I was curious about the opinions of you guys on this topic.

I belong to another forum, where people use SVT badges on their NON SVT Ford vehicles.
Specifically a Ford Ranger, with a roots blower, some engine work, exhaust etc.

This specific guy has SVT paint scheme, SVT billet pedals, "powered by SVT" on his engine etc.

I have tried to explain to him that SVT never made a production Ranger, but he insists that if they did make one, it would be just like his truck.

I have told him numerous times, that he has one of the coolest and fastest Rangers I have ever seen, but it is not an SVT.

i voted other

no.. its not okay for people to pose... but at the same time, i have svt euro wheels, that have the svt lettering in them... but if people ask me about it, i tell them that its not an svt, and that i bought the rims from someone that has an svt...

i would NEVER, EVER, EVER badge the back of my car as an svt... EVER!!!! that.. is just wrong

It is very "Civic with a Type R badge that is green and not a hatchback."

No, its not okay.

I paid $22,500 for my SVT. I loved it, and still miss her. I needed a truck...no new Lightning were in my area...hence the Ranger.

For that $22,500, I got my HID's, and my leather heated seats, and my Mazda inspired suspension, and yada yad yada. I also got into an exclusive club an SVT owners. I lurked on this site, but never had anything to contribute. I know how to search, so I never needed to ask a question either...

I had my SVTF from 7/04 to 12/06. I was an active lurker the whole time :)

If its not an SVT, its not an SVT.
thats how i look at it.
The VIN says it all :)

I'm just gonna go and put a mazdaspeed badge on my Focus....

If its not an SVT its not an SVT, you're just inviting trouble branding your car something it is not.

I saw an svt symbol on the back of a stock F-150 before. I couldnt stop laughing about it. I dont think its right to do something like that. Like frush said, its very poserish.

You're sure it was a STOCK F-150? The SVT Lightning is an F150

ive seen this truck around town, i believe its an older silverado truck with an SS badge on it with a GT-R badge under the SS badge, i kinda laughed when i saw it.

Originally posted by isaac_in_tx
ive seen this truck around town, i believe its an older silverado truck with an SS badge on it with a GT-R badge under the SS badge, i kinda laughed when i saw it.

There is an older Silverado around here that says "454 SS" on the bed and sure enough, it has a 454 under the hood. Watch out for those.

Yep, I'm sure it was a regular f-150. I am very familiar with lightnings, and this definately wasnt one. It was one of those fx4 ones. I know they didnt make any lightnings in 4x4. LOL.

If you want an svt then buy a svt. Dont buy a base model and throw some badges on it and expect it to gain some hp. It just makes you look stupid. Like when you see some ford tempo or chevy cavalier with a Type-R badge on it, you might think its cool but everyone looking at you is laughing.

Ive seen two such focuses by me, one black auto ZX3 with euro SVT wheels and badges, another yellow ZX3 with TYPE R racing on it with an SVT badge on each front fender. Just kinda makes me laugh a little.

thats funny because i dont care about the badges at all since i took mines off ( IMO it looks cleaner)

but if u dont got an svt and have svt rims ,kit, and etc.... its ok

but if u throw on the emblem IMP its stupid since YOU know u dont have one and are just posing

Non-SVT's with SVT badges are an identity crisis. It simply waters down the brand, and reduces the exclusivity of the SVT name. Imagine a mildly beefed up Neon taking a ZX3 with SVT badges. What's he going to say to his buddies? Not, "I beat a Focus ZX3". No.....it's gonna be "I beat an SVT with my Neon!!!" And all his buddies are gonna sh!t-talk the SVT.

There's a guy in my neighborhood with a mid-90's Accord. It's apparently an Accord GT, with SE badges, Limited Edition, and wouldn't you know, it's a Type-R too. Obviously he doesn't know what he is, and I sure as hell can't tell either. Just a wannabee street-racer.

What, its not cool all of the sudden? I put an SRT badge on my hatch lid, cause when I turbo this baby it'll be just like what it would be if SRT engineers had designed the car!!!!1one

Yeah, no, not cool. The end result of the car is the work of a specific group of engineers. Team SVT might decide to add a blower to the car, but not every car with a blower was designed by team SVT.

One should not badge their ZX3 a SVT if it is not. However, I believe it is okay to buy SVT parts and install them on a ZX3 ie wheels, shifter knobs and the like. It becomes more like a brand name at this point. [^]

no, that would be like buying a v6 mustange and putting cobra or Saleen all over it. it makes you look faster than you really are, you can downgrade your badges to appear slower and then rape everyone that thinks they can beat you. the other way around is stupid

i dont see a problem with it because if thats what makes people happy about their cars than i back them 100%, thats what we are all here for isnt it?, to make our cars so we can enjoy them the most and get a grin everytime we drive them. If a svt badge makes someone feel like they have a cooler car then so be it. and on the ranger, im 99% sure svt did make a ranger (not production) but just to see what it would be like, i think it had a 5.0 liter, suspension, etc. all the usuall goodies that come with the name svt. i do admit it is kinda strange seeing svt thunderbirds, 4x4 trucks, and even crown vics....lol

They are a bunch of tools.

