Focus

Just what is it about the Ford Focus that makes it so damned good that people actually want to race it, as opposed to racing it because it's all that was available to a racer?

I'm not questioning its awesomeness, but as I have never driven one, I don't understand just what about it makes it so awesome. It looks top-heavy to me for some reason. Please enlighten me.

They're reasonably good handlers, with fairly responsive steering. A rare case where Ford didn't do too much to Americanize a European car when they brought it over.

Maybe, but the Focus also earned a reputation for being a decent driver's car over here - the previous (European) Escort models had been rather unsuccessful at that.

Oh, so it's essentially a European Ford? I see now. When will 'mericans get the RS? (Isn't that one the hot-as-E36 M3 sports car version?)

probably never, if you go by all the other hot euro offerings Ford has here

Are Americans really that boring that we wouldn't buy something as cool as the RS and would instead favor, let's say, a 2010 Camry base-o-matic?

I think it's got more to do with making the RS pass EPA legislation. Shouldn't be that hard you'd think but I don't know which engines they offer in the US and it might well be that the engine they use in the RS either has to be severely detuned to pass emissions.

That or they'd rather sell you an F150.

The guys at Ford market research don't know we exist

They know we exist. They just don't think there are enough of us. They're probably right...

It's an affordable, reliable, fun, and practical hot hatch that can be found readily with a manual transmission and has a solid aftermarket support.

Ford does more to support racing efforts of their cars than any company short of Mazda (and maybe Porsche or Ferrari). You can buy rally or race ready brake and suspension upgrades through any Ford dealer.

It's a better value than a Civic. You can buy a nicer newer one for cheaper and have the money to prepare it to what you want.

confuZion3 wrote: Are Americans really that boring that we wouldn't buy something as cool as the RS and would instead favor, let's say, a 2010 Camry base-o-matic?

My uneducated guess is that they don't want to compete with their C30.

I'm not sold on the focus. I had one, the most terrible, unreliable turd I've been cursed to live with. Of all the cars I've DD in my life time (4 with over 250,000 miles, one with over 365,000 miles) this was the newest one, and had the lowest mileage. Left me stranded twice in 5 weeks. On the sixth week I sold the turd and swore off the blue oval. Heck, that car even came with a stack of oil change receipts almost from new!

DrBoost wrote: I'm not sold on the focus. I had one, the most terrible, unreliable turd I've been cursed to live with. Of all the cars I've DD in my life time (4 with over 250,000 miles, one with over 365,000 miles) this was the newest one, and had the lowest mileage. Left me stranded twice in 5 weeks. On the sixth week I sold the turd and swore off the blue oval. Heck, that car even came with a stack of oil change receipts almost from new!

What year was your Focus? It's stories like this that have kept me away, but I was hoping the hit-and-miss build quality was only an issue on the early cars.

confuZion3 wrote: They know we exist. They just don't think there are enough of us. They're probably right...

QFT. The emission thing isn't that hard. I'm pretty sure I could do it. But we'd have to sell them for a lot of money (more than most her would pay for) or sell a bunch of them (more than there are here). Not sure what 'Bunch' means- 5k, 10k- but a bunch.

As for relability- my parents love theirs- they've had two, and put tons of miles on them. The most recent one comes across the country a few times a year, and has been up to Alaska at least 3 times. They love the 37mpg on the highway.

E-

JohnW wrote:

DrBoost wrote: [My Focus sucked]

What year was your Focus? It's stories like this that have kept me away, but I was hoping the hit-and-miss build quality was only an issue on the early cars.

I'd be willing to bet it was a 2000. My '03 SVT was quite reliable. The only issue I ever had was a power steering high pressure line failure (which was relatively common on the SVTs).

Part of me wishes I'd kept that one.

Yeah, it was a 2000. Doesn't matter to me, Ford has been building cars for 100+ years, the fucus wasn't exactly ground breaking.

