I've been keeping an eye on Focus prices, with an eye to buying one once my lease finishes. 25% off list price for the new automatic diesel is pretty good in my book, as the best price I've seen on a Petrol/Diesel ST-3 Manual has been more like £21.5k and the automatic supposedly costs £1.2k more - I'd have been seriously tempted by this if I didn't have 9 months left on the lease!
Top comments
willhay555
6 Jan 1634#4
Idiots voting on model and brand rather than deal, you have my sympathy OP.
jfclfc
6 Jan 1627#5
what's the point getting a car like that in automatic it would be a criminal
Oh yeah, everyone loves a manual diesel! Gotta hit that 4k redline!
carefulbuyer to jfclfc
6 Jan 161#45
tell Lewis Hamilton he should get a manual shifter !!
Tommy_K to jfclfc
6 Jan 16#54
Because unfortunately some of us have to drive autos but like a sporty looking car
pigeon84 to jfclfc
7 Jan 16#60
Great, you must be one of the 10% of drivers who drive a manual AND are able to actually:
a) set off in it smoothly
b) shift up sometime today
Good on ya, I support your right to make personal choices.
However, based on observation, by the time most people are just about ready to press the clutch and shift into second (which seems to take an age), followed by a huge bounce, the 7G Tronic is already in 3rd at least. This is just normal trundling around town, I don't even need to rev it.
So if all you do is memorise every article in the Autocar, then yes this is criminal, but anyone who lives in the real world will probably do fine with an auto, thanks.
M3NDEREZ to jfclfc
7 Jan 16#80
Because todays automatics change faster and better than any human can.. Why do you think almost every supercar is automatic as standard?
markymark34 to jfclfc
7 Jan 16#96
Dual clutch boxes are superb. Don't think I can go back to a slow manual now.
Begall
6 Jan 165#6
From what I understand the automatic is pretty good on these, being a dual clutch paddle shift system like that used on the VW Golf R/S3 range, but since I have personal experience of neither I can't really say.
Doods1875
6 Jan 161#7
Automatic? I presume this is for boy racers in their late 40's?
lol, you really should drive an auto with a dual clutch setup. Having said that I wouldn't buy this car especially in a diesel form
the porter
6 Jan 1614#10
New rs out shortly mmmmm
Silas123 to the porter
6 Jan 161#29
chav car
royals to the porter
7 Jan 16#64
good value but like the Honda civic type r it looks like something from the 90s with its hideous spoiler
ukscoob1
6 Jan 16#11
the colour in that pic is 'tangerine scream' cracking colour name.
if anyone fancies a ford and has an older car to partx, vospers ford are about to launch a £2000 trade in offer i found out today. could suit those with lower value current cars.
lapsap_c
6 Jan 16#12
cool car with 182bhp
paddle shift work really good with my audi, love paddle shift, ford should be similar now a day, nice car for this price :smiley:
oddballjamie to lapsap_c
6 Jan 16#30
So less horses than a 320d rep mobile. What is Ford playing at?
the__cat to lapsap_c
7 Jan 16#67
The paddle-shift in my Audi is amazing. I much prefer it to the manual. Anyone saying this is turd because it's an automatic clearly has no idea what they're talking about.
escortboy
6 Jan 161#13
Diesel? :disappointed:
This is probably amazing and I would be sold after just 5 minutes to be fair!
stuellis
6 Jan 162#14
Drove a paddle shift Mustang last year while travelling the US which I'm told is the same box as in this. It was dreadful, hated it, I kept telling it what gear I wanted and it would change 20 seconds later, getting it to engine brake in long downhills was impossible even in sport mode so ended up cooking the brakes. Checked the manual and there was no way of putting it into a proper manual gear selection. If this is the same and you enjoy controlling every element of your drive I would avoid.
However I'm giving heat as it's a good deal for this car
thearbiter65 to stuellis
6 Jan 161#46
I had the same car in August last year and agree completely! On longer straight sections of road I had no problems but when changing gears through twists and turns it was always a few seconds behind me. I did get to grip with it in the end, but wouldn't buy a Ford paddle shift because of this experience.
