R32 versus Focus ST

[michaelfenton]

I'm looking at getting either of these two, a 2006 Focus ST (orange of course) or a 2002 Golf R32. They're both around the same price, around the same power (as standard), same ish size, running costs, etc. I'm thinking Focus (it is four years newer than the golf after all), but I just can't stop thinking of the awesome sound of that V6 in the golf!

[pinchmeimdreamin]

The 5pot in the ST doesnt sound too bad either


Take both for a drive and see which YOU prefer...........

[adycav]

May I add the BMW 130i to your list?

Faster, better handling and much better on fuel than the other two.

[pinchmeimdreamin]

adycav said:

May I add the BMW 130i to your list?

Faster, better handling and much better on fuel than the other two.

Are you going to pay the difference in cost ?

[adycav]

pinchmeimdreamin said:

adycav said:

May I add the BMW 130i to your list?

Faster, better handling and much better on fuel than the other two.

Are you going to pay the difference in cost ?

If the OP could stretch his budget a touch it's a possible option.

[michaelfenton]

adycav said:

May I add the BMW 130i to your list?

Faster, better handling and much better on fuel than the other two.

Too far out of my price range, i'm afraid. Plus the one series is pig ugly in my opinion!

[Sam.F]

Yup, a few 130is on Autotrader etc at <£10K.

[adycav]

michaelfenton said:

adycav said:

May I add the BMW 130i to your list?

Faster, better handling and much better on fuel than the other two.

Too far out of my price range, i'm afraid. Plus the one series is pig ugly in my opinion!

Fair enough.

[Papa Hotel]

I think the ST would win the heart and head battle.

Not that the R32 isn't a strong contender, I'd love one, but the ST seems to have more character.

[michaelfenton]

Plus I have to point out that I'm in Ireland, we've got a ste selection over here. One R32 for sale in the entire country (apparently, so says the many internet haunts although haven't checked specialist sites and that excludes the newer versions), and no 130's at all! Strangely there are about 20 st's though, weird...

[michaelfenton]

Papa Hotel said:

I think the ST would win the heart and head battle.

Not that the R32 isn't a strong contender, I'd love one, but the ST seems to have more character.

A lot more tuning options too, it would seem! One day i'll own an RS500, this could be a stepping stone...

[baz1985]

A3 3.2

[michaelfenton]

baz1985 said:

A3 3.2

I dunno, was thinking of maybe an A4 1.8T quattro at one point, but I think Audis date very badly. Plus those 3.2's are rare as hen's teeth over here...

[edition]

Another vote for the 130 here....

[GPR13]

Cant coment on the R32 but a friend has an st2 and that 5pot is a lovely sounding engine. The st would be my choice but I really dont like mk4 golfs, the 1 series is much better looking despite being a minger.

[Legacywr]

The R32 would hold its value better than the Focus IMO.

[michaelfenton]

GPR13 said:

Cant coment on the R32 but a friend has an st2 and that 5pot is a lovely sounding engine. The st would be my choice but I really dont like mk4 golfs, the 1 series is much better looking despite being a minger.

Focus is sounding like the more appealing option! I owned a mk1 focus back in the day and though it was a brilliant car, fantastic handling but massively underpowered (1.4), so the st really sounds tempting!

Plus, and I know this isn't a reliable source, but I am intrigued by Clarkson's description of the engine in the ST as "It's a mother of violence"; must find out what he was on about.

[Cost Captain]

baz1985 said:

A3 3.2

I have one and it's fantastic value for money compared to both the R32 and ST.

And the ST will struggle to do 25mpg and my A3 consistently returns 30, even 38 on a run.

[michaelfenton]

Legacywr said:

The R32 would hold its value better than the Focus IMO.

I'm not too concerned about resale values, i'm thinking of keeping this for a good few years if I get the right car.

[Papa Hotel]

Legacywr said:

The R32 would hold its value better than the Focus IMO.

Come on buddy, we're talking about an 8 or 9 year old car here, worrying about resale value on that is daft.