Focus ST Pre facelift / facelift

[briantherobot]

Hi All,

Some advice and thoughts on the Focus ST required please..

New car search has led me right to the focus ST, I am looking for something newer 2013 onward, practical and decent performance. My budget is currently getting me a 2013/2014 pre facelift ST with low miles 15k and under. Deals are great at the moment as guessing they are shifting the last few pre-facelift models.

Having driven only the pre-facelift, is the facelift that much better?
Should I wait another 6 months or so until the facelift falls within my budget or stick with the pre-facelift?
Prices seem great for what seems to be a lot of car and lots of performance. Any reliability / horror stories?


Thanks in advance chaps.

[Ron240]

Ive owned both 2014 and 2015 models and can say the facelift model is better in almost every way.
The pre facelift is a good car but the facelift model drives better, has a nicer dashboard layout and looks much sharper on the exterior....with the exception of the rear bumper which I still prefer the pre facelift model.
I would definitely recommend going for the facelift model if you can.

[LuS1fer]

I have a 2013 Fiesta ST2.
The ST1 is horrible inside and you should aim for an ST3 which has auto door unlocking.
Otherwise, like me, you have to unlock the doors then put the key back where you normally keep it. Much easier if you can leave it where it is.

The other thing is that the Mk 7 ST is bloody useless at carrying stuff as the back seats rest on the rear seats and the front seats can only then semi-recline.
Don't know if they've changed that at all but my Mk 6 ST was way better when transporting planks from B&Q

[Ron240]

LuS1fer said:

I have a 2013 Fiesta ST2.
The ST1 is horrible inside and you should aim for an ST3 which has auto door unlocking.

It's a Focus ST the OP is asking about.

[LuS1fer]

Ron240 said:

LuS1fer said:

I have a 2013 Fiesta ST2.
The ST1 is horrible inside and you should aim for an ST3 which has auto door unlocking.

It's a Focus ST the OP is asking about.

Whoops, where are my glasses.... he he.

[CaptainCosworth]

LuS1fer said:

Ron240 said:

LuS1fer said:

I have a 2013 Fiesta ST2.
The ST1 is horrible inside and you should aim for an ST3 which has auto door unlocking.

It's a Focus ST the OP is asking about.

Whoops, where are my glasses.... he he.

To be fair your comment about an ST1 is still applicable to the Focus. Try to get an ST2 or ST3 if possible, better spec and they'll be more desirable if you want to move it on.

[Ron240]

CaptainCosworth said:

To be fair your comment about an ST1 is still applicable to the Focus. Try to get an ST2 or ST3 if possible, better spec and they'll be more desirable if you want to move it on.

The question was specifically about pre or post facelift models - whichever is better. Both have 3 trim spec variants which presumably the OP is already well aware of.

[CaptainCosworth]

Ron240 said:

CaptainCosworth said:

To be fair your comment about an ST1 is still applicable to the Focus. Try to get an ST2 or ST3 if possible, better spec and they'll be more desirable if you want to move it on.

The question was specifically about pre or post facelift models - whichever is better. Both have 3 trim spec variants which presumably the OP is already well aware of.

Yes, but presumably the OP is also aware that on paper the facelift version is generally a better car anyway. They have come here for people's thoughts and opinions as to how much better. My comment may not have directly answered the original question, but wasn't exactly off topic.

You could argue your response also includes two statements which (a) the OP would presumably be aware of, and (b) are subject to personal taste:

Ron240 said:

The pre facelift is a good car but the facelift model drives better, has a nicer dashboard layout and looks much sharper on the exterior

---

What might be useful for the OP would be to hear people's thoughts as to what would be preferable, a facelift ST1 or a pre facelift ST3?

[Hub]

There are hardly any ST-1s about. The interior is a lot more basic and there doesn't seem to be a massive price difference, so not many people would recommend them.

Pre facelift does represent good value for money. I've had no problems with mine.

[Ron240]

CaptainCosworth said:

What might be useful for the OP would be to hear people's thoughts as to what would be preferable, a facelift ST1 or a pre facelift ST3?

So you are telling the OP(who is conspicuous by his absence)what he actually should have been asking.
The question has changed now so seeing as I have already answered the original one I will answer yours.
An ST1 is not worth considering at all regardless of model, which I am sure the majority of people will agree with. Ford simply offer it to have an attention grabbing low entry price to the ST range.
Now to answer your question.....a late model pre facelift ST3 would represent a better buy than a facelift ST1.
Take the ST1 out of the equation and the facelift model will always be more desirable.

CaptainCosworth said:

You could argue your response also includes two statements which (a) the OP would presumably be aware of, and (b) are subject to personal taste

No only one - I am not assuming the OP is aware of it, I am simply offering my opinion in relation to the question asked, that is all.
Most people will prefer the less cluttered look of the facelift dashboard with 8" touchscreen, but I accept that you may not be one of them.
Also the vast majority of people will prefer the more angular(almost shark like)look of the facelift front end, but the new rear is more likely to divide opinion

Edited by Ron240 on Monday 26th September 18:16

[Biker's Nemesis]

All you need to know about a Focus ST.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=488MP6ygSzQ

[briantherobot]

Hi guys,

Thank you for responses. It seems that yes holding out until I can afford a facelift model is the way to go, although there's a very low mileage st-2 pre facelift right near to me which is mighty tempting.!!

I have only driven a pre facelift model and that felt very good and great performance. On looks alone the facelift wins it for me..

Thanks all.

[Ron240]

Now that you have driven a pre facelift it would be good if you could have a drive in a facelift model. I traded in my 2014 ST3 for a 2015 ST3 with the optional 19" wheels, and right away I noticed that the latter feels better to drive and also puts the power down a bit better.
There has been suspension tweaks to the facelift model and it is noticeable.

[bigfish786]

I've never driven the facelift ST, as it was out of my price range. I also genuinely prefer the look of the pre-facelift. I do agree about the interior update, it does look a bit better.
the only colour I like is the tangerine scream, I wouldn't have bought one in any other colour. but that's just me.

[Ron240]

bigfish786 said:

the only colour I like is the tangerine scream, I wouldn't have bought one in any other colour.

I have a Tangerine Scream facelift which IMO is the best looking and most striking colour. Funnily enough I didn't think this colour looked quite as good on the pre facelift....maybe due to the more rounded less angular shape.
My pre facelift was Spirit Blue which I thought was a lovely colour, but curiously Ford discontinued this on the facelift model and replaced with the Focus range standard colour of Deep Impact Blue.

Edited by Ron240 on Friday 21st October 00:57

[Greendubber]

I'm taking delivery of a brand new ST3 next week, I almost went for TS but ended up with Stealth instead.

[Ron240]

Greendubber said:

I'm taking delivery of a brand new ST3 next week, I almost went for TS but ended up with Stealth instead.

Well it's not all bad.....you saved yourself £795.

[bigfish786]

one good thing about having the Tangerine Scream is that its easy to find it in Tesco car park.
didn't like the stealth when I first saw it, but it is growing on me.