Mustang vs Focus RS
- Thread starter t-rex
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Mustang everyday of the week, want to test drive one but our dealership only had the 2.3 version "There's hardly any difference" the salesman said
Hope you slapped him, then left
I think that dealership needs a new salesman.. oh wait their job will be to say the same crap
Soldato
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Mustang any day of the week loved the one in LA when i was doing my roadtrip in Jan and would have one here, the few I've seen around look great.
The focus is just a fast version of the normal car it isn't special IMO but ive never been a fan of fords as I've always hated the interiors and the new ones are no different guy at work has the new ST focus and its not too far from sitting in our new transit van at work.
The focus is just a fast version of the normal car it isn't special IMO but ive never been a fan of fords as I've always hated the interiors and the new ones are no different guy at work has the new ST focus and its not too far from sitting in our new transit van at work.
Being RWD it won't corner anything like the RS. But I don't think it's like the old ones, which would go all over the place when you put your foot down
You can still expect at least one brown trouser moment in any powerful RWD car though if you drive it quick.
I still see there is common miss-conception over American cars and how they handle.
Yes the Mustang out the factory has many short comings in stock form, most of all being the absolutely shocking Pzero tyres, there are many here who also have Pzero on their BMW's and Porsches who share the same thoughts, the tyre is terrible in cold, wet conditions and even the dry grip in the warm is nothing to shout about and then to top it all off they don't even last that long.
Anyway some lap times from Hockenheim Short circuit driven by the same driver:
Mercedes-Benz A 45 AMG Christian Gebhardt 1:13.50 380 / 1574
Audi RS6 Christian Gebhardt 1:13.70 560 / 1895
Ford Mustang GT (Mk VI) Christian Gebhardt 1:13.80 426 / 1650
Alfa Romeo 4C Christian Gebhardt 1:14.00 240 / 895
Chevrolet Camaro SS (Mk VI) Christian Gebhardt 1:14.00 453 / 1666
C63 AMG T Performance Package Christian Gebhardt 1:14.20 487 / 1795
Ford Focus RS Christian Gebhardt 1:14.20 350 / -
Audi RS4 Avant (B8) Christian Gebhardt 1:14.30 450 / 1755
Maserati GranTurismo Sport Chistian Gebhardt 1:14.50 460 / 1780
Porsche Cayman (981) Christian Gebhardt 1:14.50 275 / 1310
Dodge Challenger SRT-8 Hellcat Christian Gebhardt 1:14.60 717 / 1892
Jaguar F-Type V6 S Christian Gebhardt 1:14.70 380 / 1614
AWD does not make you corner faster, it makes it easier to go faster particular when conditions are not ideal and they require less skill behind the wheel. Having owned an EVO X with 415BHP which would for sure take down an RS in any conditions on any road or track and I can tell you now the 911 and Mustang on a dry road or track could take the EVO X down. Talking from ownership experience here, not Mr Armchair expert. In the dry it is far more down to chassis setup, feedback from the car and overall mechanical traction. On a dry circuit or dry road with professional drivers (removing driver from equation) a Mustang will corner every bit as good as a Focus RS if not better. Quite an accomplishment really as the Mustang stock has a lot of short falls due to the tyres and soft/bouncy rear suspension.
Any car can be improved but percentage improvement in the Mustang is higher simply because Ford could have done such a better job from factory but the GT Mustang was the cooking edition, the Shelby was the properly sorted handling one and you can quite easily get a GT handling like a Shelby, tyres, coilovers, anti-roll bars and some solid bushings in the rear for about £3000 including tyres, actually better as the Shelby too has the same soft rear-end and other short comings and a lot of owners go and fit same parts as I've done to mine.
Wet day, cold greasy day give me an EVO X or Focus RS any day if my aim is to drive fast and get from A-B as quick as possible. Otherwise the Mustang works fine in the cold and wet, its vastly improved now its on MPSS tyres but you just drive to the conditions or you do massive skids everywhere.
Also the term handling, I'd take most RWD cars as better handling any day of the week, handling and grip are too different things. The Focus RS, EVO X have loads of grip and they also handle nice and are very much point and squirt. But my involvement, concentration and fun factor for me in RWD is on another level.
