2006 Ford Focus ST2 from UK and Ireland - Comments

Going back to the honda comment, someone saying the NA engine in a 2 litre honda only produces 197bhp...well what about the s2000 with a 2 litre engine and 237bhp, and the dc5 integra with 220bhp and the the new JDM civic in japan with 2 litres and 225bhp.so before you comment on what honda engines can or cannot produce do some research first!

And to the comment about the ST being 10-20mph faster by the time the honda driver has dropped a cog or 2??? how long do you think it takes to change gear???

And the VTEC system below 6000rpm is slow I'm not denying that, but take the turbo off the ST and lets see how slow that is! VTEC was designed for fuel economy in normal everyday driving and screaming performance when you need it by dropping down 2 gears.

"Take the turbo off the ST"

Disable the Honda's VTEC and that would be a great comparison.

Why would you do either? The cars are what they are.

Well said, if you want to compare standard models then do that.

Vtec is part of the engine, whereas the turbo is an add on. You can add a turbo to a vtec engine, but you can't add vtec to a turbo.

Anyway power is power; some people prefer turbo and some prefer NA.

OK disable the hondas vtec with JUN vtec killer cams that completely get rid of vtec, o and they add about 20bhp too.

I have recently picked up my 2007 ST3, which replaced my 2002 E46 330CI Sport. In the real world, they are pretty much identical in the power department. I know in a drag to a 100MPH, the ST would just edge it, but to 60 (as the book figures state) the BMW would have the advantage. But then, its all about in-gear acceleration, where the ST plays its trump card; especially when you want to quickly and safely pass someone on a A/B road. By the time you would have changed into 3rd in the BMW with its notchy gearbox, the passing opportunity may have been lost. Overall, I am impressed with the ST (after the nightmares I experienced with the 2 BMW and Cooper S I had previously). I used to own a Focus ST170, and enjoyed hassle free motoring even if insurance was a killer (for what I would call a lukewarm hatch back). I am interested in chipping my car with 260BHP achieved by Bluefin/Dreamscience and Code:Red. But 17% BHP rise and an additional £260 onto my insurance premium does not really justify it at the moment.

As regards VXR being quicker; I personally love the look of the VXR and the straight line performance, but it understeers if pushed hard. Coming from a bone-shattering E46, the ST is a welcome change, because it manages to offer a nice smooth ride despite running 18" wheels and low profile tyres.

Out of the 3 cars being compared I think I prefer the Focus as well; the golf is a bit too dull and Astra is a bit too extreme. I would probably rather drive the Astra, but I don't think it would be as easy to live with, and they seem to drop a lot in value.

Had a go in an 02 plate Cupra Leon R the other night; that was a quick car with the remap it had, and sounded nice. How does the new one compare to the ST2, GTI and VXR?

"I would probably rather drive the Astra, but I don't think it would be as easy to live with and they seem to drop a lot in value"

Look on Autotrader; the VXR is holding its value better than the ST and the Golf. A 2005 VXR will still cost you £13500; you can get an ST2 of the same age for £12000, and as for the GTI, you can get a 2005 model for £10500, and it costs more in the first place.

I hadnt checked the residuals on all the cars (it wasnt really the point of my post, I asked a question you ignored in order to nit-pick). I just looked and they are all equally bad at holding their value, but depressing really. The focus is a shocker when you look at the prices of RS Focus', but I did hear Ford were doing special deals on them for people over certain ages, and I do see quite a few on the road, so maybe its also down to the number of them about.

To the guy that said the 330bhp upgrade on the Astra was around £500. Its not, the cost is more like £4800. Read the phase upgrades page. Starts with software at £559 = 275bhp then exhaust & air filter at £795 = 285bhp then camshaft and intercooler at £970 = 300bhp then manifold at £695 = 310bhp and finally new turbo at £1800 = 330bhp. And that's just engine upgrades, I doubt the brakes are up to that kind of power increase so then add big brake kit at £1580. Then add an LSD at £700 and maybe uprated suspension at £590.

So actual cost is more like £6250. Oh then add insurance increase additional fuel consumption and increase servicing cost, would be cheaper to buy a used Lotus Elise and have a faster and better handling car for the weekend and a hot hatch for normal use.

And anyway the ST is definitely a better car and more practical, especially in 5 door.

I'm just looking for a 5 door ST-3 with sat nav. Can't wait!

"And anyway the ST is definitely a better car and more practical, especially in 5 door"

And how do you work that out, because I can't see a single upside to an ST over a VXR. And as for the practicality with the 5 door; to be honest that practicality isn't worth how ugly it is in 5 door format; it looks like an oversized yacht, not a hot hatch.

"I can't see a single upside to an ST over a VXR"

Em, it's a Vauxhall. It understeers when pushed remotely hard. The Z20LEH is an Ecotec with a turbo strapped on. Hardly a good base to start with.

The Astra, in arden blue, is a nice car to look at. It just is not as nice a car to drive and doesn't touch the ST on handling.

The ST has far better driving characteristics. Yes, the ST is 15bhp down on the VXR, but the 2.5T has lazy torque and will happily sit in 6th gear from 40mph+

This engine is legendary. You can buy it under the bonnet of a Volvo with 300 bhp and a bulletproof reputation.

Volvo have never built a weak or unreliable engine. The T5 continues that tradition but adds some brute force to the mix.

Only my opinion but... I can't believe some of the comments I have read on here with regards to STs vs a VXR. All you need to do is watch Top Gear to compare them both. Clarkson has driven more or less most cars ever made, so I think it's safe to assume he knows his stuff (albeit only his opinion) however he stated the Focus was excellent, and the VXR wasn't. "would I buy one with money?... NO"

It's a Vauxhall - Vauxhalls are not good cars anymore like they used to be. There are only 2 good Vauxhalls, the VX220 and the Monaro... both of which Vauxhall didn't really have that much to do with - VX220 = Lotus, and Monaro = Holden. You see the point? Where is the Vauxhall badge on a VX220? Even Vauxhall didn't really want people to know it was a Vauxhall!

Why make a massively powerful car that can't handle it? It's stupid!

Just about every car Ford that has made in the last 10 years has been massively successful and everyone has liked them - can't say that about Vauxhalls. Which cars do you see more of?

I know which car I will be buying next.

Clarkson is entertaining, but you can t take every thing he says that seriously, as he said it was awful at handling, yet it was still faster round the track than the Focus. A lot of what he says is for dramatic effect, as it happens quite regularly that he tells you how bad a car is, then the Stig sets a good time!