Can anyone pllllllllease tell me why the RS focus is supposed to be so good?
13 August 2003, 01:22 PM
#1
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Can anyone honestly asnwer me this? Im not being funny or anything but on paper a basic WRX (which is my own personal pride and joy) would seem to have the upper hand in pretty much everything, 0-60, 0-100, bhp, torque etc etc, SO, why is it that people seem to think that its so much better?? I remember when they reviewed it on topgear and i think the boy clarkson said something about it being one of the hardest cars to drive ever, if you loose concentration for a second youll be off in a ditch......
and can also somebody explain to my WHY they felt it necessary to have such a hideous "decor" in the interior......horrid! (nice lights...
P
Any thoughts?
and can also somebody explain to my WHY they felt it necessary to have such a hideous "decor" in the interior......horrid! (nice lights...
PAny thoughts?
13 August 2003, 01:27 PM
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because it is a ford RS, people love them. There are people who will never buy anything other then ford, because they wrongfully believe that Ford is the best car company in the world.
[Edited by ianmiller999 - 8/13/2003 1:28:35 PM]
[Edited by ianmiller999 - 8/13/2003 1:28:35 PM]
13 August 2003, 01:37 PM
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Err.... because it drives well despite it's flaws, and the fact the the VAST MAJORITY of motoring hacks who have driven it (& let's face it, they should know) really enjoyed the overall experience.
People focus too much on the few journalists who didn't like it and use these reports as a stick with which to beat the RS with, when the general professional opinion is of an excellent car.
People focus too much on the few journalists who didn't like it and use these reports as a stick with which to beat the RS with, when the general professional opinion is of an excellent car.
13 August 2003, 01:44 PM
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Neilo - how much power, torque, 0-60, 0-100 etc. a car has DOESN'T make it good. A car can have a 4 second 0-60 and still be crap.
Handling, adjustability, cornering ability, fluidity etc. etc. all come into the equation when rating how good a car is.
I'm not defending or promoting the focus vs a scoob (I'd have neither) but how good a car is isn't just down to some arbitrary figures.
Handling, adjustability, cornering ability, fluidity etc. etc. all come into the equation when rating how good a car is.
I'm not defending or promoting the focus vs a scoob (I'd have neither) but how good a car is isn't just down to some arbitrary figures.
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13 August 2003, 01:50 PM
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or as clarkson would put it,
ford took the journalists out for a nice dinner and put them up in a lovely hotel, and gave them a bundle of cash,
plenty of incentives there to make them write a good story
ford took the journalists out for a nice dinner and put them up in a lovely hotel, and gave them a bundle of cash,
plenty of incentives there to make them write a good story
13 August 2003, 02:32 PM
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Drive one a see for yourself.
I love the way people slag cars off when they've never driven or been in one!
I found the RS to be a great car. Not mega fast off the mark, but very quick in gear.
Just look at its test laps against the scooby, that tells you its not crap.
I love the way people slag cars off when they've never driven or been in one!
I found the RS to be a great car. Not mega fast off the mark, but very quick in gear.
Just look at its test laps against the scooby, that tells you its not crap.
13 August 2003, 02:48 PM
#11
One of my engineers has one. Performance wise it is very closely matched to my RB5 WR. Obviously it is slower from a standing start, but you are only talking about a couple of car lengths. Once moving there is hardly anything in it, which as far as I am concerned means it would probably be slightly quicker than a standard bugeye WRX. But again you are talking about a tiny margin.
It is not as easy to drive fast as a Subaru so people who cant drive are more likely to end up in a ditch than they would if they were in a Subaru. But that is hardly the car's fault. It was designed to appeal to the more enthusiastic driver and it does that.
It also looks beautiful (IMO) on the standard 18 inch alloys with massive Brembo (I think) brakes. The interior is not to everyone's taste, but I like it.
Everything is subjective and this is purely my opinion, but at least it is an opinion based on actually having driven one! Dont believe everything Clarkson says. The RS has had at least as many glowing reports as it has bad ones.
Steve
It is not as easy to drive fast as a Subaru so people who cant drive are more likely to end up in a ditch than they would if they were in a Subaru. But that is hardly the car's fault. It was designed to appeal to the more enthusiastic driver and it does that.
It also looks beautiful (IMO) on the standard 18 inch alloys with massive Brembo (I think) brakes. The interior is not to everyone's taste, but I like it.
Everything is subjective and this is purely my opinion, but at least it is an opinion based on actually having driven one! Dont believe everything Clarkson says. The RS has had at least as many glowing reports as it has bad ones.
