197 OR Focus ST

[tjhmortimer]

As above really!! Which would you all go for? Bare in mind I do 50/50 motorway driving and cover approx 350 miles per week.

Which is supposed to be more 'liveable' with?? I know theyre both fun on the twistys but which would be better on the motorway, MPG etc??

ta

 

[Šįk]

id say 197 would b more fun on twistys rather than an ST, but overall id go for ST, will feel faster and keep u awake on motor-ways and wouldnt b far off the 197 on the twistys fun-factor wise...

 

[TooneySonic]

st would be my choice, never really been a fan but a nice tidy blue one parked next to me the other day made me think twice. nice leather int too

 

[emdos]

st

 

[phantomx0_1]

ST all the way. Looks smart and they can be tuned with ease.... the 197 would cost loads more to tune,.....

 

[Reyes]

ST definately. Mrs was tempted to buy a 172 off some guy on this forum instead of the ST.. Silly woman..

 

[Tigger]

ST maybe - I like both

 

[phantomx0_1]

I'm looking at this on monday.... http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2007-FORD-FOCUS-2-5-ST-2_W0QQitemZ380077314247QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutomobiles_UK?hash=item380077314247&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A7%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

 

[nickyc]

0 feedback? Hmm.

 

[Russ.]

ST for me as well. Infact now they have dropped in price i have been looking at them however for me it would have to be an ST3 with the full leather recaros etc. The other half of me is telling me to wait 12months and look at e46 m3's

edit - I wouldn't worry about an ebay trader having 0 feedback over a car. If your not sure then just get an aa inspection done, i found them to be very comprehensive.

 

[Iain C]

I like the st but found it a bit dull to drive. Very quick tho.
Running costs are insane too. 25mpg over 350 miles a week. Because of that id go for the 197.

 

[Munson]

If motorway driving is a big factor, which appears to be the case, then I think the ST will suit you better. Firstly the 197 revs quite highly at cruising speeds, and secondly it has relatively little torque compared to the Focus. I have not driven the Focus so my opinion doesn't mean much, but common sense says it'll be the better motorway tool.

Saying that, the 197 is a lovely car and will no doubt bring more thrills when driven hard on the right roads.

 

[Fletcher]

I do like the ST3's in white, but i'd still go for the 197.

 

[gggshk]

Get the 197, too many STs on the road, all standard as well, really look boring imo!
If you get an ST please make it stand out from the crowd!

You're looking at the right colour though, collarado is lovely!

 

[The_Pirate]

Id have either tbh, not really compatible as they both have pros & cons

I reckon that as the ST is a 5 cylinder turbocharged unit then this is going to give you less economy when giving it full chat where as the 197 will be more frugal being normally asspirated 4 cylinder.

It will be intresting to see how the ST's residual value cope towards the summer this year

 

[jonnyg]

my mates dad has an st and it is a lovely motor but its allso awefull on fuel economy even on the motorways.You got two awesome cars to choose from there but i think i would still be tempted for the st.

 

[alanc1000]

lol at all the non 197 owners saying go for the ST. The only way to know for sure is to test drive them both and see what you prefer. I use my 197 on the motorway loads and with the radio on you'd hardly notice the high ratios.

 

[marc182turbo]

my dad had a 197 f1 great car awsome on twisty roads.
lovely gear box but maby slightly under powered?
However the 182 feels more responsive strange.
dont like fords! well maby a mint rs 500 only.

 

[CabinFever]

If motorway driving is a big part of your daily drive i would opt for the ST, ok its pretty dull to drive, and more common than Jade Goody, and does not look as good, or as fun....but it has tuning potential!

Baaaaaaaaa

 

[*Badger*]

for me it would have to be an ST3 with the full leather recaros etc. .

Agreed, The ST3 is the one to have.

 

[Rodds16v]

197 Cup

 

[Yellow Dave]

I test drove a ST3 and what a BORING drive!!!! Compare it against a Megane 225 and you'll soon forget about the Focus. And you really notice the weight when pushing hard into bends

In a straight line it is quicker than the clio with all that torque, but it drinks petrol. MPG is terrible.

Spending that kind of money I'd rather look at a Megane

 

[Baz 172]

I had an ST for a day, lovely car to drive, bit boring tho and MPG wasn't great at all....go for a meggy, it makes sense

 

[The_Pirate]

The megane has an LSD aswell

 

[Hawkeye]

I have owned an ST but cant comment on a 197 but my opinion would be the 197,the ST isnt the best handling car,easily tunable though,mine was 285BHP and around 340lbs/ft for just over £1000,if you want some back road fun then the 197 will be the one,the ST's drink fuel,believe me i know,if you drive like a pussy then 32mpg is achievable but as soon as you start pushing them expect mid to late teens,the ST-3 is only a 4 seater remember and imo Fords leather isnt the best hence i bought an ST-2.

Drive them both before you buy,the ST looses money hand over fist and especially with the RS on the way you can expect even more drops,if you want the ST then wait a while.I personally think they both look as good as each other,i bought the ST as i have kids and dog.

 

[The_Pirate]

The other thing i would say about the Focus ST is that theres the Mountune kit available for it which doesnt void your warranty as its endorsed by Ford

 

[DebV6]

I'd go for a 197, I get fed up of seeing ST's everywhere tbh, nice cars but too common!

 

[brisa4984]

197

 

[Hawkeye]

The other thing i would say about the Focus ST is that theres the Mountune kit available for it which doesnt void your warranty as its endorsed by Ford

Code Red kit is the same,thats what was fitted to mine.

 

[Ad]

I chose between a 197 (R27) and an ST.

Really depends what your looking for, but for me it was a pretty easy choice.

The wolf/code red kit doesnt void your warranty. Just had to make my first warranty claim at 40k and had no issues at all.

running costs are massively different to the 197 as it isnt particularly frugal and the maintence costs are slight cheaper on the focus.

 

[Ian_182]

I would take the st

 

[Needster]

lol at all the non 197 owners saying go for the ST. The only way to know for sure is to test drive them both and see what you prefer. I use my 197 on the motorway loads and with the radio on you'd hardly notice the high ratios.

i kinda like the noise. it's beefy.

ps. Ford - boring. Renna - fun (197 even more so in't twisties. cup chassis and recaro'd - do it.)

 

[Munson]

lol at all the non 197 owners saying go for the ST.

Here we go. V6 syndrome? People are allowed to offer opinions on a car they've not driven or owned so long as it's sensible and impartial. Am I wrong in asuming that the ST will be quieter and have more in-gear grunt on the motorway?

No I don't think I am TBH

 

[seb]

if i was doing big motorway miles i wouldn't want a 197. the speeds i cruise at are like epic RPM's nd the MPG on a fast motorway run are dog s**t.

I am sure a megane/ST etc would give better MPG and be more comfortable tbh.

 

[Hawkeye]

I would suggest the Meg for the all round package,the only reason i didnt get one was because im still not 100% on the rear end.

 

[Jonny1*2]

Personally for the mileage your going to be doing you will pay out quite alot on petrol. why not go for the megane sport 175 diesel. quick, easily tunes and good mpg. Scratch that, get a 182, best of both worlds.

 

[CabinFever]

Has anyone actually read the thread title??

 

[seb]

we have to suggest something renault instead of ford though

 

[Munson]

V6?

 

[seb]

only if you have serious case of need tbh.