25th May 2006, 06:24
I don't know what car magazines you read in the 90's, but the Escort RS2000 was never top of its class.
It was astonishingly good considering how atrocious the base Escort was, and Ford all but gave the last models away (it was down to about UKP13,000 at the end) but for pure driving thrills, the Peugeot 306 S16 / GTI-6 was a far better car as was the Clio Williams and the Citroen ZX 16v.
The RS might become a classic purely for its RS badge, but in capability terms is barely above average. Nice engine though.
2nd Feb 2008, 14:45
Hi, I have a 2003 Ford Focus ST170.
I'm just wondering if anyone knows why the interior clock lights flicker a bit? And when I lock it to activate the alarm, the indicators used to flash twice, but now they don't flash at all. Just wondering if anyone can help?
Thanks.
19th Feb 2008, 06:32
The other day I bumped into one of these Focus ST170s in my Civic VTi. I had a passenger with me and the guy in the Focus was by himself, he tried overtaking me, he couldn't. We stopped at the next set of traffic lights, once the lights changed he got a good start and pulled away in first gear, when vtec kicked in I pulled straight past him and must have pulled at least 3 cars length away from him by the time I got to 70mph, you should have seen his face.
I was thinking of buying a used example, but they are not quick enough, do they really have 170bhp.
20th Feb 2008, 06:30
'I was thinking of buying a used example, but they are not quick enough, do they really have 170bhp.'
No, they have 168bhp!
15th Dec 2008, 12:40
I have had my 170 for around 4 months now, as much as you put it down I think a lot of people are missing the point, it isn't an equal to the likes of the Type R and it certainly doesn't have much in common with its big brother the RS.
The Engine for example isn't a Duratec, it's a trick Zetec, in fact it's the 2.0 engine that has been modified. It has a Cosworth tuned exhaust system dual inlet manifold among some other modifications. The RS is a Duratec with a whole new build, it also has a turbo with a lot more BHP and Torque to the wheels.
I think you will find the ST170 to keep up with most things maybe not in a straight line but the cornering is unbelievable.
If you want to compare it to other "sporty cars", then you maybe disappointed, but it isn't a bad car at all you get what you pay for. Also as I said before, it will out handle most of your comparisons without much trouble, and those long gears can benefit certain aspects of driving.
15th Jan 2009, 09:01
Personally I've driven the ST170 and I don't see a problem with it at all other than it being a little flat between 3000-4500 revs, but it doesn't bother me, it handles well and has more poke in it than most 2.0's I've driven.
Most of you lot expect it to be super car quick, and end of the day it's only a Focus not a Porsche. Chill people!
(Buying mine on the weekend LOL)
5th Mar 2009, 19:47
HELP, my dash board lights flicker, and it's driving me crazy. My ST170 has now been to 4 garages but no joy. Any ideas?? Apart from that, the ST170 is fast enough to give me a thrill a few times a day (more than the wife) HE HE. Just want my flickering to stop!!??
12th Jun 2009, 08:18
The flickering is a common fault on most Fords, my Fiesta did it before I bought the Focus. Just do as the above comment suggested.
25th Aug 2009, 20:34
Hi.
Very interesting comments about the ST170. I've had VWs for the last 9 years, had a few GTIs and a VR6, but I've just bought a ST170 and I think it drives miles better than any of the above.
My mate's got a Type R, which is very quick, but the ride and build quality are awful. OK for blasting about in, but no good for every day use.
So back to the ST170; not the fastest hatch around, but a great car for every day use and a blast round the country roads when you feel like it.
19th Sep 2009, 09:57
Until it gets to a corner, and then it will understeer right off the road into a tree in a big cloud of tyre smoke.
2nd Jan 2010, 05:33
The 147 gta is quite fast in a straight line, but not when it comes to corners, it's slower on a track than the CTR; that's if you can get 1 to do a lap before it breaks down; still, they do look stunning (when they are on the back of an AA van LOL).
29th Apr 2010, 11:18
Back to the ST170 as it's an interesting point of conversation. I never expected to own one of these things as was way under my budget. Drove it back to back against a number of other cars including lastly the Mini Cooper S and it was a better car. Similar sort of road holding and similar acceleration, but double the price and not quite there with the build quality. And where am I going to put my clubs when I learn to play golf? Sure mid range is a bit lack lustre, but you can't knock it as a bargain run around (£4k = 1 owner, FSH, 35k, immac in and out) :-)
10th Apr 2011, 19:31
When is the cambelt due for replacement on the ST170? I was told 160000km, but this seems too high. Thanks.
10th Jan 2013, 15:42
Hi...
I had a similar problem with the headlights/dash lights on my Cougar. This modification to the alternator cured it. Here's a link that explains in more detail. Hope it helps.
http://www.automotivehelper.com/topic436156.htm
wooddragon45.
20th Feb 2006, 09:20
Only has 134lb/ft of torque. that's crap. struggles up hills.