Ford Focus ST-3 TDci estate v VW Golf GTD
Discussion
Three uneventful, fast and grippy years coming up on my BMW 120D X Drive. Nearly 60k miles and is now nicely loosened up. I am moving jobs soon and need a bigger boot to carry equipment and have been given the choice of a Focus ST-3 TDci estate or a Golf estate GTD. Was about to sign for the Golf but was parked outside a Ford garage today and saw a new Focus ST-3 estate in black and was most impressed. Has anyone any experience of this model in hatch or estate? Do they stick the pace without falling apart and what's the dealer network like? I ran a Ford C-Max 2.0 TDci Ghia for three hard years some time ago and it was one of the best cars I have ever had.
I have a petrol ST estate and nothing has gone wrong or fallen off (oh, except one loose door seal) and I really like it. The Golf is a bit bigger though - better rear legroom and bigger boot.
Try one as they can struggle a bit for traction in some (damp) conditions, but otherwise good fun (not tried the diesel though).
Ford dealers don't have a good reputation but I haven't had any problems with my smallish local one.
Try one as they can struggle a bit for traction in some (damp) conditions, but otherwise good fun (not tried the diesel though).
Ford dealers don't have a good reputation but I haven't had any problems with my smallish local one.
Hub said:
I have a petrol ST estate and nothing has gone wrong or fallen off (oh, except one loose door seal) and I really like it. The Golf is a bit bigger though - better rear legroom and bigger boot.
Try one as they can struggle a bit for traction in some (damp) conditions, but otherwise good fun (not tried the diesel though).
Ford dealers don't have a good reputation but I haven't had any problems with my smallish local one.
The diesel ST only has a weedy lawnmower engine in it so he won't have any traction issues like we have in the proper Try one as they can struggle a bit for traction in some (damp) conditions, but otherwise good fun (not tried the diesel though).
Ford dealers don't have a good reputation but I haven't had any problems with my smallish local one.
models.I'm not so sure about the weedy... It's easy to lose traction in the dry if you are heavy on the throttle. The gearbox is snappy and you can quickly short shift and ride the wave of Torque (30lbs more than the petrol), it's fabulous. I can't see why anybody would need the petrol or more power?
Only real downside is it can catch you out when overtaking, its very road camber sensitive under power. But I think that could be said of most higher power front wheel drive cars I have owned over the years...
I have had mine since January this year and use it solely for work. Great car IMHO... I too looked at the Golf, very pricy and found it a little bit dull to be honest...
Only real downside is it can catch you out when overtaking, its very road camber sensitive under power. But I think that could be said of most higher power front wheel drive cars I have owned over the years...
I have had mine since January this year and use it solely for work. Great car IMHO... I too looked at the Golf, very pricy and found it a little bit dull to be honest...
Slarty Bartfast said:
I'm not so sure about the weedy... It's easy to lose traction in the dry if you are heavy on the throttle. The gearbox is snappy and you can quickly short shift and ride the wave of Torque (30lbs more than the petrol), it's fabulous. I can't see why anybody would need the petrol or more power?
We have had a ST2-NAV diesel for the last 15 months (12K miles). Its not fast, it feels it at first due to the torque but like all diesels the power band is narrow. 0-6 in 8 seconds compared the to the petrol's 6 something.Overall a decent enough car, the things I like is the Sync2 stereo, good screen and connectivity let down slightly as we never spec'd the premium audio upgrade. The front seats are very nice, but also very large so room in the rear seats is a bit cramped for the likes of rear facing child seats, rides well and its quiet at motorway speeds.
Things that annoy me are: The paint is not wearing well, fine scratches and stone chips are picked up very easily no matter much much its kept clean \ detailed. MPG is no where near the official figures, we do a 50 / 50 mix of town \ motorway miles and its averaged 42MPG in 12K miles (to be fair still not that bad).
So far no issues at all and its taking the abusive of a toddler and 1 year old well. Tyres are wearing well too with 5mm left after 12K miles on the front rears are still at 7mm.
Had its first service and took it to the only ford dealer I could find within 50 miles that's not Arnold Clark. £100 for the first service wasn't to bad.
Best of all ours was very cheap on a lease as we ordered when they came out last year, just under £5.5K for 2 years \ 20K miles.
I have an ST2-Nav Diesel hatch - in Tangerine 
I've had it a year today and done 26,000 miles in it - goes in for it's second service on Friday. Over the years I've had a varied mix of sensible and slightly silly cars, for the past 10 years all have been diesels. The Focus is the now one of my favourites. It really is a great car.
Not stupid quick - but still fun enough, overtaking is very easy. It's the handling which is it's real bonus, direction change is superb and general road holding, even on bumpy roads is great. The brakes are also very, very good. I think it is a really very pretty (but aggressive looking) car - every time I walk up to it I smile. The interior is a snug, comfortable and enjoyable place to be. Gearbox is good - although it does need positive inputs. Seats are good, although tight, plenty of room in the back - my eldest daughter is now 5'10 and even room in the boot for a dog.
Overall a great all round car, which I love driving and am looking forward to the remaining 2 years with the car....don't have a clue what will replace it in 2 years.
I've had it a year today and done 26,000 miles in it - goes in for it's second service on Friday. Over the years I've had a varied mix of sensible and slightly silly cars, for the past 10 years all have been diesels. The Focus is the now one of my favourites. It really is a great car.
Not stupid quick - but still fun enough, overtaking is very easy. It's the handling which is it's real bonus, direction change is superb and general road holding, even on bumpy roads is great. The brakes are also very, very good. I think it is a really very pretty (but aggressive looking) car - every time I walk up to it I smile. The interior is a snug, comfortable and enjoyable place to be. Gearbox is good - although it does need positive inputs. Seats are good, although tight, plenty of room in the back - my eldest daughter is now 5'10 and even room in the boot for a dog.
Overall a great all round car, which I love driving and am looking forward to the remaining 2 years with the car....don't have a clue what will replace it in 2 years.
I have an st-3 diesel and have had it for 16 months and 11000 miles. Its been faultless so far, has loads of kit, nice recurs and does 48mpg. Its not fast really but brisk.
I got a rather large discount via drive the deal which my local dealer couldn't get close to. I would imagine an st would be a lot cheaper than a gtd with the same spec levels.
I got a rather large discount via drive the deal which my local dealer couldn't get close to. I would imagine an st would be a lot cheaper than a gtd with the same spec levels.
oldmanbm said:
Thanks for all the responses and Black ST-3 estate now on order.
Have they given you an ETA?There seems to be some supply issues at the momend with delivery dates being pushed back ans back. I ordered a stealth grey ST3 hatch in July with a Sept delivery date, then Oct and now November.... grrrr.
oldmanbm said:
Thanks for all the responses and Black ST-3 estate now on order.
The best colour for Ford ST models 
Chap at work has got a STD Estate and a quick trip to a local remap place has seen a healthy jump in power and better economy, pulls away from my FieSTa on the straights.
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