PS I didn't read any of the posts.

I think it's stupid. Most people on this site would agree that plastering "Type R" on a civic is dumb, why is SVT any differnt. To me it says I would rather have bought an SVT but I didn't so I'll make it look like I did. I agree with the above post that says take them off all together. The car looks 100x better IMO. And all the noneducated Foci people will still think you have an SVT if you have a drop and rims. LOL At least a lot of people ask me if mines and SVT.

I'm gonna say it doesn't matter... I know my Focus is a genuine SVT and it's usually pretty easy to spot a vehicle that isn't a true SVT (especially when it was never originally offered on a certain vehicle). People do all kinds of stupid shit to their cars, and I think putting an "up-market" badge on their car is not that big of a deal (it usually makes for a good laugh)... it's not like replacing the entire front end of a Suburban with Caddy parts (that's rediculous!).

there's a great deal of pride, heritage, R&D, etc that goes into every SVT vehicle. They are total package vehicles, not just some add a little power and stick RT/SS on it across our product line.

Just like Type R is an honor for Honda/Acura, STI is an honor for Subaru, SVT is an honor for Ford. Posers will always exist but it's shit to do and insulting to anyone with a mind towards quality.

^^ x2

that i really dumb why would u badge something that really isnt an svt that like gay honda kids putting si badges on gay broke ass civics and type r badges on them too im against it

I think it funny as hell but at the same time a kick in the nuts,

I would never put a SVT decal on my PW car even though it would walk all over my SVT in everyway possible. I agree with the honor of a SVT or any other specality car or truck.

"svt" cobra (http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail.jsp?tracktype=usedcc&searchType=22&paId=133426689&pageNumber=0&numResultsPerPage=50&largeNumResultsPerPage=0&sortorder=ascending&sortfield=PRICE+ascending&certifiedOnly=false&recnum=0&leadExists=true&criteria=K-SVT%7CE-ALL%7CM-_14_%7CH-%7CD-_179_%7CN-N%7CR-10000%7CI-1%7CP-PRICE+ascending%7CQ-ascending%7CY-_2003_%7CX-popular%7CZ-98281&aff=national)

talk about posing

I saw a car in Salt Lake, a Mercury Cougar that had an SVT badge on it... [limp]

Originally posted by UtahSVT
I saw a car in Salt Lake, a Mercury Cougar that had an SVT badge on it... [limp]

My all time favorite was a guy in a 98 era Dodge Ram with an Fx4 decal at the bedside and an SVT badge on the back.

i think its ok as long as you're matching whats under the hood. Forinstance a Type r badge on a civic coupe, that looks similar to the HB Typer R and has the engine/ suspension compents to match is fine with me, cause then its not false advertising, its turning a normal car in to A) your own and B) it matches the performance of what you're calling it. If i ever manage to get my hands on an SVTF engine and drivetrain, you'd bet i'd put an SVT badge on the back, it wouldn't be an actual SVT but it would match the performance of one which is what i think matters. However, if my car is laying down 200whp with a turbo/zetec combo, i wouldn't put an SVT logo on, it doesn't match SVT specs

Just say NO to false badging.


A quick anecdote... most car enthusiasts know that their particularly favorite car has a few different names (ie: ST170, Pirahna), and even that drives insane. I don't want to see a Mondeo badge on a Contour... it's a Contour! The same goes for SVT on a Thunderbird, TypeR on an Accord, and Pirahna on an SVT.

no it's not ok, it's to ricey IMO

How is it ricey if you're matching the power?

how is a ZX4 with SVT suspension and SVT Zetec/Getrag any different from the real deal? the only diff is that ford never made it. But performance wise the numbers would be nearly identical

because its not,, I can sew a bunch of body parts together but its still not a real person,, oops was not suppose to type that hehehe

the SVT badge indicates the tech's from that department made it,, same way with a Saleen badge. those cars (unlike ours) retain high value because they made them well and in a limited amount. Its apples and oranges

I don't own an SVT so my opinion don't matter....

