Looked at a Focus RS today
07 February 2010, 10:43 PM
#31
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07 February 2010, 10:55 PM
#33
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07 February 2010, 10:59 PM
#34
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One thing I don't understand is putting 305 BHP through the front wheels ..... there must be some fancy electronics going on?
I had a Calibra 150 BHP and it used to scrabble like hell through the steering wheel under power .... do Ford cut the power down to something low to get the torque steer sorted out?
I had a Calibra 150 BHP and it used to scrabble like hell through the steering wheel under power .... do Ford cut the power down to something low to get the torque steer sorted out?
i had a tdci focus for a day that span twice as much as the RS...but there again it was a hire car
07 February 2010, 11:14 PM
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One thing I don't understand is putting 305 BHP through the front wheels ..... there must be some fancy electronics going on?
I had a Calibra 150 BHP and it used to scrabble like hell through the steering wheel under power .... do Ford cut the power down to something low to get the torque steer sorted out?
I had a Calibra 150 BHP and it used to scrabble like hell through the steering wheel under power .... do Ford cut the power down to something low to get the torque steer sorted out?
RS engineers worked closely with Ford's Advanced Research Centre in Aachen, Germany to develop the RevoKnuckle technology specifically for the RS. It allows the simplicity of a traditional McPherson strut arrangement, but with geometry settings that minimize steering disturbances and torque steer. In simple terms it reduces the steering offset.
The science bit.
http://www.not2fast.com/chassis/revoKnuckle.pdf
YouTube - New Ford Focus RS - Revo Knuckles
08 February 2010, 06:58 AM
#39
Looking at the 2 cars ,and if i was going on looks alone would have to go for the ford, looks more aggresive imho. If it was on performance then it would be the scoob, due to the AWD system ,which lets you get away with almost anything compared to a 2 wheel drive car. It is a difficult one, dispite owning quite a few performance fords in the past think the ford dealer would get my cash if it was my choice.
08 February 2010, 07:16 AM
#40
I like fast Fords, always have. But for £30k it would have to be one of these...
The FQ-300 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | Mitsubishi Motors UK
The FQ-300 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | Mitsubishi Motors UK
08 February 2010, 09:30 AM
#44
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i had this choice 3 months ago.
for me the 330s was best on everything apart from the looks, however i think the rs looks will date a little quicker than the 330s.
the main plusses for me were, 4wd, 5 door and far nicer interior, i picked up an exdemo with only 85 miles on the clock for less than 28k
carlos..
for me the 330s was best on everything apart from the looks, however i think the rs looks will date a little quicker than the 330s.
the main plusses for me were, 4wd, 5 door and far nicer interior, i picked up an exdemo with only 85 miles on the clock for less than 28k
carlos..
08 February 2010, 10:26 AM
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The RS looks meaner and more aggressive (especially in mags.. it photographs better than the STI..especially from the front)
In real life I found the Focus rear totally OTT, with the STI looking more refined and subtle, I followd my STI back from Cirencester on Sunday and everytime it turned a corner you get glimpses of the flared arches and gold alloys reflecting the light..looking a million dollars... I'm very happy with my choice 20 months on.
Apart from the leather Recaro seats fraying on the wings already.. only done 20k
In real life I found the Focus rear totally OTT, with the STI looking more refined and subtle, I followd my STI back from Cirencester on Sunday and everytime it turned a corner you get glimpses of the flared arches and gold alloys reflecting the light..looking a million dollars... I'm very happy with my choice 20 months on.
Apart from the leather Recaro seats fraying on the wings already.. only done 20k
Last edited by scooby L; 08 February 2010 at 10:28 AM.
lol in my eyes the 330s.
08 February 2010, 12:01 PM
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There was someone in my street owning one... Couldn't drive in the snow (he did hit the kerb very hard, to bad for his nice low profile wheels).
Also, my friend owns a Fiesta RS which is hell expensive in maintenance!
It's a great looking car but I prefer my sweet little Boxer engine
Also, my friend owns a Fiesta RS which is hell expensive in maintenance!
It's a great looking car but I prefer my sweet little Boxer engine
08 February 2010, 12:20 PM
#50
Tough choice.
Would be sooooo much easier if the STi had the RS looks!
I would test drive them both and go with the one that was best for my style of driving.
Would be sooooo much easier if the STi had the RS looks!
I would test drive them both and go with the one that was best for my style of driving.
08 February 2010, 12:23 PM
#51
You best get yourself to
Have to say the RS looks so much better in that picture. The Impreza really doesn't photograph well at all. I've only seen a couple on the road and they look so much better in the flesh, still not as nice as the RS though......that must be the Essex in me!
