Focus ST Diesel - Very Impressed
Discussion
Just thought would post a quick review on a Focus ST-2 Diesel I test drove at the weekend.
First of all for me the facelift interior is far far better than the previous model the big touch screen seemed nice and simple to use and it felt a lot less cluttered inside than before. The recaro seats are also excellent as long as you are not too fat... and coupled with the black headlining and a few other bits help make it feel a bit special compared to a standard model behind the wheel.
In terms of how it drives for a diesel it was really bloody impressive the engine seemed to pull better than a Golf GTD I tried today and also sounded a bit nicer as well (through the speakers...) the torque is the main thing that stands out as it really pulls from low down and revs out to 5100 which is decent for a diesel. However without doubt the main positive for me was the handling it had a firm ride and damping but it was not crashy at all it just felt well sorted and was probably the first time I have had fun behind the wheel of a diesel as it genuinely drives like a proper hot hatch should despite the diesel engine which is nice to see.
MPG I averaged nearly 45 on my test drive on a car with only 50 miles on the clock so I am sure once run in and driven more sensibly 50+ would be achievable easily enough.
Overall if you want a daily drive that is good on fuel and a bit of fun would certainly recommend one I tried a GTD today and whilst a nice car the driving position for me was terrible in comparison for me it didn't drive anywhere near as nice as the Focus. Personally I would have looked at getting one myself but unfortunately the lease deals are just not very good at the moment unlike the GTD so I am going to sit back for a bit and see how the market reacts!
First of all for me the facelift interior is far far better than the previous model the big touch screen seemed nice and simple to use and it felt a lot less cluttered inside than before. The recaro seats are also excellent as long as you are not too fat... and coupled with the black headlining and a few other bits help make it feel a bit special compared to a standard model behind the wheel.
In terms of how it drives for a diesel it was really bloody impressive the engine seemed to pull better than a Golf GTD I tried today and also sounded a bit nicer as well (through the speakers...) the torque is the main thing that stands out as it really pulls from low down and revs out to 5100 which is decent for a diesel. However without doubt the main positive for me was the handling it had a firm ride and damping but it was not crashy at all it just felt well sorted and was probably the first time I have had fun behind the wheel of a diesel as it genuinely drives like a proper hot hatch should despite the diesel engine which is nice to see.
MPG I averaged nearly 45 on my test drive on a car with only 50 miles on the clock so I am sure once run in and driven more sensibly 50+ would be achievable easily enough.
Overall if you want a daily drive that is good on fuel and a bit of fun would certainly recommend one I tried a GTD today and whilst a nice car the driving position for me was terrible in comparison for me it didn't drive anywhere near as nice as the Focus. Personally I would have looked at getting one myself but unfortunately the lease deals are just not very good at the moment unlike the GTD so I am going to sit back for a bit and see how the market reacts!
I drove one about 10 days ago on a whim and was so impressed i have now ordered one to replace my octavia vrs estate. I have ordered an st3 hatch with a few options, cracking price via drive the deal (my local ford dealer wouldn't give any discount other than the std ford finance contribution).
I had considered another octavia but a hatch, after speccing one up to the same high levels as the focus it came to 29k, even with the best discount i could find it was still 4k more than the focus which is 21800 after a hefty discount.
Thats for a focus st3 diesel, metallic, rear privacy glass, nav and upgraded speakers.
I had considered another octavia but a hatch, after speccing one up to the same high levels as the focus it came to 29k, even with the best discount i could find it was still 4k more than the focus which is 21800 after a hefty discount.
Thats for a focus st3 diesel, metallic, rear privacy glass, nav and upgraded speakers.
ED209 said:
I drove one about 10 days ago on a whim and was so impressed i have now ordered one to replace my octavia vrs estate. I have ordered an st3 hatch with a few options, cracking price via drive the deal (my local ford dealer wouldn't give any discount other than the std ford finance contribution).
I had considered another octavia but a hatch, after speccing one up to the same high levels as the focus it came to 29k, even with the best discount i could find it was still 4k more than the focus which is 21800 after a hefty discount.
Thats for a focus st3 diesel, metallic, rear privacy glass, nav and upgraded speakers.
Did you buy this for cash or on PCP?I had considered another octavia but a hatch, after speccing one up to the same high levels as the focus it came to 29k, even with the best discount i could find it was still 4k more than the focus which is 21800 after a hefty discount.
Thats for a focus st3 diesel, metallic, rear privacy glass, nav and upgraded speakers.
Could you let me know the figures if PCP
Seen you can get a ST2 for £18,700 on drive the deal so may be a decent PCP proposition
Auto Express did a comparison earlier in the year -
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus/90551/ford...
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/focus/90551/ford...
andrewparker said:
By the way, are you positive the seat was right down in the GTD? My personal experience is that it goes much lower than the Focus...
Pressed the leaver and it would not go any lower not sure if the seat was broken as I felt incredibly high up and just massively put me off the car as was sitting far too high. Maybe the seat was broken? Unless I was being an idiot and it is not a rachet like on my A4 where you push to go down and pull to go up?
I honestly think it mustn't have been right down, the seats do go pretty low. My friend has a fairly recent petrol Focus ST and we joke that it is like sitting in a van in comparison. I could post a pic of my seats at their lowest position if that would help you determine if the car you tried was faulty...
greggy50 said:
Did you buy this for cash or on PCP?
