Started looking for a car for our soon to be 18 year old son to drive to school, and had an '03 SVT Focus pop up locally. 124k miles, no service records (so it'll need a timing belt right up front), non-op a/c. Car looks great in pictures - will see it in person tomorrow. 2 separate listings, for $3800 in one spot and $3500 OBO in another. Thoughts?
Price seems high, but I'm not really sure what they are trending right now. I remember a buddy in college had one and I was surprised how much torque had. It seemed like a great little sporty car.
Seems like a 3k car max to me if it has an impeccable interior and paint. I really like these cars, but would be wary if it seems like it was beat on and put away wet.
3500 seems quite high without records, unless it's an EAP (you'll know by the Recaros and multi spoke wheels). Expect the suspension and motor mounts to be really beat as well.
As a reference, just had a friend sell a '03 Focus 2 door (not an SVT) in nice shape and about the same mileage for $2,500.
I paid 4k almost a year ago for an impeccable 4 door SVT with extensive service records and 2 sets of wheels, so I think that's probably the upper end of the range, for reference.
Then I totaled it 
Mine is not quite as nice, (couple cosmetic scrapes and dents from the PO), but it has less miles and a recent timing belt and clutch. And the A/C still kinda works - I was going to try a can of "red devil" on it.
I would be ecstatic to get more than $3k for it in the fall when I plan to sell, but I doubt I will. Actually, let me know if you are interested, I could probably get my rear in gear and transition a bit sooner.
EDIT: oh yeah, mine has two sets of wheels with good tires. original 17 inch wheels with summers and 16 inch factory focus wheels with snows.
Looked at the car this afternoon. Pretty darn good shape for 13 years old. No funny smells, no cigarette burns, no tears in the upholstery, good paint (only a few stone chips on the hood). Needs new headlight housings (non a unique SVT it, right?). Fresh state inspection sticker. Appears to be stock. Drives nicely, though I only took it a short distance. Timing belt at 100k miles. Price fell immediately to $3200, and I think he'll take a little less.
scott944 wrote: Looked at the car this afternoon. Pretty darn good shape for 13 years old. No funny smells, no cigarette burns, no tears in the upholstery, good paint (only a few stone chips on the hood). Needs new headlight housings (non a unique SVT it, right?). Fresh state inspection sticker. Appears to be stock. Drives nicely, though I only took it a short distance. Timing belt at 100k miles. Price fell immediately to $3200, and I think he'll take a little less.
Svts do have unique headlights they should either be black instead of silver or grey background if that makes sense. The others will fit but don't look as good. Unless it had hids they were on the European appearance package as mentioned earlier.
Check the thermostat housing for a leak.
Buff and polish the headlights lens.. kits are available for 30$..
Seems high IMO. I never really like buying a 100k+ without records of any kind of service either. At that mileage the timing belt should have been done once. Its recomended at aroumd 70k. Id avoid this one. Check out focus classifides on facebook. There are far better options.
Wow. The prices must've dropped. I looked about 6 months ago and beat ones were still $4k around Cincinnati.
I've never driven one, but they've been high on my radar since about 2006 when I choose a Mazda3 over one because the SVT had body damage.
Happy hunting.
cmcgregor wrote: I paid 4k almost a year ago for an impeccable 4 door SVT with extensive service records and 2 sets of wheels, so I think that's probably the upper end of the range, for reference. Then I totaled it
They made 4 door SVTs?
In reply to Appleseed:
5 door, I suppose. 4 plus the hatch.
if 'they' is ford then yes, they made the 5 door hatch. If 'they' is other cool people in the world, then they also made an SVT wagon.
Here is one example, I happened to meet this dude (and I think he was part of the suspension design team for the focus at ford): http://www.motorsport-studio.com/focus.html
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