Anyone driven one yet?

One has just been dropped off here as a company demonstrator.. its in the trademark orange... gonna blag a drive of it later

I tried to lol, after my local friendly Ford dealer rang me to say they had a lovely ST-2 in the showroom and did I fancy a look. Didn't realise they literally just meant a look :( Apparently they don't want to put any miles on it so I have to wait until they can get hold of the demo one Still waiting for Skoda to get back to me about the vRS too ... :(

Chris

Essential verdict: F0000000k meeeeeee! the noise!!!! :thumbup: reminds me of a ur-quattro.. i got goosebumps the first time i booted it! it pops and bangs on overrun, quite a audiable dump valve too!... aurally its awesome!

the interior is nice.. very similar to the current mondeo in style and quality.. not sure what model this was.. it had xenons and tasty recaro seats (altho i think they were mounted too high up in the car)

exterior... its certainly a imposing car in orange.. people were looking and admiring the car as i drove (at high rpm lol) down the road.

the performance was good.. cant give a definative answer as the car had only done 40 miles.. but compared to the octy II vRS it felt a bit lazy at the top end.. like theres no point revving past 6k whilst the octy engine encourages to push harder.. the car felt like it would pull better top end than the octy did no doubt due to the gearing and the torquey nature of the 5cyl lump..

now the handling... was a bit of a let-down tbh.. similar verdict to the magazines etc on this.. the huge engine in the front has made the car a bit lazy to turn in.. it grips like a mofo when its cornering but it doesnt feel as nimble as the octy when driving gently. i didnt get a chance to chuck the car down some decent roads. so my verdict is a bit limited.

Would i buy one: im not sure

sure it was quite a machine the engine note was intoxicating.. but i think its going to end up with a reputation and muppets are gonna buy them. i also think the octy II/Golf GTI is a better all round package.. even if it looses a bit on pace it feels more light footed and rewarding if your driving day to day and not on a mission.

get your a$$es down to a ford dealer and test drive one the noise should be experienced by all!!!!!

Interesting review, that engine does sound nice, but I had my suspicions when I heard it was a 2.5 litre 5 pot engine, that is bound to make the car nose heavy. Evo agreed with you, and when I posted to this effect on pistonheads, they all had a go at Evo magazine, but... it seems you agree with them.

TBH, I can see it being a nice car, but perhaps, somewhat overrated - on every car forum I go on, someone starts a thread on it nearly daily, and tbh i'm getting tired of hearing about it. I fail to see how it could ever live up to some of the hype its had, in particular the part about it being faster than a Focus RS, despite the fact many call the RS the best FWD handling car made, and the fact the RS is faster on paper...

Interesting review' date=' that engine does sound nice, but I had my suspicions when I heard it was a 2.5 litre 5 pot engine, that is bound to make the car nose heavy. Evo agreed with you, and when I posted to this effect on pistonheads, they all had a go at Evo magazine, but... it seems you agree with them.

TBH, I can see it being a nice car, but perhaps, somewhat overrated - on every car forum I go on, someone starts a thread on it nearly daily, and tbh i'm getting tired of hearing about it. I fail to see how it could ever live up to some of the hype its had, in particular the part about it being faster than a Focus RS, despite the fact many call the RS the best FWD handling car made, and the fact the RS is faster on paper...[/quote']

Like i said in my review it could be a good handler when pushed.. but you can definately feel the weight of the engine when nipping around in traffic..

altho one things for sure... made my car feel ****

EDITED to add: TopGear mag think the same.. in that lil booklet that was sponsored by ford, they still chose the gti over the ASBO

I'm going to test drive one. If I like it I will buy one

I'm going to test drive one. If I like it I will buy one

Please test drive one... noone understands the noise they make

Please test drive one... noone understands the noise they make

I've got a fair idea as I used to have a T-5. Brilliant car but needed a better chassis. Hopefully the ST will tick all the boxes......

its not rumor that the ST is quicker than the RS, it IS quicker than the RS round the nurburgring by 10 or 15 seconds. fact.

gotta go test drive one

its not rumor that the ST is quicker than the RS' date=' it IS quicker than the RS round the nurburgring by 10 or 15 seconds. fact.

[/quote']

Why? Because Ford say it is? They all say that though dont they...

So answer me this, how does a car with allegedly the best handling of any FWD car (debatable), and one that is supposedly faster in a straight line also, get beaten by a nose heavy car like the ST?

Not having a go BTW, just curious...

Why? Because Ford say it is? They all say that though dont they...

So answer me this' date=' how does a car with allegedly the best handling of any FWD car (debatable), and one that is supposedly faster in a straight line also, get beaten by a nose heavy car like the ST?

Not having a go BTW, just curious...[/quote']

Because the ST isnt nose heavy. Would be very surprised if it was a heavier lump than a pd130..... wonder if anyone checked tyre pressures...? where was the steering control set?

As for the Ring - since when has the Ring been about power alone?

Ref the best handling fwd car... im pretty sure this has been the Elan S2 / Corrado and the RS was deemed a torque steer monster by the mags.

Because the ST isnt nose heavy.

now the handling... was a bit of a let-down tbh.. similar verdict to the magazines etc on this.. the huge engine in the front has made the car a bit lazy to turn in.. it grips like a mofo when its cornering but it doesnt feel as nimble as the octy when driving gently. i didnt get a chance to chuck the car down some decent roads. so my verdict is a bit limited.

