Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Well I was bored so thought I would... I have to say I didnt notice a huge amount of difference in performance between the Two cars. I do really like the way they drive and the practicallity of them though. Needless to say I ragged the RS more than the ST and it didnt feel as planted as the Zed through the corners. I wouldnt be able to afford the RS at the moment so I was just test piloting it to see what 'apart from bordering on chavvy design' it has compared to the 2.5l Turbo ST. I can pick up an ST for similar money to the Zed so I have been looking through the forums and reading up on them. They are easily tuned up to 300bhp and for under 1k they will give similar performance to the RS and as good if not better than the Zed. There does seem to be a few reliabilty issues particularly in the 07plate ones where new engines have been needed but all in all they seem pretty good with cheapish running costs. No immediate thoughts to swap the Zed as yet 'especially with the part chop value they offered me ' but when the time comes its definately a family friendly car that ticks the boxes. Comments welcome from anyone with any thoughts are experience with these cars Not actual cars I drove Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I like the rs especially in white.... but I just couldnt drive one as all the chavs have them in glasgow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UNABASHED Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Didn't Husky have an ST or have I just made that up? I test drive an ST3 a few years back and was very close to signing the dotted line, in the end I decided it was just a little bit too sensible inside and out for what I wanted at that point and though I'd get something more exciting until I have to but backseats for the kids! Did really enjoy the car though but it never really felt exciting - maybe just me though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M13KYF Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 doesn't turn heads like a Zed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Didn't Husky have an ST or have I just made that up? Did really enjoy the car though but it never really felt exciting - maybe just me though? Husky had an old shape one but im not sure it had the same engine.. It felt good when the Turbo kicked in but not as fun round corners... It is family friendly 'which I could do with'.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 doesn't turn heads like a Zed 1000% agree with you there Mike... I would just blend into rush hour traffic without any admiring glances Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 It's front wheel drive with 300 bhp Would be more impressive if 4 wheel drive. Not liking the idea of front wheels doing all that work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maxi-glasgow Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Thats what I don't understand I can remember seeing reviews of my 95 Aero before I bought it and it had 250bhp with front wheel drive and they said the reason they stuck to 250bhp is because engineers said that is the most power you can deliver via front wheel drive reliably. One thing I don't miss is the torque steer...... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vik54 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Chris - I've got zero expereince of these cars but only ever had front wheel before the zed....I'm not sure about putting that much power through the front Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Chris - I've got zero expereince of these cars but only ever had front wheel before the zed....I'm not sure about putting that much power through the front Could be fun Im just looking at alternatives.... There just doesnt seem to be any way to take Carmela out in the Zed and if the missus needs the SMAX then im stuffed... I luuurve the Zed and every thing associated with it but for her sake am I being selfish for keeping it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philb1965 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I had a panther black 57 plate ST3 (leather, climate,xenons etc...) it was a great car. It was a standard 225PS, handled great, sounded good (love the 5 pot), I did 15000 miles in it from new and never had any problems at all. Build quality was pretty good. Plastics not the best. I didn't like some of the wacky colour schemes some have, blue/red seats bolsters, but that's just me. If you want a comfortable cruiser with loads of torque in all the gears, which is very quick and sticks to the road like glue then they are hard to beat for the money. Never tuned mine, but you can get Stratagem handsets with 5 maps, and easily tuned up to 275BHP with it, you can pick them up for about £500 notes. Loads of options for them. Great car for the money. Yes they are a bit stealth, but that's not always a bad thing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 the shapes are barely different old to new tbh. Your right, i had an ST3. and im glad to be rid, it lasted 6 months, what a boring and dull car a numb drive for numb people was quick enough drove well enough was comfy enough was put together well enough looked good enough was practical enough was economical enough but it was a soulless lump of common metal, didnt give the car a name, didnt refer to it as a she, didnt go out for drives to enjoy it. depends what you like tbh, if your not really into your cars i would say you would like it, but for me a car has to have a bit of soul about it which the st was void of. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Chris - I've got zero expereince of these cars but only ever had front wheel before the zed....I'm not sure about putting that much power through the front Could be fun No its not. understeering is just plain boring mate. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 What is a fun cool car thats practical and similar price to the Zed then ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 zed estate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neilp Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 My mate has one and my cooper s works shat all over it in a straight line and corners. Much more fun and could actually put the power down. Buy a mark4 r32 golf. They seem to be the choice of many daddys in the point of having children to escort around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 zed estate It would still have two seats if it was an estate numpty It would have to be a G35 estate and that would look gash Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philb1965 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I never found the car souless..but I guess it would be dull if we all liked the same cars. At the end of the day it's a focus...but a quick one with lots of tuning options. I guess the question is, what did you think of the car to drive? If you enjoyed it then it's practical, mpg about the same as Zed and quick with good handling. If I bought one now it would be the facelift, just because the front end looks better. Would I spend the extra on an RS..no chance it's still a focus! Can't think of to many cars similar, Seat Leon Cupra, Golf GTI (mega bucks), Astra VXR (not my taste), BMW 130i...I'm struggling now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Husky Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 does depend on what you like. and im trying to stop tarmac being a **** and car shopping Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 I never found the car souless..but I guess it would be dull if we all liked the same cars.At the end of the day it's a focus...but a quick one with lots of tuning options. I guess the question is, what did you think of the car to drive? If you enjoyed it then it's practical, mpg about the same as Zed and quick with good handling. If I bought one now it would be the facelift, just because the front end looks better. Would I spend the extra on an RS..no chance it's still a focus! Can't think of to many cars similar, Seat Leon Cupra, Golf GTI (mega bucks), Astra VXR (not my taste), BMW 130i...I'm struggling now! Your right... Personally I enjoyed the 10 minute drive I had in it and though the car was pretty mint... Its a difficult getting the balance between performance and practicallity but the ST ticked most boxes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philb1965 Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 I know what you mean, it's a good package. I went from a Cooper S to the ST. The Cooper S was great...for about 4 weeks then drove me nuts. It was a go kart, but with a ride to match. The dash rattled like a b@st@rd and the dealers wouldn't do jack about it. Had electrical faults as well. Looked great, but I only kept it 8 months which meant an ear bashing bashing from she who must be obeyed. Never regretted buying the ST. A good option if you need a practical car, but I'd stick with the Z if not Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 If only I could take the baby out in the Zed.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ekona Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Course you can, what else would you put in the boot? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted August 2, 2010 Share Posted August 2, 2010 Just buy a g35! Test drove an ST once. Not sure if it was a bad example but it was awful! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tarmac@TarmacSportz Posted August 2, 2010 Author Share Posted August 2, 2010 Course you can, what else would you put in the boot? The missus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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