Focus ST-3

[jamiem555]

After selling my Mk3 ST-2 last April and then buying a Cliosport 200, I managed to sell the Clio 2 weeks ago for a good price. I popped into the Ford dealer with the intention of buying a Fiesta Titanium runabout and ended up purchasing this Focus that was sat in the showroom. I was happy with the deal although I could have done better going to a broker but on the plus side I was mobile again on the 1st March.
I've only just completed 100 miles and already noticed the improvements over the pre facelift car.

Edited by jamiem555 on Thursday 3rd March 09:28

[Martin_Hx]

These have definitely grown on me, wasn't right keen when first released. I really like the estate version too.

[xMeRk]

Looks good in black but I love them in Tangerine Scream!

[Jonno02]

Would like one of these, but am I right in assuming they don't get front parking sensors? That would be a must when the misses uses the "your car is first in the drive so I'm taking that..."

[jamiem555]

Yes, you're correct. It doesn't have front parking sensors. It also doesn't have the reversing camera, which I would have specified if I'd been ordering from scratch. This does have the navigation though and I was playing with it this morning. It's very good and even understands my scottish accent.

[Otispunkmeyer]

Martin_Hx said:

These have definitely grown on me, wasn't right keen when first released. I really like the estate version too.

They dropped a bk on the frontage of the original mk3, but haven't fumbled with the facelift. Its got a good face on it now and the interior is much better.

[sheepman]

looks nice with the black wheels! how did you get them? I would have gone for the style pack on mine but I'm sure the black wasn't an option?

[jamiem555]

It's an option now. Personally I'm not a great fan but the wife likes them and when I'm driving I don't mind how it looks. This was a showroom car so I didn't get to pick the options. The options it came with ,were ; the black style pack, privacy glass and sat nav. The rest is all standard ST-3 stuff. If I'd have specced it I wouldn't have gone for the style pack. I'd have added door protectors, privacy glass and the reverse camera and not bothered with nav.

Edited by jamiem555 on Thursday 3rd March 19:05

[cerb4.5lee]

That looks great in Black, I am not keen on black wheels because you lose all the detail of the wheels but that does seem to deliver the mean and moody look very well, enjoy it.

[GTIAlex]

sheepman said:

looks nice with the black wheels! how did you get them? I would have gone for the style pack on mine but I'm sure the black wasn't an option?

Black pack.

There is also a little known audio improvement back, which gives you a nice big bass speaker in the spare wheel well that two of the dealers I spoke to didn't know about.

[Maty]

I really fancy one of these after the current VRS but in estate form.

Out of interest what differences/improvements have you noted over your previous one?

[jamiem555]

Maty said:

I really fancy one of these after the current VRS but in estate form.

Out of interest what differences/improvements have you noted over your previous one?

The differences are subtle. When you used to floor it in the old car there was an electronic wobble through the wheel that was rectified by switching to sport mode. That's been fixed. I like the touch screen infotainment system although I haven't fully sussed it yet. Better cup holder!
The leather recaros are much comfier. As mentioned, the panel gap on the bonnet has been fixed. My ST-2 was one of the first ones and had this. I fixed it myself.
I don't like where the cruise control buttons are on the new car but I will get used to it. The old car had a little paddle for cancelling and resume and a rocker for increase and decreasing speed. The new one is just a wee bit more awkward. That's about it for now. I'll report more when I've done more miles. Unfortunately it's parked up in Aberdeen airport for 2 weeks now while I go to work.