So he' date=' and two other magazines are wrong?

This is the problem as I see it - EVERYONE seems to think the sun shines from its @rse! Nobody will seem to admit it has any failings.

To me, a 2.5 litre engine in a smallish FWD hatch sounds like the perfect recipe for nose heaviness, and lets not forget, this engine came out of a much bigger car... also, could Ford have not developed their own engine? So they have to go and steal someone elses...?

Ref the best handling fwd car... im pretty sure this has been the Elan S2 / Corrado and the RS was deemed a torque steer monster by the mags.

This is very subjective, ultimately. Nobody will ever agree on the "best handling car", as they'll likely pick their favourites. I know a lad who had 2 VR6 Corrado's and he said they were nose heavy and not as good as he expected handling wise... but again, its another car few people would dare say publicly had any failings.

I often wonder how cars end up getting this status. A lot of bias in the car world is all I can assume.

And one other thing... everyone universally knows the ST as the "ASBO" now. Nothing like making this car appeal to the very scum who own such "illustrious" titles.

could Ford have not developed their own engine? So they have to go and steal someone elses...?

like VW? or SEAT? or Skoda?

a lot of companies part share, keeps costs down. research & design costs are massive

mr Birkett - you mean a bit like the Clio 182... driven 3 now... most overated small hatch. The Cup is good the std car is terrible.

But like you say is all subjective.

I find the small engine Fabia drive much better in terms of handling than the vRS.

Octys torque steer when you give them 260+ and the 4wds have the feedback of a sloppy rice pudding.

As for cars that are meant to handle the most disappointment ever was the Elise. Wooden piece of rubbish. The S2 was better but still wouldnt spend my money on it.

Each group of owners will argue their case.

Well your the first person to say that a 182 is a terrible handler. The cup is a bit stiffer and a touch lighter, and yet its good and the standard terrible.

Okey dokey

Your entitled to your opinion of course, but I find what you've just said laughable, and probably an attempt to bait me into an argument. Well done.

if i was baiting you i would say far worse about it. I have driven them I find the driving position poor and didnt enjoy the car at all.

everyone has different tastes as you said earlier.. or does that only stand until someone disagrees.

I cant be arsed to argue with you mate. Whatever...

i had a phase 2 cliosport and ended up giving it back to them coz it was rubbish... kept breaking down.. several new ecus and whatever later the engine blew up.. the dealer had the car for 4 of the 6 months i owned it :thumbdwn:

Fair enough... I know there are plenty of folks out there who've had their fair share of problems... not many yet for me, touch wood. I just find it puzzling that when its universally praised for handling, mr ffelan describes it as terrible.

Oh well, its his opinion

I cant be arsed to argue with you mate. Whatever...

the ones i have drive (all early cars) were not good. I havent driven your late car. could be a world apart. Dont take it personally.

TaviaRS and I swapped cars at the ring - we both felt the others car understeered more than our own. His was setup how he liked to drive - it didnt suit my style and vice versa. I go in deeper to the corner and come back on the power earlier - jon carries a little more speed through the apex.. we are talking slight differences.

Doesnt mean either is right or wrong.

Can't comment on the 182 but when a clot pranged into the back of a Fabia I used to own 2 years ago, I ended up with a loan car - A Clio CDti

Handling was fine, but the car crippled me every time I drove it - reason the sports seats (why did they fit them to a base model) were too narrow for a Mr Blobby like me. totally put me off clios for life.

Also the wipers were awful. Reat of the car was fine - on the few occasions I drove it.

That being said the 182 may be better - but I've never sat in one so I don't know.

As for the Focus - reminds me of so many cars when launched - so much hype. Probably not a bad car but caalling it ASBO - just makes me want to avoid even sit in one. And orange paint!

Judging by the price I doubt Uncle Henry's company are making much on them. Maybe one day I'll get the courage to sit in one.

The argument over the ST using the Volvo 2.5 lump.........

Errr, just to point out that Ford actually own Volvo now........think they include it in their "Premium Auto Group" which also includes Aston Martin and Jag........

So Parts sharing is the way forward - economies of scale in a saturated market.......someone already pointed out the Gallardo engine migrating into Audi's etc.....

Looks to be a bit of a handful really. I like to drive, but making every trip a "OMG MY PANT ARE ON FIRE!" event doesn't appeal that much.

I note in someone elses thread that they thought the ST does 'feel'fast.According to Goochies,the same can't be said of the Golf GTI although it is quick.

I'm starting to despair of all the new hot hatches.Seems like the warm Fabia vRS is more fun than them all put together:) .

What happened to shove in the back feelings:confused:

as usual a remapped fabia is being compared to an unremapped std car... remap a focus and a golf gti and the fun factor / shove in the back would be way more than any supermini...

and we all knowwhat happened when a shove in the back fabia met a shove in the back Octy.

as usual a remapped fabia is being compared to an unremapped std car... remap a focus and a golf gti and the fun factor / shove in the back would be way more than any supermini...

and we all knowwhat happened when a shove in the back fabia met a shove in the back Octy.

I have said this before.My unmapped Octavia vRS is quicker than my wife's unmapped Fabia vRS.Its just the grin factor.Fabia seems quicker.

Its fine having a cracking car thats quick but I want to feel like I am,not just see speedo telling me I am.

Better buy a Caterham I think:D