Bring on the new competition!

[R32UK]

Want a sweeeter sound with better consumption?? Get an R32!! 

[SteveS]

yuk!!!

[joesgti]

i think it looks quite cool, 

bad points
1)5door
2)its a orange
3)its a ford

[Hurdy]

Looks like it's trying to hoover the road up with that big front air dam.

It does look better than the MK1 version though, but that's not saying too much

[T30GUE]

My previous car before the GTI was a new ST-2. I have to say it was pretty decent package for the money  (£15,500) Although I went for a nice discreet colour (black) The engine makes some cracking sounds and you feel the punch of the engine more than in my current std GTI, particularly that extra torque.

Chassis wise it felt more like my std MK 4 Anni - bit 'wallowy and lardy' in the faster bends, more of a big GT than a proper GTI, and does not come close to the std handling of my current GTI.

Had a few rattles here and there which were annoying in a brand new car, (particularly rattling Recaro seats and creaking door seals!) eventually put me off hence the change back to the VAG fold.

I guess overall the Focus has great power and a decent looking interior in St-3 guise, but the downsides are a few rattles here and there, and poor mpg.


Rattles can be fixed, but depreciation cannot!

[TheReflex]

Anyone who buys a new GTI could have had Focus ST or a VXR (or whatever ) and have some cash to spare . I personally quite like the Focus ST but don't like the fuel consumption figures, badge or rocket like depreciation on these cars. I 've never driven one but also don't like the Autocar quote ' More GT than GTI ' . Love the turbo boost guage though.

[speedynz]

Anyone who buys a new GTI could have had Focus ST or a VXR (or whatever ) and have some cash to spare . I personally quite like the Focus ST but don't like the fuel consumption figures, badge or rocket like depreciation on these cars. I 've never driven one but also don't like the Autocar quote ' More GT than GTI ' . Love the turbo boost guage though.

Autocar also called this car "one of the best hot hatches on sale".

I don't have have 'badge preference' I'll buy a car on its merits - however if Kia suddenly made a brilliant hot hatch my 'any badge' policy wouldn't be worth the paper it's written on.

From what I understand about the ST it's an absolute belter of a car that melds a highly capable and adjustable chassis with a storming five pot engine all for up to 5k less than a Golf GTI. It's a brilliant buy either secondhand or for those who want a new car but can't quite stretch to 20k for a VW. Humble badge and uninspiring interior aside you just can't knock this car.

No doubt the new one will be even better too.

[waddler]

I test drove one but the interior is very nasty and spoiled what could be a great car.

[vanders]

: Still much better than my ex RX-8's 20-22mpg.

And that was nursing it I assume; 16-20 mpg was my norm !  Lovely car otherwise.

[K1]

Not really, best i ever got was 24mpg, 20-22mpg is the norm, redeeming point was it onlu needed 95octane juice.