Slightly concerning choice of car for a learner driver...

So I was walking down the road the other day, when I spied a particularly tasty looking Ford Focus ST. For those not in the know, the Focus ST is the turbo nutter version of the fairly pedestrian vehicle sharing the Focus name. This particular example was bright orange, featuring gun metal coloured rims, big exhaust, and all the trappings of the vehicle of an expirienced driver.

I was understandably flummoxed therefore, to note the "L" plate plastered across its bonnet (thats the hood, for those on the other side of the pond). Now, I am not a driver myself, merely a person who appreciates good engineering, so I am hoping that someone can tell me from a drivers perspective, how this strikes those who know a little about handling such a car.

It's impressive for what it is...it took me by surprise for sure. It's not a pile of rubbish and is a respectable little thing. I don't fancy it myself but that's just because of personal taste...different strokes for different folks.

This is a neat article bench-marking it vs. Subaru BRZ
Comparison:2013 Ford Focus ST vs. 2013 Subaru BRZ - Power Steering: Brute Force and Finesse Face Off

reply to post by TrueBrit


I dunno. I guess if you're going to drive a Focus ST, the sooner you learn to drive one the better....

A little bit of common sense would lead you to a different conclusion. It is Dad's car and he is teaching his son to drive. People mostly buy their first car AFTER they get a license.

I started teaching my kids in an Xtrail (SUV 4 cyl) When they progressed enough we switched to the Nissan Skyline.

They learnt what power can do and how deadly it can be.

P

i detest "tuners".

Give me a truck, or a muscle car any day.

I currently drive a Ford F150 Lariat. THAT is a truck that is too much vehicle for a young driver. So my 15 year old practices on the Tahoe. It will likely be his when he gets licensed.

Most likely getting some extra lessons with their dad. I cannot see a new driver getting insured unless they want to pay £10k + a year.
I had an ST, pretty powerful car. Way too much for a kid, saying that i have seen kids no older than 18 driving AMG merc's which is a far more powerful car. I saw an Audi Q8 with "L" plates a few weeks ago, huge car...here in England it is anyway lol.

My first car was an Escort 1.3

I believe their should be a scale for experience, ie, you cant pass your test and jump straight into a BMW M3 or something. The first 3 years you should be limited to driving a car with no more than 100BHP, after that you do 3 years upto 250BHP, after 7 years you should have learned enough to drive anything.

Ive been driving 18 years and im still tested on a daily basis by idiot drivers. Some of these kids are mental, ive cringed as they have over taken me on country roads, they think because they are in a nice car, a head on at 150mph wont kill them....60mph victim, 90mph idiot overtaking.

I know kids arent the only nutters on the road, but where i am they make up the majority, closely followed by crazy old drivers who think doing 20mph on a country road with blind bends is wise. I dont mean a little lane, i mean a normal width road thats more bendy than most and runs between fields with low visibility. I have to risk my life to attempt to save it in those situations, id rather use my judgement and experience to overtake rather than getting rear ended by a van doing 70mph, or a bike doing 100mph+.

The joys of motoring, plus its getting really expensive now.

There's a lot of factors. The number 1 factor for most people is fuel economy. If you're commuting everyday, and you can't take the subway, then you might want to drive something good on gas. Like a very small car. (assuming you don't have bad winters). Where I am, where we do have bad winters I switched to an SUV. Best decision of my life! Some of the smaller suv's are good on gas too but the advantage of the ground clearance, awd, and extra storage make them ideal. I like what I got but my friend bought a Rav4. I like those actually. The only thing I don't like is how many of them are on the road. But if you can get an AWD rav4 that's a smart ride if you need it for winter driving as well. It's got the best of ALL WORLDS