S1

What have you based this opinion on? They can torque steer quite badly but in my experience it is because the car is in need of attention. My own one used to be all over the show but I traced it to worn lower arm bushes which resulted in uneven front tyre wear. With poly bushes fitted and new tyres it hardly torque steers at all. Since then Ive lowered it on Eibach springs and fitted decamber kits front and rear to compensate plus had it full four-wheel aligned and set to Fords spec and now it handles awesomely! As for the diff being shite, if you've got the balls to drive it hard you will find the diff is nothing short of amazing, take a corner at a faster speed than you feel comfortable with, give it some throttle and the diff just drags it round the corner.

So to summarise, keep the car mechanically sound and there's no reason why it should drive like a pig. Dont look after it and it will drive horrible.

morph

iTrader: (1)

I thought this was suppose to be standard versus standard? as adding those performance enhancing features will make differences.
eibach kit, with atb diff plus geometry reset on an ST is nothing short of amazing! and no torque renching steer/ tugging from the steering wheel like the RS does from factory.

Lee Reynolds

Cheers for the opinions guys appreciate it

The money/holding value isnt really a problem, its not really why you buy a car, plus its getting the holding value in your head that makes you paranoid over using them

ricky_2006

fucking hell im looking at both of them 2. ive think ive come to a decision on the fact I NEED TO SEEL MY ESCORT RS AND GET SOMETHING MUCH MORE RELIABLE.

i prefer the focus rs, but keep thinking to myself for an extra 2k you can get the st3 which is much newer.

so hard to decide.

and it will be a everyday car aswell and a weekend car LOL "if thats makes sense"

defo still prefer the focus rs but not too sure

S1

As a std new car with fresh tyres they dont torque steer half as bad people seem to make out. Yes they can track when you run over white lines but like I said keep the tyres and bushes tip-top and it really isnt a problem.

It does seem that the Mk1 FRS has a bad rep, mainly it would appear from people that dont own them and rely on hearsay to make their opinions. They are an awesome car IMO. I paid 18.5K for mine at a year old and have enjoyed it thoroughly since. The fact that you can pick them up for well under 10K makes it an absolute bargain performance car. The running costs are miniscule for the level of performance.

morph

iTrader: (1)

Had 3 mate ,1 from new and loved them all! but when i drove the ST i realised how much drama the RS made things over different cambers, uneven roads and how easy the ST was coping with these roads, torque steer is not a problem with the mk1 frs its the terrible wrenching of the steering that is and that was caused by the diff trying to send power to each of the wheels.
and your right it isn't that bad when the car is standard but lets face something if you have owned an FRS standard power is crap! you must run bluefin to awaken it and then the car does start pulling left right left.
Alot of people rate the mk1 frs and for good reasons but most of them have never driven an st or for some reason think that the mk1 frs is somehow more superior to an ST, i put this down to badge snobbery.
St is the finer balanced car of the 2.

FasterFords

wouldn't say a ST3 had a Halfords interior !

and as for Volvo's build being bullet proof, my gearbox let go at 13k

DazS1Turbo

Ive driven both and friends own 1 of each and without doubt id go for the RS (Just suits my driving style, feels more raw,oldskool if you know what i mean, more in tune with the car and a better driving experience)

However, i was shocked at how rusty Focus RS's can be underneath (30k mile car too!) and that certain parts are already getting hard to find........

Id still go with the RS though!

ricky_2006

would any1 buy a mrk1 focus rs off a dealer (showroom). saw one in a showroom who also does loads of other performance cars.

??????????????

~nomad~

iTrader: (4)

I have testdriven the ST a couple of times and have driven a mates (actually Si aboves) RS a fair amount, based on that I would go for the RS everytime, I absolutly love it. But my brother has just bought a ST3, so I will get a good few goes in that for a more balanced opinion.

j6kyt

here here i have the st-2 its a cracking car.

morph

iTrader: (1)

thats included in oldskool aswell mate!

adsrs1

i have just bought a 20000 mile focus rs and my mates bought a st3 i would have to say foucs rs all the time alot rare than the st and they look better

cressy

iTrader: (1)

cracking post as i`m in the same dilema.love both the rs focus & orange st

SassyRS

I like both but the RS would be my choice.

BrianEscCos

Had the same dilemma myself a few weeks back. I've had all sorts of fast Fords in the past, 3dr Cossie, EscCos etc and ST200's. Made decision based on needing it every day, reliability, technology etc and went for the ST. Fantastic car. Standard car lapped Nurbergring 10 secs faster than standard Mk1 FRS too. If I only needed a weekend / summer / toy car then the RS would be the one, but then again in that case think I go back to a 3dr

SteveB

iTrader: (3)

I love the ST and would have 1 tomorrow if I needed an everyday car or a car for the wife, but as a toy/weekend car it'd defo be the RS as it'll hold it's money better and I absolutely hate loosing cash on cars (not that I'm saying people enjoy loosing money)



Steve

danneth

as said lee, everyday use for along time take the ST limited use and fun RS all the way

Rick Astley

Isn't it right that the ST-3 is only a 4 seater?

