Im currently working abroad at the moment and usually hire a car for 3 wks when i have home leave, bit its starting to mount up on costs so im thinking of buying a toy i can use when im home temporarily. Ideally will look for an E60 when i do come back for good, but will wait instead of paying a premium for one just now to sit there.

So i have been looking at Evo's M3's etc, something to have a bit of fun for under 5K that i will sell on when i return for good. I spotted a nice sounding ST220 with decent spec, its an 02 and always liked these years ago. Is there anything to look for on ST's in general, and this year range? Any buying guides to look thru anywhere? Its the petrol 3ltr model.

 

After 2003 they come with auto lights and wipers, 6 speed box and a Sony radio! I had a 53 plate one when it was a year old loved it only problem was the wheels pitted and starter when but Ford sorted out! Went really well but drunk fuel like mad

 

The wheels are always grotty on these mondys.I think they look nice and i bet they go ok too.

 

find a 6 speeder, enjoy

 

I love my ST220

Had to buy a estate car for my new business venture, after having to sell the Focus RS I still wanted a fast ford and this was the best option.

All the goodies leather heated electric Recaros, cruise, Auto lights and wipers, heated screens, folding mirrors + loads more.
The car is fast and reliable, but a bit juicy.

 

go for a newer one with the six speed box as already said,
dont be put off by corroded wheels they are all like it unless they have been replaced or refurbed, but check the bottom edge of all doors inside and out for rust, (water gets trapped there) wheel bearings are a weak point too although not the end of the world,
for what they are they aren't bad on fuel have had 37mpg on a run but usually 31-32 on a motorway at 80,

 

Nice one, thanks for info.

After having a think, i may just look up the year range and go for a better spec facelift, 6 speed and auto lights/wipers would be better i think. And they seem to be well priced for a lot of car.

One i had in mind had sat nav, but i think its only mono chrome style so probably shit anyway? Will focus more on the better spec ones and can add a sat nav unit if need be.

I found a 04 plate but its Cat C, has been repaired properly etc and asking 1800, seems good with under 70k on it, awaiting a reply.

 

Don't forget the road tax increase on 06 plate and newer I think,its about Ł200 extra for the same car!!

 

Ah cool, prob wont go that far up the years, looking around 04-06 for the price. Know any good ones for sale in blue?

 

Mpg - if you boot it everywhere/ round town you are lucky to get 20mpg

+ they were not hpmolegeted to fit a to bar (strange one, as the ST-tdcis and other models with the same shell are)

the v6 is difficult/ expensive to tune and its a fairly heavy car - the Focus ST has a lot more potential in this way

nice car and a lot of car for the money at the sort of prices they go for

 

Have just paid a deposit on a low mile 04 plate in Blue.

Its a daily but as i work abroad for 8 months of the year, i dont worry about running costs etc, only drive it every 3 months.

 

Nice one, get pics up when you get it

 

just got a 53 plate one last week for under 2k while the cosworth put away for the winter and its not bad on the fuel . very good cars for the money

 

Will do mate, im not home till 18th Dec and picking it up on 19th, so will get pics up around that time.

 

i had a 53 plate 6 speed 3.0 v6 great car loved it, sold it a few weeks ago, was thirsty around town but not bad on a run, 6 speed modle was much better than the earlier ones, watch for the famous moosing problem, easy fix though

 

whats this then?

 

why are the 6 speed versions thought to be better, i've had a 5 speed version for 7yrs
and loved every minute of it, the 6speed runs out of steam to early, the top end is crap.

 

Thats because 6th gear is an overdrive, never had a problem although as i've had mine for 3 years, maybe i'm not experienced enough to make a judgement?

 

The ST220 is a nice car
I have a 53 plate a saloon ( bootlid) model
always been nice and smooth
the bits to look out for
suspect broken front springs, alternator pulsing
all the electrics work
..
and from my own experience SILVER ones!!! i went to see 3 "mint" silver cars 03 50 04
and all had the famous RS instruments speedos in. One even had 3 very nasty small circular plates coming through the paint on the roof.. Yep previously been cared for by the POLICE..
not really for me - nice for a thrash about - but a potential hard life - I have heard conflictign reports on how they were looked after so I tend to avoid

 

Mine is silver but was a company demo for 6 months and then sold through Ford direct. Silver i.e Stardust and Machine were by far the most popular colour chosen by the police because they didnt stand out. Many on GX and AU reg prefix.