Rs Focus...........How many do you want?
18 August 2003, 05:31 PM
#1
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Just read last weeks Northwest Autotrader, 4 RS Focus, 3 with delivery mileage, one with 2000 miles on it, seems that Dealers are about hagle for a sale as well!
Cheers
Mega
Cheers
Mega
18 August 2003, 05:52 PM
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Of course there is 
there will be loads for sale cause it rained earlier and everyone knows front wheel drive in the rain is too much hard work 
PMSL 
...Just having a dig to some narrow minded 4x4 boys from an earlier post 
Nath
there will be loads for sale cause it rained earlier and everyone knows front wheel drive in the rain is too much hard work PMSL ...Just having a dig to some narrow minded 4x4 boys from an earlier post Nath
18 August 2003, 07:21 PM
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I thought the Focus RS Owners had a web site Forum. but i cant seem to find it.
The only one i can find is www.focusrs.co.uk and thats members only ? WTF
Anyone lead me to a focus RS site thats isnt members only !!!
The only one i can find is www.focusrs.co.uk and thats members only ? WTF
Anyone lead me to a focus RS site thats isnt members only !!!
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18 August 2003, 07:54 PM
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I would say the main reason there are sooooo many for sale, is because soooooo many people bought them to sell on and make a profit thinking they would be the only one to come up with the idea, but are sadly mistaken!!
19 August 2003, 12:39 AM
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Mega,
For a car that was axed by Ford because of how dangerous it is, I'm surprised they're allowing any dealers to continue selling them.
I'm currently waiting for my recall notice to arrive, with a full refund...
For a car that was axed by Ford because of how dangerous it is, I'm surprised they're allowing any dealers to continue selling them.
I'm currently waiting for my recall notice to arrive, with a full refund...
19 August 2003, 12:43 AM
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BTW, did you know that there are some people who have sold their current RS and then bought another one?
One guy has managed to rack up a few thousand miles on his, sold it and will now have a brand new 53 plate car on September 1st.
He made a small profit which covers the slightly higher list price (£20,100 over £19,995) and can now benefit from even better residuals by having a newer car and lower mileage!
And yes, nobody really believes the car will hold it's value forever but when (another example) a car is taken back by a finance company for non-payment, then put up for auction and goes for over £18k, you can see that it's - for the time being - still commanding top money!
One guy has managed to rack up a few thousand miles on his, sold it and will now have a brand new 53 plate car on September 1st.
He made a small profit which covers the slightly higher list price (£20,100 over £19,995) and can now benefit from even better residuals by having a newer car and lower mileage!
And yes, nobody really believes the car will hold it's value forever but when (another example) a car is taken back by a finance company for non-payment, then put up for auction and goes for over £18k, you can see that it's - for the time being - still commanding top money!
19 August 2003, 09:11 PM
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Hey Johnny
Don't get upset, there are so many RS's on the Market that theres bound to be a crash in the price. Word has got round and even after Ford cut the production numbers there is still loads about.
Not so much burning rubber as bunt fingers!
I wait a few weeks than pick one up cheap to rag about in.
Cheers
Mega
BTW I see Ford Sacked the guy who came up with the idea.
Don't get upset, there are so many RS's on the Market that theres bound to be a crash in the price. Word has got round and even after Ford cut the production numbers there is still loads about.
Not so much burning rubber as bunt fingers!
I wait a few weeks than pick one up cheap to rag about in.
Cheers
Mega
BTW I see Ford Sacked the guy who came up with the idea.
19 August 2003, 09:40 PM
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Mega, a kind bit of advice to a fellow scouser, if u are a scouser that is, and not a plastic one.
You are making yourself look very young in the head, u need to grow up and stop with the **** that comes outa your mouth. You have been going on and on and on etc,,, about the focus rs for ages now, i think 99% of this forum get the idea, you dont like them, but the fact of the matter is, you cant even put a valid opinion across. Either start having a constructive talk about this car or anyother car for that matter, or go back to your pit, llama.
You are making yourself look very young in the head, u need to grow up and stop with the **** that comes outa your mouth. You have been going on and on and on etc,,, about the focus rs for ages now, i think 99% of this forum get the idea, you dont like them, but the fact of the matter is, you cant even put a valid opinion across. Either start having a constructive talk about this car or anyother car for that matter, or go back to your pit, llama.
19 August 2003, 09:46 PM
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Mega, Ford didn't cut the production numbers, I made that up as a joke after you kept stating it as fact with your ever so hot contact within Jaguar, who seems to know more than anyone within Ford that I know (and worked on the development of the car).
