Mk 8 Golf

[fredgroves]

I'm already looking at other cars instead of looking forward forward to the mk8. It looks odd and out of proportion and I think even the GTi or R versions won't save it. The issue is though what else is around that can replace a Dec 2016 Golf GTi PP? A last of line 7.5 GTi, last of line R, TCR? Polo GTi? Hyundai i30n performance, a35 AMG, Leon Cupra. I know it definitely won't be a focus as thats even fuglier than the mk8. Anyone with any other ideas?

The Focus ST has been revealed - 280bhp for £32k. Must say, looks ok bit doesn't look particularly great inside from a tech perspective. Don't think it would be on my list next. Think it's a case of wait and see for the Performance versions of the Mk8 as they might look good..

https://www.pistonheads.com/news/ph-eurocars/2019-ford-focus-st-gets-280hp--update/39640?fbclid=IwAR3c-cHOb16LGBtivdinUga564RWnL7HpgzEZMoL8nZkm_nw4K0Wvee1DX4

Urgh, as horrible as ever.

Two things that will definitely suck with the Focus:

1) The interior and tech will be ten years out of date minimum
2) The fuel economy will be dreadful (its actually one of the least spoken about aspects of VW's 2.0l turbos - all that performance and 40mpg is definitely still possible!).

Oh and chavs will try to steal your Focus soon as look at it and Ford security has been dreadful since time began. (I've had Fords stolen too many times in the past)

[gizzywizzy]

Plasticky cheap inside as ever with Ford, the looks of that dissuade me from even looking down the ST route!

[Crezzer]

Hard to disagree with those 2 points! Both true in my experience having owned a few STs and now a 7.5 GTI

However, the man driving the focus ST will definitely:

1) Be having more fun driving his ST than us in our Golfs
2) have instant acceleration in any gear at any revs rather then us having to wait half a day for the power to come on in our golfs
3) have a manual clutch that wont melt
4) be able to accelerate decently under 3500 rpm

Dont get me wrong I believe the Golf is the better car but it's quite some distance off being as good as a fast Ford in purely hot hatch driving experience in my opinion. The golf is better in all other aspects though.

Depends what your looking for I guess. I wouldn't right the focus off just yet...

[Hertsman]

Plasticky cheap inside as ever with Ford, the looks of that dissuade me from even looking down the ST route!

I did a cursory run around all the garages and the only car the created any mild interest was the new A35 AMG but it became a bit marmite, however the Fords were the worst that sat in, or should say briefly sat in, as was instantly climbing out again - Quite like the external styling but you spend most time in the cabin not walking up to it and like you say its cheap materials

[Hertsman]

Hard to disagree with those 2 points! Both true in my experience having owned a few STs and now a 7.5 GTI

However, the man driving the focus ST will definitely:

1) Be having more fun driving his ST than us in our Golfs
2) have instant acceleration in any gear at any revs rather then us having to wait half a day for the power to come on in our golfs
3) have a manual clutch that wont melt
4) be able to accelerate decently under 3500 rpm

Dont get me wrong I believe the Golf is the better car but it's quite some distance off being as good as a fast Ford in purely hot hatch driving experience in my opinion. The golf is better in all other aspects though.

Depends what your looking for I guess. I wouldn't right the focus off just yet...

Styling is good and they obviously drive really well so why do they go so cheap in the cabin to turn the more discerning buyer off, the ones who place cabin experience quite high.

But do get what saying, if performance is your thing and maybe some of the focus other driving virtues you will likely overlook the cabin much more than those like most of us where cabin quality matters - does to me and thats a shame as its not the Ford badge that puts me off, I like the style and likely the drive from what everyone else says, but that interior quality will always alienate me

[fredgroves]

I suppose the thing is, nobody would spend getting on for 40k on a Focus ST. The cuts have to come somewhere.

I am absolutely sure that it drives superbly (as would the Megane too!), but both the interior and stupid fuel costs would make it a no-no for me.

I don't care about the badge though - I don't even care much about the VW one on my own car. Its not about snobbishness, its just about a car that is a nice place to be for all the hundreds of hours I spend in it AND doesn't break the bank.

[Hertsman]

I suppose the thing is, nobody would spend getting on for 40k on a Focus ST. The cuts have to come somewhere.

I am absolutely sure that it drives superbly (as would the Megane too!), but both the interior and stupid fuel costs would make it a no-no for me.

I don't care about the badge though - I don't even care much about the VW one on my own car. Its not about snobbishness, its just about a car that is a nice place to be for all the hundreds of hours I spend in it AND doesn't break the bank.

And thats what think people overlook continually, that its about the badge, its always been about the car to me, if the car stacks up against my requirements or close to, then it gets a serious look - was just thinking and we have had BMW vauxhall, Mini Ford, Rover Nissan MG Audi and VW in all our years of car ownership and each was taken on face value of being the best car for me at the time and that would be same now and sure some companies defend their loss of sales to Audi, BMW etc as buyers chasing the badge, but if they produced a car that met the standard folk would get to know and genuine interest would come - as it is, there is always some corner cut somewhere and you tend to stay with the better product (thats not to say VW etc have not cut corners on trim in recent times to save a few pennies)

[fredgroves]

My cars have been Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Nissan, Honda... and recently VW. Were they all sh1t buckets? Some were, but they were the right choices for my budgets.

Do I dream of owning a BMW M? Yes, I guess I do, but more about the power than the badge. I can't afford to run it though even if I could afford to own it!

[Hertsman]

Think this likely applies to all cars you tune and tweak but a tweaked i30N grabbing some attention at Goodwood

https://caffeineandmachine.com/project-hoondai-step-2-take-a-deep-breath/

[fredgroves]

The I30N does sound epic in that link.... whether I could live with it as a daily though...

And that's why Golf GTI's are loved - because they aren't hardcore. They are nice road cars with no vices that are just as happy tootling to the supermarket or sitting in traffic as they are being ragged.