Been a while since I went wheel kicking and on Saturday the local Ford dealer called to say the ST2 demo car was with them for the day - would I like to have a go?

Of course it would have been rude to refuse so I crawled out of bed and went down to the dealsership.

Funny part was that the salesman who'd spoken to me couldnt take me out in it - because he wasnt old enough!

I was expecting it to be a lot like the Golf GTi to drive but you cant really compare them, the Ford seems equally well built, the seats are more comfortable, the strreing wheel is nicer, the dash isnt like a cliff face and its not nearly so black inside.

The model I drove was an ST2 5 door in blue - with my Ford privilidge discount I could have it for a smidge over

At

AutoExpress had a group test a few weeks back of the ST2, Golf GTI and new Octy vRS hatch. The Ford was their favourite IIRC, and I think it's a stunning car.

Have two of the original Focus STs in our family, and although they're not in the same league as the new version, they are a great driver's car. I'd imagine that with that 225bhp Volvo turbo lump, it absolutely flies...

I'd have the ST2 in orange, just like the one in Ford's excellent TV advert.

Si

To be honest I dont think I'd pay the extra for the ST3 - I'm not a big fan of leather seats and the ST2 has everything we'd need.

I was expecting it to feel like it needed to be a 4x4 but it diddnt at all. Gripped really well, the roads were dry but it was about 2 degrees - under those conditions the Octavia scrabbles around for grip. Having said that I dont think the Golf has any less grip than the Focus.

Its a real shame my "local" skoda dealer is so far away - could really do with driving an octavia VRS (I'd have to convince my self on the looks though)

To be honest I dont think I'd pay the extra for the ST3 - I'm not a big fan of leather seats and the ST2 has everything we'd need.

I was expecting it to feel like it needed to be a 4x4 but it diddnt at all. Gripped really well' date=' the roads were dry but it was about 2 degrees - under those conditions the Octavia scrabbles around for grip. Having said that I dont think the Golf has any less grip than the Focus.

Its a real shame my "local" skoda dealer is so far away - could really do with driving an octavia VRS (I'd have to convince my self on the looks though)[/quote']

Horses for courses and all that, but a local boy in a 55 plate ORANGE st was enquiring as to the engine, specs, and price of mine after I left him looking at the boot badge. He looked genuinely distressed that he had wasted his hard earned cash on a fashion accessory. On paper mine is slower, so Im guessing he doesnt know how to get the best from his bright orange 4 wheeled argos "sov" yet.

He also wanted to know what my fabia had done to it, as he couldn't keep up with that either. So like you have said before mate, the feeling you are going fast doesnt mean you are actually going fast.

14k is a good price though.

I should thank Bengie really, he suggested I try the ST after he found it to be significantly better than the Golf.

ner ner ner ner ner i told you so

for me the focus just felt a whole lot more 'right' than the golf and i also found the golf to be a bit skitish and not exactly confidence inspiring round b roads unlike the focus

tbh Dave it does sound like that yout' didn't know how to drive as the focus *should* be quicker in all circumstances when both are standard. more power, more torque, noticibly less weight etc

The Ford salesman diddnt like the idea of a morning test drive :( So it'd be hard to compare the handling on the limit with the Golf (that I tested extensively).

I need to wait for my driving license to come back from having the change of address then I'm going to the Nissan dealer

I need to wait for my driving license to come back from having the change of address then I'm going to the Nissan dealer

Can just imagine you in a micra 160

Get it right......... Micra Cabrio

Interesting....

I like the Focus ST and I'm sure it's great to drive, although prefer the size of the boot in the Octavia. The Mk2 Octavia just looks wrong from the front....

PS. If you think the ST is boy-racer-ish then you should see the AStra VXR! I saw one yesterday. To be honest, I'd have been embarassed to drive it... It appears mean, but looks like one of those car caricatures you can buy from Halfords!

I've been looking at the Vauxhall too - our local dealer has every VXR model (Monaro included) lined up in bright red

They have a Atsra VXR that I'll be testing once my driving license returns.

The Astra looks best with the optional huge wheels. The Focus has these as standard.

I'm expecting rear 3/4 vision in the Astra to be apauling, the C pillar is very thick indeed.

I know you've a bit of a downer on the Octavia, Mr Goochie, but how do the current crop (ie. GTI, vRS II, ST) drive in comparison with the vRS I?

-When I got my vRS I, I felt that handling was reasonable for the power, albeit with slow steering compared to my old Focus. At it's best when driven hard. Traction was an issue after the re-map although I got used to treating the throttle more carefully.

Since having the new set of (225 Toyo) tyres the car has been transformed and I'm impressed by its balance and feeling of security. Once again, best when driven hard. Power to weight ratio is up there withthe new generation. It's not perfect, but I'm still very pleased with it.

For road use do the latest generation sports hatches move things on significantly? If so, I'm looking forward to changing again in a couple of year's time

My Octavia is a non VRS model but I did drive 2 before I bought it. The Golf, Focus and Impreza all offer much taughter steering than the VRS - however Colin's felt a lot better thanks to uprated ARB's The slow turn in of the VRS is noticable compared to the current hot hatches.

Traction is an area I'd say is a lot better than a remapped Octavia, I know lots of peopl eon here coment about remapped cars loosing grip easily under heavy acceleration. The Impreza aside (for obvious reasons) the Golf and the Focus both put their power down very well indeed.

I diddnt get a chance to push the Focus as hard as the Golf (Golf - salesman + airfield = fun) but when pushed, the Golf did run wide and snap the back out with lift-off oversteer.

Around roundabouts and B-roads they both felt very well planted, the the extent that I dont think the ST (and to a lesser extent) the Golf need 4x4. I've read that the Golf is to get a power hike so this may be pushing the limits of the front wheel drive.

As I say, I'd very much like to drive the new Octavia VRS but my local dealer is a long way away.

I was having a slaver over a silver ST when I took the Fiesta ST out. It looks amazing IMHO but they wouldn't let me take it out, as they had sold all 3 in the showroom :eek:

They have a Atsra VXR that I'll be testing once my driving license returns.

The Astra looks best with the optional huge wheels. The Focus has these as standard.

I'm expecting rear 3/4 vision in the Astra to be apauling' date=' the C pillar is very thick indeed.[/quote']

The VXR is so much better than you think it'll be - I drove one shortly after launch - visibility no worse than most modern cars (inc the Furby) but the performance was great, both well under and at the limit - the TG reports about it being hard to drive quick are nonsense IMHO too.

And the 888 diesel has just appeared too - 200bhp!

Just go in with an open mind.

I drove the Astra Sport hatch, admittedly not the VXR one, just a boggo SRI. There is a thread on it on here somewhere.

Visibility is very poor.

Focus ST - they doing an estate? If so, where do I sign??

Sadly no ST estate - but the hatch boot is suprisingly big.

Astra Sport Hatch Review

Found it