In the process of trying to choose a new company car to replace my Superb Elegance.

The obvious place to look was the Octavia, as I've been thinking seriously about getting the vRS (probably petrol) for some time.

For a bit of a laugh, I also asked our fleet manager to see if they could get me a test drive in a Focus ST. About a month went by, and no sign of a test drive. Until last Thursday, when a nice man from Ford showed up with a Focus ST-2. Not only did they deliver it, but I can keep it for two weeks

It's completely changed my impression of Ford, and then some. I've read all the reviews, but I never expected it to be this good. It reminds me very much of the first time I ever drove a Clio Williams. The responses are pin sharp, and the engine is brilliant. The seats are also much more comfortable (at least for me) than those in the vRS.

There are still some downsides......it's nowhere near as practical as the Octy, especially the estate, and the company car tax would be horrendous.

Still, it's restored my faith in Ford as a maker of great drivers cars. Roll on Focus RS, is all I can say

I'd be curious to hear other peoples opinions on it.

Bagpuss.

Do you find the seating position too high - I'm not sure I could live with it...

and if you take one to GGR for fmic, intake, full exhaust and their own special bluefin you get 300bhp

Must admit I love the Focus ST and I'd have one like a shot, but its a reasonably priced car that becomes very, very expensive when start to add in the running costs etc...

its like the cosworths! Volvo engine, Jag 4 wheel drive, copied lambo wheels.. in other words ford didn't do much so its a good car!

its like the cosworths! Volvo engine, Jag 4 wheel drive, copied lambo wheels.. in other words ford didn't do much so its a good car!

The ST isnt 4x4 :confused:

and what about the Ford engineered chassis :confused:

its like the cosworths! Volvo engine, Jag 4 wheel drive, copied lambo wheels.. in other words ford didn't do much so its a good car!

:rofl:

Unlike your designed and built from scratch Skoda

Chris

its like the cosworths! Volvo engine, Jag 4 wheel drive, copied lambo wheels.. in other words ford didn't do much so its a good car!

Or more like the ford engineered engine (as they own volvo), it is FWD, and copied lambo wheels, WTF?

- Ford did a good chassis, the focus has the best chassis in class.

- Ford were the first to get fully independent rear suspension on a commodity car in the focus class.

I mean it's not like my skoda didn't steal a VW chassis, steal some VW alloys, Steal some VAG engines, I mean lets be honest an octavia is just a bora where they moved the boot hinges. Oh and it still doesn't handle as well as a focus.

Don't get me wrong neither are a bad car, but FFS, cars are all just commodity items these days, people share parts. Ford bought the other companies because they could see a good technology that they needed. It's the same reason most take overs happen!

sorry i may be mistaken.. i was only quoting my ford mad house mate who rants on about the focus ST and who's dad is a ford sales man.. i shall be slapping him around the head shortly!

Well Ford may make good cars but there ad verts are carp. I mean that fiesta lights will only automatically come on if theres no moon in the sky. As far as I am concerned thats useless.

Surely he was on about the Cosworth when he said 4wd?? :confused:

Hi,

I havn't posted in some time, well since my octavia was stolen. I am now a proud owner of a Focus ST3, and it is truley an great car.

For the time I owned my octy vrs, it never stopped making me smile while driving it. After it was stolen I brought a couple of other cars, but nothing gave me this feeling again. That was until I took delivery of the focus.

I agree that the only downside is the small boot, but in all honesty I can live with that. I opted for the 3 door version as I thought this looked alot better that the 5 door. I have a wife, 5 year old son and another baby on the way in April and the car still suits my needs.

Ford's build quality has improved so much and after 10,000 miles, there are still no signs of rattles etc.

Hope this helps,

Mark

- Ford were the first to get fully independent rear suspension on a commodity car in the focus class.

Best not mention the VW types 1 through 4, 411, 412, Triumph Herald, Hillman Imp or Citroen GS then?

Best not mention the VW types 1 through 4, 411, 412, Triumph Herald, Hillman Imp or Citroen GS then?

The GS wasn't in that size class though (It was replaced by the BX which is mondeo class allegedly), and i assume it cheated and used the green version too.

Was the imp fully independent rears? If so my bad.

I was under the impression that the focus was the first mass produced car to do it that way.

The Ford Focus was one of the first compact cars to offer a sophisticated, control blade rear suspension in the North American market. Many attribute the Focus' handling prowess to this feature. A number of other compact cars now offer a similar version of this rear suspension design.

The control blade rear suspension offers a passive, rear steering effect. As weight shifts from side-to-side across the rear suspension in a turn, the trailing arm bushing deflects and allows a rear toe-in/toe-out change which assists the Focus in turning. The Ford Focus rear suspension uses coil springs mounted directly to the lower control arm, separate from the rear shocks. The Focus front suspension makes use of the tried and true MacPherson strut design. All Focus ZX3 and ZX5 hatchbacks and Sedans share the same front and rear suspension designs. The Ford Focus Station Wagon, while sharing the front suspension with the other Focus models, uses a slightly different rear suspension. Thus, most Focus Wagon rear suspension components will not interchange with other Focus models.

i loce the old focus and very much like the new one, the new ST was excellent to drive, miles better than teh golf GTi(don't know about the vRS as my useless local dealer never managed to get me a test drive despite 4 requests) and sounds excellent

The GS(A) was marketted as an alternative to the Escort, Viva et al; the BX as an alternative to the Sierra 1, Ch@valier etc.

And yes the Imp was independant all round; rather goes with the territory when you're got a transaxle.

Yep no doubt Ford make good reliable cars these day. Just a pity they forgot to make money as well.

i'm sure i heard that ford uk/europe are alright, it's the us that's not doing too well

Best not mention the VW types 1 through 4, 411, 412, Triumph Herald, Hillman Imp or Citroen GS then?

or the Austin/Morris mini of 1959

or the Austin/Morris mini of 1959

Austin/Morris/Wolseley/MG/Riley 1100/1300 and Au'tin Allagro...

Point made, I won't believe anything from the US again :P

TBF that would be true of the US market; just not of any of the others.

What people fail to mention when they talk about Ford losse sis that the Financial divisions that look after the HP agreements etc. are making a decent profit, as are the European sectors.

What people fail to mention when they talk about Ford losse sis that the Financial divisions that look after the HP agreements etc. are making a decent profit, as are the European sectors.

And US manufacturing is having another "5 years behind the market trend" period? (that's how I see it, but I'm not sure that's right)

Hi all

Ive not been on for quite some time I stupidly sold my Fabia Vrs and went to a poverty Poxall Corsa.

Any way i splashed out abit so went to test drive a few hot hatches and finally went for the Focus ST-2 in performance blue....The astra vxr was too cramped and the golf r32 didn't have the go I thought it might but the focus had the engine and interior i was looking for, it looks well put together and drives superbly.

Any way ive put a couple of pics on hope you like them

Darren