Originally posted by zal
How is it ricey if you're matching the power?

how is a ZX4 with SVT suspension and SVT Zetec/Getrag any different from the real deal? the only diff is that ford never made it. But performance wise the numbers would be nearly identical
1) They never made a ZX4 SVT.
2) The standard Zetec block is not the same as the SVT block.
3) DSI Intake.
4) VCT.
5) You're forgetting about the brakes.
6) What about the interior changes?
a. Seats.
b. Instrument Cluster.
c. Console.
etc. etc.
7) "Matching the power" is only one little piece of the puzzle.
8) It's just not right.

or we can sum it up in one fell swoop and say that anyone who doesn't buy a limited production run special edition vehicle then slaps the sticker on it is in denial and green with envy. i don't care how close or how much better your car is than the real thing, it's not the real thing. so let it be your car and stop sticking [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]g badges on it pretending. unless SVT engineers designed and built your car, it's not an SVT.

Originally posted by 2004SVTAutoXer
or we can sum it up in one fell swoop and say that anyone who doesn't buy a limited production run special edition vehicle then slaps the sticker on it is in denial and green with envy. i don't care how close or how much better your car is than the real thing, it's not the real thing. so let it be your car and stop sticking [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]g badges on it pretending. unless SVT engineers designed and built your car, it's not an SVT. Preach the truth brother!

Originally posted by focusdarko
no, that would be like buying a v6 mustange and putting cobra or Saleen all over it. it makes you look faster than you really are, you can downgrade your badges to appear slower and then rape everyone that thinks they can beat you. the other way around is stupid


LOL.. I always laugh at those people... they buy a V6 Mustang, then put a dual exhaust hanging under the bumper (a V6 mustang doesn't have the cut-out for a dual exhaust..so it just looks stupid) and slap a GT on it! If they really wanted a GT, then they should have bought one!

The same goes for the SVT... It is what it is... if they really wanted a SVT then they shoud have bought one!

Originally posted by zal
How is it ricey if you're matching the power?

how is a ZX4 with SVT suspension and SVT Zetec/Getrag any different from the real deal? the only diff is that ford never made it. But performance wise the numbers would be nearly identical
A SVT matches the power of a nissan sentra, but we arent putting SER Spec V badges on our car either. Also ZX4 is a body designation not a trim level, ZX4 is just a gay way of saying sedan for 05+ foci. Before it was called a LX SE or ZTW which is like alot more than Sedan ZX4 SE.

Its gay and not cool to badge your car even if the same HP as a car it is not, do you see anyone with a Cadillac XLR putting Corvette stickers on? Same HP but **U* NO its a cadillac XLR not a vette, the who hp match argument is dumber than the misbadging.

its fine with me to use svt products that have the badge on them, and claiming one is an svt when it isnt is a different story..unless..UNLESS, you are making a clone. As in a 98 mustang gt clone into a 98 cobra, as long as it isnt claiming it as a real svt.

Originally posted by dazada
There is an older Silverado around here that says "454 SS" on the bed and sure enough, it has a 454 under the hood. Watch out for those.

Why??? They are slow as F!

This Ranger, is it Green by chance? A guy that lives near me (Manitowoc WI.) has a green flareside, with a blower and built to the hilt, with an SVT badge on the back.

i learned in the last couple of months that they made a Probe SVT. I never knew about it, so of course when i saw one on the road, i laughed and thought, what a douche. Then I saw another one, and I thought, wow. . .they made a probe svt? Sure enough, they did. So then of course I felt like the douche for not knowing, but hell, a probe? are you serious? i can't stand those cars. Of course, people probably do that with my focus too. people that bought lightnings or something, that didn't learn about the other currently available SVT models, seeing my SVT badge and thinking, "what a tool."
ah well, dumb story with no point, sorry for wasting your time. ha.

Serious? SVT Probe? thats pretty cool if true

I know on 98-02 Firebirds, they have a WS-6 package which is basically upgraded intake, suspension and appearance mods. And then they made the WS-7 emblems for those people to buy that actually put money and time to make there cars look like a WS-6. I think that is pretty cool cause these people arent posing, they are proud that they did it on there own and proud to show it.(and probably saved a grip of money doing it their selves) I tried to look for a thread about it on the ls1 forums but i couldnt find it

For example....... http://focusfanatics.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=1284919#post1284919

and cut him some slack he's new

Just no...

This is like the difference between a 911 Turbo and a 911 Carrera 4S
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIB3bbdU9oU
Fast Forward to 5 minutes and watch from there on. It lays it out nice and clear or you can watch the whole thing its pretty funny.

Its basicaly the same concept when you compare the SVT focus to a regualr focus.

BTW at 45 seconds richard uses an SVT focus to demonstate understeer lol.

Originally posted by SVT_CLARITY
i learned in the last couple of months that they made a Probe SVT. I never knew about it, so of course when i saw one on the road, i laughed and thought, what a douche. Then I saw another one, and I thought, wow. . .they made a probe svt? Sure enough, they did.

No they didn't: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special_Vehicle_Team

You were right when you thought "what a douche" about that driver.

how is it my posts always go unnoticed....?

if the special vehicle team didn't touch your car, you shouldn't represent them!