Martin Leach has indeed left (resigned isn't the same as sacked but accuracy isn't your strong point) and I doubt very much one person came up with an idea of relaunching the RS brand.
Why not read the thread on this at; http://bbs.focusrs.co.uk/showflat.ph...=5&o=7&fpart=1 - joining takes a few minutes and is free, so rather than insinuate something that isn't true - why not go on there to get the real facts.
Ford are losing money big time, so for all we know, he may have been annoyed that FMC wanted to scale down production of more RS/niche market cars and he said enough was enough. Time will tell. The RS was not without it's problems early on, so maybe he took the blame for all the initial production problems?
The Focus Cosworth is likely to a joint development with the Volvo S40R that will be built on the same P1 platform. So are you telling me that this isn't going to happen? I think you'll be somewhat shown up in 3 years time when it is hopefully on the road and I've taken delivery of mine.
If I'm lucky, I'll still get quite a bit for my current Focus just as I did with my Escort. Owning a car for 5 years and losing only £6k is pretty good - especially when I put 60k on it in that time. If I'd not used it every day, I'd have probably got even more. Limited production will always help residuals and you surely cannot deny that?
[Edited by jonmorris - 8/19/2003 9:48:25 PM]
Martin Leach has indeed left (resigned isn't the same as sacked but accuracy isn't your strong point) and I doubt very much one person came up with an idea of relaunching the RS brand.
Why not read the thread on this at; http://bbs.focusrs.co.uk/showflat.ph...=5&o=7&fpart=1 - joining takes a few minutes and is free, so rather than insinuate something that isn't true - why not go on there to get the real facts.
Ford are losing money big time, so for all we know, he may have been annoyed that FMC wanted to scale down production of more RS/niche market cars and he said enough was enough. Time will tell. The RS was not without it's problems early on, so maybe he took the blame for all the initial production problems?
The Focus Cosworth is likely to a joint development with the Volvo S40R that will be built on the same P1 platform. So are you telling me that this isn't going to happen? I think you'll be somewhat shown up in 3 years time when it is hopefully on the road and I've taken delivery of mine.
If I'm lucky, I'll still get quite a bit for my current Focus just as I did with my Escort. Owning a car for 5 years and losing only £6k is pretty good - especially when I put 60k on it in that time. If I'd not used it every day, I'd have probably got even more. Limited production will always help residuals and you surely cannot deny that?
[Edited by jonmorris - 8/19/2003 9:48:25 PM]
19 August 2003, 09:55 PM
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i have to agree, mega, you do seem to be some sort of dead head with a worrying obsession for the supposed dangerous Focus rs (although i do find some of what you write ammusing by trying to entice people into an argument) i think perhaps you should test drive one instead of relying on EVO's opinion of the car as the basis for your dislike for it.
ps martin leach resigned (probably due to the danger he knew he had put people into by releasing the car).
ps martin leach resigned (probably due to the danger he knew he had put people into by releasing the car).
19 August 2003, 10:14 PM
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I do easily rise to the bait and I can only hope Mega does it for this purpose and not because he's an ignorant prat.
(Edited) Just did some digging and here's the media release from Ford;
FORD MOTOR COMPANY'S LEACH ELECTS TO LEAVE COMPANY
COLOGNE, Germany, August 12, 2003– Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) today announced that Ford of Europe president and chief operating officer, Martin Leach, has elected to leave the company to pursue new opportunities.
David Thursfield, executive vice president of the company, president of International Operations and chairman and chief executive officer of Ford of Europe, will oversee operations in the interim.
"Martin contributed to our growth in Europe under challenging conditions," Thursfield said. "As we move forward, we will build upon that foundation. The Ford of Europe team remains committed to improving our financial results and to delivering outstanding products."
Ford has introduced 35 new products in Europe since 2000, grown its market share, improved customer satisfaction, reduced product age and cut costs. Thursfield said he expects improvements to continue, and that the company is taking additional cost reductions to offset current market conditions.
Also;
Ford Motor's Europe chief, Martin Leach, stepped down Tuesday after an unexpected and embarrassing downturn in the automaker's European profits in recent months.
Ford Europe lost $525 million in the second quarter, twice what Wall Street expected.
The loss is viewed as especially troublesome for Ford, because the company, struggling to break even on its global auto operations this year, has repeatedly said it is basing its companywide comeback strategy on the apparent turnaround of Ford Europe.