I bought a new 00 ZX3 and it was a great car. Sure... it had some recalls, but I'd rather a mfg recall stuff to get it fixed (unlike a certain other company that doesn't)

My '00 ZX3 is going strong, despite some severely neglected maintenance. Never had a problem with it, even though I know a couple are looming if I don't get some work done on it. It's over 160k mi. now.

My '04 SVT grenaded a timing belt pulley, jumped time and bent all 16 valves. At 40k mi, well before the first timing belt interval. Not pleased. From what I gather from the intertubez, this is not unheard of, though far from a common occurrence. I can't afford to throw $2500 at the motor in another 40k mi. when the new pulley breaks, nor am I willing to change the pulleys/belt that often, as I think that's simply unacceptable for a modern car. I'll sell it before it hits 80k, which is a shame, because it's almost everything I want in a car otherwise.

So, mixed experience. I'd say: stay away from the interference motors (only SVT, I believe) and you're in good shape. Anyway, the PZEV 2.3 Duratec motor has a lot more potential than the 2L Zetec in the SVT. The SVT suspension, which I also put on my ZX3, is simply fantastic for a factory design, especially for an econobox.

Despite the expensive trouble with the SVT, I'll probably replace it with a ZX5 with the 2.3 Duratec and a 5 speed, and swap in the SVT suspension. They're good cars for the money.

My wife's 2004 ZX5 has been very reliable. Its never left us stranded (except the time a rim got eaten by a pothole, but that really wasn't the cars fault. Heavy traffic and crater-ridden Chicago freeways FTL). The PZEV 2.3 Duratec has plenty of power for DD use and the car handles pretty well in stock form.

Plus, Ford Racing parts are cheap. The entire SVT suspension set up (springs, shocks, struts, bumpstops, and rear sway) is $305 direct from Ford. They also sell an adjustable rear subframe (allows more camber) for $230. SVT wheels start around $140 each. You could turn a base ZX3/4/5 into a pretty nice ST autocrosser for about a grand.

$305 for the SVT suspension?

you've got me interested..

ignorant wrote: $305 for the SVT suspension? you've got me interested..

M-3000-ZX3 = Struts, Shocks, Springs, and Rear Swaybar

M-3000-ZX3A = Same as above without Rear Swaybar

hmm

I could get a focus hatch + suspension and have a newer ride than my current civic...

Hmm..

I doubt we will ever get the Focus RS with it's 300 HP here, because it would compete with a Mustang. And at the price of a Mustang which would you buy? The Fiesta, which goes on sale here about May or June, does not have a RS version in Europe for this generation....yet. IF, the Fiesta sells well, I would think Ford might give the U.S. a Fiesta RS.

If you are contemplating doing the Focus SVT Suspension upgrade, beware of the fact that all of the bolts could be rusted/siezed into the rear control arms. I just did that upgrade in my '04 ZX3 and it was a beeyotch. If it is a daily driver give yourself plenty of time to do it...and budget for a 4 wheel alignment too. You will need it once you get the entire suspension in. Otherwise it is a great upgrade for the money...the car handles WAY better.

hotrodfatboy wrote: If you are contemplating doing the Focus SVT Suspension upgrade, beware of the fact that all of the bolts could be rusted/siezed into the rear control arms. I just did that upgrade in my '04 ZX3 and it was a beeyotch. If it is a daily driver give yourself plenty of time to do it...and budget for a 4 wheel alignment too. You will need it once you get the entire suspension in. Otherwise it is a great upgrade for the money...the car handles WAY better.

All good info. A few bolts did put up a helluva fight, but I still got mine done in one long afternoon. Set aside a couple days to do it, and spend all of Day 1 getting it in the air and spraying everything with PB.

And yes, Iggy, it really is that cheap. And it really is good. Be sure to get the rear bar. It goes so far in changing the way the car behaves mid-corner. Before the bar, it's all push all the time, but with the bar, it's just about perfectly balanced.