Jase79
6 Jan 16#15
Hot from me from me because of the reputation of the car. I am suspicious though why diesel prices are dropping alarmingly!!!!
greysquaill
6 Jan 166#17
Basically a modern day Ford Escort MK2...
jonesinamillion to greysquaill
6 Jan 164#23
Id rather have this!
Probably cost more though :disappointed:
Biggunspaul to greysquaill
6 Jan 16#25
That's a proper sporty ford,a diesel focus is not.
Dyslexic_Dog to greysquaill
6 Jan 16#49
Ooh, I had one if those in that exact colour, and then some barstard stole it!
Heat added for being auto, would never go back to pumping a clutch...
bma1445
6 Jan 161#27
All Lambo orders were autos because they're driven as showboaters.
A hot hatch should be petrol and manual. Not diesel and auto. An ST diesel? What on earth were they thinking (other than trying to attract midlife crisis business men with a company car budget, which lets face it is the only reason you'd buy a diesel hot hatch).
Cthomas957
6 Jan 161#31
The people commenting on the auto obviously can't afford to own one of latest autos on the market. Dsg from vag is the best gearbox on the market, it beats manual in every review. I've owned two cars with it on and they would beat 99% of chavs off the line in their manual car any day. Not sure about a ford auto though lol. Vote hot for the deal but sadly they are so tacky inside and out imo.
JJJZ
6 Jan 16#32
Porsche are ditching manuals altogether soon as well.
On mainstream Porsche cars maybe but certain specialist models will remain available in Manual.
twinkle
6 Jan 16#33
No guarantee that they can get you the car for this price though as this is an expectation based on previous prices.
Biggunspaul
6 Jan 162#34
Just to clear things up,an automatic is not the same as an automated manual with a twin clutch set up.
An automated manual twin clutch is what you get in decent sports cars,an automatic you find in old men's rovers with walnut dash trim
royals to Biggunspaul
7 Jan 16#66
true. Dual clutch systems like the dsg in vw, stronic in audis, pdk in porsches, Merc amg ones are light years ahead of the old fart slow coach single clutch gearboxes of old
MIDURIX
6 Jan 16#35
Fair bit cheaper though. Although Fiesta ST with the overboost has a fair bit more than this, which is silly.
seaniboy
6 Jan 16#36
Here that colour is still trending in the UK, dont see any British Leyland brands on the scene though... not one survived longer than that colour! :wink:
Biggunspaul
6 Jan 161#37
I think it's got less horses than a tesco burger
oddballjamie
6 Jan 16#38
Not massively more expensive when a broker is involved, although if you gave a 3 series the same trim level it would easily be another £5-10k.
My point being these so called hot hatches are less powerful then an everyday family/company car. Same goes with the Octavia VRS diesel, they should be putting out over 200bhp and torque by the ton.
oddballjamie
6 Jan 16#39
They should bring back horse meat, Ikea hotdogs just aren't the same without it.
shauneco
6 Jan 16#40
It's an STD.
Coincidentally, You'd probably get a few of those driving one of these around the circuit :wink:.
Biggunspaul
6 Jan 16#41
They are the dogs bollax,not literally
madsniperUK
6 Jan 16#42
Not the easiest car to sell. Hence the discount. Sorry to be negative though seeing you've taken the time to list the deal.
BustyB293
6 Jan 162#43
This new style of paddle shift auto is far quicker than manual, people live in the past and don't understand.
Take a look at what Porsche have been using for quite a few years now PDK it's called.
Trevisparky
6 Jan 161#44
Superb deal
kingcrimson
6 Jan 16#47
Not bad but I am still going to buy an Lotus Esprit S2 for £14000 and it wont fall in price.......
oddballjamie to kingcrimson
6 Jan 161#50
sshooie
6 Jan 16#48
I'm middle aged and have had auto's for the past 9 years or so, very little difference speed wise to a manual, in fact a lot of auto's are now quicker.
koalauk to sshooie
6 Jan 16#52
that is because I lot of people are worst drivers
ChrisUK to sshooie
6 Jan 162#55
I'm not middle aged & I love auto's. Couldn't be bothered driving a manual again. If you want to rag it, put in sport mode or use the paddles (or both!).
koalauk
6 Jan 161#51
hahahahaha ford focus £27k to begin with hahahahahaha
vulcanproject
6 Jan 16#53
It's far too slow to have that kind of paint and bodykit lol :confused:
You need to whack a remap on it, that'll fix it. Apparently at least the engine is good for that, you can get like +40bhp and then it'll be much more respectable.
julietalphagolf
7 Jan 16#56
Hot.
kidrock123
7 Jan 16#57
fugly
229mel
7 Jan 161#58
lol at 20k for that terrible chav car.
