This is getting daft, car manufacturers are making ever faster cars so something has to give, its got 3 times more power than it actually needs to drag itself around and get the shopping (70 bhp adequate for a Focus for Joe Public, including me I would say for day to day use), I and most on this BBS want to go faster for some unexplainable and deep seated reason, I wish I didnt but I cant help it, it would be a lot cheaper and simpler to buy sensible cars.

The public are demanding these cars so they get made, If a R5 turbo was dangerous with 120 bhp it stands to reason that 212 bhp cannot be adequately contained even in a modified Focus Chassis, I havent driven one but I have driven some scary cars in my time and you need to use your brain to work out what the car will or wont do, preferably away from people and static objects and once you have an idea drive with your brain engaged, I think to many people get caught up in fast car Bullsh1t, "Evoness", Torque steer, Power to Weight, twisties and can talk the talk on a bbs (me included probably) but when it comes down to common sense and raw talent on the road they seem to be lacking in both departments.

Its a mechanical device a car, you buy it and it will operate on the commands given to it, dont like it, dont buy it, get a Micra FFS.

 

Does anyone on here actually consider cars that aren't 5+ star rated by magazines?

Do you not think it would be a good idea to actually experience a potential purchase before condeming it because some motoring journalist weaned on traction/stabilty/braking control can't drive it?

Is a performance car now something that any idiot can drive? Is that what it's about? Thought the whole point of a performance car was that it can stimulate and excite - not got you from A-B as quickly as possible with zero driver involvement or ability.

Having gone from a quickish Scoob to a Westie, I can tell you 100% a Scoob teaches you nothing about driving, control, feedback or anything.

Good on the Focus in that it makes you concentrate to drive fast.

Performance cars should be more stimulating than video games. Most nowadays are not. Current Scoobs included.

 

Well said CraigH, I always say, if you want something that corners like its on rails - get a train

 

spot on Craig.

You don't hear many people complaining that a TVR is a bit twitchy when putting the power down but because the RS is a FWD Focus, people expect it to behave like the bog-standard 1.6. It's never going to be that boring with 212 bhp and I wouldn't want it to be.

 

It would be nice to get a drive

i wanted to compare a Golf R32 and focus rs but i couldn't find any dealers that would give me a test drive.

As i already have quite a quick Golf with 230+ bhp + big brakes
and proper suspension with racelogic TC
i wanted to see how much better (doubt they are ) before shelling 20k - there is now way i'm going to order one blind

I've just read a review of the seat cupra R autocar have as a long termer - doesn't seem to suffer from torque steer at all according to the tester. I'm assuming the focus does have equal length drive shafts so wouldn't it have been better for ford to have equiped it with decent TC (racelogic maybe) instead of a quiffe LSD.
how many people are really going to take it on a track.

I enquired about a quiaffe LSD ages ago when AMD were upgrading my car and they told me racelogic would be better as the LSD was a pain to drive with most of the time unless your were on a track.

 

Gary
Of course you are right, sorry, brain confused, me mind is still in Grp A days Remembering back vaguely to when the Racing Puma was developed, it was definitely for one class of rallying, it may have been the BRC or something.

If I could be bothered i'd look up the facts, but I can't

 

Well there's a Puma in CMR3

 

Valid points Jon, but the reviews will certainly put a few off. There is no way I'd consider one, because the missus has to drive it to.

The STI scares her senseless, and to be honest an Impreza can make a bad driver look good.

edited to say - She's not a bad driver, just doesn't have the experience in a performance car.

[Edited by MattW - 2/9/2003 3:47:09 PM]

 

Glad you clarified that Tiff is actually a good driver...

How on earth can you say JC isn't a good driver ffs :mad;. The guy get payed to drive on tracks and road! Ok he may be just above average because he hasn't got "natural Talent" but dont you think he may have had a couple of pointers how to drive fast on a track and road by professionals?!

Also please remember he is expressing HIS opinion. If I was seriously considering buying another performance car I would look at the RS... Most of what Top Gear (and 5th gear spouts) just gets turned into pub talk anyway... "O I wouldn't buy those because of the dire torque stear". When I was shoping for the scoob I went to look @ the puma and didn't even start the car as the interior was so ugly I almost lost my lunch on it. Some people think the impreza interior is ugly? me I just think its a bland jap crap.

I just think it makes good tv. I'd never buy a car "Coz JC Told me too"

[Edited by Dizzy - 2/10/2003 12:56:09 PM]