Steve
13 August 2003, 02:49 PM
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I think that they look quite nice, but after watching one run against various cars (including an old VW Scirocco LOL) at Santa pod over the weekend I would safely say that they are not fast!!! IMHO
Oh and it did beat the VW - but only just!!! It lost to everything else
13 August 2003, 02:54 PM
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Firstly. i would just like to say that i wasnt bad mouthing the RS in any way, withthe exception of the interior (ill hold my hand up to that one, but each to their own) I was just trying to understand why journalists and drivers alike said that it was difficult to drive yet always gave it a 5-star rating, id love to try one (sadly im not in a position too), and i agree with RB5320, they do look great with the big wheels and brakes.
But thanks for you guys comments, after all, i wanted to know what you thought!
Just need to find someone who has one so i can have a go......now that will be tricky!!
Thanks!
But thanks for you guys comments, after all, i wanted to know what you thought!
Just need to find someone who has one so i can have a go......now that will be tricky!!
Thanks!
13 August 2003, 02:58 PM
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Not slagging it off, just thinks fuggly and badly put together, and utter poo in the corner compared to,
a Honda Civic Type R '02 price 15,000
and a Scoob STI-8 PPP price 25,000
that is just my opinion ofcourse which isn't intended to offend
a Honda Civic Type R '02 price 15,000
and a Scoob STI-8 PPP price 25,000
that is just my opinion ofcourse which isn't intended to offend
13 August 2003, 03:36 PM
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My bro's got a RS and just had it de-catted. Its now a VERY quick car. I've not had a chance to go up against it from stand still/ slow speeds yet, but on the way back from TOTB the other day, he stayed with me on the moterway.
I drive a uk98, full de-cat, dawes at 1- 1.1 bar and a K&N 57i
Handling wise I think it is superb! and so does he. He had an Evo 6 b4 the RS and he says he can take some bends/ roundabouts quicker in the RS then in the Evo! Its like driving a go cart. In the dry (and only in the dry!) it sticks like SH*TE to the road. Start getting understear? no problem just keep turning in and plant the foot on the fun peddle and the quick diff locks and you get pulled around. The only problem (which is a fun part) is when the quick diff locks the wheels going in one direction and you suddenly need to turn the other direction, as on a roundabout, you need both hands to turn the wheel to tell the car to releases the diff. Admittedly this does sound dangerous and not much fun, but its all very instinctive and LOTS of fun. This is all IMHO
I also believe there is a slight 'stigma' and even 'arrogance' placed against Fords and some other Manufactures. I can't say I don't understand some of it with so many rude boys unfortunately having them, as possibly one reason. But its the cars that should be talked about on there own merits, not being affected by the type of people who may drive them.
Again all IMHO
Anthony
I drive a uk98, full de-cat, dawes at 1- 1.1 bar and a K&N 57i
Handling wise I think it is superb! and so does he. He had an Evo 6 b4 the RS and he says he can take some bends/ roundabouts quicker in the RS then in the Evo! Its like driving a go cart. In the dry (and only in the dry!) it sticks like SH*TE to the road. Start getting understear? no problem just keep turning in and plant the foot on the fun peddle and the quick diff locks and you get pulled around. The only problem (which is a fun part) is when the quick diff locks the wheels going in one direction and you suddenly need to turn the other direction, as on a roundabout, you need both hands to turn the wheel to tell the car to releases the diff. Admittedly this does sound dangerous and not much fun, but its all very instinctive and LOTS of fun. This is all IMHO
I also believe there is a slight 'stigma' and even 'arrogance' placed against Fords and some other Manufactures. I can't say I don't understand some of it with so many rude boys unfortunately having them, as possibly one reason. But its the cars that should be talked about on there own merits, not being affected by the type of people who may drive them.
Again all IMHO
Anthony
13 August 2003, 05:55 PM
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a basic WRX (which is my own personal pride and joy) would seem to have the upper hand in pretty much everything, 0-60, 0-100, bhp, torque etc etc, SO, why is it that people seem to think that its so much better??
Is that a current or bug-eye WRX we're talking about, as in the UK model or a classic shape Jap model WRX???
Becuase a later type UK WRX may have the upper hand in 0-60 due to it being 4wd, but after that the RS is quicker...
13 August 2003, 05:58 PM
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Clio cup is quicker marginally to 100 than a bog standard wrx, so doubt the focus is slower.
Very true...
UK WRX:
0-60 - 6.0secs
0-100 - 18.3secs
Clio Cup:
0-60 - 6.5secs
0-100 - 17.7secs
Not bad for a £13k hot hatch!
13 August 2003, 06:25 PM
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Just had a 45 minute test drive today in the RS and loved it.
Yes it did have a bit of torque steer on the country lanes and when catching the centre white lines but nothing to get too excited about, you actually have to drive this car as opposed to let it do everything for you.
In real everyday on-road terms it felt sooooo much quicker than my 02 WRX and handled even better. I would hate to push it on in the wet though.
The big decision now is do I accept the huge hit in depreciation on my 9 month old WRX to get behind the wheel of the RS? Got to wait till tomorrow for a price.
