Hi all,

I've asked on here before for suggestions of cars. I'm on the verge of buying an 08 Focus ST-3. I've even agreed a price. But I'm now having second thoughts.

Criteria is something with a bit of go, hi spec and good handling. Can be up to 4 years old (so an 08) and preferably something I can get with low mileage (less than 30k) for somewhere in the region of £10k.

The car won't be used for commuting, so anything with similar fuel consumption and tax to a Focus ST is OK.

 

if i was spending £10k at the mo, i would struggle to look past this!

Much cooler than any focus! :-)

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2006-56-SU...item4168f2e0d1

 

mate heres a car for you,this ones a little over yr budget,but shop around or barter a lot,iv owned one for 3 yrs its brilliant,everythings voice controlled,16 way electric seats,cats computer suspension etc etc supremely comfortable,these were 50 odd grand new.i had mine mapped and delimited,iv hit 170 and stll accelerating ferociously with a gear to go. on a track of course.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2007-JAGUA...ht_1032wt_1074

 

St would be last choice terrible on fuel and slow for what it is

 

Says the listing has been removed! Is it the fast S-Type?

 

It has plenty going for it. Quality, reliability and comfort (for the performance) for a start. Fuel consumption is surely similar to all the cars in its class?

When you say slow for what it is, what are you comparing to? They are quite quick and capable cars.

 

It's not much quicker than a type r, my mate pushes the st in his mini cooper s running just over 200 lol. There not fun ever just a family car almost . He got a st500 he got itapped from scc it was slipping on way home lol no mods just map

 

sold i expect,that one was one hell of a buy, yes it was an S type,do not mistake these for an old mans car. Ive just bought a new cs400 and im still dreading the thought of selling my type r,its that good. The best ones are 2004 onwards,facelifted,

 

But I'm not interested in racing people on the road or ***** waving. I've got an ST170 now that I've had for nearly 4 years. It's not really a quick car but I still like it. They're great handling cars and comfy to be in, and they're certainly not slow.

 

Yeah, I do like them! Someone I know has one that is hardly driven but won't sell it. Definitely not an old man's car. Can't beat luxury performance like that!

I think fuel consumption and running costs are maybe in a league I don't want to venture into, though.

 

My 07 plate st3 wasn't slow......it was quiet and comfy....that made it 'feel' slow
Fuel wasn't that bad either
My negative point is it was a bugger to sell.....went eventually like , saying that I'd have another

 

How this

http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/3972837.htm

Or

http://mobile.pistonheads.com/sales/4001942.htm

 

Let me know what u get from a tank of fuel buster, motorway driving etc.

Im interetsted to know if the cs400 is more economical that the saloon 2011 or the same. I saw better figures when it came out but no ones ever said.

I get about 300 to thentank in my 320r

 

I had a test drive of an ST2 when I was shopping last year. I was impressed with the car, loved the handling, nice power, turbo wasnt as agressive as the Subaru I owned, but all together a nice car.

The one thing that stopped me from buying it was the 15mpg I clocked up.

I'm sure you can get better, but most of my commutes are short so wouldnt reap any motorway benefit.

 

Well I've decided to go for the ST. On my way now with the money. Thanks for all the replies though.

 

Nothing wrong with the ST - loved mine. On a run it would see 27-28mpg but general driving was more 23-25mpg. That was with a 270bhp Dreamscience remap - and it was a lot faster than people seem to think

 

Well after travelling to just south of Leeds, I came away without the car (signs of overspray)! Looks like the search is still on...

 

Clio 200?

 

Ooh, now you're talking. Forgot about them.

 

Keep getting tempted myself as a change for the daily, especially with a set of the optional recaros.

 

I have an ST3 they are fantastic cars, very easily tuned to over 300bhp.

Go to focusstoc.com if you haven't already, easily the best owners club for the ST and you will also find a few members cars for sale which will well be worth looking at.

 

That car is UUUUGLYYY!!

 

You can give me 11K for my Dec 10 60 plate, 8500miles

 

That does look nice. Great cars, but the Clio might be a bit small for what I'm after. Will keep it in mind, though - 8500 miles is nothing!

 

Does anyone have experience of the BMW 2.0 diesel engines? I'm looking at 3 and 5 series' now. The 177bhp engine in the 07/08 320d seems very impressive. By the official stats, it's quicker than the car I have now and returns 58mpg combined! It will also be a lot easier to drive and better for cruising, as I'll just be able to plant my foot and get going in top gear rather than having to work the gearbox.

The 320d seems quite a good deal for this kind of money!

 

I had a 2011 m sport 320d for a short while, very nice car but was thirsty if you put your foot down. No where near the quoted mpg unless i took my time with it.

 

only just seen yr question,i couldnt tell you what im getting on a tankfull,but trip computer shows 22.8/23.4 depending on wether myself or mrs is driving,i like the car to warm up in the garage b4 driving,this tends to account for a slightly lower than normal figure

 

Oh right; interesting. Surely you would see well over 50 while cruising on the motorway?

When I want to get good fuel economy, I do take my time. As long as it can average around 50 combined, I'm happy. Any more is just a bonus. As I live out in the country, most of my driving is on good A roads etc, so there wouldn't be a great deal of town/city driving. Do you reckon 50 is reasonable to expect with that sort of driving?

 

Yes you can expect 50 if you take your time, mine was ALOT of town driving. The power was very good, but a bit of lag (which didn't bother me). The car was fantastic on the motorway.

 

Sounds good! The most driving I do really is from where I live to Aberdeen once every week or two (don't use a car for commuting), which is 150 odd miles of motorway and dual carriageway. It's just basically sitting with your foot in the one position for 3 hours. Just usually cruise at an indicated 75 to 80 ish, as I don't want any points. I think the 320d might be exactly what I'm after.

I suppose an A4 is another option.