The only modern American sports/muscle car that still handles like a true muscle car is the Dodge Challenger. The new Mustang and Camaro are fantastic handling sport coupe muscle cars and incredible value!
Soldato
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This thread has actually made me contemplate booking a back-to back test drive of each car for a few weeks/months time...
Soldato
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The Mustang I think looks amazing and no doubt it's a capable car.
I've seen a few on the roads now and they are very nice, but they don't seem to have 'presence' - if that makes sense?
That said, the reason I chose the RS over the 'tang is purely being a hatch, would be more practical, I prefer 4x4 driving style and I think I'd feel safer parking the Focus up knowing that some jealous types might not realise what it is.
Both awesome cars though.
I've seen a few on the roads now and they are very nice, but they don't seem to have 'presence' - if that makes sense?
That said, the reason I chose the RS over the 'tang is purely being a hatch, would be more practical, I prefer 4x4 driving style and I think I'd feel safer parking the Focus up knowing that some jealous types might not realise what it is.
Both awesome cars though.
Cannot agree on the presence, everyone comments on mine, people pull at phones and take pictures all the time and other motorist are often seen snapping photos too. Even seen pictures of my car posted on Facebook by other motorist.
Presence it has, in absolute gargantuan amounts.
Soldato
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Cannot agree on the presence, everyone comments on mine, people pull at phones and take pictures all the time and other motorist are often seen snapping photos too. Even seen pictures of my car posted on Facebook by other motorist.
Presence it has, in absolute gargantuan amounts.
Where are you based? I ask because I've seen them in London, Canary Wharf and Islington, often surrounded by much more expensive exotica!
Stoke-on-Trent, my previous cars were EVO X, M3 CSL, bright yellow aerokitted 911 I've also have an R34 Skyline bayside blue for a couple of months.
The only car which rivalled this for attention was my last Mustang, now that got even more attention than this one, but it was a Saleen so you like never ever see them on the road, they are rare sight in USA let alone here.
But wherever I have being North, Midlands or South it gets lots of attention and I purchased dull grey edition, drive a yellow or orange one and the attention is well a bit too much.
Soldato
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Mustangs have huge presence! Whenever I've seen a Mustang drive past everyone turns their head to watch it go! You always hear at least one person saying "look, a Mustang" you cant ask for more than that!
Soldato
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Well I guess you would know! I dunno, I just think they are toned down - like someone said "We could turn the dial up to 11 but lets keep it at 8"
Just my opinion! Obviously all your cars pale into insignificance compared to the Ssanyyong Rexton I've just been given, so wind your neck in
Old ones, yep - this new RHD version not so much.
Just my opinion! Obviously all your cars pale into insignificance compared to the Ssanyyong Rexton I've just been given, so wind your neck in
Old ones, yep - this new RHD version not so much.
Gibbo...what have the police told you about being out in public with your wang out?
Back on topic...Mustang.
Like no contest at all. Mus. Tang.
Well I guess you would know! I dunno, I just think they are toned down - like someone said "We could turn the dial up to 11 but lets keep it at 8"
Just my opinion! Obviously all your cars pale into insignificance compared to the Ssanyyong Rexton I've just been given, so wind your neck in
Old ones, yep - this new RHD version not so much.
Nope its just the same with new ones, lots of people of all ages point and go oooh a Mustang, the braver ones will create conversation and always want a rev and I always oblige of course.
They maybe could have being an 11, but even at an 8 they stand out. Ford got it spot on, they made a great looking car that appeals to all, if they had being turned up too 11 the sales would no doubt be half or less what they are now. If you want an 11 buy a bright colour and slap a massive splitter and a huge wing on the back, job done.
Soldato
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Very easy to make look 11 though. Ford hit the nail on the head with the design. So much scope for the aftermarket.
Caporegime
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Mustang without a shadow of doubt. There are many 4wd cars I would have even before considering the RS. Canot imagine what it must feel like hauling 1600kgs around a bend at speed in something that is meant to be nimble.
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