Mal
Yes it did have a bit of torque steer on the country lanes and when catching the centre white lines but nothing to get too excited about, you actually have to drive this car as opposed to let it do everything for you.
In real everyday on-road terms it felt sooooo much quicker than my 02 WRX and handled even better. I would hate to push it on in the wet though.
The big decision now is do I accept the huge hit in depreciation on my 9 month old WRX to get behind the wheel of the RS? Got to wait till tomorrow for a price.
Mal
13 August 2003, 07:17 PM
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Driving it in the wet isn't as bad as you might think, pretty much the same as driving a normal FWD car except without the torquesteer or power understeer, though admittedly I havn't pushed mine in the wet at all. A lot of it is probably psycological, the grip in the dry is so good it just seems mad to take similar liberties in the wet.
Ultimately the car is very benign in the wet, it isn't going to do anything unexpected or untoward, I tried pushing it on a very wet roundabout and I could adopt a neutral drift by adjusting the throttle, no snappy tail or wild understeer, and remember this is without any electronic aids
Ultimately the car is very benign in the wet, it isn't going to do anything unexpected or untoward, I tried pushing it on a very wet roundabout and I could adopt a neutral drift by adjusting the throttle, no snappy tail or wild understeer, and remember this is without any electronic aids
13 August 2003, 08:47 PM
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Owning a scoob and Focus (albeit a lowly 1.6) I am definitely on the list too have look at the Focus cossie if it appears. The RS is not for me as prefer my RA and couldnt justify having both as my sensible car must have 5 doors . For me its going the right way, too many people see new performance cars a threat too their own car safety bubble. I only hope more manufacturers bring out serious cars, it moves the game on and the prices down, hopefully .
. For me its going the right way, too many people see new performance cars a threat too their own car safety bubble. I only hope more manufacturers bring out serious cars, it moves the game on and the prices down, hopefully .
13 August 2003, 10:15 PM
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Rich D, where did you get your figures from??
The 03 standard WRX gets from 0-100 in 15.7 and with the PPP 14.1, i found these figures in the PPP brochure (which can be found on either the prodrive website or the subaru one i think), i would be interested to know where you found yours.
Please note though, im not having a go by any stretch of the imagination so dont take it the wrong way!!
Cheers!
The 03 standard WRX gets from 0-100 in 15.7 and with the PPP 14.1, i found these figures in the PPP brochure (which can be found on either the prodrive website or the subaru one i think), i would be interested to know where you found yours.
Please note though, im not having a go by any stretch of the imagination so dont take it the wrong way!!
Cheers!
13 August 2003, 10:47 PM
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The only problem (which is a fun part) is when the quick diff locks the wheels going in one direction and you suddenly need to turn the other direction, as on a roundabout, you need both hands to turn the wheel to tell the car to releases the diff.
13 August 2003, 11:20 PM
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Rich D, where did you get your figures from??
The 03 standard WRX gets from 0-100 in 15.7 and with the PPP 14.1, i found these figures in the PPP brochure (which can be found on either the prodrive website or the subaru one i think), i would be interested to know where you found yours.
Please note though, im not having a go by any stretch of the imagination so dont take it the wrong way!!
The 03 standard WRX gets from 0-100 in 15.7 and with the PPP 14.1, i found these figures in the PPP brochure (which can be found on either the prodrive website or the subaru one i think), i would be interested to know where you found yours.
Please note though, im not having a go by any stretch of the imagination so dont take it the wrong way!!
It's got the full stats for all three cars and they are the results they got for those cars on that day, so I'm not saying they're gospel
Here they are >>>
Impreza WRX:
0-30 - 2.0secs
0-40 - 3.2secs
0-50 - 4.5secs
0-60 - 6.0secs
0-70 - 8.4secs
0-80 - 10.9secs
0-90 - 13.6secs
0-100 - 18.3secs
0-110 - 23.8secs
Clio Cup:
0-30 - 2.6secs
0-40 - 3.7secs
0-50 - 5.0secs
0-60 - 6.5secs
0-70 - 8.6secs
0-80 - 10.8secs
0-90 - 13.9secs
0-100 - 17.7secs
0-110 - 23.0secs
Focus RS:
0-30 - 2.5secs
0-40 - 3.5secs
0-50 - 4.7secs
0-60 - 5.9secs
0-70 - 7.7secs
0-80 - 9.5secs
0-90 - 12.1secs
0-100 - 14.9secs
0-110 - 18.6secs
Also got all the in-gear times, but I can't be @rsed to type them all in...
Some examples >>>
30-50mph in 4th:
WRX - 7.1secs
Cup - 5.7secs
RS - 6.0secs
50-70mph in 4th:
WRX - 5.7secs
Cup - 5.8secs
RS - 4.2secs
80-100mph in 5th:
WRX - 11.8secs
Cup - 10.8secs
RS - 7.2secs
Now the WRX & the Cup are close, but the RS is way quicker!