I would say that it's almost OK under one condition. The car would have had to be completely converted to all SVT parts. I'm sure that someone out there has done this. But did they badge it as a SVT or not? If they did, could they sleep OK at night? I guess that just a question of dignity. What if someone converted a wagon? Of course, you would have to improvise somethings, but that would be such a hot car. I would even think that if one of the engineers from the (former) SVT department saw a car like that, that looked like it should have rolled of the line wearing that badge, they might be proud of it. Hell, if it were me, I would have a beer with the guy.

It's a matter of opinion really. For it to be OK with me, It would have to be an absolute, complete conversion. NO detail spared. You can't buy a Wagon SVT or a Sedan SVT. So, why can't Joe Schmoe build his own? I could say with almost certainty that atleast one of the engineers in SVT wanted to put them out. Everyone knows Ford would say NO to something that cool.

Other than that, Hell NO It's Not OK

^^^Massive will be the one exception to this thread! His car is incredibely badass and worthy of the SVT badge.

Here are the pics of the ranger. With the last picture being of my old SVT...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_63_full.jpg


http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_64_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_65_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_66_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_67_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_68_full.jpg

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_69_full.jpg

Yeah, massive's car is a great example. I mean, it's not a compltet conversion, but that car is indeed "Special." What does the "S" in SVT stand for. With all those SVT parts on his car, he is definately representing SVT.

wow..I must say that is one trick 'SVT' ranger man! Is it quick? You should drop the SVTL motor in it and then it will truly be worthy of the SVT badge.

Originally posted by zal
i think its ok as long as you're matching whats under the hood. Forinstance a Type r badge on a civic coupe, that looks similar to the HB Typer R and has the engine/ suspension compents to match is fine with me, cause then its not false advertising, its turning a normal car in to A) your own and B) it matches the performance of what you're calling it. If i ever manage to get my hands on an SVTF engine and drivetrain, you'd bet i'd put an SVT badge on the back, it wouldn't be an actual SVT but it would match the performance of one which is what i think matters. However, if my car is laying down 200whp with a turbo/zetec combo, i wouldn't put an SVT logo on, it doesn't match SVT specs

Think of it this way, SVT never touched your car, they never produced your car, your VIN would show whether or not its an SVT, hands down.

If i get what you're saying correctly that once your car is on par with the SVT then you would badge it SVT, but once its above the SVT spec you wont badge it SVT? So when anyone else on here throws a turbo or super on their car they should debadge it? from your logic its no longer the same specs as an SVT, its above and beyond so its no longer an SVT.

That Ranger, does not belong to me. It doesn't belong to anybody here. It however is the truck in question, for this topic...

i have a RS widerbody kit..... no way in hell am i badging it with RS.... plus my steering wheel is on the wrong side

Originally posted by Logan175
how is it my posts always go unnoticed....?
Hey, it didn't go unnoticed...I just can't get to that link at the moment.
I'm anxious to see the "understeer demonstration". [;)]

Originally posted by turbovation
^^^Massive will be the one exception to this thread! His car is incredibely badass and worthy of the SVT badge. He's no exception. It's not an SVT! The only cars "worthy" of an SVT badge are those cars branded by the SVT group specifically.

Who cares?

poor massive, he did nothing to be brought up in an argument. I think his would be a Cosworth ST am I right? There is a black ST around here with a red SVT badge on the back....GAY. Bimmer guys would tear ya a new a hole if they saw your non M BMW wearing an M badge. My parents have M cars because like SVT owners, They are an Area specific operation, almost a subsidiary of the parent company in which the cars maximum performance, albeit reliable not over the top, is brought onto the table and carefully added to the car to make it an exclusive automobile that only a limited amount of people will have the opportunity to own. They dont pay extra so some guy can slap an M badge on his 325i and with some bolt ons he has performance. SVT owners are the same way. My ST is cool, I can make it match an SVT but it's not and no focus should ever be described as such no matter what you do to it. So enjoy the different types of Focus and respect the reason that each one was built. If yours isnt....dont pretend it is.

So enjoy the different types of Focus and respect the reason that each one was built.
If yours isnt....dont pretend it is.
^^^Very nicely stated. [thumb]

I wouldn't say "Poor Massive." I don't think anyone here in this thread has made any negative comments about his car. Yeah, he does have a lot of SVT parts and cosworth also. Hell, he's got a lot of upgrades on that car. It's a great car. But think about this, All SVT Focis came with a Cosworth header from the factory. They took the seats from the ST170 among many, many other things. Getrag made the tranny. So what did SVT really do? They added some performance to the 2.0 and formed nicer body moldings and bumpers. Don't get me wrong, I love my SVT, even though I want to kill it for being a piece of [:)][:)][:)][:)][:)][:)]* sometimes.

