Focus RS -Would you? And which colour

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 18:48

Hey guys,

Went out looking to buy a black Focus ST3 and came back wanting a green RS. The dealer had an RS in ultimate green parked pride of place in the showroom and I just couldnt take my eyes off it!

I should know better - in my late thirties and Im looking at a bright green car many a teenage boy racer lusts after. I missed the hot hatch period in my youth as I never had the money for a 205 1.9 GTi, XR3i or Astra turbo, it must be catching up on me now.

As Im needing something that has at least some sense of practicality with a sizeable boot it rules out the likes of the 370Z, Audi TT etc.

Test drove an ST3 which was great, and went for a spin with the dealer in the RS, which is a diffrerent kind of beast completely, what a spine-tingling rush of noise! Seats were far comfier in the ST3 though, those pared to the bone Recaros in the RS transfer every road bump through yer arse!

So Im thinking, **** it, you only live once (perhaps not too much longer), it'll be a great car to drive if I can live with the noise... and that green (although far more discreet the blue just doesnt do the design justice IMO).

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:08

Clarkey said:
White is the only colour for one of those. Might as well get a Suby or Evo if you want a midlife crisis ASBO-mobile though.

Midlife crisis - perhaps that's what it is, cheers mate!

I think the RS has a superb combination of driving experience, practicality and almost reasonable running costs (checked out the servicing costs which seem OK). Like the Evo but its running costs are diabolical.

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:12

Abyss said:
I love the look of the new RS and have always been a Ford fan, but there is no way I would consider spending £25-30k on a Ford Focus. There are plenty of alternatively available at that price point that will be just as quick and a far better place to be.

Yep I'd be even keener had the price been set at 25K, yet im looking at 27.5k for new with the lux pack1. What alternative new cars do you see at that price point for an equivalent offering of performance, looks, running costs and practicality (ie split rear seats and a decent sized boot).

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:13

MagicBoy said:
Heart says nuclear waste green, head says performance blue.

Same here. Do love the green though, works so well with the black grilles and splitters.

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:16

Moeks said:
You could do a lot better for £25k I think.

What would you consider an alternative mate, meeting the criteria mentioned in the thread? The ST is definately more subtle and discreet, and I know you can get the Mountune upgrade taking it to 260bhp that keeps the warranty, but then that aint too far off the price of an RS which has the quaife differential, and of course, the more aggresive looks, which I like.

It would have been interesting if Ford sold it in black too, but nope, only White, Green and Blue.

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:28

Oh, and my girlfriend liked the ST, but hated the RS. And she aint called Tracey

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:47

Goliath said:
ST3 with the ST260 upgrade from Mountune. All the fun, you keep the warranty and shave £5k or so off your outlay. For an idea of what Evo thought, click here.

Cheers Goliath, I've seen the Evo tests, seems the STs are great for tuning. I have been debating the tuned ST vs RS in my head, just got to balance all the factors such as looks, residuals after a year or two (I imagine the RS will hold its value a little better than the ST). Guess the question is, if we are talking new - is the RS worth the extra 5K over a tuned ST. At the end of the day I think it will be a matter the heart decides rather than the head! I wish I never saw or heard the damn thing!

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:48

Tute said:
I would, but only at the right price.

At the kind of prices they're commanding new, i'd rather have an ST for around £10K, tune it a bit, and still have a load left over.

I've looked there too matey, seems a facelift ST-2 (2008 onwards) with less than 10k miles can be had for about 13.5K. A great car at that money!

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 19:49

Gaygle said:
Lovely car. But you wouldn't ever catch me paying £27.5k for one.

There's so much more special stuff out there for that price.

Like?

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:13

Joshy said:
No.

It does absoultely NOTHING for me (Despite being a teenage Boy racer ).

Hey Joshy, no patronising ever intended!

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:21

MikeHiow said:
From where?!

Two local dealers have ST3s, both 2008, and one is up for £18,600 and the other is up for £18,995.

