Can't decide... MkIV R32 or Focus ST-3

[scarebus]

Time has come for me to grow up and give big V8 cars a rest for a while, I am bored of RWD's and fancy a lighter B-road hack-about. I have basically narrowed my choice down to the two cars mentioned above, but I dont know which is going to be the better buy. My criteria is, budget 7-9k, 4 doors (2 kids), above 20mpg, good handling, not getting stuck in the snow again.

R32
Pros:
Depreciation proof
Good Handling
Rare
Reliable?

Cons:
A little dated now
Cramped Interior
Haldex Issues

ST
Pros:
Spacious
Good Power with re-map
Lots of modern toys
Comfy on B-Roads

Cons:
Image
Fuel Consumption (I heard it can be dreadful)
FWD does the front wash out when you are really pushing
Resale, both depreciation and the quantity of cars for sale


Could anyone shed some light on ownership matters, servicing, reliability and other day to day issues.... I am pulling my hair out, my head says Focus, but the heart says Golf

Thanks for your time guys,


oh and the Mazda MPS6 was on the cards as well, is it worth a re-look?

[HellDiver]

R32 is more of an autobahn car, the ST is better for B-road stuff.

[Gun]

I'd go for the Focus and get it Mountuned.

[greygoose]

I had a Focus ST3 with a Dreamscience remap for three years, it got around 24-25mpg and only had one fault in that time (clip broke on power steering and this was replaced under warranty). It did understeer if you pushed too hard and front tyres only lasted 12k, but it was a good laugh to drive, the seats were fantastic for long journeys and in a discreet colour it doesn't attract too much attention.

[Magic919]

We run a Focus ST3 5 door and it fits the bill. Apart from the fact we don't always exceed 20mpg.

Handling is good, but we did fit the Quaife diff and that helped the front dig in and pull you round the bends. I always enjoyed switching from the VXR8 to the Focus. Can't really comment on the Golf.

Watch for clutch slip on the Focus if the car is remapped. We stuck on the RS clutch just in case as we've done various power mods.

[Vladimir]

Just for balance:

I ran a mk4 R32 for a year and tested an ST3 (the slightly older shape) just after I sold it.

The R32 feels much more special - almost like a bespoke car. Stunning interior looks and build, nice touches like the blue brake calipers and an engine note to die for. Even with no extras, the spec is good - I had full leather but that was about it extras wise.

It's not mega fast but it's quicker than an ST - both weigh a similar amount. Ford are making FWD only cars at ridiculous weights at the moment - the RS is around 1500kgs! The power delivery of the R32 is completely linear - NO gaps in power delivery and it revs so quickly it can actually be easy to kangaroo it over speed bumps!

Brakes are very good indeed - more than you'll need. The Haldex AWD isn't "proper" 4WD but try unsticking it - very difficult and as the grip shifts from FWD to up to 50/50 front/rear, it's very hard to notice any issues. Yes it understeers a bit but way less than a fully FWD car.

The engine is bombproof - relatively unstressed and simpleish in design.

The ST I tested had definite good points - excellent handling albeit FWD, also had a nice engine note and fairly subtle BUT it was pretty hesitant until 3k rpm and the mpg was DIRE - worse than the Golf by a fair bit. Interior also a bit naff and IMO the look is a wee bit chavvy. The Golf looks a lot better and nicer than the mk5 R32 IMO.

For the tuners - ST is MUCH easier to tune as it's a turbo. R32 can be chipped and Miltek'd (exhaust) up to 300bhp without much hassle but beyond that and you'll need to strap on a super or turbocharger.

Anyway, it's good to see things from both sides!

[Smike]

Focus ST-3

[Marf]

Neither. Mazda 3 MPS

That is if you can live with the higher road tax.

[Liam79]

I'd go for the r32 without any hesitation over the focus. Looks so much better and lovely engine.

[Vladimir]

Liam79 said:

I'd go for the r32 without any hesitation over the focus. Looks so much better and lovely engine.

Yep - AWD 3.2 litre engined car described by one journo as a "junior Carrera 4" and that won a huge Evo test (look up "The Decider") a whole back or a fastish FWD Ford with a heavy Volvo lump in the front (even if it does sound like a uR Quattro!)...?

[Gruber]

You missed off one of the biggest "pros" for the R32 - the noise. They really do sound glorious.

The R32 definitely gets my vote of those two.

[SteveS Cup]

Yep, R32 for me too. I love the mk4 R32, plus you don't see many of them at all. ST's just blend in with every other Focus now imo since the RS came out.

The noise, interior, seats, exterior styling... R32 has it all.

[SS2.]

SteveS Cup said:

The noise, interior, seats, exterior styling... R32 has it all.

Agreed, but then I am biased..

We've had our Mk IV R32 longer than any other car we've owned - and it still puts a smile on my face. Not as nimble through the twisties as some of the other cars we've owned (the 306GTi-6, in particular), but it's still a very impressive overall package.

Reliability ? We've had a battery and a pair of rear springs (after one cracked). Other than that, it has not missed a beat.

Economy ? You don't buy an R32 if you are looking for 40+ mpg, but my Mrs seems to manage a reasonable return (somewhere in the mid 20s ?). The tank is drained a bit quicker with my and my lead foot in place, though..

Edited by SS2. on Monday 28th February 15:51

[ShampooEfficient]

How different is the 3.2 V6 Audi A3 of a similar year?

[Vladimir]

ShampooEfficient said:

How different is the 3.2 V6 Audi A3 of a similar year?

Quite a difference - the Audi is much softer and TBH, more of a motorway car than backroad blaster.

[aka_kerrly]

R32 for me.

Then in a year or so if you are bored chuck a supercharger on it. In fact, might be worth checking the classifieds as R32 with chargers come up for 8-10k now an again.

dave

[Flanders.]

Focus St. With out a doubt.

[Chris71]

Very little to add to the debate, but this thread is certainly making me want to buy thr R32. A junior 911 you say?

[Vladimir]

I have no idea if this guy is/was well regarded or not but he certainly wrote a lot about cars!

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2003/03/volkswage...

[Tyngwndwn]

Mk4 R32 the original and the sexyist by far.