Dave_c
7 Jan 16#59
Ive got the petrol manual of this and have had the turbo pipe pop off twice, touch sensor locking fail and a lighting issue and its just over a year old. Not great for a new car, but still fun to drive.
jaydeeuk1
7 Jan 16#61
A diesel automatic ford? Good luck to the owner out of warranty.
royals
7 Jan 163#62
If it's like dsg/stronic then it will be quicker than the manual. No human not even a pro or f1 driver can change gear as quick as the dsg/stronic which has can change gear in 0.02 seconds. I ordered new car couple years ago but it was a manual. This was before I tried the auto version. Nearly all new audis , porsches , BMWs, jags are sold with auto boxes. There are big advantages of automatic dual clutch boxes. Faster, more economic, lower emissions, better than manual when coupled with features like automated cruise control, autos are better in traffic. I've always driven manuals but autos are better on our congested roads.
trebor127
7 Jan 16#65
drove one of of these last week and considering it 'only' has 182 bhp it shifted a bit once on the motorway...easy to well exceed the limit if you're not careful!!
vulcanproject
7 Jan 16#68
The wing on the RS looks great to me. The RS logo is only there just because the designer loves the F40 and directly copied that little embossed feature for the hell of it.
Win IMO
Shonk
7 Jan 16#69
I presume this is a 6 speed auto box so would be fine
I had a 2001 Chrysler with a 3 speed auto box 3 cars ago
my god american gearbox's that box was so slow and bad
Then had a 2004 EP3 Civic Type R (got stolen after 5 years)
Now have a Mondeo TDCI to plod around in
quagmireuk
7 Jan 16#70
Another here who was against auto's from the past but honestly prefer them now.
Staypuff
7 Jan 16#71
Seems a decent car, reviews good, nice mpg for the power. 8.1 0-60 is about right for this class of diesel. As for all the pro drivers barking on here, cold weathers coming, any lamppost flowers will of course be respected as I pass by.
nickkelly
7 Jan 16#72
I'd never own a car with a manual gearbox again out of choice.
iibdii
7 Jan 16#73
Not voting either way but its still over priced, ugly and unreliable ford with lot of factory recalls
jeds
7 Jan 16#74
A question to those who lease religiously, have you ever had any drama from the lease company when handing a car back at the end of your term?
Dave_c to jeds
7 Jan 16#86
This is my third lease and Ive never been charged for anything at the end, even with a few small dents and scratches. All depends on the person who comes to check the car, i find some are pickier than others.
Wadda
7 Jan 16#75
Sales of the focus st have gone up loads since the diesel version was released.
logohigh
7 Jan 16#76
I guess Ford I'll shift few to 35 year old reps.
Really quite slow though isn't it
rohitmkiller
7 Jan 16#77
What jobs do people here do that they can afford this car?
Babbler to rohitmkiller
7 Jan 161#78
They cant... they go into major debt to fund their HUKD addiction... :smile:
ChrisUK to rohitmkiller
7 Jan 16#109
Seriously ?
djames108
7 Jan 161#79
most moaners have probably never driven an auto in their entire kife, instead copying the herd, new automatics are very good and this being a diesel would be ideal for the mature racer. Someone who isn't a complete bell end and has a family but wants something a bit fruity when the kids aren't in the car.
I remember back when I had a smart roadster everyone moaned about the auto in that and although not the best it was actually quite alright if used properly. I'd like to see anyone change gear as fast as an auto
Babbler to djames108
7 Jan 16#100
Autos are great - and standard in the US I believe. We have to pay extra here for the privilege of driving one...
smugjojo
7 Jan 16#82
Since when did anyone chage gear in a bend? Before it , yes, and hold it.
logohigh
7 Jan 16#83
I'd rather have a proper gearbox to manipulate thanks , like civic r . ( as opposed to being manipulated by the gearbox).