I'm not on a rant here guys, so please don't take it that way. I just think that some of you are taking this a little too close to home. I don't think that SVT did that great of a job with the Focus. They developed a few good components of the drivetrain and got the rest out of the Ford parts bin. Mostly, it's a ST170. So does that make the SVT Focus and immitation? Or did Ford just cut their budget?

I just dont think that people should get so upset about a badge, or pretending that your car is a SVT if it's not. I'm personally just pissed off at SVT for pretending to build a car.

......ok you guys, and gals can crucify me now. Remeber, it's just my opinion

It seems like there is a pattern...once a thread passes like 40 posts it becomes an all out Melee between FF members.

How bout this: any non-SVT vehicle that sports the badge of SVT will be considered lame and poserish until decided otherwise by the great people of FF. That way we can hate on them, and at the same time have exceptions...and everyone can kick back and [drinking].

maybe it's just time to UN-PIMP ZEE AUTOO

I don't think it's ok to badge a car something it's not. I tend to not take people serious when they do. That is just my opion, how I feel. If some one wants to throw SVT badges on their 85 Crown Vic ,than thats their perogative ,but I will think they're kinda silly.

I voted OTHER. You cant badge your car factory non-SVT SVT!! Except, unless, you have SVT engine and Getrag 6 speed, than yes you can badge it SVT. It would be like a sleeper. One day you come up to some stock ZX3 with SVT badge,maybe wheels and dropped, and you chuckle (what a joke). Then you come up side by side and he notices you. Then you both gun it, and to your surprise (if your stock or mild),you never leave him behind or stays with you the whole way, maybe even pass you!! That would be crazy and nice to experience. The difference would only be in appearance and interior.

I posted before I read all comments. Some people said NO, even if it had the transmission and engine of an SVT. I'm not here to judge peoples opinions. I just think appearance would be the least to people who would do the motor and trans. swap. And if some one would do this swap it would be like a sleeper, with just a hint of performance with the SVT badge. It's like the V8 ZX3 and V8 SVTF! Except these foci could wear, in my opinion, SVT badging, but off the COBRA! Most of us would or have modified our engine out of SVTF specs, changing flywheels, pistons, air intake. So having the engine modified out of factory spec, would you remove the SVT badging off your SVTF??

I've been struggling to come up with a good analogy for this, and I think I have one. Only problem is, only my fellow geeks here will get it, and I may well be alone out here, but here goes.

You guys might have heard of Alienware. They build top-end, top-dollar gaming PC's. Alienware is premium stuff, and you pay a big premium for the best components all chosen, mated and tested for you, delivered completely sterile and ready to roll.

They do not, however, engineer much of anything themselves. They use top-tier processors from whichever maker is currently on top, same deal for graphics card (cards now), sound card, the main board and the storage and optical drives. The part with the actual "Alienware" badge, the physical case, is (or at least was) simply a rebadged Antec case.

To somebody who builds PCs, as I have had the misfortune of doing as a hobby the past ~8 years or so, this example has striking parallels. It's worth mentioning that DIY builders typically avoid premium brands like Alienware because we can essentially spin our own wrench. We dont want to pay the premium on top of the retail price of the individual parts for this magical and powerful Whole entity. If one buys the same components, you can throw together a package with the same specifications, that will run the same, for much less cash.

Do you get a warranty? No. Is it still an Alienware? Well, the specs are the same, the components are mechanically identical. You could probably even find the same model case with a slightly different emblem if you wanted. You could badge it as an Alienware, I guess. I just dont know why you'd want to. It doesnt make your rig any less of a PC.

Why then would you want the badge? What makes it worth starting a fight over the internet? Beats the hell out of me. The DIY box is the same as the base model ZX3 with mods to match a stock SVT in every meaningful way. Its not less of a car, but its a different car.

This is the way I see it anyway. Its not a question of: why shouldnt you. Its a question of: what makes it so important, or relevant?

EDIT: Maybe some of you will dig this better, I promise its shorter-winded. If Joey Ricer shelled out his 96 Civic hatch, fiberglasses a fOCUS dash, took the time to lay out mechanically identical suspension geometry (which would be tough, given I think that year still had wishbones front and rear), bolted in the cosworth-tuned Zetec mated with the getrag gearbox, stuck an SVT cluster in the car and fabbed an interior to roughly match, what the hell does he have now? Its no Honda, thats for sure. Looking at is objectively, it's pretty much a Ford now. Can he badge it as a Ford if he wants to? Given he has the SVT components, lets say it even runs a 15.8 in the quarter and pulls .88g skidpag on 215/45R17 Contis and weighs, wet, a hair over 2700lbs. He even painted it Sonic Blue, can he stick that SVT badge on it?

