak torque? (its only an 07 with less than 30k so wouldnt expect this?)However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
Chr1sch said:
Sammo123 said:
There very thirsty, go through tyres like theres no tomorrow and some of the interior trim will rattle regardless of what you do to stop it
However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
Out of interest do you have any issues with clutch slip on remapped cars? Good friend of mine has a bluefinned one running around 320 lbft of torque and 252bhp but he is experiencing the clutch slipping in 3rd at peak torque? (its only an 07 with less than 30k so wouldnt expect this?)However, they are amazing cars to drive and sound brilliant!
When looking round it just check for accident damage as it will of been driven like it was stolen at some point
Make sure the tyres are in good shape as they do wear quite quickly.
Sit in the drivers and passengers seats and throw yourself around in them a bit. The welds on the frame have a tendancy to snap and if over 3 years old wont be covered under any sort of warranty! So make sure your happy the seats are as they should be!
I work for Ford so feel free to pick my brain on anything else. Oh and we are a Mountune Specialist so I can get the Mountune kits fitted cheap
I had a Dec 2006 ST-2, fantastic car, very sure footed and well put together.Never rattled and drove very solid. Fuel consuption was fairly poor but worth the exspense, relatively quick car with alot of torque.If you buy a standard one then get it remapped, it was the best mod i done to it and drove how it 'should' have been done from new by Ford. I still miss the car now, you can certainly buy alot worse car wise.
Bought an ST 2 a few weeks ago, as didnt need such a big family estate, which we had and also sold my Lotus.
Benefits are that it is a Ford, so parts are cheap. Fuel economy for me at the moment is 2 mpg, but not had it on a long run yet. Insurance was not that bad and I actually pay less than I did on a Honda diesel estate ( work that one out !!) and that includes having it Mountuned. The only issue I do have is the clutch slip with the torque from the conversion. It is booked in at Mountune for an RS clutch in January, which will resolve that.
So far, I am happy wth it...............cant think of anything I am not happy. Also there are plenty around for sale, so you can afford to be choosy.
Benefits are that it is a Ford, so parts are cheap. Fuel economy for me at the moment is 2 mpg, but not had it on a long run yet. Insurance was not that bad and I actually pay less than I did on a Honda diesel estate ( work that one out !!) and that includes having it Mountuned. The only issue I do have is the clutch slip with the torque from the conversion. It is booked in at Mountune for an RS clutch in January, which will resolve that.
So far, I am happy wth it...............cant think of anything I am not happy. Also there are plenty around for sale, so you can afford to be choosy.
love mine sounds awesome with decat and blueflame cat back on, add an iduction kit and the noise gets better. Petrol is fine i came from an R32 to it and the diff is massive, 30mpg if you stick to 70 on motorway easily and about 25-26 avergae if u drive normal n have a little play every now n then. Clutch slip is a problem once you reach about 260ish but stick an rs one in and youll be fine for around 400bhp i believe. Just try and find a low milllage looked after on one, who you buy it off is key as a young lad like me! would have most likely thrashed the ass out of it!
Ive had mine since Jan 2007 and its been running over 300 BHP since 100miles and Ive not had the clutch slip once, there is a theory of a dodgy batch of clutches on 07 cars but no one is sure.
Interior is a personal thing I love mine (ST2 so not leather but 3 rear seats) no rattles or squeaks so far.
Handling I had Eibachs fitted to mine which improved the fell massively and lowered it slightly as std models sit a bit high IMHO.
MPG this one is unarguable they like a drink However sensible driving can get you 25-30 on a run quite easily ( funnily enough remapped cars tend to be better MPG wise)
Tyres depends how its been driven mone will spin the wheels up even in 3rd if you push it, but I managed 15k on my last set.
Take your time and try a few and I personally think you will love it they are equally at home cruising across europe as they are Blatting down a B road and with the torque you never worry about overtaking.
Oh and another vote for getting yourself over to Focusstoc.com.
Interior is a personal thing I love mine (ST2 so not leather but 3 rear seats) no rattles or squeaks so far.
Handling I had Eibachs fitted to mine which improved the fell massively and lowered it slightly as std models sit a bit high IMHO.
MPG this one is unarguable they like a drink However sensible driving can get you 25-30 on a run quite easily ( funnily enough remapped cars tend to be better MPG wise)
Tyres depends how its been driven mone will spin the wheels up even in 3rd if you push it, but I managed 15k on my last set.
Take your time and try a few and I personally think you will love it they are equally at home cruising across europe as they are Blatting down a B road and with the torque you never worry about overtaking.
Oh and another vote for getting yourself over to Focusstoc.com.
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