Dunno if anyone saw this weeks issue yet but they've just gone an ST as a long term test car.

Might be worth emailing the guy and getting him on the forum.

I heard a rumour about this, will pick up a copy of the mag today.

OK, after my local shop not stocking it, I trekked up to see Mr Sainsbury's and he had a copy....

The write up is overall a thumbs up for the car. They guy has done 20,000 and he reckons he's averaging 35mpg (WOW) light foot or maybe it will get substantially better the more miles you clock up on it..

He says that it looks the part, corners excellently, (and highlights this as the cars greatest skill), steering is precise, brakes are good and that the seats are comfortable - although mounted too high. (He hates the pathetic horn - I haven't heard it but..)

Interestingly, he too mentions the revving problem and says its a common problem with Ford ECU's (Jody - tell that to your dealer and let him smoke it )

He also says that attention, has not been from the Police, BMW drivers and the normal suspects but more so the Transit drivers who think their 1.9 tdci vans can out sprint the !

Finally, (not a long article) he makes reference to the naf digital fuel gauge - and this may have some bearing on his MPG figure, as he states that when empty (when all the bars have disappeared completely), the car will still do another FIFTY miles, before reaching the stuttering choke that denotes imminent stopping!

There is also a little box asking for owners / drivers to contact them to let them know how people are getting on (email: p.fuller@haynet.com) - I''ll email him and tell him about this forum, so he might wanna come on n chat.

Thanks for noticing our long-term report in Autocar. Off the record, I am in love with the car and, despite some niggles, am going to have a great time driving it over the next 12 months. It's already being borrowed by our testers on a regular basis. Small confession: I state that it has a 6-CD changer as well as satnav. This is, of course, incorrect. I should have known that paying £1000 for satnav would delete the higher-spec CD player... Watch this space for more reports.

Hi.. thanks for the post! You know we're pretty eagle eye'd here!! lol

Er hope u dont know anyone who works at Auto Express, we gave them a bit of slating over the facelift pics in the previous issue!

Well make sure u keep us posted on any info that comes ur way!

Give us a mention in the mag! lol!

Cheers for that Chris.

I went down another shop at lunchtime and got the mag, again, after my local newsagent not stocking it either.

I also got AutoExpress with the most exciting new cars thing too. Sorry Patrick!

I completely agree about the pathetic horn though, I'm quite a "horny" driver, if you know what I mean, and I swear other drivers can't even hear it half the time, or if they do they just laugh. I've not got used to the digital fuel guage either, but I hope mine is as economical when its done that many miles, I still think the 2k I've done is hardly run-in yet.

Keep an eye on here Patrick, there's normally plenty of talk about the car, and the problems which people are experiencing. Let us know if the muscle of the mag gets you any joy with the revving problem too, its driving me insane!

Ah btw, I just found out, Patrick has only covered 2,000 miles, not 20,000 miles and so is still being gentle whilst running it in - hence the 35 MPG figure.. I think the 20,000 reference (title) in the article refers to it being an ongoing thing, where he'll be doing further reports as mileage clocks up!

Bravo to Chrissussex for getting Patrick to post on here and also for the article summary.

Will be interesting to see if he regularly dips into the forum for advice and comments.

I know I know.. mingle with all the ... er stars lol

He did say in an email that he'd give us (ST Board) a mention, So keep your eyes peeled for further reviews and maybe a name drop

er yeah.. infamous ST Board members lol.

I thought maybe a nude photoshoot might be more eye catching lol

Haha

oooh waheeey nice one

Maybe if we're going to be famous, I should quieten down on the neons OR do you think i could promote a range .. Nickys Neons

er. guess.

What Niky,s Neon Knickers,they,ll see you coming.