But this car isn't of course designed for anything sporting
Staypuff
7 Jan 16#84
You shouldn't brake on a corner either but can think of thousands of occasions I've had to for one reason or another. Roads I drive on have other cars so you can't always drive like a race driver. Lots of younger boy racers and company car drivers hashing it leaving me no option. I was once one of those boy racers mind so can't complain.
logohigh
7 Jan 161#85
Cos the clutch is too heavy for the modern lady
SpringHeeledJim
7 Jan 16#87
When I open the link the discount is showing as £4695 not £7000. Unless I'm missing something?
twinkle to SpringHeeledJim
7 Jan 161#92
No you're not, its Broadspeed and they base their projected prices and what discount they expect to get for you...and this morning their expectations have obviously dropped :smiley:
Staypuff
7 Jan 16#88
I think your joking but when was the last time you used a cable clutch, most are hydraulic now so is a non issue. Remember last time your cable snapped? Lol.
EazyDuz
7 Jan 16#89
Cold for automatic, daft colour and chavtastic. Does it come free with an Adidas cap and pair of used Adidas dirty trainers?
Dave_c to EazyDuz
7 Jan 16#91
It's available in most colours, to be fair the black one doesn't stand out too much at all
EazyDuz
7 Jan 16#90
You must be new to driving...
sherildon68
7 Jan 16#93
Not a fan of Fords.
Heat added for good deal.
Nothing wrong with Auto boxes they'll shift quicker then you ever can.
I think people are forgetting about the great DSG boxes that are out now.
EazyDuz to sherildon68
7 Jan 16#95
Worse fuel economy, less fun to drive, doesnt always pick the gear you might want in a certain situation, more expensive to repair if it breaks. The list goes on.
djbenny1
7 Jan 16#94
OP - curious why you would consider buying a car instead of getting another lease?
v8griff
7 Jan 16#97
List price is only a couple of grand shy of the new RS, madness. Healthy saving on the ST though, have some heat.
twinkle
7 Jan 161#98
Few pounds cheaper at Drive the Deal
FocusST
7 Jan 162#99
The new RS is the one to buy.
In spite of my username (which is the car I had when I joined), I am not a big fan of Fords since owning that ST - it was fun but not very reliable and felt cheap compared to the German motors I run now.
However, if you bought the new RS and had it as a keeper it will eventually reach classic status in 30 years or so and will end up being like the Escort Cossie is now, mega money!!
As for people making "Chav" comments about a proper 4WD RS Monster, no proper petrolhead would call an RS a chav mobile, stick to your Audi TT's you muppets. :smile:
TwistedNerve
7 Jan 16#101
I love a fast Ford, but the designers have lost the plot on the wheels... all the new styles are awful across the range, ST & RS - fiesta & focus
HotUkDale
7 Jan 16#102
Great deal! heat added. thanks :wink:
twinkle
7 Jan 16#103
This is now £23,485 which is more expensive than other dealers so needs expiring
tomzo
7 Jan 16#104
23 500 now, not worth it, it`s just ford
Youngy
7 Jan 16#106
Is the automatic like the VW DSG unit? Paddleshift?
moggith
7 Jan 16#107
I have this car in red. St diesel is excellent. Loads of torture and 45 mpg.
Not quite as quick as the petrol but happy to sacrifice this for 500 miles plus to a tank of juice.
Can honestly say its one of the best cars i have owned.
logohigh to moggith
7 Jan 161#111
its that bad eh ?
goodclicks
7 Jan 16#108
Comes with a free ASBO.
Actually they're really good driver's cars. Underrated due to their image and the badge.
logohigh
7 Jan 16#110
Autos are great - and standard in the US I believe. We have to pay extra here for the privilege of driving one...
Tells you everything really , from the land of the fat and lazy
mark_trev
7 Jan 161#112
I'll be honest, I have a 320bhp V8 coupled with a traditional automatic (i.e. torque converter) and there is so much slack between the gears due to the loss of power.
