Dont But The Skoda! You'll Kick Yourself!!!!

Get The Focus St3

TBH I don't know why the Octy vRS would be on any young, free and single driver's list. It really is a bit too sensible. You'll not "pull" in it, for sure...

Save it for when you've got the domestic thing going on

TBH I don't know why the Octy vRS would be on any young, free and single driver's list. It really is a bit too sensible. You'll not "pull" in it, for sure...

Save it for when you've got the domestic thing going on

Haha. I'm 19, single and I just got my Octavia vRS 2 weeks ago!

Don't use a car to pull....go to a bar/club. I bought it because I loved driving it and in silver its very understated so doesn't attract attention.

If it's any help, my dad has had a Focus ST2 for around 6 months and he does love the car, BUT he is thinking of selling it due to poor ride quality and fuel consumption.

I drove it briefly the other day and echo all the above comments really, it feels quick and the engine sounds nice. A couple of the switches feel a bit cheap and the brakes didn't have quite the performance that'd I'd expect but felt very safe.

It all depends what you want it for....

I considered a Focus ST before I bought the Octy.

Engine was OK (although you don't get the impression of speed you do in the Octy), gearbox was nice. Driving position was AWFUL.

Felt like I was sitting at the dining room table, rather than cocooned and held into a cockpit...that was the deal breaker for me...that, and the fuel consumption and residuals.

The Octy, on the other hand, has an excellent driving position. Engine FEELS like it's a lot faster than the STs, regardless of whether it is or not.

Build quality was alright in the ST, probably as good as (but not better than) the Octy's. However, the design and ergonomics are terrible. The switchgear and layouts are years behind VAG cars and look very afterthought-ey. The other thing too, was the car I tested must've had a leaf stuck in a vent, 'cos it was whistling all the time (not the turbo, as the salesguy was trying to tell me!)...

Well here goes a post from someone who actually ownes a focus ST and knows what its like to live with...before i start i want to say i tested the full brigade of hot hatches and none impressed me with the full package other than the Focus. Actually the only car I didn't test was the octy(dont know why?) Any way I bought my Focus about 7 months ago and still love it try and find every moment to go out in it. The first thing about the fuel is dont buy one if you carn't afford to run one(min mpg is about 16 round town and tops on a good run o/way reseting the mpg is about 32!!! thats doing about 60-70mph the other thing is this thing is fast in gear if you check some evo mags out its the fastest through the gears than any other car in its class(bar the R26 Meg)

The build quality is far better than I thought it would be and the looks are not chavy if you go for the performance blue like mine or the black or sea grey or silver. As for servicing Ive just had mine in for the first service and it cost me £100 exact on the pound.

You will kick yourself if you dont go for it and if you do buy one and decide to sell it later for reasons you carnt find then it is still holding a good price at the moment.

Darren

Consider going for a test drive in a Mazda6 MPS before you make your choice.

I've currently got a Focus ST-2 and an Octavia vRS 2.0T sitting on my driveway.

I'm currently trying to choose my new company car, and both of these were on my initial shortlist.

Hands down, the Focus is the faster car, both in 0-60 and in gear acceleration. Driving the vRS after the Focus, and you really notice the difference. The Focus also handles better, and feels far more sporty. Another big plus point for me is the Recaro seats in the Focus. They are so much more comfortable than the vRS seats.

If I didn't have to consider practicality and running costs, it would be the Focus every time.

Sadly, I do have to think about these things, and the Octy is much more practical and spacious when you have a young family (which I do).

Fuel economy in the Focus is dreadful. Over the last 3 tanks of fuel, I've averaged 23mpg. The vRS has managed 31mpg.

Still, if it's driver enjoyment you are after, then it has to be the Focus. I find myself grinning every time I drive it.

Bagpuss.

I've currently got a Focus ST-2 and an Octavia vRS 2.0T sitting on my driveway.

I'm currently trying to choose my new company car, and both of these were on my initial shortlist.

Hands down, the Focus is the faster car, both in 0-60 and in gear acceleration. Driving the vRS after the Focus, and you really notice the difference. The Focus also handles better, and feels far more sporty. Another big plus point for me is the Recaro seats in the Focus. They are so much more comfortable than the vRS seats.

If I didn't have to consider practicality and running costs, it would be the Focus every time.

Sadly, I do have to think about these things, and the Octy is much more practical and spacious when you have a young family (which I do).

Fuel economy in the Focus is dreadful. Over the last 3 tanks of fuel, I've averaged 23mpg. The vRS has managed 31mpg.

Still, if it's driver enjoyment you are after, then it has to be the Focus. I find myself grinning every time I drive it.

Bagpuss.

I think that is an accurate summary. As a performance hot hatch no one will dispute the focus is faster and handles better. It is also fantastic value.

However, it really depends what you want out of the car. If you want more practicality and Golf GTi like performance then the VRs is IMO untouchable, especially at the price it is.

Being another who has had the opportunity to drive both I cant agree that the ST feels faster. With the marginal differences in performance it is more likely down to the perception of speed the car gives. For one thing Ford's designed in induction roar when accelerating hard will affect that perception let alone seating positions etc. etc.

Compared to my m/cycle both are decidedly asthmatic based on the actual performance figures, however to me (fast) cars always feel as though they're pulling harder, perhaps it's the shove in the back of a seat or maybe it's that on a bike you are not surrounded by anything and that dulls the perception.

Anyway I posted a link with performance figures (still works) in an earlier reply in this thread but for sake of argument I'll just quote the 30 -70 figure through the gears: ST 6.5 secs VRS 6.2 secs.

From these figures the VRS is faster 30 - 70 (critcal overtaking zone) than the ST. So how much faster does the ST feel? Doesn't really matter because as I say the differences in the real world are marginal.

I really liked the ST and were it not for practicalities that's what I would have chosen. And that I think is the point, both cars are very good and the choice (without practicalities) is that indefinable thing of personal preference.

Everyone suggests the Focus ST handles better but in a recent Evo group test it wasn't that good round the track IIRC it was beaten by the Megane R26, Astra VXR, Golf GTI and Leon FR. Only the new Civic Type R was slower. It was quick 0-60 and 0-100 though and was only beaten by the Megane.