nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Well i've just come home from a blast in a possible new car. I currently drive a fairly standard 2004 blob WRX with just exhaust mods probably running 230 BHP so obviously not big power figures!

I've just been out in the 225BHP 2009 Ford Focus ST3.

I was very impressed. Real smooth car to drive as you would expect from an almost new motor. Also to be expected very quiet compared to my scoob but with a sweet exhaust note under boost! I was most impressed with the torque. This car pulled very well making my scoob feel very sluggish on the drive home. The handling also was very solid and didnt feel in any danger of losing grip even though its only FWD.

What I did love was all the gadgets, again making my car look and feel prehistoric. Push button start, sat nav, USB port in between front seats, gauges everywhere etc etc.

I think i may be taking a break from Subaru's very soon although I wont be surprised if one day in the future I rekindle my love for the Scoob, after all its been a part of my life for 5 years over 2 different Impreza's.

Just thought I'd share my experience

paulwrxboro

Good write up four wheel drive dosent mean everything is great anymore

robby

I remember before i bought a ST2 on the test drive i was very disapointed at the performance after reading/ hearing about the power, it wasn't as fast as i was expecting.
After 2 weeks owning it i bought a Dreamscience remap (handset) and after installing the DSCi map (supposed to be 185bhp - 320lb/ft? ) it was a totally different car, much quicker than any other car i've owned and tbh i didn't feel the car needed any other performance mods (power wise)

There were a couple of faint rattles in the back (rear 1/4 panel area) but apart from that it felt a solid car.
It was quiet to drive although if you remove the symphosiser from under the bonnet which is fitted to feed engine noise into the car it can be quieter

The only downside for me was the 22-23mph around town (same with remap and standard) which is the only reason i changed

evonorth

I just swapped my evo at 520bhp for an 08 facelift model focus st in white
Simialar to your experience
Love the new car already got it upto 300bhp,,
Fantastic car with every option,,
It pulls like a train in every gear
The little i like are the change up light gets higher up the rev range the hotter you get it,
At 1st start up it tells you to change at 3000rpm and so on,
Powdered coated the alloys in black gloss, lowered etc
Its going in next week for some gloss black mirrors, bonnet lip, fog surrounds, 2 frt grills etc
You will not be disappointed mate

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Ooh that sounds lovely mate, The one I went to try today was in Frozen White! Please get some pics up, Now and after the mods!!

I wasnt aware of the rev lights? Are they an extra or on all ST's?

Cant wait to see the pics!

pslewis

I took an ST3 out a few weeks ago ...... nice looking, space for doggie, toys in abundance, fantastic heated seats.

£17,000 something OTR.

I wasn't too impressed with it ... not the driving experience ... I yearned for the kick in the pants - nothing, absolutely nothing - dead compared to my Impreza Classic.

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

I think that may be the opinion of a lot of people on SNET to be fair. A lot of you boys have lightening fast classics and the focus would not be as nimble by a mile but like I said my blob is standard so the drop in power wont affect me. I do have plans to tune to ST slightly too hopefully.

PS. Good to see you back on SNET!

pslewis

Mine is standard ...

And thanks for the 'good to see you back' comment

evonorth

I will try and get some pics,
Any ideas how too mate
Its in frozen white
Yes the change up light comes into play when you get them re mapped
On the rd its a very capable and will catch some out

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

To post pics?

you need to go to a photo sharing site like,

Image hosting, free photo sharing & video sharing at Photobucket

Make an account,

Upload pics to your account,

Then simply copy and paste the IMG code to the reply box on SNET (or any website)

Jamescsti

Hoping to get one of these too in the next 18 months. What sells it for me over the Golf gti and astra vxr is the huge boot space, can get my dog in the back which I can't with other hot hatches

P1Fanatic

I test drove one back to back against the Civic Type R and whilst I loved the grunt on boost and the engine note - the ST was very disappointing at low speeds in terms of being very sluggish and feeling very lardy. I ended up going for the CTR albeit on 2yr lease so may give the ST a proper go next. Im sure the ST has to be better than the CTR at getting the power down at in 1st & 2nd.

Simon

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Are we talking new shape Type R? I like them but not enough to buy one. I don't like the fact you have to drive them so hard to get the power out of them either. The only other car I would consider, with my finances at present would be a VXR or R32.

Nice dilemma to be in I guess!

evonorth

Here is some pics of my white st
Going in next week to get the list of items painted in piano black gloss
frt fog surrounds
rear spoiler
bonnet lip,
mirrors
2 x frt grills,
Bottom of frt bumper lip,
Will be getting a larger vortex in the rear bumper after in gloss black
Board Message

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Link isnt working pal

evonorth

Sorry mate,, I thought you might have to be a member
Sorry,,

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Am thinking of joining anyhow. Is it a good site?

robby

To get the kick a 2nd hand dreamscience can be bought for less than £300, these have 5 lives from new so you can use them on 5 different cars (only 1 at a time).
They have 5 maps (unless you buy the extra ones) so you can choose economy, performance, race, etc - race+ is for traffic light grand prix and DSCI gives more power throughout the rev range
These maps totally transform the car

I had the older shape ST2 in blue, some bargains out there

Razorwrx1

iTrader: (21)

Test drive sounds good Nath Loving the sound of all the toys you get. And looking at your last 2 Scoobs, am sure the Focus will have afew mods in the first year mate

Dream Weaver

A £300 remap sorts out the shove in the back, I felt the same as you when I bought my ST in comparison to the Scoob's I'd driven before.

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Anyone know....


Are the Blue RS Focus and the Blue ST the same shade of blue?

evonorth

Nathan,,
I chose the white as gloss black on them looking stunning
The blue moulds into the back ground too much
At 300bhp they really are great cars,
Love all the toys in them aswell, sat nav, leather recaros, privacy glass, etc,,The noise these things make with a de cat and 3" turbo back exhaust is great
I am at pod next sat, hopefully get a late 13 @103mph,,
Will seem abit slow to my evo 8 i had at 11.4 @124mph, but the lag was terrible as a rd car

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

I've joined up to the stoc site mate. Nice motor you have there. When you say you are going to get the bonnet lip sprayed do you mean the lip above the badge?

evonorth

Nathan , yes mate thats it, gloss black,, also rear spoiler, mirrors, 2 frt bonnet grills, lower frt bumper lip also, plus the fog surrounds as these are chrome and look crap,,
Will buy 1 of these rear diffusers look alot nicer/bigger
European-Parts

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

Yep them diffusers do look sweet. Are the wheels in that diffuser pic standard they look huge!

salsa-king

get some pix up. I love them in white.

we have a 2004 Focus Ghia 1.6TDCi. totally FULLY LOADED!!! so the thig is a ST3 still wouldn't have all the toys we have and its the toys taht make the Focus such a nice car to have... the ghia just lacks power

nathanb

iTrader: (1)

EvoNorth....you want me to post pics up of your car mate for you?

evonorth

nathan,, I am sure those alloys in the pic are the optional extra 19"
I believe there not so good a ride etc,
Yes if you can host me some pics would good mate,
I can email them or can you take them off the stoc site

salsa-king

Nathanb, you gotta get one of these, they look koool..



just been out and seen a 59plate 5door ST in White, look really smart

jespin

Those wheels are awful.