SVT Robzor, i got the first analogy perfectly, i build PC's too, can build the same alienware pc given the specs, but theres no way i'd brand it Alienware, because _I_ took the time to build it. So right on, thats exactly how i feel.

Well, I have a 2000 Ford Focus LX with a turbo SVT engine, SVT brakes, and an SVT E brake, and even though my lil What I drive thingy on my who am I bar says 2000 Ford Focus LX SVT, I know that it's just an LX with a BAD ASS upgrade. At this point My car is COMPLETELY badgeless, since it's officailly a Mutt (I have ST170 and RS parts on there too...one of the perks of being overseas...) It was born an LX, it will always be an LX, but I'm not going to advertize it as an LX, or SVT, or RS, or ST170. Those that wanna test me will see the car seat in the back and jump to their own conclusions. Oh BTW if anyone has the oportunity to obtain the RS seats...GET THEM!!!!!!!!!! They're freaking awesome!!!!!

ummmm no. that would be like putting a corvette badge on a pinto. same concept. why put a svt badge on something that isn't made by svt?

Originally posted by SVT_CLARITY
i learned in the last couple of months that they made a Probe SVT. I never knew about it, so of course when i saw one on the road, i laughed and thought, what a douche. Then I saw another one, and I thought, wow. . .they made a probe svt? Sure enough, they did. So then of course I felt like the douche for not knowing, but hell, a probe? are you serious? i can't stand those cars. Of course, people probably do that with my focus too. people that bought lightnings or something, that didn't learn about the other currently available SVT models, seeing my SVT badge and thinking, "what a tool."
ah well, dumb story with no point, sorry for wasting your time. ha.
i had a probe gt but i've never heard of a probe made by svt???

Originally posted by InfraRedSVTF
This Ranger, is it Green by chance? A guy that lives near me (Manitowoc WI.) has a green flareside, with a blower and built to the hilt, with an SVT badge on the back.
i've seen one but it was black. also known as a "Thunderbolt" then again i don't even think it was a True SVT

Originally posted by OrangeSVTguy
i had a probe gt but i've never heard of a probe made by svt???


i've seen one but it was black. also known as a "Thunderbolt" then again i don't even think it was a True SVT
Thunderbolts were made by an outside company that had nothing to do with Ford. They were shipped out by Ford but the work was done off site. A Probe GTS was the closest thing to an SVT Probe. I hate it when I see a non SVT with SVT badges. SVTs are a whole package not just a few parts, there are over 150 parts on an SVT that are diffirent then on a ZX3 and more time is spent building an SVT every engine is checked before install and so on. I know a few of the SVT engineirs and they hate seeing non SVT cars with SVT badging

I read the first few pages but I have to stop because I have to goto work. But before I do I wanted to post this. I have a 2002 ZX3 that was a standard as it could get. Now when I started modding I decided to look for dif. body kits to alter the style. I don't like over the top body kits and so I settled on the SVT kit. (Honestly it's georgeous.) I also bought the SVT euro wheels. I'm in noway doing this just to try to have a few people think my car is an SVT, I just happen to like the style of those two items. If anyone asks I tell them it's a standard ZX3 (I debaged my car when I had it repainted.) does this make me a poser? No i just like what I like, and it happens to be the SVT body style and euro wheels. I think it depends on what you're trying to do, if you attempt to pass any car off as a higher model of itself is just stupid. And personally I'd rather people know that my car is a ZX3, it's extremely moded and in two weeks it will be at MCnews having a ROUSH turbo installed, I don't want anyone thinking my car's an SVT. I want them to know how much work I PUT INTO it, not what the dealer did. No offense to any SVT owners out there (they are awesome cars) I just would rather start bone stock.

Originally posted by darkproximity
SVT Robzor, i got the first analogy perfectly, i build PC's too, can build the same alienware pc given the specs, but theres no way i'd brand it Alienware, because _I_ took the time to build it. So right on, thats exactly how i feel.

Exactly. If you build it yourself, be proud of it, it's more of an accomplisment then just buying it done for you.

I think I'm going to put euro bumpers, lights, gauge cluster, remove the degause cover and change the wheels on mine. Rebadge it a ST170. It's closer to the truth. Isn't it?

I can't believe I wen through this whole thread! Like ogfocus99 said...who cares? If someone wants to slap a badge on their car, so be it. It's their car. Seems like people get a ll stoked having an SVT vehicle. I like my new SVT, but deep down, it's still just a Focus. I doubt our badge is going to mean much in the long run as far as value. Maybe a little of a premium, but "limited production" or not, it's still a Focus.

Go for it ncslavens! I don't think anybody in America will be too hurt by that..

A generalization, but I think it's also accurate:

Most people who "rebadge" vehicles to something better than the current usually just "settle-for" and do not have what it takes to actualize what they really want.

They do this with every part of their lives and think it's acceptable to them.

