Ford Focus SVT
01-26-2005, 05:44 AM
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2000
Location: In the heart of the USSA!
Posts: 7,029
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
1 Post
Asking the the consensus on these cars here will get you the obvious answers from people who have never driven them. It's a Ford, it's a Focus, it's a POS! IMO the truth is that the car doesn't get nearly the respect it deserves and I put my money where my mouth is.
A little less than a year ago I bought a leftover new 03 SVT Euro Focus with every option. I've had the computer reflashed and the power steering pump replaced. The car has HID's, moonroof, heated leather Recaro's, tilt & tele steering, 290w 6disc CD, etc. The handling, again IMO, is better than the Civic Si, Sentra Spec V, SRT 4, tC, and the power is as good as all but the SRT4. The handling and fun to drive factor does not come up to the Cooper S IMO although some mag reviews rated it better.
The clutches are somewhat weak and the tires don't last long. In 19,036 miles I've had 5 tanks of gas that dropped below 24 mpg and two of them were 23.9 mpg. 26 to 28 is the norm and highway driving at 80mph has seen over 30 mpg.
I do wish it didn't take premium fuel and I would have rather had a Cooper S for my beater. The 02's were the first year and seemed to have more problems than the 03's and 04's.
If you want more info PM me your phone # and tell me a good time to call you and I will.
A little less than a year ago I bought a leftover new 03 SVT Euro Focus with every option. I've had the computer reflashed and the power steering pump replaced. The car has HID's, moonroof, heated leather Recaro's, tilt & tele steering, 290w 6disc CD, etc. The handling, again IMO, is better than the Civic Si, Sentra Spec V, SRT 4, tC, and the power is as good as all but the SRT4. The handling and fun to drive factor does not come up to the Cooper S IMO although some mag reviews rated it better.
The clutches are somewhat weak and the tires don't last long. In 19,036 miles I've had 5 tanks of gas that dropped below 24 mpg and two of them were 23.9 mpg. 26 to 28 is the norm and highway driving at 80mph has seen over 30 mpg.
I do wish it didn't take premium fuel and I would have rather had a Cooper S for my beater. The 02's were the first year and seemed to have more problems than the 03's and 04's.
If you want more info PM me your phone # and tell me a good time to call you and I will.
01-26-2005, 10:19 AM
#4
Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Corpus Christi, Tx
Posts: 4,316
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My friends SVT has had numerous problems, two clutches needed to be replaced, several electrical glitches, brakes having problems, to me if you want a car with the great potention of going to sh$t then this is the car for you, remember it's a ford some are good, but most are bad.
Trending Topics
01-26-2005, 10:56 AM
#8
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: San Ysidro
Posts: 233
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hey. Just wanted to send you a link to a great focus site. My daily driver is an 03' SVT Focus. All options except Euro. I love it. www.focaljet.com is the best focus website/resource out there.
01-26-2005, 11:51 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Palo Alto
Posts: 5,387
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I used to own a Contour SVT. I was a great car. Wonderful motor, despite 40 less HP the motor had more low end grunt than the S2k (no shock there). The interior finish was only OK but the comfort was great. I still miss the sound of the motor.
My impression of the FSVT was lighter feeling, better steering, sufficient but not great motor, exhaust was a bit ricey (hey I had one of the best sound V6s at the time). Car gave me no trouble from new to 55,000 miles.
Like the CSVT I think some of the problems with the Focus SVT had to do with abuse rather than honest problems. The Contour and the regular Focus used the same 5spd manual. It really was just strong enough to handle the Contour and wasn't over built. Treat it like you car about the car and it will last a long time. Treat it like an unloved step child and it will fail. That's why I never dropped the clutch in that car (or my Honda) or did burnouts. If you treated the car like a race car it would be temperamental like a race car.
For what it's worth Consumer Reports put the Focus on their recommended list.
I have heard insurance can be high. Personally I would rather have a low mileage Contour SVT... if I could find such a car.
My impression of the FSVT was lighter feeling, better steering, sufficient but not great motor, exhaust was a bit ricey (hey I had one of the best sound V6s at the time). Car gave me no trouble from new to 55,000 miles.
Like the CSVT I think some of the problems with the Focus SVT had to do with abuse rather than honest problems. The Contour and the regular Focus used the same 5spd manual. It really was just strong enough to handle the Contour and wasn't over built. Treat it like you car about the car and it will last a long time. Treat it like an unloved step child and it will fail. That's why I never dropped the clutch in that car (or my Honda) or did burnouts. If you treated the car like a race car it would be temperamental like a race car.
For what it's worth Consumer Reports put the Focus on their recommended list.
I have heard insurance can be high. Personally I would rather have a low mileage Contour SVT... if I could find such a car.
01-26-2005, 12:41 PM
#10
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Originally Posted by esracer,Jan 26 2005, 11:19 AM
My friends SVT has had numerous problems, two clutches needed to be replaced, several electrical glitches, brakes having problems, to me if you want a car with the great potention of going to sh$t then this is the car for you, remember it's a ford some are good, but most are bad.