Its down to a Focus ST or a Cupra Mk2

[willyd]

I tried both and bought the Cupra. The Ford is nice, and that's part of the problem. If nice is what you're after then by all means go for the ST. The Cupra has an edgier feel. The ride is firm but feels altogether more involving. I agree that the toys are far better on the Cupra as well.

You should try them both however, preferably on extended runs. Only you will know what you really want.

Good luck.

 

[Emm]

I've had the opportunity to drive an ST on three occasions now (two ST2s and one ST3). Listed below are my personal observations and opinions:


Fuel economy
All three showed 19mpg long term average on the trip computer. I struggled to attain much better, even with a gentle driving style.


Build Quality
To be honest, they seemed to be on a par with the Leon Cupra. The Recaros are extremely comfortable and supportive; in fact the cabin on the whole was a nice place to be.

Panel fit etc, seemed OK, though I did notice that Ford struggle to achieve a good colour match on their bumpers, unless you order black.


Standard equipment & Options
Whilst Xenons come as standard (main beam only & non turning), climate control is not.

Heated seating is automatically fitted to the ST3's leather interior, but rear courtesy lighting/vanity mirror illumination is part of the 'visibility pack' option?!

Global closing of all windows also has to be paid for (and this is required to get the 'one touch' open on the front windows...).

The ST's trip computer display is no match for Seat's large (and comprehensive MFD), and the Bluetooth facility offered as an option is a poor second to Seat's offering (no down-loadable phone book is a major oversight).

It's not all bad. You do get an armrest as standard!


Driving and performance.
The Ford's 5 pot lump sounds absolutely gorgeous when floored - and this I'm sure is a key factor in the poor economy achieved. Saying that, for all the noise they make, I couldn't help but feel disappointed after stepping straight out of my old (and unmodified) LCR. The Sts just seem to lack the surge and urgency in acceleration.

Handling wise, the ST really have managed to achieve a good compromise between handling whilst still retaining a compliant, non-jarring ride.


I chose the Cupra over the ST for several reasons.

- I found the performance of the Cupra more satisfying.
- The mpg of the Cupra is far more bearable.
- The list of standard features on the Cupra is extremely good (try pricing up a Golf or an A3 to the same spec).
- I believe the residuals of the Leon are better, if only because of the rarity factor. In 4000 miles and 4.5 months of ownership, I've yet to see another Cupra. The same cannot be said for Sts...


Just to throw in another option (especially if MPG isn't an issue), test drive a Mazda 3 MPS.......

 

[sportbilly]

MPG shouldn't be in the equation really - if it was then you can't beat the TDI.

I got 38MPG (once!) from a 2.0TFSI on a run when I was stuck doing about 50/60 but my god it was boring, round town etc it will do anything from 17MPG to 24MPG. My average over say 8k miles is ~23MPG according to the computer.

How about another contender - the Ed30 GTI ?

 

[phil3012]

The ST does have some nice things you can't get on a Cupra:

Heated front screen is great.

Leather seats would have been nice, as would Recaros.

I actually priced up the Golf and A3 to the same spec as a Cupra, you're looking at well over £23,000...

 

[flakmunky]

I would agree with about 75% of the posts here, but I'm in a slightly different boat - I tried the ST, VXR, Golf GTi DSG, Civic Type R and the FR DSG - It was a v. close run thing between the FR and the ST and in the end it was the DSG that was the deciding factor for me. Why?

I had a 350z before this and quickly realised there was absolutely no use for that much power on a road car - great for track days - but with the speed limits we have in the UK I only ever got to exploit ~50% of its 155mph & 0-60 5.8sec potential on the road... Unless you set your alarm for 5am on a Sunday morning!

The Cupra was less than a second faster 0-60 than the FR... What does that equate to in the real world? About a cars length? Pfff....

The best thing in our congested country is an automatic...

UNLESS you want the odd track day!

 

[sportbilly]

The best thing in our congested country is an automatic...

I do agree, the DSG is so easy to drive on a day-to-day basis, not many times you go out and dont get stuck in a queue somewhere!