When I was looking for my five door, I couldn't find a five door ST3 facelift really worth looking at for under 16k.

Auotrader, '08 ST2 (as I stated) with approx 10K miles for 13.5.

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:34

Gaygle said:
Now, i assume since you're looking at dropping over £27,000 on a car, you're not short of a few

Nice list of cars matey. All hard earned cash. Perhaps odd I know but I'd be reluctant to spend that kind of dosh on high milers.

Out of that little list the Evo then the Subaru (Love the BM but not chucking cash at something with that many miles, although I know it'll go and go and go).

As far as I understood it the Evo commonly gets less than 20mpg and is renowned for high running costs??

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:41

MrLOL said:
This is my issue with the new RS -at the price they are commanding at the moment, you really have to have fallen in love with it above all else.

How very true, dangerous territory Ford's going into when getting closer to the 30k mark.

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:44

Spunkey said:
However, given the choice it'd have to be this for me. All day, everyday.

Now that is some car for the cash! Im going to get flamed for this, so dont get me wrong cause I've driven a WRX and loved it, and what a pedigree, but, ahem, the image these days (yes I know Im looking at an RS!).

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:50

MrLOL said:
Or buy one already tuned

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1545353.htm

OOFFF!

My god!!! That just looks awesome! Dont know how it'll go round corners though!

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 20:53

EddScott said:
If we stick to which colour then for me it would have to be green - why buy a silly car and buy it with a sensible colour??

I agree! If Im gonna say **** it then I may as well do it properly! Nice WRX there, think that was only on 8Kmiles.

grumpybeard · 9 Mar 2010 at 23:52

Abyss said:
OP, my advice would be to look at the 12 month old market and purchases a car that was potentially £40k+ new. Spend £28k on a RS and you will lose a huge amount and be sat in something that is fundamentally just a Focus.

Words of wisdom Im sure mate, as have most of the posts been, thanks guys. I very much like the look and sound of the RS, maybe has something to do with remembering my grandfather's sprayed up cortina circa 1977 when I was a kid (the car was crap but it looked the part!). One of the reasons for wanting one is that I shall be moving near Geneva for work for the next year, and can imagine this car will be so much fun on the Alpine roads. But yes I must not get caught up in the moment and look around at what else is available for that kind of money that still retains practicality. If I do go for something else it may be the Evo if its gonna be similiar running costs, always loved the Evos too, will check those out although I know nothing about the newer models.

Cheers guys, I didnt think for a moment that I'd prompt quite the response.

But if I do go for the RS, it's gonna be in green, **** it!

grumpybeard · 17 Mar 2010 at 21:15

Guys,

After all this, and taking into consideration what you've said amongst other things, I've had a change of heart.

The Focus RS, although a fabulous all-round motor in my eyes, was intended to be a stop gap until I persued the car I've been dreaming about since being able to drive it in Project Gotham on the original Xbox many years ago, and seeing it on Top Gear.

So after much thinking I've decided to be patient, hang in there, continue to live with something a little more normal for a few years yet, and put my order in for.....

Its British hand-built.

A two seater.

No roof, or much other bodywork for that matter.

It goes like **** off a shovel.

Im putting my order in for an Atom this week! I've been looking at these for years,so to hell with it, let's get the ball rolling as the waiting list is 18 months. Not everyone's cup of tea or what they'd do with that kind of cash, but Im not looking for differing opinions on that one.

What I'd really appreciate though, as I've appreciated your comments, is help on another matter, a practical car to get me by for the next few years....

http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18126250

grumpybeard · 17 Mar 2010 at 22:46

Supercharged, at 5K over the cost of the n/a, but that sound, mmmm! Went to the Caterham showroom to check out the competition, the R500, great car, lovely view looking from the front over the bonnet, love the way it growls, but just cant get away from the fact is pugley as hell from it's boxy rear arse end.