Automatic is great with a powerful engine that can make up for the slack, but with a less powerful engine...
tj2015
7 Jan 16#113
I don't get all this hate for Ford?
I drive an ST and it's the most fun I've ever had in a car. You should read some reviews of the new ford ST's mostly 5 stars across the lot.
Anyway voted hot for good deal.
thearbiter65 to tj2015
7 Jan 16#117
Friend has a Fiesta ST. It's a really fun car to be in and drive! Can use it every day too!
Staypuff to tj2015
7 Jan 16#124
Its not fords its the fact that teenage's long for an ST get one and then drive like nobs. They get older and long for an RS get one and drive like nobs. Not hating on Ford I drive an Audi and get much the same stick with comments on here. The only real thing I can say about motoring is indicators are no longer in use at least not in west yorkshire, a tangent yes but i HATE IT!! sure its a nice drive btw.
Gotta to tj2015
7 Jan 16#131
Are front wheel drives really fun though? Not convinced they are designed to be. Not sure I fancy a turbo charged engine in my 'fun' category either. Supposingly less throttle response, less dramatic redline/power drop off at high revs, don't sound as good.. They are fast for sure but everyone and their nan has fast cars now.
logohigh
7 Jan 16#114
I imagine its the almost unbelievable original rrp ..
bankersarebankers
7 Jan 161#115
Buying a car first hand is never a good deal
thearbiter65
7 Jan 16#116
As implied, when driving on twisty roads gear changes are needed more frequently (than on a straight road). This is when I encountered problems. There is nothing wrong with braking into a corner and accelerating out of it, sometimes shifting up. Don't forget, I was in a Ford Mustang which was a hire car, I was having a bit of fun!
What I am trying to say is that when gear changes were needed more frequently, the efficiency of this gear box severely went down.
gregsayer
7 Jan 16#118
I have the manual version of the St3 TDCI, its an awesome car.
the new auto is actually 0.5 secs quicker to 60 due to the dual clutch, just wish it was around when I ordered mine 8 months ago!
gregsayer
7 Jan 16#119
and if you work for a company that is on the ford advantage list, you get 2 years free servicing!
adamspencer95
7 Jan 16#121
an automatic diesel is probably better as the transmission should know how to make use of the available power and torque.
sshooie to adamspencer95
7 Jan 16#127
Yup, mine is 3.0 litre oil burner, 8 speed and manages the 0-60 jaunt in the low 6 seconds. Let the auto do the work I say.
scmagic72
7 Jan 16#122
LesD
7 Jan 16#123
Because manual boxes can't take the torque from footballers heavy feet!
masiv007
7 Jan 16#125
the original price is a tad optimistic me thinks
jason21monkey
7 Jan 16#126
automatic !! what is the point ? It`s like getting a bicycle that doesn`t need pedaling !! or even a skateboard that doesn`t require any feet to skate it..... automatic .....pfttttt .....no fun at all and made for people who can`t drive.....fact
aljack
7 Jan 16#128
I don't think many chavs can afford an RS.... Boy racer yes... Chavs no.
FooFighter
7 Jan 16#130
Ok car but much rather a 120d!
smugjojo
8 Jan 16#132
I hope you are joking. If not, I doubt you have a real driving license.
smugjojo
8 Jan 16#133
The Escort had a very smooth, slick gear box with a silky upshift. I know, i had one.
royals
8 Jan 16#134
my audi s3s dual clutch autobox is great and fast and i can use the flappy playstation paddles if i want. I would defo not buy a car with a standard single clutch auto box. Most auto hate comments are from idiots who think all auto boxes ate the same slow single clutch boxes. Virtually all motorsport uses auto boxes. Usually semi sequential. Nuff said.
royals
8 Jan 16#135
I drove an r8 v10 spyder with manual dogleg box. Then i tried one eith an auto box. No comparision suto was way better.
Langarlout
8 Jan 16#136
Looks like a lot of outlay for OLD BILL fodder to me.
