Thanks for the comments from some of you guys, so your all pleased with the ED30. All of the cars I have mentioned are going to be a big change for me, so its important to get my purchase spot on. At the moment after looking at the +'s and -'s of both cars I have to say I am swinging towards the Megane (yes the F1 with trick diff) as it was noticeably better than any of the others as a driving machine.
Owning and buying a car for me is about the driving experience, plain and simple, yes its important that a minimum level of build quality is present, all of the cars I have listed exceed my standards. Yes the look of the car is important to a degree, but again all of them are OK, even the Civic and Leon and I would consider them if they provided the performance, but they dont (for me) and thats why i ruled the Golf GTI out as I believe its a less powerfull version of the Leon's engine, how anyone could think the ST is slower than the GTI I dont know, as IMO there is no question about it . Image, not bothered, i own an Evo for gods sake.
Have to disagree about comments on the soon to be Focus RS, if that car doesn't excite you IMO you are too loyal to your brand. Team RS Ford have one of the best pedigree's around and I would be shocked if the new RS Focus isn't up there at the top of the Hot Hatch list. A modified ST with a few irrelevant add-ons, I doubt it?
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It difficult, always is, does anyone know if a Tuner or dealer has a remapped ED30 as that might swing it. I am off next week to have a go in a remapped ST at 300 BHP, but to be honest wouldn't want to start modding hardware to that extent. The ED30 is just a chip isn't it to get 300bhp, no new exhaust?
I have done many many track days so has my wife, we are car freaks!!! Had a track day in an Exige along with a few other cars a year ago or so and yes they are unforgiving but its about knowing your limits, if you have ever driven an Evo FQ you will also know that the violence in which it delivers the power isn't something for the faint hearted....
All the cars I listed offer practicality, its the driving experience I am after...sorry to harp on but people are wasting their time saying the ED30 is better than the others because a) image and b) practicality and c) better build....
