Turbo Astra vs ST170 - Ford Forums - Mustang Forum, Ford Trucks, Ford Focus and Ford Cars

TheBow · 05-14-2003, 22:56

This could be interesting.

http://www.drive.com.au/news/article...X836ZMPFD.html

Though I would assume the ST170 may be more popular due to it's NA engine and lower insurance costs.

Don't you just love healthy competition.

Mr Jucy · 05-14-2003, 23:56

I'd say the Astra will be more popular aren't Ford only bringing in something like 120 STs. & being Turbo will make the Astra fully schick but personally think the ST seems a far better overall package but I haven't driven either so my opinion doesn't stand for much I guess

The Mighty XE · 05-15-2003, 00:36

In the latest motor mag they drive both and are very underwhelmed by the ST170, the engine being the main criticism

Night_Lurker · 05-15-2003, 00:45

I think the astra will be a hit being a turbo and 1k less than the ST (sorry don't have Motor with me, trying to remember the figures). There is also this thing that the Focuses (sp?) that there is not enough power in them for the price. However the Focus handles a lot better.

Rodderz · 05-15-2003, 00:53

The focus is a brilliant all round package however the power (or lack of) is a major negative of every review done on it, all through the range. The target segment may not include those who want a powerful car, but it's a strong selling point by dealers to get a sale of an astra/corrolla which have more power.

TheBow · 05-15-2003, 01:00

Yes,

I think the astra will win out for a few reasons.

1) It's a holden
2) It's turbo and has got a much more powerful engine.
3) It's cheaper but Ford may have to reconsider their ST170 pricing as well. It's fair enough but Ford seem to try and charge a premium price for unknown products in the market place.

Anyone remeber the mondeo,probe, cougar? they were all sales flops here as they just didn't stack up value-wise.

Mr Jucy · 05-15-2003, 01:56

The Holden is only $10 cheaper so I don't think price comes into it unless you are looking at kw per $1

Falchoon · 05-15-2003, 15:19

Does the Focus have similar (or better?) features to the Astra? The Drive article makes the Astra sound pretty good. If the Focus had the better features it might have a chance but if they are very similar and the Astra has the herbs under the bonnet then I reckon it will be the winner.

Venom XR · 05-15-2003, 16:01

The Herald Sun had a Turbo Astra report, and having driven an ST170 they did a comparo.

With 20kW more power, they gave the nod to the Astra, which had little to no turbo lag, usable power thru the rev range and a well behaved front end, even with traction control off. By comparison, the Focus needed it's neck stranged to get the right amount of power.

However, when it comes to corners, the Focus wins hands down. The Astra's suspension is soft, has more body roll in turns while the Focus is firm and capable to carrying more corner speed.

The Focus six-speed gearbox gets the nod over the Astra's five-speed.

Interior wise, the Astra is stated as being bland, but with more features than the Focus. Both are attributed to having '$19,990 special' radios and heater controls.

It's a handling vs power situation, not unlike the old AU XR8 vs SS Commodore comparos.

What they want is a Focus with an Astra engine and interior. So FPV, your mission is set. Give the Focus the tickling it needs, and bite Astra where it hurts.

They say, despite Holden's marketing effort, that the Turbo Astra is no WRX rival, rather aimed at ST170 and Corolla Sportivo. The ST170 is going to end up at the bottom of the comparos between the three, unless an RS-like FPV version is given the go-ahead, though we know with the turn-around for such a car, we wouldn't see it until the latter parts of 2004 anyway, if ever.

subsbligh35 · 05-15-2003, 23:43

Anyone know of any Cosworth/Prodrive Focus models over in the UK? 4wd focus with turbo-charged 2L for under 40k would sell like frickin hot cakes