Other advantage of the DSG is the economy is no different to the manual unlike the 'normal' auto boxes - that and the fact you can change gear faster then a manual if you so wish ;o)

 

[flakmunky]

And its just like playing PGR4!!!!

 

[Michael B]

I think you should really give the FR TDI 170 a drive before ruling it out.. The ingear pull will put many a ST to shame. Try it for your own sake, then sit back and enjoy the 40+mpg

 

[mrcoyote]

I'll stick my hand up and say that I went from an Ibiza TDI to a Focus ST and back to an Ibiza Cupra again. Now there's nothing really "wrong" with the ST and there were some great things which I miss on the Ibiza now such as the heated front screen, the excellent Recaros and the way it sounded (especially after a Milltek was added), but there were things which I really couldn't live with.

A few months after I bought the thing there was an annoying rattle from the rear quarter somewhere which despite numerous visits to the dealer were never resolved even 18 months later when I traded it in. It drank super unleaded like a fish which wasn't great when you're doing 60+ miles a day, so in day to day use I got around 23mpg which is pretty crap to say the least.

Admittedly, mine wasn't really standard in that I had Bluefin, a Forge FMIC and the Milltek, but aside from the diesel rattle I have now, I don't really regret swapping at all.

It did reasonably well around the ring though..

 

[Emm]

.....I actually priced up the Golf ... to the same spec as a Cupra, you're looking at well over £23,000...

More like over £25k mate when I was deciding, based on list price of:

5 door GTI edn30 (230PS)
Metallic paint
Armrest
Cruise control
BiXenons
Luxury Pack 1 (folding & park adjust mirrors, auto wipers & lights, auto dimming rear view mirror)
Tints (B pillar back)
Multi-Function Steering Wheel (includes Hi-Line computer - large MFD)
Telephone preparation

 

[phil3012]

More like over £25k mate when I was deciding, based on list price of:

5 door GTI edn30 (230PS)
Metallic paint
Armrest
Cruise control
Luxury Pack 1 (folding & park adjust mirrors, auto wipers & lights, auto dimming rear view mirror)
Tints (B pillar back)
Multi-Function Steering Wheel (includes Hi-Line computer - large MFD)
Telephone preparation

I don't know how they get away with charging so much for the Golf GTi. Whenever I went in the showroom the example they has on show was usually at lest £27,000. (for the GTI DSG)

The stealer also expects you to up spec the car, not buy a standard one.

 

[Mat138L]

More like over £25k mate when I was deciding, based on list price of:

5 door GTI edn30 (230PS)
Metallic paint
Armrest
Cruise control
BiXenons
Luxury Pack 1 (folding & park adjust mirrors, auto wipers & lights, auto dimming rear view mirror)
Tints (B pillar back)
Multi-Function Steering Wheel (includes Hi-Line computer - large MFD)
Telephone preparation

you specked my car lol
the cupra is a cracking car and a bargain at 20k so i would say go cupra i nearly did but then i saw a pic of a white ed30 and i had to have it. Go cupra or ed30 not asbo

 

[Rob66]

you specked my car lol
the cupra is a cracking car and a bargain at 20k so i would say go cupra i nearly did but then i saw a pic of a white ed30 and i had to have it. Go cupra or ed30 not asbo

Great minds think alike that is the exact same spec apart from 3 rather than 5 door that i got a quote on from VW £23k give or take. Wanted £12.5k to change against my 06'TFSI Sport Cupra was £9k to change just need to confirm colour!

Back to thread. I have also driven the ST and although impressed like others by the sound of the engine, the pop on overrun is immense, i was not so impressed by the:
High seating postition - even higher with leather!
The overly thick steering wheel IMO
Awful wheels
Fuel Consumption
The very poor service i experienced from Ford when i had my 170

That and knowing that living in Essex I see at least half a dozen on my 15 mile drive to work! I am sure its a great car and magazines rave about it but not for me i wouldnt swop my TFSI for one i'm afraid.