Focus SVT vs Civic Si

clutchsmoke wrote: Huh... I guess I'm wrong. Maybe you can get a good Si for $4500? http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/cto/4175395510.html

AC removed... Why is it so hard to find one that hasn't been berkeleyed with?!

In reply to Lugnut:

Well a lot of them have been hacked up much MUCH worse. Putting AC back in wouldn't be that bad. Especially when completely unmolested ones still go for 6k+

That won't last long.

Guy probably wants to get something he won't feel the need to wax every week so his family will stop telling him to go the brain doctor.

In reply to Storz:

I love those too, but they're getting a bit old at this point. They're also all over the place on price.

If you bump your range up about 2k, it is hard to go wrong with an 04-7 Ion Redline.....skip the car of the peasants version(cobalt ss) though.

Hal wrote: I would take the 2.3L Duratec Focus over the SVT. I have had plenty of opportunities to work on each SVT 2.3L Duratec

What years did the duratec 2.3 come in? Google says 03 and 04, but do some of those cars have the 2.0 zetec as well?

I believe the 2.3 was a pzev and more widely available in certain states with stricter smog rules in o3-04. Also available in the st sedan after that in certain years can't remember which I have been out of the focus community for a couple years.

the 2.0L in those years was also a duratec, not zetec

In reply to nepa03focus:

and I believe 99.9% of those 2.3L cars were automatic......

http://www.petersautomall.com/used_cars/2004-Ford-Focus-ZX3-v124718

Are used car lots really pulling this kind of cash for these? Good ness.

captdownshift wrote: the 2.0L in those years was also a duratec, not zetec

Right, I think 04 was the last Of the zetec

Both cool cars, between those I think I would go with an SI.

Have you considered VW or BMW? GTI or E30/E36 could be found if your patient.

pres589 wrote: Does the SVT suspension bolt into any year ZX3? I'm thinking about taking a test drive in an '05 ZX3 this weekend, it's at a dealership, they want just under $6k for the thing with 75k miles. Seems a little spendy?

Isn't 5-6k nice svt focus money?

In reply to carbon:

Wouldn't know, never bothered to look. Ended up skipping on it remembering that I want something bigger. The SVT is also the earliest cars, and I would prefer the later looks & interior (mostly the interior). I also don't know if the SVT gets the mpg's that the 2.0 Duratec ZX's get.

I won't spend anywhere close to $6k for a Focus. Seems like that gets into a lot nicer car territory. I've found way too many SVT's for sub $4k. It somehow seems that anyone with a 2.3 knows what they have and are asking a small fortune.

I believe 2003 and 2004 were the only years you could get the 2.3L in any Focus. After that you could only get the 2.3L in the four door ZX4 ST up until 2007.

I've had a 2003 SVT Focus for 8 years now, from 31,000 miles to its current 117,000 miles. My experience is overwhelmingly positive, but it has a few downsides.

First and foremost, it requires premium, and gets pretty poor mileage for what looks like an econobox. In town, I get about 20-22 mpg, and on the highway, I get 30 at best at 75 mph.

Aforementioned timing belt. I changed mine earlier this year (I think the car's first time), and DIY, it was a few hundred dollar job.

I am working through a few electrical gremlins right now; trunk switch works only seldomly, the radio is on its way out, and my gauge cluster lights only work 5% of the time. My starter is also on its way out. Perhaps these are typical for a 10-year old car.

Despite its little issues, I still enjoy driving it, and I hope to keep it for a few more years. It is comfortable and entertaining. The last decade has seen a huge increase in power for performance vehicles, though, so don't expect a rocket if you have driven anything more modern.

At least check out a civic ep3 before making the final decision...

I've owned my 2005 for 100,000 miles (42,000 to 142,000).
Non-scheduled maintenance & issues so far has included the following:

• replaced turn signal fuse
• replaced O2 sensor
• replaced cat. converter heat shield clamp

no timing belt, no premium required, low theft risk/insurance etc...

paul wrote: low theft risk/insurance etc...

This reminds me, I have perhaps one person per year comment on my car being an SVT. It's quite low key.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ford-Focus-ZX3-HATCH-ZX3-HATCHBACK-5-SPEED-MANUAL-GRAY-BLACK-RUNS-AND-DRIVES-GREAT-/350947845243?forcerrptr=true&hash=item51b61f247b&item=350947845243&pt=US_Cars_Trucks

A more than I'd like to spend on a duratec, plus too far for a trip right now.

Seems like the SVT Focus inventory has dropped drastically with the coming of winter. I need to be patient but the money is burning a hole in my pocket!