Ford has spent the last four years driving down costs, making factories more flexible and closing unneeded productionlines in Europe. It has reduced costs in Europe by $1.3 billion since 2000, while raising productivity and quality. The European unit earned $266 million in 2001 and $35 million last year.
The second-quarter loss, though, wipes out years of progress and leads Merrill Lynch analyst John Casesa to ask: "If it didn't work in Europe, why should it work for the whole company?"
It now appears that problems were masked by complex accounting that combined the company's core Ford brand business in Europe and that of its Premium Auto Group, comprised of Jaguar, Volvo, Land Rover and Aston Martin. This year, Ford began separating PAG results from Ford North America, Ford Europe and its other geographic regions.
Leach, 46, took over Ford Europe a year ago after running the unit's product development and motor sports for two years.
When the second-quarter loss came to light, Ford CEO Bill Ford dispatched his top cost-cutter, David Thursfield, back to Europe. Thursfield is chairman of Ford Europe, but moved to Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Mich., last year to oversee global purchasing and procurement and to cut billions in costs out of Ford's system.
Ford is under the same pricing pressure in Europe as in North America. Sales were down 5.4% in the second quarter from a year ago, and profit margins collapsed under the weight of heavy discounting and a strengthening euro.
Ford increased market share in Europe in the first half of this year to 9% from 8.8% a year ago. But the increase came at a high cost as Ford increased generous consumer rebates and less profitable sales to rental and corporate customers.
Looming over Ford's future in Europe are continued economic woes and high unemployment in key markets such as Germany. Also, Renault and Peugeot have improved products and quality, and Asian brands are increasing share.
Source: USA Today | Author: David Kiley | Date: August 11, 2003
..so it seems that all the problems are purely down to the Focus RS.
[Edited by jonmorris - 8/19/2003 11:51:13 PM]
20 August 2003, 04:59 PM
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The Focus RS for the most part is an advertising weapon for Ford to make the Ford brand exciting again, which it has achieved, the fact that people are including it in the same sentences as a WRX and the like proves the point.
Companies always incur a hit with models like these. The Sierra Cosworth at the end of its run was drastically reduced in price for the upcoming Mondeo, because the Sierra Cosworth, although a good motor, was more a piece of advertising than anything else, because the money they make on these cars is slight (if any money is made at all).
The Focus RS has done its job of helping to rebrand Ford Motor Company until the Cosworth Focus gets released.
Yes, in the wet, the Focus RS is a bit of a handfull in comparison to a 4x4 car, but their in lies the rub. The Focus RS is more a drivers car than a WRX, EVO, Cav Turbo or whatever. The latter cars are more point and shoot, the RS actually has to be driven.
I've had a play in a Focus RS, and whilst its not for me, I was utterly amazed at its traction for a FWD car. It probably isn't as amazing as I thought, but most peoples reactions to chucking a 200BHP Turbo motor into a FWD car was 'thats not a smart idea', but the handling is pretty good I have to say. And the car dares you to throw it around corners. In the wet, its not so clever, but, then most 'clever' people realise that throwing a car around a damp corner (be it 2wd or 4wd) isn't the smartest idea anyway.
I suspect 'MEGA', that you haven't actually driven one, which begs the question, "How can you have such a strong opinion on something you don't even know about?"
I'm not going to chuck my Cavalier Turbo in for one, but I still appreciate that the Focus RS is a pretty well rounded package.
Put it this way, if the Focus RS is Fords way of getting our attention, christ only knows what the Focus Cosworth will do!
Companies always incur a hit with models like these. The Sierra Cosworth at the end of its run was drastically reduced in price for the upcoming Mondeo, because the Sierra Cosworth, although a good motor, was more a piece of advertising than anything else, because the money they make on these cars is slight (if any money is made at all).
The Focus RS has done its job of helping to rebrand Ford Motor Company until the Cosworth Focus gets released.
Yes, in the wet, the Focus RS is a bit of a handfull in comparison to a 4x4 car, but their in lies the rub. The Focus RS is more a drivers car than a WRX, EVO, Cav Turbo or whatever. The latter cars are more point and shoot, the RS actually has to be driven.
I've had a play in a Focus RS, and whilst its not for me, I was utterly amazed at its traction for a FWD car. It probably isn't as amazing as I thought, but most peoples reactions to chucking a 200BHP Turbo motor into a FWD car was 'thats not a smart idea', but the handling is pretty good I have to say. And the car dares you to throw it around corners. In the wet, its not so clever, but, then most 'clever' people realise that throwing a car around a damp corner (be it 2wd or 4wd) isn't the smartest idea anyway.