This does not include those who have modded/upgraded their car to meet the higher standard (i.e. SVT).

Originally posted by SVT_CLARITY
i learned in the last couple of months that they made a Probe SVT.


Are you sure your not just thinking of the prode GTS ... It's not an SVT product.

http://www.ebossa.com/carpics/7429.jpg


A lot of them have stripes on them as well....

There is no Probe SVT...

Not just \"NO\", but \"HECK NO!\" If it ain\'t the real deal, don\'t badge it as such. It really complicates things. I did a Z24 copy on a 1997 Cavalier sedan, but I didn\'t badge it as such.

http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2328459

Check the link. I have every bolt-on there is. Leaving it with a stock SVT badge seemed like an insult to the car. Far as I know, I'm the first guy to do this. Notice the "newer" style Focus badge, and it's also relocated to the right side of the car, with the SVT badge still in the stock position on the left. So if I see any pics of anyone else on here with the same setup in the near future, you owe me likeness rights props!!! :)

Oh and btw....that's a Cobra "R" badge, bought from Ford....not a crappy Nissan one. The first "R" was a Shelby (yes, I've looked it up, so don't bother)...so Nissan is ripping off Ford...not the other way around :)

Car company put decals on cars for a reason.. it just has been getting rediculous with especially with chevy lately and their factory badged non supercharged cobalt "SS" running around. Of course we all know about every other civic/toyota with a coffee can on the back wearing TYPE R badges.

Im pretty proud of my SVT emblem on the back of my car..

I guess to each his own...

^^ i never seen that one, it really say's "non supercharged" or did i read that wrong?!

^^Ford has made many "questionable" decisions, but atleast they have never done that

what about putting a generic "S" on a SVT if it is supercharged? like SVT-S. Would that be bad? I think that'd be cool.

I would say it's OK. If it's boosted, tell the world!

^^Unless you want it to be a sleeper :) thats always fun too

As far as the guy with the Ranger goes, if he was going to badge it anything, he should have badged it Saleen. At least they made a Saleen Ranger.

ya for real...but then he'd have to put some saleen parts on it! whatabout "Rangerspeed" lol

No, a car should never, ever be badged as another car. You could do a full swap to an SVT, even make the car identical to an SVT, but if it wasn't originaly made as one, it should not be badged as one. That ranger should not have SVT on it unless it was customized by SVT, it only makes it worse if he would of put "Saleen" on it, as then he would be advertising he has a vehicle that he doesn't.
Factory badges or no badges. Period.

The computer analogy is pretty good, though the alienware cases look good, adding other components wouldn't make it an alienware and therefore it would be a fake, and unacceptable IMO. The problem comes when you upgrade, and whether or not you should keep the case.

You can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig.

A badge is a badge is a piece of plastic (these days). Don't mean a thing.
I'm with (Turbovation?), whoever sez "time to unpimp ze auto"!!
Big time! Untart that ride; remove bogus badges, under penalty of scorn.

Wannabe-SVTF-badge-it-posers should take it to the DMV and try to get it tagged as an SVTF (oh no? VIN wrong?), & pay to license it as such. Oh never mind, your bad!

And please pay SVTF insurance rates, too.

2cents from a LOL, grrrrr
my bad....

If you wanted an SVT, BUY AN SVT!!!!! Defacing the SVT badge, it's there for a reason, it's a prestige.

[chair] <~~~~to SVT posers!!!!

lol @ claudia and focisting!

Originally posted by svt121
Thunderbolts were made by an outside company that had nothing to do with Ford. They were shipped out by Ford but the work was done off site. A Probe GTS was the closest thing to an SVT Probe. I hate it when I see a non SVT with SVT badges. SVTs are a whole package not just a few parts, there are over 150 parts on an SVT that are diffirent then on a ZX3 and more time is spent building an SVT every engine is checked before install and so on. I know a few of the SVT engineirs and they hate seeing non SVT cars with SVT badging

If it pisses them off so much, then why did they offer svt parts to non-svt owners? I'll tell you why. They like money. So they need to [:)][:)][:)][:)].[?|]

Originally posted by Focistang85
If you wanted an SVT, BUY AN SVT!!!!! Defacing the SVT badge, it's there for a reason, it's a prestige.

It's not prestige if anyone can obtain the parts.

yes, but not everyone can obtain Mr. Coletti's signature

Like I said before this is much the same deal with a porsche turbo and a porsche Carrera. At 8:12 they use a very visual demonstration if you know what i mean ;-)
Watch this top gear vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIB3bbdU9oU
(you may notice at 55 seconds that they use an SVT focus to demonstate understeer.)

Logan

It's marketing. Branding. The computer clone analogy is perfect.

