Focus RS to Scooby, Opinions
23 February 2006, 10:43 PM
#31
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Originally Posted by stilover
I did just that mate, last year. Had a Focus RS for 2 years and loved it. The main reason why I sold it was cos on certain roads (you know the ones I mean) the Torque steer just made overtaking too risky. Like you, I wanted 4WD, and was sick of waiting to see if Ford was going to make a 4WD Focus RS (New shape) which they haven't 
so I bought a STI with free PPP.
The main difference is the interior. The Focus interior is better made, looks better, and feels better (better materials). The steering weight of the Focus is a lot better too. The main gripe I have with the STI, is the stereo is just so damn awful. Distorts and isn't very loud. Handling wise. On a main A road, or even B road, the Focus has far better mechanical grip. It will corner harder (que all the Bollox posts)
but put the 2 cars together on bumpy, camber ridden roads, and the Impreza is much quicker. Abviously in wet conditions the 4WD has an advantage in traction. Overtaking is now not a problem as there is no Torque steer, plus, and this is the biggest plus, as my car has PPP, it's got 300BHP, which makes it a very fast cross country car.
Styling is subjective of course, but I loved the look of the FRS, while the Impreza does have the Chav, wideboy image. I'm forever getting the thumbs up from 12 year old lads. The Focus always got compliments of the Girls. "Oh, I love your car".
Obviously, all the above is based on FRS V's Impreza STI PPP. If my choice at the time had only been FRS V's WRX only, then I would have stuck with the FRS, as it is a quicker car (even more so with blufin
). If you can stretch to a STI then it wouldn't be a bad decision.
I must admit though, I do still miss my FRS, alot. Every time I see one I kind of wish I still had mine, but hey, life goes on.
so I bought a STI with free PPP.The main difference is the interior. The Focus interior is better made, looks better, and feels better (better materials). The steering weight of the Focus is a lot better too. The main gripe I have with the STI, is the stereo is just so damn awful. Distorts and isn't very loud. Handling wise. On a main A road, or even B road, the Focus has far better mechanical grip. It will corner harder (que all the Bollox posts)
but put the 2 cars together on bumpy, camber ridden roads, and the Impreza is much quicker. Abviously in wet conditions the 4WD has an advantage in traction. Overtaking is now not a problem as there is no Torque steer, plus, and this is the biggest plus, as my car has PPP, it's got 300BHP, which makes it a very fast cross country car.Styling is subjective of course, but I loved the look of the FRS, while the Impreza does have the Chav, wideboy image. I'm forever getting the thumbs up from 12 year old lads. The Focus always got compliments of the Girls. "Oh, I love your car".
Obviously, all the above is based on FRS V's Impreza STI PPP. If my choice at the time had only been FRS V's WRX only, then I would have stuck with the FRS, as it is a quicker car (even more so with blufin
). If you can stretch to a STI then it wouldn't be a bad decision.I must admit though, I do still miss my FRS, alot. Every time I see one I kind of wish I still had mine, but hey, life goes on.
it had some very interesting defects, that cropped up during its final development stage, mind you the 200kph bahn blasts were something to see
Mart
24 February 2006, 12:30 AM
#33
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Originally Posted by mart360
if you saw the originals and the development versions, youd be quite glad to know you got rid of it,
it had some very interesting defects, that cropped up during its final development stage, mind you the 200kph bahn blasts were something to see
Mart
it had some very interesting defects, that cropped up during its final development stage, mind you the 200kph bahn blasts were something to see
Mart
Development versions are bound to be a bit ropie. They're development cars, and not customer cars. The problem that I think your talking about though is the press cars. The Quaff diff was set too aggressive, thus giving it bad press with the Torque steer. Customer cars had a softer diff setting. As far as I know, none of the customer cars had the aggressive diff setting, but maybe the very first one's did.
Dropping off boost while trying fast standing starts were a bit of an issue, but Ford provided a remap for it, done by the Dealer. As I did
The early cars had squeaky brake disks too, again sorted by Ford & Brembo. Unfortunately the Non-squeal brake pads cost £271.
Some early cars suffered from sagging seats, but again Ford corrected this problem under warranty.
That is all I can think of about any problems with early cars that you speak of, unless you know something all other Focus RS owners don't.
Was it overheating ??? I know seam to remember something about that. Another reason why it was delayed getting to market.
If you don't want to say on here, then please PM me, as I'd really like to know.
Cheers
24 February 2006, 09:33 AM
#34
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[quote=Jelly]
There is no doubt the Focus is a good looking car, I get noticed by all ages and both sexes. Its also in the right conditions a very quick car, Its far from the uncontrolable beast that has been writen about in the magazines. It is however useless in the snow.