I suspect 'MEGA', that you haven't actually driven one, which begs the question, "How can you have such a strong opinion on something you don't even know about?"
I'm not going to chuck my Cavalier Turbo in for one, but I still appreciate that the Focus RS is a pretty well rounded package.
Put it this way, if the Focus RS is Fords way of getting our attention, christ only knows what the Focus Cosworth will do!
20 August 2003, 05:30 PM
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Very well rounded point of veiw, and i have to agree with it all. Dunno about comparing it with an Evolution tho, i find the rs easyer to drive fast than my evo but thats just me.. Maybe im scared of 350+ horses!
20 August 2003, 10:13 PM
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Sorry Lads very tired tonight, just come in after helping a friend with his Cosworth. Thanks for your Bulsh*t will try to redress the crap tomorrow night. Will look in Autotrader to see how mant RS for sale THIS Week!
20 August 2003, 10:32 PM
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Oh Yes I got this months "EVO", page 48 a reveiw of the 225 Seat Leon.
"but then neither do you get the convulsive twitching through the steering wheel and chassis that afflict the flawed front drive Ford."
And THEY have driven it!
Clarkson, EVO, Autoexpress Etc ETC, its only that *** head at Autocar who has his own personal agenda and FORD who like it.
Funny how there NO storage of RS to buy and we are heading for a XJ220 like crash in the market!
I thought you said that Ford was going to do another run of them Johnny?
Ha Ha HA
Mega.
Honda, British built V-Tec Flying Machine!
"but then neither do you get the convulsive twitching through the steering wheel and chassis that afflict the flawed front drive Ford."
And THEY have driven it!
Clarkson, EVO, Autoexpress Etc ETC, its only that *** head at Autocar who has his own personal agenda and FORD who like it.
Funny how there NO storage of RS to buy and we are heading for a XJ220 like crash in the market!
I thought you said that Ford was going to do another run of them Johnny?
Ha Ha HA
Mega.
Honda, British built V-Tec Flying Machine!
21 August 2003, 12:10 AM
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Yeah 'Mega' (an oxymoron surely?), ha ,ha, ha!
Even more funny that you choose to not disect other peoples actual experiences of the car, just quoting people that reflect your 'opinion' of the Focus RS.
As for crashing residuals.... don't be so bloody naive! It's rarity alone ensures value, its reputation (which seemingly eludes you) is guaranteed to help keep its value, but you keep quoting Evo to suit your own needs..... Whatever did you do before they started publishing that 'bible'?
Your opinion might carry more weight if you had actually driven the car for any length of time (I had it for a weekend), which I suspect by your glossing over of peoples opinions on here you actually haven't.
I'm not a great Ford fan, I think the build quality of the Fords of the 80's and early 90's were horrendous rubbish, but the Focus RS has put those wrongs right. I don't want one, because I've ploughed enough money into my own car to not want to practically give it away, but the Focus RS is what it is, a capable car, that has to be driven to get the best from it. As for Jeremy Clarkson, I think he's a pretty funny guy, a lot of the time I agree with him, some of the times I don't, and I don't agree with him on the Focus RS. "Hedge Seeking missile?"....... Only if you can't drive properly without driver aids Clarkey!
Even more funny that you choose to not disect other peoples actual experiences of the car, just quoting people that reflect your 'opinion' of the Focus RS.
As for crashing residuals.... don't be so bloody naive! It's rarity alone ensures value, its reputation (which seemingly eludes you) is guaranteed to help keep its value, but you keep quoting Evo to suit your own needs..... Whatever did you do before they started publishing that 'bible'?
Your opinion might carry more weight if you had actually driven the car for any length of time (I had it for a weekend), which I suspect by your glossing over of peoples opinions on here you actually haven't.
I'm not a great Ford fan, I think the build quality of the Fords of the 80's and early 90's were horrendous rubbish, but the Focus RS has put those wrongs right. I don't want one, because I've ploughed enough money into my own car to not want to practically give it away, but the Focus RS is what it is, a capable car, that has to be driven to get the best from it. As for Jeremy Clarkson, I think he's a pretty funny guy, a lot of the time I agree with him, some of the times I don't, and I don't agree with him on the Focus RS. "Hedge Seeking missile?"....... Only if you can't drive properly without driver aids Clarkey!
21 August 2003, 12:13 AM
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Mega, you really do talk crap don't you?
You say Autocar have their own agenda? Ever considered it might be Evo with their agenda? They drove early cars and loved it, then overnight suddenly decided to hate it.