EazyDuz
8 Jan 16#137
you do know winning a licence on gran turismo can't be used in real life right? :smile:
![Fresh Breakfast Meat Box (Using code) @ Campbells Meat [Haggis / Lorne Sausage / Bacon / Black Pudding & More]](/images/topics/208684_1.jpg)
![[Xbox One] Q. u. b. e: Director's Cut on Deals with Gold](/images/topics/208716_1.jpg)
Opening post
Top comments
All comments (137)
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/02/why-lamborghini-trashed-the-manual-transmission.html
Reminds me of those 1970 Marinas!
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/02/why-lamborghini-trashed-the-manual-transmission.html
a) set off in it smoothly
b) shift up sometime today
Good on ya, I support your right to make personal choices.
However, based on observation, by the time most people are just about ready to press the clutch and shift into second (which seems to take an age), followed by a huge bounce, the 7G Tronic is already in 3rd at least. This is just normal trundling around town, I don't even need to rev it.
So if all you do is memorise every article in the Autocar, then yes this is criminal, but anyone who lives in the real world will probably do fine with an auto, thanks.
:confused:
http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2015/02/why-lamborghini-trashed-the-manual-transmission.html
if anyone fancies a ford and has an older car to partx, vospers ford are about to launch a £2000 trade in offer i found out today. could suit those with lower value current cars.
paddle shift work really good with my audi, love paddle shift, ford should be similar now a day, nice car for this price :smiley:
This is probably amazing and I would be sold after just 5 minutes to be fair!
However I'm giving heat as it's a good deal for this car
Probably cost more though :disappointed:
A hot hatch should be petrol and manual. Not diesel and auto. An ST diesel? What on earth were they thinking (other than trying to attract midlife crisis business men with a company car budget, which lets face it is the only reason you'd buy a diesel hot hatch).
http://www.driving.co.uk/car-reviews/the-clarkson-review-ford-focus-st-estate/
An automated manual twin clutch is what you get in decent sports cars,an automatic you find in old men's rovers with walnut dash trim
My point being these so called hot hatches are less powerful then an everyday family/company car. Same goes with the Octavia VRS diesel, they should be putting out over 200bhp and torque by the ton.
Coincidentally, You'd probably get a few of those driving one of these around the circuit :wink:.
Take a look at what Porsche have been using for quite a few years now PDK it's called.
You need to whack a remap on it, that'll fix it. Apparently at least the engine is good for that, you can get like +40bhp and then it'll be much more respectable.
Win IMO
I had a 2001 Chrysler with a 3 speed auto box 3 cars ago
my god american gearbox's that box was so slow and bad
Then had a 2004 EP3 Civic Type R (got stolen after 5 years)
Now have a Mondeo TDCI to plod around in
Really quite slow though isn't it
I remember back when I had a smart roadster everyone moaned about the auto in that and although not the best it was actually quite alright if used properly. I'd like to see anyone change gear as fast as an auto
But this car isn't of course designed for anything sporting
Heat added for good deal.
Nothing wrong with Auto boxes they'll shift quicker then you ever can.
I think people are forgetting about the great DSG boxes that are out now.
In spite of my username (which is the car I had when I joined), I am not a big fan of Fords since owning that ST - it was fun but not very reliable and felt cheap compared to the German motors I run now.
However, if you bought the new RS and had it as a keeper it will eventually reach classic status in 30 years or so and will end up being like the Escort Cossie is now, mega money!!
As for people making "Chav" comments about a proper 4WD RS Monster, no proper petrolhead would call an RS a chav mobile, stick to your Audi TT's you muppets. :smile:
Not quite as quick as the petrol but happy to sacrifice this for 500 miles plus to a tank of juice.
Can honestly say its one of the best cars i have owned.
Actually they're really good driver's cars. Underrated due to their image and the badge.
Tells you everything really , from the land of the fat and lazy
Automatic is great with a powerful engine that can make up for the slack, but with a less powerful engine...
I drive an ST and it's the most fun I've ever had in a car. You should read some reviews of the new ford ST's mostly 5 stars across the lot.
Anyway voted hot for good deal.
What I am trying to say is that when gear changes were needed more frequently, the efficiency of this gear box severely went down.
the new auto is actually 0.5 secs quicker to 60 due to the dual clutch, just wish it was around when I ordered mine 8 months ago!