Going to test drive one on Friday afternoon, so if anyone sees a flash of orange passing them on the A38 at plymouth you know who it was !!!!

Picked up mine today. Boy, does it sound nice. Re handling, it's a lot better than standard Fabia VRS, though can't comment on a comparison against a sorted Fabia and certainly not a Octavia as I have never driven one. It does feel heavy, though (maybe partly due to 8" wheels as the engine is all alloy) but grip is huge and brakes are monsterous.

Re performance, it may have no more than the VRS low down (ie. a lot!), but it does not run out of steam at the top end and sounds awesome. It feels slower than both of my old Saabs, but they produced a lot more power and a lot more torque (440nm). As mentioned above, I think a re-map would easily sort the performance out for anyone that has nagging doubts because of that. Don't forget that straight line performance isn't everything - I've owned an Elise for the last 7 years and that does not have huge straight line power. Rather fun in the corners, though!

Re the theft issue, who knows? Insurers are loading it at the same level as a Focus RS and it's more than the ST220 I had this year, so my guess is that they either think people are going to nick them or stuff them into hedges. If the former, the Cat 1 alarm will make it tricky.

I have to say, if I didn't get Ford staff discount, I'd probably be looking at the Golf, or the new Impreza (ok, I know the image is bad) with the enlarged 2.5 engine.

It will be interesting to see how the ownership experience progresses with the Focus. It certainly isn't perfect and there are areas where wifey's Fabia VRS betters it (fuel consumption aside!). The Fabia impressed me so much that I almost went out and bought one myself. Not sure I feel quite the same way about the Focus, but it is a very different car. Oh, I'd ditch the Fabia seats in lieu of the Focus leather Recaros any day of the week!

You want to get some bigger wheels on there mate - I think the dealer's conned you :rofl:

I think they will be a thieves target. I saw that as soon as I saw one. History repeats itself then.... fast fords have always been **** magnets.

theives dont target specific cars below 50k in value... they look for a "type" i.e. hot hatch... and will take the first one they see that has the best chance of getaway.. be it focus astra golf octy... or whatever.. but ti will be taken cos its in an environment where they are unlikely to be disturbed or the keys are easily snatched. Focus ST will be no more desirable to them than any other hot hatch.. but if its left in an unsafe area it will go.

I park on street in Hove. In the nearby vacinity, there is a E39 M5, a spanking brand new Impreza STi, a Focus RS, a Impreza WRX, a RX8, two VX220's and a Cupra. It's not a high risk area as I know people that work in vehicle forensics at Sussex police.

So, having said that, I expect it will be nicked within the next 24 hours...

I park on street in Hove. In the nearby vacinity, there is a E39 M5, a spanking brand new Impreza STi, a Focus RS, a Impreza WRX, a RX8, two VX220's and a Cupra. It's not a high risk area as I know people that work in vehicle forensics at Sussex police.

Hove you say? Might have to pop by and say hello next time I'm visiting the folks in Shoreham

Chris