Ford Focus ST

[Njay]

Guy said they were having a few issues with manual box synchros from hard shifting

[Blitzen]

I'd go with this over a new Golf, Polo or R. Manual gearbox, not dog ugly...

[Candyman]

Guy said they were having a few issues with manual box synchros from hard shifting

On the Ford ?

Huh ?

[Sharkie]

On the Ford ?

Huh ?

No, a number of issues on Stg2 up manual R's ..... and issues on Stg2 up DSG R's .... all gearbox & clutch related. S3 has a far better manual gearbox than the R, including longer ratios meaning you can get to 100km/h in 2nd gear ....


1-2 year old S3 sportback cheaper than a new R ......

I'm with Blitzen, IMO as a package the ST is better then any of the hot Golfs ..... Scirrocco obviously excluded ....

[Candyman]

Any tuned car has the potential to develop issues incl an S3

The issues on the R are insignificant

The ST is a GTI competitor (except the ST is vulgar in design and fitment), more aimed at the boy racer

The R is a different class. Ridiculous to compare

Also rather silly to say a 1-2 yr old S3 is cheaper than a new R. A 1-2 yr old R is cheaper than a similarly aged S3 (and better looking)

The S3 and R share almost everything in common mechanically

[brimway]

^

Agree

I doubt the Ford would coax any potential R owners, even with the extra bits and bling. Different markets, so not really a fair comparison to either car.

[Mk3 AAA]

^

Agree

I doubt the Ford would coax any potential R owners, even with the extra bits and bling. Different markets, so not really a fair comparison to either car.

I think the RS however would have poached some R32 and R buyers, and will do again. Still a way off though. The R needs the Audi 5 pot turbo IMO, or something more exciting than an up-spec GTI where the back wheels sometimes help out, lovely cars and all... just lack the extra excitement/lunacy once brought by the top spec Golf/other hyper-hatches. I just want to see something a little less boardroom designed from VW. Not really a matter for this thread I guess...

[Candyman]

I think the new Merc hatch will steal R owners, not the Ford.

Certainly that is what I'm thinking about potentially if the C63 falls through.

Regarding a slightly more lunatic R, a $1,500 for a tune and some minor hardware adds plenty of lunacy. No need for a heavier 5 pot

[Mk3 AAA]

I think the new Merc hatch will steal R owners, not the Ford.

Certainly that is what I'm thinking about potentially if the C63 falls through.

Regarding a slightly more lunatic R, a $1,500 for a tune and some minor hardware adds plenty of lunacy. No need for a heavier 5 pot

Yes indeed, that new A Class looks great.

[Mk3 AAA]

Also.... this. (needs to run black number plates)



...makes the Golf estate look stale.

[Candyman]

Oh my god, that is hideous. WTF.

[kaanage]

It's not an ED35 ?

Just making a crazy observation

Can't make the mental leap, huh?

OK, I'll spell it out explicitly - with the Focus ST, you get fully kitted out Golf GTi Edition 35 capability and features for the price of a bare bones GTi.
What's to hate?

And I reckon that ST wagon looks absolutely, gobsmackingly awesome so we're obviously not going to agree on any of this

[Smead]

I've heard they're not selling the estate (wagon) version here only the hatch. Looks good though

[kaanage]

I can't see them selling here either and I reckon that's a real shame (we got the stupid Kuga instead )

[Mk3 AAA]

Just blends my love of hot hatches and fast wagons, without ending up looking like an emerging market hatchback + odd growth (see Indian Swift sedan, Chinese Polo sedan...). I was always going to get sucked in. Plus, it'll be good for the hot hatch market to have another heavy weight... it means better cars and choices i.e. faster, cheaper, more interesting Golf.