Browny-93

Not sure if I should have posted straight into the focus cat as it's more of an open question.

I think I've finally decided on my next car, I don't really know to much about them so I'm hoping you guys can give me some advice!

- should I focus on a certain year - tax / emissions ect
- what model should I go for? What's available?
- what factory fitted extras should I look out for?
- any common faults that I should check ect
- I've seen some models come with 6 speed?

I've got about 7k will that get me something half decent?

Any advice is appreciated!

Carlos-Titx

ST 225?

All of them are 6 speed.

No cruise control.

St 2 if you want 5 seats or prefer cloth.
St 3 if you want leather and don't mind having 4 seat.

The market is flooded with them so the choice is yours.

Fault wise look through the threads in this section. Loads of the info is there mate.

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

Avoid ST1, low spec with no xenons or esp.

I had an ST2 with optional Bluetooth, touch screen sat nav and dual climate control. Didn't want the st3 as not too keen on leather!

Fullflush

Get as many extras as possible, will help you come sale time

Browny-93

Thanks for the relays!

So the only difference between st2 and st3 is leather seats, 6 disc changer and front lights?

Is there a list of all the optional extras? I've got 5 week till my next no claim so I'm gonna wait till then, should stop me buying the first one I see as that's my problem when buying cars!

Carlos-Titx

2 and 3 have same lights.

Stereos vary though depending on what it was bought with. I had touch screen in mine that was a Ł1000 extra! Glad it wasn't me that added that one as it wasn't worth that at all. Useless shite satnav! Mine didn't have parking sensors but some did the list goes on.
Optional extras there is no set list to each.
All depends on what boxes were ticked when ordered.

Sure if you google you will find a list of what was available to add when ordered.

daztoc

With a 7k budget you will probably be looking at a pre face-lift model. There are loads of ST-2's about and that is the one I would go for unless you really want leather. Leather makes the rear seat a 2 seater and the leather is pretty average to be fair. The STOC forum actually has some decent info on it so it is worth signing up for a look. Clutches are a weak point and they do like front tyres when driven hard. They look great in certain colours and not so in others. All subjective of course. Around 2007 they went from silver headlights to black, which does look better. Like any 'cheap' performance car, plenty will have fallen into the hands of unsympathetic owners, so tread carefully. There are loads out there so don't jump straight in.......... and they sound epic when you rag the tits off them

Carlos-Titx

Clutches tend to be around 2007 for being weak.

Most would probably had the RS clutch put in by now.

daztoc

I had a 2007 ST-2 brand new and as soon as I added Dreamscience the clutch struggled. It would often slip on a hard overtaking manoeuvre and it had less than 20k on it. The RS upgrade is the one to go for definitely

Carlos-Titx

Same as mate. Mine was an 07 and did exactly the same. When the clutch was removed it was still like new.

Have it and the DMF to a member on here for free.