Mk3 Focus ST as a high(ish) mileage daily
Discussion
After a few opinions from anyone running a Mk3 Focus ST 
Current car is a Mk3.5 Focus Zetec S diesel (148bhp), chosen because I do close to 20k miles a year. As much as I love the car, there's still a part of me which would like an ST. Didn't go for the diesel ST because I don't really feel it's a 'proper' ST, and at some point I could remap mine to a similar, if not higher power output. Mrs ZS is thinking about changing her car later this year, and as she really likes mine its possible she'd take mine and I could go for an ST (although at this stage she thinks diesel ST, but I'll worry about that later
)
I guess I'm asking if given the mileage I'd be doing, am I mad in considering a petrol ST? Obviously fuel costs would shoot up, at the moment I easily average 50mpg on my 'spirited' cross country commute, and although I can drive economically (I used to average 40-45ish mpg in my old 1.6 petrol focus, without dawdling), when you take into account the fun factor of an ST I imagine I'd be looking at much lower.
So my questions are:
1. roughly what mpg do you get in the real world? (and under what conditions?)
2. facelift ST-2 or pre-facelift ST-3 (my preference is facelift ST3, but might be a bit of a stretch)
3. depreciation/running costs
- might be able to reduce mileage a bit, but is even 15k a year a lot to put on one of these?
4. tangerine scream - was this shade changed when they did the facelift (older examples look 'more yellow' in photos, or is it just me
)
Current car is a Mk3.5 Focus Zetec S diesel (148bhp), chosen because I do close to 20k miles a year. As much as I love the car, there's still a part of me which would like an ST. Didn't go for the diesel ST because I don't really feel it's a 'proper' ST, and at some point I could remap mine to a similar, if not higher power output. Mrs ZS is thinking about changing her car later this year, and as she really likes mine its possible she'd take mine and I could go for an ST (although at this stage she thinks diesel ST, but I'll worry about that later
)I guess I'm asking if given the mileage I'd be doing, am I mad in considering a petrol ST? Obviously fuel costs would shoot up, at the moment I easily average 50mpg on my 'spirited' cross country commute, and although I can drive economically (I used to average 40-45ish mpg in my old 1.6 petrol focus, without dawdling), when you take into account the fun factor of an ST I imagine I'd be looking at much lower.
So my questions are:
1. roughly what mpg do you get in the real world? (and under what conditions?)
2. facelift ST-2 or pre-facelift ST-3 (my preference is facelift ST3, but might be a bit of a stretch)
3. depreciation/running costs
- might be able to reduce mileage a bit, but is even 15k a year a lot to put on one of these?4. tangerine scream - was this shade changed when they did the facelift (older examples look 'more yellow' in photos, or is it just me
)Thanks guys for the info, really helpful 
Re. the colour, I was referring to potential differences between the Mk3 and Mk3.5 tangerine scream (rather than 'Asbo Orange' on the Mk2), but looking again at a few over lunch I think any difference is due to different light conditions in the photos.
Ron - I agree the dash layout is much nicer in the facelift, and as my current Focus has the facelift I think it would be difficult to go back to the older design.
Not too worried about the seats as I'm only 5'9, but from what you all say the fuel costs are probably going to be too much in the long term. I could probably live with mid to high 30's, but as much of my commute is across fairly quiet B roads I can't see that being realistic
Think I'll probably stick with the current Focus for the time being, at least until I can find a job closer to home.
Re. the colour, I was referring to potential differences between the Mk3 and Mk3.5 tangerine scream (rather than 'Asbo Orange' on the Mk2), but looking again at a few over lunch I think any difference is due to different light conditions in the photos.
Ron - I agree the dash layout is much nicer in the facelift, and as my current Focus has the facelift I think it would be difficult to go back to the older design.
Not too worried about the seats as I'm only 5'9, but from what you all say the fuel costs are probably going to be too much in the long term. I could probably live with mid to high 30's, but as much of my commute is across fairly quiet B roads I can't see that being realistic
Think I'll probably stick with the current Focus for the time being, at least until I can find a job closer to home.
Ron240 said:
Old Tyke said:
A long term average of mid to high 30s is pie in the sky
As a long term average I would certainly agree with that. 
Howard- said:
My Mondeo with the same engine will do just over 40mpg on a long run at 70mph, so I don't see why the lighter Focus couldn't achieve or better that. It's 2018, engines with a bit of power aren't (and shouldn't) be stupidly thirsty any more.
I guess a different gearbox and different mapping makes a significant difference. From what I understand the Mondeo is designed to be more refined than the Focus.If I thought 40mpg was achievable then I'd go for one, but from posts on here I can't see it being realistic. I am holding out hope that the Mk4 Focus ST will be a little more frugal though, so fingers crossed...
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