My current company lease on a Ford Focus (non-ST Line) is ending, and I’m debating whether to buy a Ford Focus ST Line myself. I could afford to purchase one outright after four years using my car allowance (£4,400, which is likely to increase).
Anyone have good or bad experiences with this car? Or are there better options under £16k? I know the used car market isn’t great right now, but I’d rather put the £4,400 toward owning something instead of a lease.
I’m looking at an 18/19 plate, something like this:
You mentioned buying an ‘ST,’ but the one you linked is an ‘ST-Line’—very different cars. Just making sure you’re aware!
If you’re after the 1.0 ST-Line, you’d probably be better off looking at a Honda, SEAT, Skoda, Toyota, Kia, or Hyundai alternative. Ford’s build quality has really gone downhill, and their service departments aren’t much better.
The one you linked isn’t that great for the spec—no heated seats, and the driver’s door window module is faulty. That’s £150 to replace since Ford only sells the entire module, not just the switches.
The concerns about the engine have some truth to them. These need oil changes every year at minimum because the cam belt runs in oil—if you skip service, it’ll fail.
We’ve had a Fiesta with the same engine for about five years, and it’s been fine, but in a heavier car like the Focus, the 125PS version isn’t exactly quick.