Focus ST170

[darkmonsta]

According to the company car rules my beloved Alfa GTV is now 'too old' and needs to be replaced with something a little newer. Can anyone provide me with any info on the ST170? I don't do many miles and my drive to work is mainly b-roads, is this going to be reasonably entertaining? What are they like to drive? Fuel consumption (not that it can be much worse than the Alfa...), reliable? Main concern is it's not going to feel 'special' enough?

Any info gratefully received.

[thekirbyfake]

Not the quickest straight line car out there for the money. Civic Type-R, Astra GSI, Leon Cupra-R and probably some others have it licked there.

Handling is brilliant and it's far more adjustable and provides more feedback than any of the above. B-road thrashes were a hoot although you do need to rev the nuts of it to get the best results. IMO the overly long ratio'd 6-speed Getrag box was not suited to the car which has a fairly narrow power band.

Very comfortable motorway cruiser and mine averaged 34mpg over 70k.

Take one for a test drive and make sure you get right up to the 7,250rpm red line. The high seating position and long gearing do make it feel like a few of the horses have bolted but I can assure you they're all there

[mab1]

Yep echo all of those points. Owned mine for over 18 months - been great.

Incidentally its up for sale!

www.pistonheads.com/sales/95127.htm

[darkmonsta]

Thanks folks... Can't bring myself to go for the Civic; know it's a good motor but something about it makes me go 'yuk'! Will take one for a spin.

[[e-mail]]

fun isnt always about sraight line fun....................Id say go for the ST,

[dave_st170]

I love my 170

Mines Imperial Blue.

[space_cowboy]

get a Racing Puma

[DennisTheMenace]

[e-mail] said:

fun isnt always about sraight line fun....................Id say go for the ST,

Good car through the twisties