08 February 2010, 12:37 PM
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I like fast Fords, always have. But for £30k it would have to be one of these...
The FQ-300 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | Mitsubishi Motors UK
The FQ-300 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X | Mitsubishi Motors UK
I don’t think at nearly 30K the RS is anything like good value! and I feel for the Ford enthusiasts as in some cases they are being royally ripped off by dealers. As others have stated there are 7 pages of nearly new RS cars for sale on autotrader
Resale wise after 3 years the RS will be worth £14k unless it’s sitting in a garage 10 months of the year, great residuals (that might be worth £20k in 3 years) but its never used.
Take a Scooby Sti hatchback, haggle price is still 24k and after 3 years will be worth minimum of 10K; so depreciation will be very similar to the ford.
I've driven the RS and it’s a great car, but on local roads its torque steers badly on the uneven surface, whereas with the STI or an Audi S3 there is little drama.
If you can get a RS for 25k, yes go for it, but near £30k Not good value in my eyes.
In these recession times I can haggle and get a basic Audi S4 brand new! But I don’t want to spend £30K, I'd rather pay off the mortgage before interest rates skyrocket in 3 years time,
Used car value are hard to predict, but the higher the value the more you loose, 50% residuals are great, but if the car cost 30K that’s a whopping 5k per year in depreciation.
The one bummer about owning such a nice car as the RS, it stands out a mile in a car park (it’s always the source of attention at every train station or supermarket) and does attract thiefs and vandals. With modern security a potential thief takes out his frustration by vandalising a car he can’t drive away.
Last edited by mikepaul; 08 February 2010 at 12:40 PM.
08 February 2010, 12:43 PM
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08 February 2010, 02:07 PM
#56
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The fact of the 5 doors may swing it ... yes, I'm more practical than concerned with image.
I am reading between the lines and these cars are struggling to find buyers at the moment ..... it could be that a 12 month old example is the best bet? They are clearly going to take a massive hit on resale prices - even the RS will suffer from over supply (going from a position of rarity).
The standard WRX at less than £18k does look like a good deal (especially if they are falling in value fast, too) - maybe a 12 month old WRX for £12k? Now, that would probably be the thinking mans choice?
I am reading between the lines and these cars are struggling to find buyers at the moment ..... it could be that a 12 month old example is the best bet? They are clearly going to take a massive hit on resale prices - even the RS will suffer from over supply (going from a position of rarity).
The standard WRX at less than £18k does look like a good deal (especially if they are falling in value fast, too) - maybe a 12 month old WRX for £12k? Now, that would probably be the thinking mans choice?
08 February 2010, 03:26 PM
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I held off my new car choice until the RS was at dealerships as I wanted to see one in the flesh before I put down a deposite, when looking last summer I would have had to pay full price and this was coming in at late 20's, after physically seeing a car I made my mind up and went for a secondhand hatch STI and saved myself around 8k for for what on paper is a better car.
If my heart ruled and cash was a plenty the RS would have won I'm sure, down sides for ME of the RS were:
Interior, lack of 4wd, and most importantly it was a 2 door (I knew this but was hoping everything else would make up for the added hasle as I have a family) and what I did not know was that it was only a 4 seater, decision made and off to local Subaru dealer that afternoon!
One of my main issues with the FRS was on first impressions it looked amazing, but on closer inspection lots of small failures, things like the cheap plastic gloss black exterior trim, fake side vents, different body and bumper colours, and at close to 30k these should have been addressed!
You need to look at both and see whats suits YOU the best, for me it was the STI, but there is no denying I still love the FRS and you never know if they do bring out a next gen one that ticks all the boxes then maybe I'll investigate the Ford option again but for now I'm very happy with my Hatch.
If my heart ruled and cash was a plenty the RS would have won I'm sure, down sides for ME of the RS were:
Interior, lack of 4wd, and most importantly it was a 2 door (I knew this but was hoping everything else would make up for the added hasle as I have a family) and what I did not know was that it was only a 4 seater, decision made and off to local Subaru dealer that afternoon!
One of my main issues with the FRS was on first impressions it looked amazing, but on closer inspection lots of small failures, things like the cheap plastic gloss black exterior trim, fake side vents, different body and bumper colours, and at close to 30k these should have been addressed!
You need to look at both and see whats suits YOU the best, for me it was the STI, but there is no denying I still love the FRS and you never know if they do bring out a next gen one that ticks all the boxes then maybe I'll investigate the Ford option again but for now I'm very happy with my Hatch.