2003 Ford Focus ST170 from UK and Ireland - Comments

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!

I'm a VW geezer through and through, but I test drove the ST170 and compared it with the latest Golf GTi.

Sadly, I found the Ford lacking in imagination and indeed credible performance. A bit of a girl's car if you will.

I have now bought the Golf R32 which is an awesome machine and if little Mr Focus ST170 wants to try leaving me in his wake, he would be very surprised!

Cheers. Dave.

Why are you comparing your £22,500 Golf R32 to a Focus ST170 costing almost £7,000 less?

If you want a fair comparison, you need to be looking at the Focus RS. It's still cheaper than the R32, but gives the Golf a bloody nose in every area apart from interior quality. Or that was my opinion after a morning with each car, anyway.

The forthcoming 300 bhp 4wd Cosworth variant will show VAG what a 4wd superhot hatch should be like. The mk4 Golf is just too heavy to cut it as a proper hot hatch these days, regardless of how much power they stuff under the bonnet.

Very true my friend - It is always good to compare models like for like.

I, also have driven the Focus RS and the Golf and yes the Focus leaves the Golf for dead every time. True the interior is quite drab in the Focus, but then again you have bought a Sports car - what do you expect?

Are you suggesting that the interiors of sports cars are drab?

What a ridiculous notion!

Surely the sports model is among the uppermost models in the range and as such, benefits from additional styling cues like alcantara, leather, aluminium and carbon trims, etc, etc.

Exactly what planet are you on mister?

Calm down guys, there only cars. Anyway I bet my daewoo could outdo the pair of ya! (only joking)

I'd like to ask the reviewer what he does for a living??

What kind of word is "annoyment" for goodness sake?

It doesn't matter how much you love your car, you can't just go making up words willy nilly!

Tous le monde, Rodney!

You want to know what the reviewer does for a living? Well whatever it is, it doesn't involve spending as much time on this website as you son! It took you long enough to spot - I just got carried away reviewing my car, sometimes it happens, mind you, you wouldn't know anything about cars would you seeing as you probably get the train to work!

Adios Pedro!

I can really admire your Passion and Attitude towards the Brotherness of Competition. If everyone agreed we'd never challenge. I am from the US and can honestly say that the Euro market Focus gets the treatment! The US Focus is better than it was before, yet we have no other Sport so to say than the SVT. To see the comments of those here testing off the lot Hot Mod Fords without having to go to a Custom shop to get one fitted, hats off to you.

US Ford is all about cheap unless you special order, then again the Wagon comes with some nice fittings, but there is no ST 170 option.

I own the Wagon and am longing for a pure Power Experience.

Bring it Stateside!

I may well be getting the train to work at the moment, but when my brand new Lotus Elise arrives from the junket showroom, you'll be eating my rubber as I burn some dust.

Why should I buy a st170 focus really interested in one gonna part x a 206cc?

I've sat (not driven) in ST170 and the RS Focus and I just though that it was like getting into my diesel Focus. Didn't look like they put much effort into in the interior to make it that bit different.

Still the Focus is a cracking motor (I've sold mine now, but I miss the handling) and maybe the drive makes up for the lack of imagination in the interior.

I guess you should try sitting on a 170 with the Recaro leather seats then...

Sounds to me like theres a few kids messing around on here who have no car at all, lotus elise arriving soon????ha!!

The st170 is a warm-hot hatch, and a nice looking car with great handling (as with most/all focus's).

Its only a review from an owner though!!!

Just brought my ST170 for under 15k with the comfort pack (Xenons, Climate Control and heated front windscreen) met black paint, supaguard and GAP.

Roll on next week!

Well got my second st170 on thursday and all ready its back with the dealer a week later. The car was new and has a number of faults, but the most annoying ones are the dash board lights keep flickering, and a huge lack of power in first and second gear. But still happy with the car overall.