Thanks for all your comments, In conclusion I think I need to go for a less than new STI with PPP. The WRX as I understand is a bit to soft and with not enough of a difference if any in speed. I think I would be disappointed.
Why not try them both for yourself rather than take other peoples opinions on them. People who own an sti will tend to say theirs is the better car. WRX owners may well have a different opinion. Horses for courses but i definately wouldnt let anyone else make my mind up for me. You might hate both.
Originally Posted by bluto22b
There is no doubt the Focus is a good looking car, I get noticed by all ages and both sexes. Its also in the right conditions a very quick car, Its far from the uncontrolable beast that has been writen about in the magazines. It is however useless in the snow.
Thanks for all your comments, In conclusion I think I need to go for a less than new STI with PPP. The WRX as I understand is a bit to soft and with not enough of a difference if any in speed. I think I would be disappointed.
24 February 2006, 10:50 AM
#35
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[QUOTE=sgcooby]
Why not try them both for yourself rather than take other peoples opinions on them. People who own an sti will tend to say theirs is the better car. WRX owners may well have a different opinion. Horses for courses but i definately wouldnt let anyone else make my mind up for me. You might hate both.
You are of course correct. I will test both, as well as an EVO V111 260. I was just after some opinions from people who have already made the change. It wasn't a comparasion between the WRX and STI originaly but the conversation has developed that way. I am after a car with a similar charactor of my RS. A little raw and uncivilized. I get the impression I won't get that from a WRX but may do from an STI.
It will be a WRX, STI or Some form of EVO, I suspect it will be a 2 year old STI with PPP though.
Originally Posted by Jelly
Why not try them both for yourself rather than take other peoples opinions on them. People who own an sti will tend to say theirs is the better car. WRX owners may well have a different opinion. Horses for courses but i definately wouldnt let anyone else make my mind up for me. You might hate both.
It will be a WRX, STI or Some form of EVO, I suspect it will be a 2 year old STI with PPP though.
24 February 2006, 10:54 AM
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Havent done the rs,
nbut did some work with the STI170 out in mexico.
funny enough, and i,m waiting for the flack, it wasnt as quick as...
The Cmax zetec 2.0 TDI
that is a wolf in sheeps clothing,
it had a real punch from the turbo, and can propell this nimble beast to licence loosing speeds very quickly.
its smaller brother the 1.6 tdi is by comparison a slug!!
i found the focus saloon to be a bit wallowy, and had too much oversteer!!
yet the estate version was very surefooted!
unless you go and drive them in person its very difficult to say
mart
nbut did some work with the STI170 out in mexico.
funny enough, and i,m waiting for the flack, it wasnt as quick as...
The Cmax zetec 2.0 TDI
that is a wolf in sheeps clothing,
it had a real punch from the turbo, and can propell this nimble beast to licence loosing speeds very quickly.
its smaller brother the 1.6 tdi is by comparison a slug!!
i found the focus saloon to be a bit wallowy, and had too much oversteer!!
yet the estate version was very surefooted!
unless you go and drive them in person its very difficult to say
mart
24 February 2006, 12:15 PM
#37
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Originally Posted by mart360
if you saw the originals and the development versions, youd be quite glad to know you got rid of it,
it had some very interesting defects, that cropped up during its final development stage, mind you the 200kph bahn blasts were something to see
Mart
it had some very interesting defects, that cropped up during its final development stage, mind you the 200kph bahn blasts were something to see
Mart
30 April 2012, 06:27 PM
#38
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How time flies. 2006 when I originally raised this.
I am now a very proud owner of a 2005 tweaked sti/ppp 337bhp and feel I am in a position to give my opinion. Although I am surprised by my views, must be getting old.
I can say that even with various handling tweaks on the scoob the focus is a more direct focused and sharper car. I think it also provides more comunitive feedback. Don't get me wrong I still love the scoob and still think it's an awesume car. It's the first car that I have ever wanted two of. I fancy an old school project hill climber.
I feel the scooby gives a bit more presence on the road. Even at low speed you know people can hear the low rumble. I feel proud to be driving it. Performance wise it has better brakes, although these are upgraded on mine and the straight line performance is ballistic. In cornering there is a tiny bit more roll at high speed than the focus, not by much and if I had never had the focus I would have said the scoob runs flat.
The reason I bring up my age was based on the guy I bought the car from. He had previously owned evo's, he said that every time he got into the evo's even for a trip to the supermarket it felt like you were going on a rally stage. Thinking back every time I drove the focus it felt like I was on a trackday. There was no middle ground. The Scoob very easily operates in both zones. I can do all my journeys under 3500rpm and nail it when I fancy bit of fun.
