Hi guys,

I'm very tempted by the , I currently have a Focus 1.8 Zetec and looking for something with a little more oomph!! but can handle it when I chuck it into the corners. From my research the Clio 182 will prob slide me to my death, the Ibiza FR/Cupra is apparently allergic to cornering, the Skoda VRS is a too bland and I just don't like the Mini Cooper S. My only concern is the reported "lack of power" of the .

Can anyone let me know how they find the , I'm not bothered by the 0-60mph but more the 60-100mph (when I want to boot it past those bloddy rep mobiles )

Any comments will be greatly appreciated.

By the I'm Gareth.

Hi gareth, welcome to the forum, there's loads and loads of threads on how people have found the in terms of handling and performance.

Personally i think if its not low end grunt you're after then the is one of the best cars you can buy for the money. It handles like a dream and once you get in the 3000+ rev range it goes like a rocket

First of all, welcome to the forum Gareth! If you've got a query this rabble are usually more than willing to help out but always have a look through some of the previous posts (saves on asking the same question over & over). If you've got any further questions then dont hesitate to ask me, FiestaRS (mods) or Hugh (our beloved leader *lol*). Right! That's the moderater-ly bit out of the way!

I LOVE my Fiesta ST (of course), I'm not blind however to any of its niggles/problems/the fact faster cars exist. I find it a real head turner (I've got performance blue with side stripes). Lots of people are still asking "So is that a 1.6?" and the look on their faces when you tell them its a 2L still makes me grin.

The suprise & sometimes shock as I boot away from/past reps on the A2 makes it worth it. As long as you choose your moment & are in the right gear (*ahem* whilst driving safely and within legal limits!!) then you can have a lot of fun with the car. Ahhhh I still remember that 316 driver's face as I waved buh bye... It isnt going to outrun/out overtake everything out there but it more than holds its own (I think). The cornering is just fantastic. I have a great laugh whipping around the roundabout system at Lakeside Shopping Centre in Essex *hehehehe*

Anyway.. Take a peep around, have a look at the Forecourt to see other members' pics of their pride & joys... and welcome

Thanks Chris ,

Took a test drive the other day, but had the saleman in the car with me so couldn't really boot it. It seems pretty quick though. I'm gonna try to blag an hour or so in one (alone). I'm bearly below 3000 RPM in my Focus so it sounds very promising.

hi, welcome to the forum! If u want a really good test drive then you can book a weekender or 24 hr one through "Talk Back" - but you have to be able to infer that it is a company car prospective purchase - but if u work for somewhere that offers co. cars that might be an option (I mean to pretend you might get one - so as u can have the long td).

Hi it,s the right car to buy,went up against the new Clio sport yesterday,it wasn,t a 0-60 sprint more a 50 to something else ,stayed with him all the way may and didn,t have to drop a gear or scream it.And at the first roundabout he almost visited the armco,I was on his inside and he couldn,t belive that I could stay with him,the guy must be a bit confused because at no time did I let him see that I was in an ST.Thought that the Clio should of thrashed me but from what I saw it has more understeer than the St and not a lot more poke , also seemed to get far to much wheel spin.Could off been the other driver though.More power is better but only if you can put it on the ground.

Hi Gareth, welcome to the club.

Understandbly, you'd get these sort of comments from an ST owners/enthusiasts club, but the ST is definitely the car to have out of those you've mentioned, they were pretty much the others that I considered before I got mine a few months back.

Yes, the ST does lose out on outright power to the bloomin' Clio, but its got more predictable handling and as a result you can drive it faster down the twisty bits. When you get the revs up, the ST does shift though, its at its quickest when you're above 4,000rpm. I despatched a Z4 (not sure which engine) on the M3 today, he was up my arse for ages but then as soon as I got a clear stretch I dropped it to 4th and booted it. It was some while before he caught back up with me again!

Seriously though, the ST is by far the best package out of all the ones you've mentioned above. Its cheaper to buy, insure and run than most of the others you've said and is also much better built than the Clio and on a par with the likes of the Ibiza and Fabia. Stripes or not, its easily the best looking of the lot too.

Go for it!

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your comments, took an out for 2 hours long test drive on Saturday, very impressed, handling was great but i think it could do with (and cope with) some more horses. On Sunday Seat kindly let me have and Ibiza Cupra Diesel for the whole day!! I was very sceptical at first but it is a terrific little car. Handling was a lot better that i had expected, though not as sure footed as the . It is a lot quicker than the not noticable from a standing start but from about 50mph the thing flies.
I have a real dilema, I prefer the looks and handling, but the mid range grunt of the Ibiza was incredible but costs a fair bit more.
My heart is teling me .

By the way the ST I had was Silver with Blue side stripes - I think it looks amazing - very subtle. I think wolf in sheeps clothing is the expression.

The seats good it just hates corners.

Yeah I didn't feel confident in the Seat. But it does take a lot to impress me handling wise - my Focus really has spoilt me in that respect. Definately gonna get the , just gotta clear up a few things first.
Out of interest anyone tried the 206 GTI? - I haven't even considered it as someone else at work has one (Not the 180BHP though).

Hello. I came from owning a 206 (albeit not a GTi).

Before I got the ST, my local Pug dealer did let me have a GTi for most of the day on test and it was ok. Performance-wise, there's not a lot in it really, the ST only feels noticeably quicker when you get right up the rev range, if anything I'd say the 206 had the slightly better low-down grunt. What sealed it for me was that, ok I didn't want another 206, but it is a really dated car now, it was first launched in like 1998. The interior is pretty cheap feeling (the leather seats are nasty compared to the ST) and the driving position is bloomin' awful. You'd definitely be making the right choice with the ST.

Thanks Parksey,

The does seem to have the "Rock Solid" feel that Ford claim.

Your proving to be a fountain of knowledge for me - thanks for the tip on the Ford Fair.

Hey Gareth Welcome to the forum .. I hope you enjoy your stay!
Good luck on the decision too