y3Lo Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Signed up here a good while back browsing for info and cars in the for sale section, ended up buying a focus st. Now I was just browsing PH again for a friend and saw a few 350's which sparked my interest for them again. Has anyone else come from a focus st to a 350? How did it compare? The focus is OK, but I don't have any real passion for it, so possibly considering a replacement. Look forward to reading some more threads on here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Should read Focus ST < 350Z really There's a couple of folks on here that have done the switch both ways, but however good the ST is (and I'm not knocking it, it's a fantastic all-round hot hatch), it's still basically a warm shopping trolley. Nothing can quite compare to a 2-seat sports coupe with a huge lump up front and RWD. As as only car to ferry the family around in I'd be tempted by an ST (in the orange, please!) but for a car where carrying people isn't an issue then it would be the Zed every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbs Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 but for a car where carrying people isn't an issue then it would be the Zed every time. How many people can you get in the porker then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 but for a car where carrying people isn't an issue then it would be the Zed every time. How many people can you get in the porker then After experiencing my bros I would say two, unless the back seaters have no legs Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rabbitstew Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 but for a car where carrying people isn't an issue then it would be the Zed every time. How many people can you get in the porker then After experiencing my bros I would say two, unless the back seaters have no legs Much like the zed then! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 but for a car where carrying people isn't an issue then it would be the Zed every time. How many people can you get in the porker then That's what I mean: If carrying people isn't a consideration, I would never consider buying a 4-seater. And mine's a 2+2 so that doesn't count Counts even less atm as I've removed the rear seats altogether, GT3-style Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbs Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
varley16 Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 i work for ford, 350z anyday! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 i work for ford, 350z anyday! A few people have had STs as mentioned, browse the other cars section to see comparisons Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky370z Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 had a Fez ST (i know its not the same) great little car. i loved it. few of my mates "upgraded" to the focci ST. i drove a couple and they seemed a bit tame. yes quick in a line and sounded nice with a few choice mods but nothing really special. plus on a long journey i didnt think it was that comfortable whereas the zed is good for about 400 miles before my arse gets a bit twitchy. i love my Zed and for the same money i would always go for the zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blahblah Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 I had an ST before my curremt Z and I loved the ST....... but theres no comparison the Z beats it on everything from comfort to cool factor. F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragon Posted February 6, 2012 Share Posted February 6, 2012 If youv'e got no interest in the ford get rid and get a z simple!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y3Lo Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 Thanks for the replies, maybe saying I have no interest in the ST is a little harsh, I came from a civic ek9 before, probably one of the best fwd handling cars made! But the ST just doesn't fill me with confidence in corners despite being lowered on eibachs. I've never just jumped in the ST and felt like hitting some B roads for a drive (which I used to do in the ek9). Have seen a few z's locally so might go have a look at a couple, maybe have a test drive see how that wets my appetite . I also think they sound fantastic!! Everybody on the focus forum bangs on about the 5pot growl, which is nice.... But I do think the z with a nice exhaust is pure car porn! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Focus RS > 350Z but only if you need rear seats. ST's are great, do what I did though and buy a £1000 GTI-6 and a Zed as well Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
