Focus ST-3 Buying Advice

jeannieblue

Microstar wrote: »

Really intelligent comment - !!!!!!

Well, I've never been called a '!!!!!!' before, that is certainly a first. Well done on your choice of vocabulary.

If the OP wants a performance car, then fuel consumption is really not his first concern surely. If it is get a Prius, and allegedly save the planet.

I would recommend the ST before all the other cars mentioned above and if the OP wants to stretch himself, how about an RS?

TighterThanTwoCoatsOfPain

Microstar wrote: »

Was that on the dash computer or a proper 'brim to brim' measurement? I have owned two of these cars and serviced/repaired many more. I tended to average 24mpg and it would drop to 20mpg if driven hard. They are VERY thirsty cars - this also evidences itself in the emissions, which put it in the top emission band for road tax.

Brim to Brim - OBC claimed 32-33! :rotfl:

Did anything change about the car in the last couple of years? This was an 08 plate..

jeannieblue

OP - they have a large selection of cars, some of which are on their website - definitely worth a phone call..

http://www.copthornemotorcompany.co.uk/home.00.asp

keepthegreen

Funnily enough I am looking at a Prius too talk about wildly different cars. I submitted the Drivethedeal info yesterday so I'm expecting a call from them tomorrow probably. Nothing about the Octavia really excites me, although admittedly I haven't looked one over in the metal. I might have a look at the BMW 320d as well but I'd have to say I do kind of have my heart set on the ST. Going from past experience I very rarely change my mind once I'm set on something but I'm trying to keep an open mind.

vikingaero

Microstar wrote: »

Was that on the dash computer or a proper 'brim to brim' measurement? I have owned two of these cars and serviced/repaired many more. I tended to average 24mpg and it would drop to 20mpg if driven hard. They are VERY thirsty cars - this also evidences itself in the emissions, which put it in the top emission band for road tax.

The Focus ST has a CO2 output of 224g/km, is in Band K, and costs £215 to tax.

There are two bands above that where the road tax is £405.

For the performance the tax rate is very reasonable.

keepthegreen

I'm still young so performance does appeal to me but I'm mature enough to want some semblance of practicality. I think the Focus can offer both of these at the cost of fuel consumption. As it's mainly for pleasure, social and shopping trips (I work from home) I don't see this as a real deciding factor. Most years I think I will average about 6-9k miles (as my circumstances are now at least). There may be 2 or 3 trips to Italy in it with the dog to visit parents over the life of the car which is going to be very heavy on the fuel but it will be a lot more fun getting there with some great roads on the way. I'd like to keep the car for some time but I know everybody says this when buying a new car

jeannieblue

Buy ST or an RS AND a Prius for the long boring journeys. My dog is not keen on the hard ride of the RS so you may want to factor that in!

OR, better still, ST for you and Land Cruiser for the dog! Both happy then!

Please, if you are young, don't get the Prius.... all the customers we have with them are old, nice but old - ish..

keepthegreen

Just done some research on the Ford factory DVD satnav and by all accounts it's !%£! so that's coming off the options list. I assumed for that money it would allow DVD audio/Video playback. Basically you're paying the money for the rear view camera. I'll get a more capable aftermarket unit at a later date.

jeannieblue

keepthegreen wrote: »

Just done some research on the Ford factory DVD satnav and by all accounts it's !%£! so that's coming off the options list. I assumed for that money it would allow DVD audio/Video playback. Basically you're paying the money for the rear view camera. I'll get a more capable aftermarket unit at a later date.

Going for the ST then what colour?

keepthegreen

The DTD request I put in said white with silver wheels but I'm thinking of ringing and changing the body colour to silver now to keep it a bit more subtle.