New Focus St Vs New Cts Compressor

[mr_miller]

Focus ST

'Standard specification includes a 2.5 litre Duratec 5 cylinder turbo charged engine developing 225ps, and 320Nm of Torque at just 1600rpm. Unique 8x18" alloy wheels, 3-spoke ST steering wheel, ST body kit, large rear spoiler, Recaro seats, black headlining, 6 speed close ratio gearbox, turbo boost, oil pressure and temperature guages all come as standard.'

CTS Compressor

'Thanks to extra torque at lower engine speeds – a maximum 215Nm at 4,000rpm – the Corolla Compressor delivers supremely flexible performance: acceleration from 50 to 75mph in fifth gear is accomplished in 8.5 seconds, while the shift from 37 to 62mph in fourth takes only 6.1 seconds. '

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Just wondering how people thought the new ST compares to the Compressor CTS. On paper it would seem the ST is the winner. I'd never own a CTS Compressor to be honest as the limited numbers really will restrict the ease to find a second hand one in a few years and plus I can't afford one at the moment. But in six months a ST would definately be an option. I like the look of the new focus' too, they've moved away from the standard bubble hatchback shape, and it seems to be quicker and better value.

[King Rocco]

Have you thought about a Honda Integra Type-R?? Could get a good 2nd hand one for 6-8 grand, and they would hold onto there value well, awesome cars too. :

thumbsup:

[Sly Si]

Hi,

I was lucky enough to get a test drive of a Corolla Compressor on Monday.

On the test drive the salesman told me to give it a good test (went against everything I've ever done as it only 14 miles on the clock) but I couldn't argue with the man now could I :D

Impressions:

It was well fast with lots of power at any speed in any gear, gone is the launch of power when you hit the lift, you just can't feel the lift kick in at all, obviously due to the immense acceleration you get right from the off.

As a current CTS driver I have to say I was a little dissapointed, I was somehow expecting more. The car is identical inside, the twin exhaust on the rear looks like a bit of an afterthought with the huge back box hanging down very low at the right hand side. Wheels look nice and fill the arches better, the CTS would have looked much better with these 17's as standard.

I've always been a Toyota fan and I love my CTS, but 20K for a Corolla?

It's a lot of money and it would of cost me 9K to get one (trading in my 1 year old CTS, that's depreciation folks !)

I have to say the Focus ST does look tempting, but I have had bad experiences in the past with Fords which is why I drive a Toyty. (Still gonna test drive a Focus ST when they arrive though)

At the end of the day, it's down to personal choice and preference. What I don't like about the Compressor others will probably love.

To sum up. Very Fast (made my CTS feel like a 1.4 on the drive home)

18K, I would have bought one already. But 20K wow.

[Kudos+]

I am a big toyota fan, and on this the focus sounds miles better hands down. Doubt it will be as reliable, but wud b better in every other way.

Was just wondering, are these CTS compressors available in the showrooms now? And how many of them are there going to be made?

N what i would do for a CTS alone! Cant imagine what one must feel like to drive as the biggest engined car ive drove is my 1.3.

I suppose the only place u can get the full use of these cars is on tracks though, i mean ive only been drivein a week n its doin my hed in already with the speed limits. U put ur foot down n ur speedin in first gear (over 30mph). N dont even start me on speed cameras. The roads today are just no fun at all...

" speed never killed nobody, comeing to a stop very fast did!" :P

[montee]

i have been considering the focus ST for awhile now... i got a CTS now. my only worry is 19k on any car brand new, much less a ford means that in a few years you would lose say 8-10k. too much. though i have read the residuals expected to beat the gti golf ( how i dont know)

I just need a car with all the gizmos, comfortable and functional, as well as 0-60mph in less than 7secs. current options:

new ford focus ST 4dr

audi A3 sportback

new golf gti 4dr ( though R32, 4wd coming out soon)

[mr_miller]

Morning all,

I was tempted by the integra type r's when i bought the CTS, a few months ago. I think the new CTS is a real disappointment as said before. Fair enough it is only a stop gap between this model and the new generation, but they could have put a bit more effort into it especially since the car has been on the cards for quite a while. One of the reasons I would change the CTS for an ST, is the more balanced power distribution, I love the LIFT, but I want a car that goes like that from 1500rpm not 6200rpm, like my bro's twin turbo supra. And he still gets ~25mpg. I think i'll go take the ST out, and then wait a year and try to pick a 2nd hand one up. Hopefully i can sell it to the missus as a family car being a ford and all. I do really like Toyota, mum has a Yaris, brother has a Supra (bit too fast and furious for me). I paid 8K for my 51(early 02) registered CTS about 3 months ago, so an extra 11K for the compressor is a bit steep for what it is, but if the compressor had the performance we had hoped for, i would have spent that 11K happily for such a limited edition car.