You are right though; JC did slate it and Evo slated it. But Auto Express have NOT slated it (it's runner up in their recent awards for gods sake!). One newspaper slagged it too (forget which) but otherwise the car has had great reviews. Anyway, who cares what they say when you are speaking to people on here that OWN the car and drive it everyday on NORMAL roads?
(Here are a range of good & bad reviews; http://www.b.morrisiam.btinternet.co...usrs_media.htm why not count how many are good and how many are bad!)
"...convulsive twitching through the steering wheel and chassis that afflict the flawed front drive Ford."? I know that's a load of crap, as do other RS owners and many people on here who have taken the time to test drive them.
The only time I've ever had any problem was when I've overtaken someone and the diff has pulled a bit on the sudden change in camber - and also in the winter when the temperature was sub zero. As my last two cars were 4x4, I do know when 4WD is a bonus - but I also know it's not essential to have all the time and the Focus does an amazing job 95% of the time.
Finally, I've NEVER said there would be another production run. I was the one who kept saying it was limited to 4500 units - hence when the production stopped it was because the limit was reached, not because Ford had axed it. That said, Ford DID switch production so more RHD cars would be made AT THE EXPENSE of LHD models.
PLEASE think before you write anything again as you are starting to look rather silly - especially if you need to make up things to support your own arguments.
You hate the car. Why? You don't have one and I presume you would never buy one. So why are you so bothered about the resale value or what happens to it?
I can only imagine that you either really want one and cannot afford one (so must slag it instead) or tried to race one and lost!! I cannot think of any other reasonable explanation for being so passionately against a car that you keep working to find another way of knocking it!
[Edited by jonmorris - 8/21/2003 12:24:32 AM]
You say Autocar have their own agenda? Ever considered it might be Evo with their agenda? They drove early cars and loved it, then overnight suddenly decided to hate it.
You are right though; JC did slate it and Evo slated it. But Auto Express have NOT slated it (it's runner up in their recent awards for gods sake!). One newspaper slagged it too (forget which) but otherwise the car has had great reviews. Anyway, who cares what they say when you are speaking to people on here that OWN the car and drive it everyday on NORMAL roads?
(Here are a range of good & bad reviews; http://www.b.morrisiam.btinternet.co...usrs_media.htm why not count how many are good and how many are bad!)
"...convulsive twitching through the steering wheel and chassis that afflict the flawed front drive Ford."? I know that's a load of crap, as do other RS owners and many people on here who have taken the time to test drive them.
The only time I've ever had any problem was when I've overtaken someone and the diff has pulled a bit on the sudden change in camber - and also in the winter when the temperature was sub zero. As my last two cars were 4x4, I do know when 4WD is a bonus - but I also know it's not essential to have all the time and the Focus does an amazing job 95% of the time.
Finally, I've NEVER said there would be another production run. I was the one who kept saying it was limited to 4500 units - hence when the production stopped it was because the limit was reached, not because Ford had axed it. That said, Ford DID switch production so more RHD cars would be made AT THE EXPENSE of LHD models.
PLEASE think before you write anything again as you are starting to look rather silly - especially if you need to make up things to support your own arguments.
You hate the car. Why? You don't have one and I presume you would never buy one. So why are you so bothered about the resale value or what happens to it?
I can only imagine that you either really want one and cannot afford one (so must slag it instead) or tried to race one and lost!! I cannot think of any other reasonable explanation for being so passionately against a car that you keep working to find another way of knocking it!
[Edited by jonmorris - 8/21/2003 12:24:32 AM]
21 August 2003, 11:48 AM
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Im outa here, Mega has just shown his true age.. 10 maybe 15 at a push? What a retard.. This forum aint a nursery and i aint a baby sitter.
Like I say, cant even stick up for him self or his stupid comments about a car he has never driven. LOSER!
Like I say, cant even stick up for him self or his stupid comments about a car he has never driven. LOSER!
21 August 2003, 11:58 AM
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I'd rather have a RS than a Civic. Why? Character. The Ford has it, the Civic doesn't. I think the Focus is only "dangerous" if you can't drive properly. Most of the reviews I've read of it have liked it, no I haven't driven one but wouldn't mind trying one.
21 August 2003, 02:42 PM
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Well I sold an STi 7 to buy a Focus RS ( After owning a UK300, RB5 WR Sport and a turbo wagon, and I love them, on my second now and personally couldn't care less thats its not 4wd. Can't wait for the Cosworth
Jas
Jas