USED Ford Focus Hatchback (04 - 11)

My car

well where to start iv owned the focus st for 6 months from new it broke down in the first week with a sensor fault and its been down hill since then the gear box has had a vibration in second gear since new the dealer has said that ford considers the vibration as normal and last week to failed compleatly its been in the garage ever since now they say that the replacement gear box is faulty ?? im selling it this month iv had it with fords if you buy one good luck and hope it dosent go wrong because the dealers havent a clue

My car

Before owning the Ford Focus ST2, I had a VW Golf 1.4 and an Audi a3 1.6. Both very good cars, but just didn't have the speed I was looking for. I decided to do my research on the ST and after much deliberation, went for it. I spent 17,995 on my panther black ST2. I'd test drove the ST3 with it's Recaro leather seats but opted for the ST2 as the seats felt more comfortable. Only days after having it I had trouble with my suspension struts which had to be replaced and the interior doors vibrate when on the move, something that still cotinues to bug me to this day. Ford did say they couldn't hear it when they tested my car for this fault? Other than this the ST is a head turner and is amazing fun when pushed to it's limits, I've had some serious fun with it on country roads. However! don't be fooled, this fun has it's down sides. Annual tax currently costs £225 and is due to increase, its group 17 insurance will sting any young driver and the worst thing about the ST is the MPG!!! You will be lucky to get 25mpg, on average my monthly running costs are £150 on 95 ron fuel and as we all know fuel costs too will soon increase. My advice is, if you have the cash, buy one it's quite simply a sensible car when it needs to be, but can turn into a fast & fun drive when you put your foot down, but fun that will hurt your finances - BADLY.

My car

I am with the British army based in Germany. I got my ST a year ago and because I am entitled to tax free goods, paid £12,400 for it brand new. Bargin!

The car is wonderful. I got it in orange with the matching orange seats. I still gets alot of looks after a year. I had a woman coming out of a bank walk straight into a lamp post due to staring at my car sitting at the lights!

The cabin is a nice place to be. I love the novelty dials in the middle of the dash. The seats are comfortable even on long drives and supportive. The engine and handling are nothing short of sublime. In any gear, it will pull when you accelerate. The exhaust pops, bangs and fizzes when you change gear and howls wonderfully.

The chassis is awesome and the car just grips and grips in tight, fast turns. There are a couple of minus points (I guess). As most other people say, fuel/blahblah/MPG/etc. Tires wear out very quickly.

The seats don't return to their orignal postions when you admit someone to the rear which is annoying. Oh, and some german tree-hugger told me I was killing the environment with my car but all in all the pluses far outway the minuses.

If you can, you really should. Forget the wife (I'm lucky. My wife loves the car) and sell the kids if you have to. I'm selling Bill (that's his name) next month. I'm gutted to be honest. I now have to put up with a BMW 1-series coupe for a year. However, there is a positive. I'm getting £13,000 for the ST, £600 more than I paid for i