there's nothing like a fast Ford!
They have a certain "something", don't they? I don't think I've ever driven an XR, RS or ST Ford that I didn't get out of grinning. Some of the XRs weren't anything special, but they always felt good, and more importantly made me feel good. Proper hooligan cars, and unashamedly so. Fantastic! :-)
3dr Sierra Cosworth in Moonstone Blue for me please. Shame a good one costs pretty much the same as it did new. If you can find one.
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Get it on a track, Cheddar
I would have thought the company would not allow that. In fact it probably could lead to a whole load of problems. I know our company car policy would not allow that.
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...Get it on track...I would have thought the company would not allow that....
I have visions of fleet managers across the country having palpitations at the very thought.
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And when you're in need of the third set of front tyres in a month.... questions would be asked :-)
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I assumed that since it's a 2007 car Cheddar bought it himself. HJ
No HJ, having been self-employed for a few years now I have been headhunted back into employment, I had a choice of a car allowance or a company car, took the latter based on the mileage I do, therefore had a choice of a few "spare" cars for the short term.
Quite fancy keeping it until the end of its lease (16 months) though because I surely will have to choose something a little more economical when the time comes.
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Excellent - there's nothing like a fast Ford!
Are white socks still de rigueur?
Only :-) of course.
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Ford used to have a dedicated division (Special Vehicle Engineering, IIRC) who were solely responsible for fettling and setting up all the performance versions. Does anyone know if this is still the case?
I've always had the impression that despite being a big, faceless profit driven corporation, small teams of enthusiasts have always had a remarkably free hand within Ford, certainly in Europe. I think it's always made the hot versions feel so much more than base models with big engines and badges. They feel different to the cooking models.
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Think it was called Ford AVO - Advance Vehicle Operations. I think it was where the "works" Escorts were prepared and models like the Capri RS 3.1 were developed. Now that was a car to take spare underpants with!
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Was in one as a passenger at the weekend and thought it was very nice inside. Didn't get much chance to look in detail though cos we were belting round a MIRA test track at the time and my eyes were elsewhere!!
FTF.
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One of the best things ford did was to put the 5 cylinder turbocharged volvo engine in the focus. I havn't driven one, must have an excellent power to weight ratio, sounds great, and will probably run and run like they do in the volvo T5. Enjoy!
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My wife didn't like it so that was the end of that. Too powerful, too expensive to run & maintain, and too attractive to thieves, and not enough choice of colours, such is life !
I settled for a TDCi instead that is great to drive and half the cost of an ST for day to day running, and I can sleep at night knowing it will still be there the next day.
I'd recommend a steering wheel cover lock to deter the onlookers. The kids can be a pain at night hanging around ST/RS cars. I knew a guy who sold his ST for a different model because of the yobs who would hang around it after dark.
Finally, watch your speed, you've already admitted you exceed the speed limit, the police love to pull over speeding STs/RSs so watch out. A few seconds with your foot down can mean a few months without a car to drive.
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Good comments.
Who asked about taking the B roads? I have a great commute most days, 40 miles across country, great roads, a a bit of dual-carriageway, good fun.
It really is great to drive, so flexible, the only down side is the economy though its worth it.
Reckon the 2.2 TDCi in this chassis would be a great car.
It was serviced today, felt a little more jiggly on the way home so I checked the pressures, they were 36/33 rather than the book 33/30, made a notcable difference when I adjusted them, no idea why the dealer got it wrong, perhaps they used other Focus pressures. Otherwise great service, helpful and the the car came back cleaner than it went in.
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I really fancied one of these too. Far better value in my opinion than the Mk6 Golf GTi I eventually bought (although I have to say that's an awesome car and I am chuffed to bits with it). I've driven a Volvo S40 with that engine in and thought it was fab. Haven't driven the ST for 2 reasons.
One, I was a bit scared off by the mpg. I'm averaging 36/37 with the GTi which for a car of that power I think is pretty good. I do a 60 mile round trip so it's motorway most of the way. Mpg does drop round town as you would expect.
Secondly, and most significantly, I'm married and as soon as we stood in the Ford dealer's lot next to an ST she said she didn't like it. Simple as that. End of discussion. Not prepared to even try it.
Women - pita at times!!!
Glad you like the car though Cheddar - I'll give you a race one day despite the fact that I'll probably lose!!!!
PS I would have had an orange one - I love those!!
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 01/11/2009 at 18:34
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I believe, although I'm more than prepared to take legal advice on this, that there is an obscure but as yet unrepealed law which allows for the chastisement of disobedient wives with a stick. I gather the caveat is that it should be no wider than one's own thumb knuckle though to prevent any lasting damage.
I have never had to enforce anything by this method but I do find it can be worth quietly mentionlng it as an option when faced with extreme insubordination........
I would have thought unilateral dismissal of an ST would qualify as a fairly extreme example of disloyalty and lack of appropriate respect....
;-)
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LOL Humph ...... and six months ago I would have agreed absolutely from experience. However I test drove a SAAB Aero just for a bit of fun after trying a couple of the TDI's. Wife liked the trim level ...... so now, for a year or so at least, I am driving around in a 260bhp 9-5 estate and it was her idea!!!!!
All the best.
FTF
Edited by fredthefifth on 01/11/2009 at 20:17
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I have now done 1500 miles over two weeks in the FocuST, averaged just over 28 mpg over a real mix of driving, cross country, motorway and a trip into London.
There is a little road noise on rough surfaces though it cruises quitely at 80 +, it's comfortable five-up despite being a three door, great xenon lights, well the dip beam is little better than the non-xenon though excellent Mondeo lights however the main beam is like daylight.
Great steering, superb feedback and tracks dead straight on all roads but for a little torque steer under hard acceleration. On which note it pulls from 1000rpm in 6th, trickling along at under 30mph, on the other hand 4th on fast A/B roads offers stellar overtaking, great fun!
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Sounds as lovely as I imagined it would be, cheddar. Enjoy! To get hold of a car like this when someone else is paying the bills is a fantastic result! :-)
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Humph, I clearly need to see this mauscript as the degree of insubordination by her indoors is enormous.
I have already put together a collection of evidence so i think my case against her will be watertight!!!!!
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Overall average by the computer 28.1mpg over nearly 2000 miles though I did a brim to brim over 170 miles of mixed driving and got 32.5 mpg, I was being light footed though still 75 - 80 cruise. I reckon the computer is pessimistic, 30.1 official combined is probably about right.
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So now you've worked out what it will do, forget about it. You will pay a flat rate of tax for the fuel. And the car might be temporary. So enjoy it.
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Just interested rtj.
It has loads of low down torque so you can drive it like a TD not going over 3000rpm and still make rapid progress, well over 30mpg possible, or you can let it rev (smoothly and crisply) and it goes like stink or you can put your foot down and get that throaty induction roar and it simply flies above 3500.
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I have the baby version of this engine in my S60, which is about 40 bhp down on your ST, cheddar, and after nearly two years and 25k, I am still not bored with the noise it makes. When you have it on wide opn throttle, the sound as it climbs past 4000 RPM is wonderful. I daresay Ford use a throatier exhaust than Volvo too. The Volvo in-line five is a lovely piece of kit IMHO.
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