Ultimately I think I can go faster in the scoob because of the power and grip and I have now realised that I don't need a car to be as razor sharp to enjoy it.
Given the choice now I would by the scooby. I would happily buy another.
Don't get me wrong, the RS is an awesume car but for me it felt like an all *or nothing car. I think that suited me a few years ago. I want more from a car now.*
IMO.
I am now a very proud owner of a 2005 tweaked sti/ppp 337bhp and feel I am in a position to give my opinion. Although I am surprised by my views, must be getting old.
I can say that even with various handling tweaks on the scoob the focus is a more direct focused and sharper car. I think it also provides more comunitive feedback. Don't get me wrong I still love the scoob and still think it's an awesume car. It's the first car that I have ever wanted two of. I fancy an old school project hill climber.
I feel the scooby gives a bit more presence on the road. Even at low speed you know people can hear the low rumble. I feel proud to be driving it. Performance wise it has better brakes, although these are upgraded on mine and the straight line performance is ballistic. In cornering there is a tiny bit more roll at high speed than the focus, not by much and if I had never had the focus I would have said the scoob runs flat.
The reason I bring up my age was based on the guy I bought the car from. He had previously owned evo's, he said that every time he got into the evo's even for a trip to the supermarket it felt like you were going on a rally stage. Thinking back every time I drove the focus it felt like I was on a trackday. There was no middle ground. The Scoob very easily operates in both zones. I can do all my journeys under 3500rpm and nail it when I fancy bit of fun.
Ultimately I think I can go faster in the scoob because of the power and grip and I have now realised that I don't need a car to be as razor sharp to enjoy it.
Given the choice now I would by the scooby. I would happily buy another.
Don't get me wrong, the RS is an awesume car but for me it felt like an all *or nothing car. I think that suited me a few years ago. I want more from a car now.*
IMO.
30 April 2012, 11:23 PM
#39
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Nice synopsis mate. I've just moved from a FRS to a 54 plate STI & it's far better car to live with day to day. The RS was great dont get me wrong but I found I was too **** about driving it all the time (mileage wise & OCD with keeping it shiney clean!) & it never could put all it's power down in anything but bone dry conditions. As with the STI I don't mind using it everyday. The power delivery is far better & it's a more practical daily driver. Can't wait to extract a bit more power out of the STI, as its standard for now as opposed to my RS which had a host of mods.
What mods have you done to your STI to get that sort of power?
What mods have you done to your STI to get that sort of power?
01 May 2012, 07:50 AM
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Thanks. My RS was very lightly mod'd, just a bluefin, running at 239.
The Scoob was PPP from the factory so 301 from base. Engine mods are basic. A swap of the exhaust headers to a more straight through profile and a remap. These mods were carried out by the previous owner. I am waiting until next year for further mods as my first years insurance on the modified car is huge even with 10 years no claims. Three times the cost of a standard car.
The Scoob was PPP from the factory so 301 from base. Engine mods are basic. A swap of the exhaust headers to a more straight through profile and a remap. These mods were carried out by the previous owner. I am waiting until next year for further mods as my first years insurance on the modified car is huge even with 10 years no claims. Three times the cost of a standard car.
01 May 2012, 08:30 AM
#41
i had been considering the move from 2009 STI ppp (340bhp) to FRS but after a few mates sold up and did this a year or so ago, none own the FRS I think that says it all really - even tuned to 400bhp
I have driven around 8 FRS's now ranging from standard to mind blowing 500bhp and adore the seating position, steering and feel of the FRS much better then the loooooooow down steering wheel in the scoob. Not sure if I could suffer commuting daily in the recaro tho.
The RS is a dry day car for sure due to the grip the FWD struggles to maintain even with 19" wheels with wide tyre and over taking on a country lane absolutely left my pants filled with the night before's dinner
I still think the FRS is one of the most sexiest and styled car (that's not a super car) ever made and wish I had the funds to own one but still have my scoob - I have been in a dilemna for over a year now what to go for next but nothing stacks up for like for like performance, drivability and cost
FWD goes out of the equation , purely on the grip factor
RWD, didnt find much to offer, M3's, M5's but I found just too small space in the cabins for my 6' 6" body
AWD, Audi RS's or VW R32, way over priced and doesn't have that styling WOW factor, EVO's as said above is like driving spine shattering therapy and huge issues with gearbox/diff and high service costs - the new 2011 hatch or saloon doesn't warrant much of a change from my 2009 model for the costs in swapping over
I think i need a nice lottery win to buy a FRS to satisfy my needs for some weekend fun
I have driven around 8 FRS's now ranging from standard to mind blowing 500bhp and adore the seating position, steering and feel of the FRS much better then the loooooooow down steering wheel in the scoob. Not sure if I could suffer commuting daily in the recaro tho.