With regards to the residuals, a friend of mine has access to CAP Platinum, i'll see what he says. But they might hold OK, a decent Puma Racing still is over 10K, 5 years on from the release date. Fair enough there is less than 500 on the road in the UK, rarer performance Fords do seem to hold their value if looked after.

[Stephen Kowalzcuk]

I'm a huge Toyota fan but the Compressor isnt worth the money, plus it looks tacky and cheap, it doesnt gel at all, just shouts boy racer.

There are much better cars available for the money. A similar sized 2 year old low mileage BMW Compact 320TD would run rings around it in the handling stakes, plus it would cost £7,000 less accompanied by minimal depreciation. I did a big test drive recently, which included the Golf GTi and others, and the BMW is in a different league, possibly the best handling small hatch I have ever driven, and there has been a few in 30 years of driving. As regards the Focus, it will be a depreciation disaster too, not forgetting Ford's proven woeful reliability record.

I'm not overly keen on the rear end of the Compact, but it isn't half a sorted chassis, with pin sharp steering, superb ride quality and amazing levels of grip, miles better than the saloon versions by quite a margin. I would urge anyone to test drive one if they want a real drivers car.

[mr_miller]

My pa has got a bmw320 td on a 53 plate, and it is a joy compared to my TSport. Better fuel economy and comfort, but just isn't for me at the moment. It doesn't help that his is olive green and yellow leather!

[mr_miller]

Read pa = father, not personal assistant. I ain't that rich yet!

[Stephen Kowalzcuk]

My pa has got a bmw320 td on a 53 plate, and it is a joy compared to my TSport.  Better fuel economy and comfort, but just isn't for me at the moment.  It doesn't help that his is olive green and yellow leather!

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I can understand that

[T600]

This week's Autoexpress has a comparison of these two cars + Astra VXR + Golf GTi.

The Compressor doesn't do well I'm afraid; In the summary at the end it scores lower than the other three in every single category - except equal to the Astra for 'interior'. I know these things are subjective - what you want from a car maybe isn't what the reviewer wants.

Of the non Toyotas I'd look at the Golf and Focus first. I had a Vauxhall a few years back and it fell apart. I don't think Ford or VW reliability is anything to shout about but it must be better than Vauxhall.

The review says the compressor is primarily set to boost the mid range power of the car as it already has enough top end. Fair enough, the VVTLi engine needs to be ragged to get the best out of it, but then that's the fun of it.

To be honest, having read the AutoExpress article I'd rather have the regular T-Sport than any of these four.

[SMW]

[orangezorki]

For someone who can only dream at the moment of being able to insure a car this fast, and who likes the ease of an auto box, the Golf with the DSG has my vote - It's even faster than the manual version!

David

[g3m xr]

when looking at buying the t-sport we test drove the fiesta st , after all we were ford peeps thru and thru ut where trully devesated that it gave such a poor test drive and u got so lil for your money , the t-sport won hands down hence now having one ! i think it will also coem down to the fact that jap / toyota give so much more from standard inc esp / traction control / leather ect when so much we got standard had to be brought as extras with the st / ford. i must admit the spec of the new focus sounds amazing but im wondering if there gonna well over price them for what u get and make u buy so many extras . i never thought id leave ford but i was proven wrong

[T128]

after owning the cts and the endless battle's with dealers for warrenty claim do i want another brand new toyota,thanks but NO THANKS.

the facts are toyota no longer knows how to make decend car's like they once did,and the so called friendly toyota dealership no longer exist ,and i cannot not see toyota ever be as good as they once was .

for me out of focus st(turbo) ,cts (Compressor) golf gti,i think the golf wins hands down for quality ,because vw golf are still made in germany and soon as i sit in the new golf the word ... quality springs to mind , i am keeping my eyes out at the moment for a used golf gti or a mitsubishi evo 8 (automatic) for the right price of course.

i got a feeling ford will be bring out a Focus cosworth on this all new model one day ,i also got this feeling thats gona be very fast 300+ hp.

[orangezorki]

Sounds like you had a lemon, but if you look at all the surveys the top 10 is always populated by Japanese cars, including Toyota.

For bullet-proof reliability and excellent dealer service, the only option at the moment seems to be Lexus - cars often sold under the Toyota Badge in other parts of the world.

[siu16]

I do also agree, Toyota cars are very good, probably why i stuck with them for so long :) But i don't really like the look of the new compressor. I think they should have got one of their Lexus designers to design it. But i bet it drives very good. I have driven the new focus and it actually drives more and more like a japanese car, steerings not too light and the accelerator and brakes are very responsive. Will be looking forward to the new corolla doe. What do you guys think of the new Yaris? its tipped to be car of the year next year!

