Motoring Discussion > Alternatives to the ST?	Miscellaneous
Thread Author: Hard Cheese	Replies: 40

New Fri 11 Mar 11 11:39   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

Yes, apologies, another "what car" thread. I am thinking about buying my current car, 2007 Focus ST2 3dr, from the lease company. However if I don't then I will still need to buy a car, budget, ideally up to £8k, £9k tops, needs to be interesting to drive, reasonably practical though not family holiday transport. The one that springs to mind is a Clio Sport 197, fun, safe, 5 seats, reasonable boot and I could get a 2007 ish one at much lower mileage than the Focus for the same money. Otherwise perhaps another 1 Series. Any other ideas? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 11:44   Alternatives to the ST? - Alanovich

Volvo C30. A nice fast one. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 11:57   Alternatives to the ST? - Stuu

Mitsu Colt Ralliart, Seat Ibiza Cupra. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:00   Alternatives to the ST? - PR

Not sure what they are going for now but how about a Punto Arbarth EsseEsse? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:33   Alternatives to the ST? - Boxsterboy

MINI Cooper S JCW? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:48   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

>> MINI Cooper S JCW? >> Only four seats ... Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 18:04   Alternatives to the ST? - Boxsterboy

>> Only four seats ... >> True. But would you want to be one of 5 bodies in a 1-series or a Clio? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:52   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

>> Not sure what they are going for now but how about a Punto Arbarth EsseEsse? >> Is that the 1.4 155? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:57   Alternatives to the ST? - PR

No the EsseEsse is 180BHP IIRC. Gets good reviews aswell www.carmagazine.co.uk/Drives/Search-Results/First-drives/Fiat-Grande-Punto-Abarth-Esseesse-CAR-review/ Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:50   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

Neither appeal, perhaps a new shape Leon though too pricey I reckon. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:47   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

Not sure of the engine options on the C30 though I drove D4 diesel the other day, 2.0 177bhp 5cyl diesel and that was quite nice. I have though about the S40 and V50. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:44   Alternatives to the ST? - Skoda

Clio's a good choice, although maybe not the 197 but given it's hard to find a good 182 and even harder to get a 182 Trophy... Integra Type-R, would a good, later DC5 be in budget? EDIT: Mazda rx7 would be in budget and has extremely good handling out of the factory but excessive running costs outweigh the good qualities that car has IMO. Last edited by: Skoda on Fri 11 Mar 11 at 12:47 Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 12:55   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

>> Integra Type-R, would a good, later DC5 be in budget? >> Expensive, 2002 ish for £8k. >> EDIT: Mazda rx7 >> As you say excessive running costs, and the rotary engine is always an unknown issue waiting to happen. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 13:07   Alternatives to the ST? - Skoda

>> Expensive I wonder why :-) Finest FWD drivers car of all time? Pretty solid as these things go too. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 13:32   Alternatives to the ST? - Focusless

The old Accord Type R was supposed to be pretty good as well; might be easier to get hold of if you fancied one, and a bit more practical (or boring, depending on your point of view). Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 13:43   Alternatives to the ST? - Focusless

>> The old Accord Type R was supposed to be pretty good as well ...but probably too old; most expensive on AT is <£4k with >80k miles. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 14:48   Alternatives to the ST? - tyro

I'm surprised that no one has suggested a Ford Mondeo TDCi. It certainly ticks all the boxes. :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 15:48   Alternatives to the ST? - Armel Coussine

Don't you like the ST Cheddar? I thought it was supposed to be quite good in all the important ways. Must be a bit more spacious inside than a Clio too. Better the devil you know, surely? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 15:57   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

Just looking at alternatives AC, I agree re the devil you know. Bit worried about the Clio being low geared and noisy at speed, space wise it would be fine. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 16:10   Alternatives to the ST? - Armel Coussine

My daughter had a Clio Sti or some designation of that sort, 1.6 litre I think but perhaps 1.4. It was indeed low geared but was a zippy little thing, went very well. It was flimsy though and she's rough with cars, so soon trashed it. It wasn't super-reliable either. If you're tempted by an Alfa 147 1.6, I would say that it too is a bit low geared although quite nice, and quiet at low speeds. By 70 though it is starting to sound a bit urgent although not raucous. I don't mind a nice engine or exhaust note but sounding urgent at a motorway cruise strikes me as exaggeration. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 18:33   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

Our '98 Clio RXE is holding up well AC hence another one appeals. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 17:06   Alternatives to the ST? - ....

Strange how people sing the virtues of Skoda then a thread like this comes along and the Fabia vRS is conspicuous by its absence. I'm thinking of the older diesel model here which is probably more than capable of holding its own up to 3 figure speeds. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 17:13   Alternatives to the ST? - Stuu

Seems a round of test drives are in order, just drive all the possibles, even the ones you arent sure you will like and see how they shape up, something may suprise you. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 18:06   Alternatives to the ST? - Boxsterboy

>> the Fabia vRS is conspicuous by its absence. >> I think when it comes to sporting models the current Fabia just looks a bit too weedy. The first ones were far better looking IMHO. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 18:32   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

A Fabia diesel doesn't appeal, raucous PD in the older ones and the new ones are ugly. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 18:35   Alternatives to the ST? - R.P.

Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD 170 VRS 5DR * 2007 (57 reg) * Hatchback * 97,751 miles * Manual * 2.0L * Diesel 5 Doors, Manual, Hatchback, Diesel, 97,751 miles, Race Blue. ++HALF BLACK LEATHER AND ALCANTARA++, FACTORY FIT SAT NAV ++ THIS CAR IS ONE OWNER WITH FULL SERVICE HISTORY ++ RACE BLUE METALLIC ++ Dual Zone Climate Control And AC, Multi Func Steering Wheel, Multiple Airbags, Sport Alloy Wheels, Full Electric Windows, Height adjustable drivers seat, Steering wheel rake adjustment, ESP Traction Control ABS, Electric Cruise Control, 3x3 point rear seat belts, Remote Central Locking, Alarm And Immobiliser, Electric Adjust Heated Door Mirrors, Split Folding Rear Seats, Front Fog Lights, PAS Power Assisted Steering, Trip Computer, RDS Radio And CD Player, PDC Rear Park Assist. Autotrader Special Offer Price - PX Welcome On Site Price Only - Please Quote "ATSV" At Point Of Enquiry To Qualify For This Deal - Carbase Group - Approved Car Sales - All Circumstances Finance Available - Credit Cards Accepted - Full Dealer Facilit Last edited by: Pugugly on Fri 11 Mar 11 at 18:36 Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 19:08   Alternatives to the ST? - mikeyb

Polo GTi - may be a bit understated and not as quick as you are looking for though Seat Ibiza FR ? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 19:10   Alternatives to the ST? - Runfer D'Hills

Mondeo ST 155... Go on, they're cheap now.... :-) Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 19:14   Alternatives to the ST? - ....

There's an 04 70k kms ST220 with LPG conversion for sale at work. Only...you need to sit down for this...11,995€ Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 19:15   Alternatives to the ST? - Runfer D'Hills

What's German for "giraffe"? Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 19:20   Alternatives to the ST? - ....

Someone has crossed out the 11 and written in 6. Still seems like an awful lot to me but when you export all your old crocks and only keep the best examples prices are remarkably "buoyant". (die Giraffe). Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 22:39   Alternatives to the ST? - legacylad

Take full advantage of higher fuel prices. 330 petrol 330 diesel(if you must) Some good ones for sale privately at that sort of money. Reply to this message | Report message

New Fri 11 Mar 11 22:52   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

>> 330 petrol >> Tempting, I even thought M3 ... for a few seconds. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sat 12 Mar 11 14:30   Alternatives to the ST? - legacylad

Cheddar, A friend of mine is now on his fourth 330, albeit this time in 335d guise due to increasing mileage with his job. He also seriously considered an M3 but his considered opinion, which I value, was that the standard 330 was a perfect compromise between performance and comfort. And not to go for a big wheel/tyre combination. He also thinks that the build quality was better on the cars a few years old...his is currently 15 months old, although the folding hardtop is an improvement over the previous soft top. He also thinks the diesel is better for mid range performance given the extra weight of the hard top. Unfortunately you will not get one in your price bracket. Neither will I ! My price bracket was £10k max when I bought my '04. Good luck with an alternative, but a word of warning. Once you drive that straight, naturally aspirated six, you may get very picky. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 13 Mar 11 21:00   Alternatives to the ST? - Boxsterboy

>> He considered an M3 but >> he thinks the diesel is better for mid range performance given >> the extra weight of the hard top. >> One for the "Where's the proof that diesel cars accelerate?" thread? Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 13 Mar 11 21:37   Alternatives to the ST? - legacylad

yep. His 335d sure can accelerate. But so can the 330 petrol. Splitting hares i think. Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 13 Mar 11 22:22   Alternatives to the ST? - Bellboy

big bucks too Last edited by: Bellboy on Sun 13 Mar 11 at 22:25 Reply to this message | Report message

New Sun 13 Mar 11 23:19   Alternatives to the ST? - captain chaos

M3. But only in the dry and in a straight line. A '69 Dodge Charger is more predictable in the twisties. Seriously :( Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 14 Mar 11 03:32   Alternatives to the ST? - retgwte

suzuki swift sport, both clarkson and tiff rate it highly Reply to this message | Report message

New Mon 14 Mar 11 22:40   Alternatives to the ST? - Hard Cheese

>>perhaps another 1 Series.>> >>naturally aspirated six>> Hmm.... Reply to this message | Report message

New Tue 15 Mar 11 07:19   Alternatives to the ST? - idle_chatterer

>> Skoda Octavia 2.0 TDI PD 170 VRS 5DR I would avoid this engine at all costs, the 170PD is peaky, thirsty and coarse in my experience. Reply to this message | Report message