The RS is a dry day car for sure due to the grip the FWD struggles to maintain even with 19" wheels with wide tyre and over taking on a country lane absolutely left my pants filled with the night before's dinner
I still think the FRS is one of the most sexiest and styled car (that's not a super car) ever made and wish I had the funds to own one but still have my scoob - I have been in a dilemna for over a year now what to go for next but nothing stacks up for like for like performance, drivability and cost
FWD goes out of the equation , purely on the grip factor
RWD, didnt find much to offer, M3's, M5's but I found just too small space in the cabins for my 6' 6" body
AWD, Audi RS's or VW R32, way over priced and doesn't have that styling WOW factor, EVO's as said above is like driving spine shattering therapy and huge issues with gearbox/diff and high service costs - the new 2011 hatch or saloon doesn't warrant much of a change from my 2009 model for the costs in swapping over
I think i need a nice lottery win to buy a FRS to satisfy my needs for some weekend fun
01 May 2012, 08:30 AM
#42
i had been considering the move from 2009 STI ppp (340bhp) to FRS but after a few mates sold up and did this a year or so ago, none own the FRS I think that says it all really - even tuned to 400bhp
I have driven around 8 FRS's now ranging from standard to mind blowing 500bhp and adore the seating position, steering and feel of the FRS much better then the loooooooow down steering wheel in the scoob. Not sure if I could suffer commuting daily in the recaro tho.
The RS is a dry day car for sure due to the grip the FWD struggles to maintain even with 19" wheels with wide tyre and over taking on a country lane absolutely left my pants filled with the night before's dinner
I still think the FRS is one of the most sexiest and styled car (that's not a super car) ever made and wish I had the funds to own one but still have my scoob - I have been in a dilemna for over a year now what to go for next but nothing stacks up for like for like performance, drivability and cost
FWD goes out of the equation , purely on the grip factor
RWD, didnt find much to offer, M3's, M5's but I found just too small space in the cabins for my 6' 6" body
AWD, Audi RS's or VW R32, way over priced and doesn't have that styling WOW factor, EVO's as said above is like driving spine shattering therapy and huge issues with gearbox/diff and high service costs - the new 2011 hatch or saloon doesn't warrant much of a change from my 2009 model for the costs in swapping over
I think i need a nice lottery win to buy a FRS to satisfy my needs for some weekend fun
I have driven around 8 FRS's now ranging from standard to mind blowing 500bhp and adore the seating position, steering and feel of the FRS much better then the loooooooow down steering wheel in the scoob. Not sure if I could suffer commuting daily in the recaro tho.
The RS is a dry day car for sure due to the grip the FWD struggles to maintain even with 19" wheels with wide tyre and over taking on a country lane absolutely left my pants filled with the night before's dinner
I still think the FRS is one of the most sexiest and styled car (that's not a super car) ever made and wish I had the funds to own one but still have my scoob - I have been in a dilemna for over a year now what to go for next but nothing stacks up for like for like performance, drivability and cost
FWD goes out of the equation , purely on the grip factor
RWD, didnt find much to offer, M3's, M5's but I found just too small space in the cabins for my 6' 6" body
AWD, Audi RS's or VW R32, way over priced and doesn't have that styling WOW factor, EVO's as said above is like driving spine shattering therapy and huge issues with gearbox/diff and high service costs - the new 2011 hatch or saloon doesn't warrant much of a change from my 2009 model for the costs in swapping over
I think i need a nice lottery win to buy a FRS to satisfy my needs for some weekend fun
01 May 2012, 12:46 PM
#44
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I owned an RS focus from brand new, it was eventually running
330/330 and they are a great great car.The biggest fault with the
car is that you just could'nt get the power down.I have seen
standard cars at 215bhp ish go up santa pod as quick as 300-350.
Make no mistake a 300bhp RS focus is a weapon in the dry,but as
a daily drive i have to say the STI gets my vote.The STI has a great
presence,gives me personally more confidence in the wet and is the
best daily driver car i have owned.
330/330 and they are a great great car.The biggest fault with the
car is that you just could'nt get the power down.I have seen
standard cars at 215bhp ish go up santa pod as quick as 300-350.
Make no mistake a 300bhp RS focus is a weapon in the dry,but as
a daily drive i have to say the STI gets my vote.The STI has a great
presence,gives me personally more confidence in the wet and is the
best daily driver car i have owned.
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