Edit, where the hell I got that from I don't know?!!

Bodge22

You're correct mate it is only a 4 seater but only if you have the full leather i think!

I have a 320bhp FRS and my wife has a standard ST-3. I'm not really sure you can compare the two, as they're totally different types of car.

The FRS is a lot more full on and you really need to be more committed to get the best from it. The engine is great and once on boost it flys, the drive and handling is spot on though the ride can be a little harsh. It looks awesome, even if the interior is a little in your face!

The ST-3 is more of a cruiser and is very comfortable with shed loads of torque to pull you out of anything and as my wife says, it can make you quite lazy with your gears! The ST drive and handles very well but on the tighter B roads it feels big and you can feel the weight difference between the 2.

I would say have a good drive in both on all types of roads before you make any decisions.

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

focus rs....imo

BrianEscCos

Yeah ST-3 is 4 seater, two sculpted rears with higher section in the middle. ST-1 and ST-2 are 5 seaters. Not much diff in spec between the ST-2 and ST-3 apart from leather and six disc in dash CD as opposed to single. All ST's are the same mechanicals though

RichieST

iTrader: (2)

I'll agree with that! Got loads of low down grunt, 6th gear, 1500rpm and it pulls well!

fishfire

reviving an old thread here as Im curious as to which one was chosen

I have driven both, and currently own a very nice FRS.

Id agree that the RS is the more focused car, and therefore the most rewarding!

The ST is a nice cruiser, with nice torque, and a nice amount of power, but lets be honest......every other car is an ST!: there goes an ST (yay!) and another....and another......and another (yawn)

Where as with the RS you're getting a lot of exclusivity. I've only ever seen one other FRS where I live in Southampton.

Seen a few comments here that refer to the interior of the RS as being 'chavey'......Id have to disagree with that. You either like it or you don't, but chavey? definitely not. Because of course the bright orange ST isnt too chavey at all!

As for the torque steer on the frs, well with a good live map and geometry set up (no aftermarket suspension bits on mine) what torque steer?

In summery, the ST is a good car if you want to go for the odd bit of spirited driving in comfort, then pop down the shops with the family.
The RS is for those who want a focused and rewarding drivers car and can live with the harshness of the ride.
Both capable cars in their own way, but put the two cars on a twisty back road, and it'd be kiss my aRSe

And lets not get going on the new ST......just looks horrific *opens can of worms*

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Still FRS for me ... I'm not a old man yet for a XR3... Sorry I mean ST

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Dont be upsetting Jay ha ha.

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

ill be sending you something in the post Ivor with more abusive labels if your not careful

Lambchop

iTrader: (1)

Rsmat

iTrader: (2)

Sorry


Fucking ROFl

Shings

FRS for me...

Obvs

mattcroft

I'm sure i'll be criticised, surely simple?!.... ST for everyday, FRS for when you want a "proper drive". (Personal opinion I know!)

foci

I sold my mountune st3 5 months ago. Main reason was how much it was depreciating. Since then I have been laughing at how quick they still are. I reckon mk1 rs are at there low. By this I mean the lowest they will ever reach before appreciating dare I say like cosworths.

If your not arsed about loosing a couple of grand get the st. Put a decat, filter and remap and as long as the clutch holds out, you wil never tire of the pops and bangs.

If you want a investment you can detail and cherish with a view of it being worth more every day. Got to be the RS!
Cheers
Foci

Shings

Use my FRS every day mate no probs, can do 660 miles a week if I'm on site.

It's great.

Would recommend one to anyone.

STAFFY OWNER

Never driven an ST but based on the smiles my FRS gives me i've got to go for that. Would get an ST once i'm too paranoid to drive the FRS for fear of crunching it lol.

T666 FRS

iTrader: (4)

I can't comment on the ST but my FRS puts a massive smile on my face every time I drive it and has been the most reliable car i've ever owned.

The age difference between the 2 is quite open so i'm sure there will be a fair few more refinements on the ST than the RS.

atm

Iv had 3 rs's and drove a couple of st's...

The only answer is 2 different cars, they're both better at doing different things, buy both

HarryRS

lol this... Focus rs is raw more of a drivers car where as the ST is more refined smooth depends what you what from one. I love my FRS plus it looks 10x better then an ST and its limited edition

Jay,

iTrader: (4)

ive driven another Rs mk1 one this morning and all i can say is there fucking dire lol such a bad car for its time

mattcroft

Good lad!

stevecfrst1

What a daft comment there from jay... Ive owned a 300hp st and now own an mk1 rs which is about 350hp. The st is a great all round car and i liked it a lot, but they are not anywhere near as rare/special as an rs, nor are they anywhere near as much of a drivers car. You really feel as though you are driving the rs where as the st is no where near as connected. My rs excites me every time i drive it which is why ive kept it as long as i have, and didnt have the st that long as it just got boring after a while.
Both good cars in their own right but the rs wins it for me