Could you let me know the figures if PCP
Seen you can get a ST2 for £18,700 on drive the deal so may be a decent PCP proposition
You'd be silly to pay cash, you get another £1500 off if you finance thought Ford Credit, although that could change on Wednesday when the marketing programme changes.Could you let me know the figures if PCP
Seen you can get a ST2 for £18,700 on drive the deal so may be a decent PCP proposition
rehab71 said:
greggy50 said:
Did you buy this for cash or on PCP?
Could you let me know the figures if PCP
Seen you can get a ST2 for £18,700 on drive the deal so may be a decent PCP proposition
You'd be silly to pay cash, you get another £1500 off if you finance thought Ford Credit, although that could change on Wednesday when the marketing programme changes.Could you let me know the figures if PCP
Seen you can get a ST2 for £18,700 on drive the deal so may be a decent PCP proposition
I am borrowing the minimum £2500 on mine and paying the rest cash. This means i will qualify for the 1500 deposit contribution from ford. I will probably make a couple of payments on the finance and pay the balance off.
nottyash said:
I sat in a new focus and pushed the roof trim up near the roof light and the whole area folded in. It felt awfully cheap which is a shame because most of the car appeared pretty well finished.
The ST petrol would be my choice. some very good discounts on DTD
Why were you pushing the roof trim?? I just find it bizarre! The ST petrol would be my choice. some very good discounts on DTD
Holy thread resurrection Batman
I test drove one yesterday and was left very underwhelmed to be honest. It no way did it feel like it had 180 odd horsepower, it just felt like a fairly powerful diesel. The turbo lag seemed to be an issue too, there was a good delay between flooring it and the car responding. Mind you, I test drove the petrol and the diesel back to back, so that may be influencing my opinion somewhat.
The petrol was the complete opposite. For a Focus it was very quick and felt a lot faster than I was expecting. I slowly revved it to 4000rpm to get the turbo spooled up and then floored it. The sheer abruptnees of the acceleration really did take me by surprise and I was laughing like a child at Christmas. The petrol version just always seemed to be ready for you and begging you to floor it, it just always feels eager. Definitely a car that encourages you to drive like an idiot.
I test drove one yesterday and was left very underwhelmed to be honest. It no way did it feel like it had 180 odd horsepower, it just felt like a fairly powerful diesel. The turbo lag seemed to be an issue too, there was a good delay between flooring it and the car responding. Mind you, I test drove the petrol and the diesel back to back, so that may be influencing my opinion somewhat.
The petrol was the complete opposite. For a Focus it was very quick and felt a lot faster than I was expecting. I slowly revved it to 4000rpm to get the turbo spooled up and then floored it. The sheer abruptnees of the acceleration really did take me by surprise and I was laughing like a child at Christmas. The petrol version just always seemed to be ready for you and begging you to floor it, it just always feels eager. Definitely a car that encourages you to drive like an idiot.
The Turbonator said:
Holy thread resurrection Batman
I test drove one yesterday and was left very underwhelmed to be honest. It no way did it feel like it had 180 odd horsepower, it just felt like a fairly powerful diesel. The turbo lag seemed to be an issue too, there was a good delay between flooring it and the car responding. Mind you, I test drove the petrol and the diesel back to back, so that may be influencing my opinion somewhat.
The petrol was the complete opposite. For a Focus it was very quick and felt a lot faster than I was expecting. I slowly revved it to 4000rpm to get the turbo spooled up and then floored it. The sheer abruptnees of the acceleration really did take me by surprise and I was laughing like a child at Christmas. The petrol version just always seemed to be ready for you and begging you to floor it, it just always feels eager. Definitely a car that encourages you to drive like an idiot.
Many tuning arms out there for the diesel now, I have a petrol with the stage 1 Mountune kit (275bhp and 296lb/ft) and couldn’t out run a stage 2 Pumaspeed diesel until well after a 100mph. Good cars when played with, some Pumaspeed stage 1 cars are hitting 230-238 bhp and run more torque than the petrols. Standard they are a little slow. I test drove one yesterday and was left very underwhelmed to be honest. It no way did it feel like it had 180 odd horsepower, it just felt like a fairly powerful diesel. The turbo lag seemed to be an issue too, there was a good delay between flooring it and the car responding. Mind you, I test drove the petrol and the diesel back to back, so that may be influencing my opinion somewhat.
The petrol was the complete opposite. For a Focus it was very quick and felt a lot faster than I was expecting. I slowly revved it to 4000rpm to get the turbo spooled up and then floored it. The sheer abruptnees of the acceleration really did take me by surprise and I was laughing like a child at Christmas. The petrol version just always seemed to be ready for you and begging you to floor it, it just always feels eager. Definitely a car that encourages you to drive like an idiot.
I've had an ST3 diesel for nearly 2 years, I'd describe it as warm, rather than hot. I drove the petrol and diesel back to back, petrols much more entertaining but the economy of the diesel won my vote.
Loads of torque, great mid range but feels quicker than it really is. Comfy and handles great though, so a decent all rounder.
Love to have a go in a tweeked one as mines a lease so can't touch it.
Loads of torque, great mid range but feels quicker than it really is. Comfy and handles great though, so a decent all rounder.
Love to have a go in a tweeked one as mines a lease so can't touch it.
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