Right then - as I cant sell my MY02 - the wife is looking to swap her 2 litre Ghia Focus for something a bit more sporty (her words not mine!).

We went for a test drive in a CTR - wow - fun all the way but just a little bit too expensive. And she said not that sporty...

So we also had a go in the ST170 - not because she is wedded to having another focus its just that they are pretty practical, we've had all sorts in hers - fridges, washers, etc.. its like a cavern. An when you have a none wagon scoob practical doesnt really come into it.

So the ST170 wasnt exactly hot off the marks ; but was a good drive - no where near as fast as the CTR. Insurance less and better gas..

But heres my problem - I've heard a few horror stories about the ST170 on the reliability front - does anyone have a view on them; our current focus hasnt had any problems and its 2000/W with 33K on the clock.

Cheers

T.

 

www.ffoc.co.uk

Go to the forumns, used to have a focus and you can find anything you need to know there

 

yeah take a look at that website in the ST170 section, loads of problems with brakes especially but also ECU problems.

in the ST170 section take a look at the sticky posts, one of them is about cars people have rejected or sold back to dealers due to big problems, just by the size of this post alone shows they are very problematic.

and as you say not very quick, its a very peaky engine that doesnt deliver the speed you would expect from a 170bhp car.

Mark

 

Thanks guys - I'll check it out.

T.

 

OMG !

Looks like I shouldnt touch them with a barge poll.

Cheers

T.

 

It was mainly the early cars with problems. And they have sold a lot more ST170's than other hot hatches out there, so you would expect to see a few more problems reported.

Not particularly quick, not exactly exciting but a very pleasant car to live with on a day to day basis.

 

So what are you saying - if I stick to a newer 04/54 then I should be ok ?

T.

 

Most of the issues are resolved in the 53+ cars. I know several people with ST's who all report that it is completely reliable and trouble free. It's based on the standard Focus which itself is one of the most reliable cars on the market so it's got a pretty good starting point.

 

ST170's are meant to be very thirsty..... or at least thats what I have read on the various sections of Forums I am a member of. The reason that people give for this is the fact that you have to rev them to get the 'claimed' 170bhp.

Nice looking cars though and I presume that you can still squeeze Ford Dealers to get a decent chunk of money off new/ex-dem cars.. Whereas you might find it alot harder to do that to a Honda Dealer!!

Cheers,
Grant

 

RS Grant - you are totally spot on.

With the honda dealer the experience was more of a VW one - its your privellige to buy from us so shut up and sign here

Having said all that - I just got home and the wife wants the typeR - result !

T.

T.

 

Absoutely, they are cheap as chips now. Shop around, and try and get one with as many of the extras as possible. Production has ended, so they should be mega cheap!