2003 Ford Focus ST170 review from UK and Ireland

The handbrake gator came lose. Reported this to the dealer and had a new one fitted.

I bought the ST170 for it's performance and handling. The Focus chassis is renowned for its stability at high speeds and the ST170 is no different.

I previously had two Fiesta Zetec S models, but the ST170 leaves them standing when it comes to refinement and power.

Part leather seats, extra dials on the dash and steel pedals add to the sporty feel inside, but I love the way it looks like any other Focus on the outside except for a few subtle hints such as 17-inch alloys, smart fog lights and the ST badge.

MPG is OK. I do a lot of motorway mileage so I'm getting about 32 miles per gallon which is only a bit lower than what I was getting in my 1.6 Fiesta.

The only thing that disappoints me is the fact that the car is geared far too tall. It only seems to utilise its full power (172 bhp) once you start getting into 3rd and start shifting through the gears towards 6th. But I still leave Golf GTIs in my wake and I can at last watch those silly little Saxo VTRs disappear in my review mirror, much to their annoyment!