garygttdi Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Hi all apart from what’s been said already I would offer this. A great many on hear will have cut there teeth and grown up on front wheel drive in fact apart from BMW just about every main stream car manufacturer only does front wheel drive. Forgetting all the obvious differences in style and one being cool and the other being a FORD. Until you have driven RWD and pushed it through some bends on a B road you will never know how rewarding or how much of a rush it can be. What I am really trying to say is the cars are and will be so different due to the drive train and that’s were you need to start your thinking from. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AMT Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Not knocking them either, my m8 has a ...striking orange one (I couldn't do it... lol) ST-3 with all the kit, but its spoiled when you jump inside your 220 odd brake beast!.....Annnnnd then realise your sittin in a focus with 3 random dials on the top of the dash and some snug seats... dissapointment lol. The Zed definatly feels special. Focus in my mind just doesn't. If your eyes don't line up with your door mirrors and you have to look down at them... your in the wrong kinda car or... your just too tall for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 Until you have driven RWD and pushed it through some bends on a B road you will never know how rewarding or how much of a rush it can be. What I am really trying to say is the cars are and will be so different due to the drive train and that’s were you need to start your thinking from. I used to preach this on a daily basis (hell, my other car club put FWD in the swear filter and changed it to "scrabble" ), and from 2000 until 2010 everything I owned was RWD. In that time I also became a competent drifter, pi**ed about on snow and ice, did trackdays, road trips and all sorts in a variety of RWD cars. Then I took the Zed off the road and needed a new daily, so bought a 306 GTI-6 Peugeot, and pretty much from day 1 I was converted - its more fun, its faster through bends, its more precise, theres more feedback from it and obviously you can drive it "spiritedly" in the wet, rather than crapping yourself most of the time. ITs taught me to trail brake, to use lift off oversteer to change angle of attack and to use the engine more for weight distribution while driving as well. Ive since driven 205GTi's, 172/182/Cup/Trophy Clios, a Focus RS, and had a quick go in a Lotus Elan and Integra Type R and pretty much all of them are more rewarding than a Z33, with a whole lot less risk attached. Im sure most will disagree and Ill be called a philistine and a retard, but until you have driven a properly sorted FWD car you have no idea of how good they can be. In a straight statement, although my HSD'd Zed is fantastic, the Pug will beat it for speed and enjoyment in pretty much every situation. Im not saying one is better than the other, but dont write cars off because they arent RWD, they can still give an incredible drive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
y3Lo Posted February 7, 2012 Author Share Posted February 7, 2012 cheers doc, nice too hear 2 sides to every story... My experience regarding RWD is rather limited, owned a s2k for 3-4 weeks, and did enjoy it. But not enough time to really appreciate it or put it through it's paces. The ek9 I had previously was a great handling car, it was so predictable, you just knew where you we're with it. What really does surprise me is the two or more guys who have mentioned the Z as a more comfortable car than the focus, I'd have had it the other way round if I had to guess. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LRF4N Posted February 7, 2012 Share Posted February 7, 2012 The zed is a cruiser so very comfortable. I never had a sore arse driving it in 3 years. Had a clk before the zed and the zed was far more comfortable than the merc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trojan D079 Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Focus ST is a mint car but wouldn’t give ford any of my money after the 20 or so bad experiences trying to buy one from ford dealerships. In my opinion Ford are the worst for dealerships treat you like scum. 350z Awesome Nissan isn’t bad as a company either, Z wise depending on age can be more to run I think than an ST and not as practical. It all breaks down to what you really want a: A real sports car that turns heads or B: A family car that goes a bit fast, which is very common. If it is then skip the Focus ST and get an Audi RS4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
docwra Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 In my opinion Ford are the worst for dealerships treat you like scum Interesting you say that - when I was trying to get a drive of a Focus RS, the first place I called up told me, point blank that "they dont do test pilots" and that I wouldnt be able to drive one without putting down a deposit. I said that was ridiculous to ask someone to spend £26K on a car without driving it first, he told me to like it or lump it. Called the second garage up and got "We dont do test pilots ........", at that point kinda lost it at them, pointing out that I had a test of a GTR lined up in two days and had been out in a 997C2S and a Lexus IS-F the day before, and a 996 Turbo the day before that. I asked them what the justification for Porsche letting me drive a 75K car but Ford refusing on one thats only worth a third of the money ........ suddenly they did give tests and would this afternoon be OK sir? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT4 Zed Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Until you have driven RWD and pushed it through some bends on a B road you will never know how rewarding or how much of a rush it can be. What I am really trying to say is the cars are and will be so different due to the drive train and that’s were you need to start your thinking from. I used to preach this on a daily basis (hell, my other car club put FWD in the swear filter and changed it to "scrabble" ), and from 2000 until 2010 everything I owned was RWD. In that time I also became a competent drifter, pi**ed about on snow and ice, did trackdays, road trips and all sorts in a variety of RWD cars. Then I took the Zed off the road and needed a new daily, so bought a 306 GTI-6 Peugeot, and pretty much from day 1 I was converted - its more fun, its faster through bends, its more precise, theres more feedback from it and obviously you can drive it "spiritedly" in the wet, rather than crapping yourself most of the time. ITs taught me to trail brake, to use lift off oversteer to change angle of attack and to use the engine more for weight distribution while driving as well. Ive since driven 205GTi's, 172/182/Cup/Trophy Clios, a Focus RS, and had a quick go in a Lotus Elan and Integra Type R and pretty much all of them are more rewarding than a Z33, with a whole lot less risk attached. Im sure most will disagree and Ill be called a philistine and a retard, but until you have driven a properly sorted FWD car you have no idea of how good they can be. In a straight statement, although my HSD'd Zed is fantastic, the Pug will beat it for speed and enjoyment in pretty much every situation. Im not saying one is better than the other, but dont write cars off because they arent RWD, they can still give an incredible drive. Docwra you are a philistine and i disagree with you completely. Don't want to make an argument of it but the comparisions are wrong! i am not a competent drifter, nor a time attack king but i can safely say i can handle myself safely behind the wheel in most situations and have never owned a FWD car (bar my first car a ford escort back in the days) but i have driven some wheel sorted FWD cars both on road and track and i have also been given many a cold sweat by FWD cars on the Ring but its not that simple to generalise from you experience alone. There are lots of parameters to consider just to list a few (assuming driver skill was equal) - power to weight ratio -level of surface grip -Tyres -Mods eg suspension tuning, chassis tuning -road or track layout etc etc There are pros and cons for each setup as to be expected but without any doubt RWD set up is the far superior overall just like other automotive facts. the only challenge i can give you is to drive a really well sorted zed(ie one that is raw....stripped of almost all the factory GTness) against a similarly sorted FWD car then you will truly understand. If we ever met i will hand you my keys to see for yourself and its still a work in progress but the transformation is advanced Finally my friend you are never be called a retard for all petrolheads are passionate people but can often wax too lyrical and misunderstood by the zombies that live among us and see vehicles as only means of transport or beast of burden...that title goes to them:surrender: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Can't say I ever look over with any envy.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kiingsi Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Personally I'm not a big fan as they are to big a car for me but.. One of my close mates has one and to be honest they are a nice car, quite comfy a lot of gadgets and if you like to tune then they are very easy both style and performance. its so easy to do stuff your self aswell everything is just clip on with a couple of 10mm bolts here or there. ithe gains are easy and huge compared to a zed, he spent 1k on his and is now running 310(bhp) and 350(ft-lb) and leaves me n my opinion the zed winds hands down but other than compared to a zed which is hard to compare because there completely different cars I would say it is definitely one of the top cars in it's class. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spursmaddave Posted February 8, 2012 Share Posted February 8, 2012 Personally I'm not a big fan as they are to big a car for me but.. One of my close mates has one and to be honest they are a nice car, quite comfy a lot of gadgets and if you like to tune then they are very easy both style and performance. its so easy to do stuff your self aswell everything is just clip on with a couple of 10mm bolts here or there. ithe gains are easy and huge compared to a zed, he spent 1k on his and is now running 310(bhp) and 350(ft-lb) and leaves me n my opinion the zed winds hands down but other than compared to a zed which is hard to compare because there completely different cars I would say it is definitely one of the top cars in it's class. Yeah if a fast hatchback that's easy to mod is your thing then it's hard to beat I agree.... But with out stereotyping you would get tarred with a burberry brush if you drove an orange asbomobile I'm not for a second saying us Zed drivers don't get stereotyped also but I wouldn't say we fall into that category, well not unless you have black wheels, a black bonnet and a black roof anyway Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.