[orangezorki]

What really puts me off both the previous and new Yaris is the dashboard. I know all the benefits, but it just doesn't feel right compared with dials right in front of you.

[RUGBY MAD]

Just driven 45 miles in a compressor corolla , cant believe the people having a dig about it ( high price apart ) . Fabulous linear power from 1800 rpm right through to 8200 . Massive improvement over the standard t sport . Handling is much better too . the bmw 320 quote on handling is way off the mark . Please drive cars before making judgments . I have driven many great handling cars , integra type r . focus rs , 330 ci , R32 golf, Celica tsport ( i have one and it would not stand a chance on a country lane or in a straight line ) and it compares favourably . It should be £17995 agreed but as a drivers car it is fabulous . Would have been even better with 2000 miles on the engine to free it up( my celica drove much better once freed up with miles ).

[T128]

Sounds like you had a lemon, but if you look at all the surveys the top 10 is always populated by Japanese cars, including Toyota.

i think you'll find toyota doesn't have much of a buget building decend cars these days, toyota like to spend there money on advertising how else can they get fools like me to fall for it.

yes i did buy a lemon from toyota but so did everyone on here who own a e12 corolla,cos we all seens to have the same problem's .

they didn't bother to fixed the problem with the facelift , i dont see how this compressor corolla be any different than any other e12 apart from the adding of a compressor.

once again thanks but NO THANKS

[RUGBY MAD]

You are brave arguing against Every reliability survey from Every country whom have Toyota near or at the top of all quality surveys . Germany tuv survey , Jd power usa and uk , even auto express and top gear magazine . They stand on one side and you stand on the other . You have had a bad experience but there are thousands and thiusands of very happy owners proved beyond doubt by the above surveys . Check the net now for the surveys to see. My celica and before that my three previous toyotas have been flawless . my W reg golf had an electrical fault that the dealer could not find after 5 visits , never mind the rattles and squeaks . This was a one off as many vw owners i know have no problems .It happens . ;)

[T128]

yes the e12 is prefect i am making up the problem's i and other have with there e12.

you are the type of buyer toyota GB aim at goodluck to ya :D :D :D and you carry on reading your magazine afterall if is in the magazine than it must be true :D

[RUGBY MAD]

THOUSANDS AND THOUSANDS OF SURVEYS AGAINST YOUR VIEW .

WHO DO YOU THINK LOOKS STUPID ?

Like all things , people shout about their problems but never say when their happy .

Do us all a favour and buy a Ford or Honda . Don't check their forums though as guess what " they have problems too"

I Suggest a hand made vehicle made to your exact and perfect standards . :D

[CTS03]

You are brave arguing against Every reliability survey from Every country whom have Toyota near or at the top of all quality surveys . 

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I fully agree with T128 and I am really wondering for the value of these surveys now. I see two possibilities: (1) quality of Toyota dropped recently and has not been visible yet in the surveys and (2) majority of people buying Toyota cars are not demanding for their car and they are happy just to keep it moving.

I recently realized that numerous problems exist not only for E12 Corollas but also for Celicas:

http://www.celica-club.co.uk

The worst thing seems to be that we cannot get effective problem-solving support from Toyota service stations Europe-wide. Their most common response is "it is normal behaviour ... within the expected performance, etc". If you believe them then you would have to tolerate everything! No problem! (any relation with good statistics?).

If you spend hours searching through the forums you often realize that you have a common problem! And you go back with arguments to take you seriously!!!

But I am afraid this attitude is not only in the local dealesrhips.

[Stephen Kowalzcuk]

Just driven 45 miles in a compressor corolla , cant believe the people having a dig about it ( high price apart ) . Fabulous linear power from 1800 rpm right through to 8200 . Massive improvement over the standard t sport . Handling is much better too . the bmw 320 quote on handling is way off the mark . Please drive cars before making judgments . I have driven many great handling cars , integra type r . focus rs , 330 ci , R32 golf, Celica tsport ( i have one and it would not stand a chance on a country lane or in a straight line ) and it compares favourably  . It should be £17995  agreed but as a drivers car it is fabulous .  Would have been even better with  2000  miles on the engine to free it up( my celica drove much better once freed up with miles ).

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I'm not going to write a long list of all the cars I have or havent driven, just because a car is fast does not mean it is good.

I cant think of two more fat, bloated and gadget ridden pseudo sports cars than the 330ci and Golf. Certainly not my cup of tea anyway, and you are just showing your age and naivety by making such a predictable list of so called good handling cars. I would much rather have an Escort Mexico.