RS Focus
02 January 2011, 10:57 AM
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RS Focus
A 'For Sale' ad for a nine month old RS Focus at £21.8k garaged within 15 miles of me caught my attention last week. Having owned a string of of RS Fords in the mid 80s, including a Sierra Cosworth, but having had Imprezas for the past 15 years, I thought I'd take a look. The owner was only too pleased to let me take it for a short spin down the nearby motorway. 'It makes a change to see somebody take an interest who hasn't got a 1.1 Saxo to part ex', he said.
As I drove down the long slip road to the M65 I floored it in 3rd at about 25mph and was disappointed to find wheel spin on an only slightly damp surface. On to the almost deserted motorway proper it didn't take me long to realise that I was in something that I had outgrown. The 'sporty' noise of the engine will appeal to many, but to me it was annoying and after 15 years of nothing but 4WD, the car had an overall 'go-cart' feel to it. No doubt the RS Focus appeals to many younger drivers but I will be sticking with my Impreza for a bit longer.
As I drove down the long slip road to the M65 I floored it in 3rd at about 25mph and was disappointed to find wheel spin on an only slightly damp surface. On to the almost deserted motorway proper it didn't take me long to realise that I was in something that I had outgrown. The 'sporty' noise of the engine will appeal to many, but to me it was annoying and after 15 years of nothing but 4WD, the car had an overall 'go-cart' feel to it. No doubt the RS Focus appeals to many younger drivers but I will be sticking with my Impreza for a bit longer.
02 January 2011, 11:14 AM
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One flew past me after tailgating for a while, when I turned right. The wife rightly labelled him a w@nker! Sounded nice but Jayzus, its not stealthy looking is it?!
02 January 2011, 12:14 PM
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I know, ironic isnt it? This one was white with the contrasting black grill and bonnet vents. Just filled my rear view mirror, like towing a Hotpoint washing machine.
I chatted with fella a few days ago who had a red one, but wished he'd bought a scooby instead. I guess the grass can always look greener.
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02 January 2011, 02:42 PM
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I think the RS looks great. It is what it is. If you don't want to stand out don't buy one. There is a white one in Sedgeley Park, Manchester and I often see it parked on the main road... it looks rather nice 
02 January 2011, 04:32 PM
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There aren't any red ones.............
02 January 2011, 04:58 PM
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The Mk1 RS I drove was 'kin awful. It wouldn't accelerate in a straight line and was plain scary, although I've been told there are good ones and bad ones.
I tried a new one (in green) a couple of months ago and was quite impressed. Much more responsive low down than my mildly modded WRX, but pretty docile round town and averaged nearly 30mpg. Not sure if I'd swap,though, I'd really miss the AWD.
Noticed that used ones were up for £30k+ when they came out, now a virtually new one can be had for under £25k. Wouldn't buy one without Lux Pack 1, though. Handy that it scrapes in under the 225g top tax band.
I tried a new one (in green) a couple of months ago and was quite impressed. Much more responsive low down than my mildly modded WRX, but pretty docile round town and averaged nearly 30mpg. Not sure if I'd swap,though, I'd really miss the AWD.
Noticed that used ones were up for £30k+ when they came out, now a virtually new one can be had for under £25k. Wouldn't buy one without Lux Pack 1, though. Handy that it scrapes in under the 225g top tax band.
02 January 2011, 05:26 PM
#16
I think they are the sort of car that look good but alot of people who drive them seem unimpressed, they are a car to look good on your drive where as a scoob is a car that drives well as well as looks good, no compromise
02 January 2011, 05:44 PM
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Must admitt there is a white 10 plate one near where I live , owner had fitted had the wheels sprayed white and it really does look smart !!
a look thru the autotader shows what seems like loads off ones under a year old for sale- why ??
a look thru the autotader shows what seems like loads off ones under a year old for sale- why ??
02 January 2011, 05:59 PM
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[QUOTE=paulbu;9794115] I floored it in 3rd at about 25mph ]
That was your problem you cant just floor it , if your steady with your right foot you will get a lot more from it
no it not stelth in lime green but parts traffic like nothing else on the road
it sounds awsome
its a great drivers car
That was your problem you cant just floor it , if your steady with your right foot you will get a lot more from it
no it not stelth in lime green but parts traffic like nothing else on the road
it sounds awsome
its a great drivers car
02 January 2011, 06:25 PM
#22
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02 January 2011, 06:33 PM
#24
Same was true of Cosworths in the late 80s and early 90s. By the time they were 3 years old many had half a dozen names on the registration document.
02 January 2011, 06:47 PM
#26
Maybe it was an red RS then if ya £25k to spend on a car then why not spend a lil more making it stand out even more than it already does by painting it a none factory spec colour lol and starting a yes it is no it isn't discussion on a scooby forum gota love it lol
And i do quite like that red on that car....... didn't think it would work but it seems to.....
And i do quite like that red on that car....... didn't think it would work but it seems to.....
02 January 2011, 07:09 PM
#28
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The MK1 FRS is a great car and you can have some proper fun in them. I have abused my mates MK1 loadsa times on track and had a right barrel of laughs..... and made quite a few people think twice, because they think it is FWD it won't keep up with their mega AWD's! 
The MK2 is even better imo, what with that great engine and chassis etc.
The best hot hatch currently available imo.
The MK2 is even better imo, what with that great engine and chassis etc.
The best hot hatch currently available imo.
02 January 2011, 07:16 PM
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The MK1 FRS is a great car and you can have some proper fun in them. I have abused my mates MK1 loadsa times on track and had a right barrel of laughs..... and made quite a few people think twice, because they think it is FWD it won't keep up with their mega AWD's!
The MK2 is even better imo, what with that great engine and chassis etc.
The best hot hatch currently available imo.
The MK2 is even better imo, what with that great engine and chassis etc.
The best hot hatch currently available imo.
02 January 2011, 07:17 PM
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tbh i do like the rs focus,but i think they spoiled it by making it front wheel drive.a friend of mine has just sold his for the simple reason that in the wet he nearly put it into a ditch.