Sheep too. Clone a good sheep, you get one JUST LIKE it genetically, but NOT the same sheep. For real sheep, you have to go to the 'factory' and get another original sheep from the SST (Special Sheep Team = mamma and daddy sheep).

If someone wants to buy a bucket of SVTF parts and a mountain of mods and prank around on some kind of Focus chassis & body--go for it, I hope you enjoy your Bottom-Fuel Funny Car.

You still won't have an SVT Focus, no matter what kind of stinkin' badges you put on it. Leave my stinkin' SVT badges off your Funny Car.

Originally posted by tungfumaster
It's not prestige if anyone can obtain the parts.

Well put, just like SVT "obtained" the parts to piece together the SVT focus. And that's all that it is. It's not a M Bimmer, it's not an AMC Benz. It's just a SVT. Getting bent out of shape over defending a department of Ford that was too lazy to build their own car. Don't get me wrong, it's a great car, the SVTF, but it's is what it is. A knock-off of the ST170. I just don't understand why everyone is defending the badge so much. It's not even genuine.

Every time I go to the dealership to get a SVT specific part (and it's often lately) I have never been asked if I actually own a SVTF. Ford doesn't really care. It's all about money. That's why they sell that badge to anyone that asks for it. For that matter, if the SVT engineers where that upset about non SVT's wearing that badge, they would have built a real SVT focus and not taken the set up from a European car. Where's the blower that was in the brocure at the ford dealerships in 2001? What happened to that SVT? That would have actually made it thier car and worthy, IMO, of the SVT badge.

It's just a stick on badge. It obviously doesn't mean that much to Ford. So, what's all the fuss about?

^^ ncslavens

Ahhh, the ST170 would be a knock off of the SVT, being that the SVT came first.

Originally posted by ncslavens
Well put, just like SVT "obtained" the parts to piece together the SVT focus. And that's all that it is. It's not a M Bimmer, it's not an AMC Benz. It's just a SVT. Getting bent out of shape over defending a department of Ford that was too lazy to build their own car. Don't get me wrong, it's a great car, the SVTF, but it's is what it is. A knock-off of the ST170. I just don't understand why everyone is defending the badge so much. It's not even genuine.

Every time I go to the dealership to get a SVT specific part (and it's often lately) I have never been asked if I actually own a SVTF. Ford doesn't really care. It's all about money. That's why they sell that badge to anyone that asks for it. For that matter, if the SVT engineers where that upset about non SVT's wearing that badge, they would have built a real SVT focus and not taken the set up from a European car. Where's the blower that was in the brocure at the ford dealerships in 2001? What happened to that SVT? That would have actually made it thier car and worthy, IMO, of the SVT badge.

It's just a stick on badge. It obviously doesn't mean that much to Ford. So, what's all the fuss about?

Ummm YEAH U do realize THAT AMG AND M ARE LIKE SVT! U CAN PURCHASE AMG PARTS AND M PARTS FROM AN FN DEALER. Close ur whole TY and have a nice day.

In fact its funny how many S500 AMG's I see around town here in sarasota FL. SO ur telling me that basically all cars have just badges that dont mean crap?

No brochure EVER said SVT was going to super charge the focus BTW, Unless you can prove otherwise.

GO trade in ur SVT obviosly u dont realize its not just another focus.

How FN ignorant.

/offended

This is not about the Focus, this is about SVT in general. It's not about the badge, it's about the hard work the badge represents. It is also about the premiums paid for by SVT owners. We pay premium on insurance, we pay premium on MSRP, and we pay premium at the pump.

Pretending to have something you don't...yeah, that's fun.

The Thunderbolt was not an SVT product, it was created by an "outside vendor". Similar to the Yellow BOSS F-150's sitting on the dealer lots...Only 3 thunderbolts were built.

The Probe was never an SVT product. The Probe was supposed to be a model replacement for the Mustang. Yeah, that worked...lol

The "Lightning Bolt", was an SVT prototype. It was a Lightning drivetrain, in a Ranger. The Ranger was too light, to handle the power, and wouldn't handle for crap with all that weight in the front, the idea was scrapped. Only 1 was built.

i kno this is kinda off topic but why did they not make a svtf in 05 , 06 , or 07..?

^i think the st took it over and tehm releasing the 2.3 dtec which was only 15? less hp anyways. i've been a ford guy all my life but seeing the future for ford, i think the one i'm driving will be the last new one i will buy.

i have roush body kit and saleen wheels... should i badge my car as an SVT Saleen Roush then???? i debadged but my plate still says svt in it.

thanks for the info...when i went to buy my car the first thing i asked for was the svtf and they salesman was like they havnt made one since 04, i was kinda upset but i found the focus i liked which ended up being an 07 zx3 ses w/ the sap...i realli wish they would have made a new svt with the 2.0 or 2.3 duratec...oh well.....back to the topic...i realli dont think it matters what badge u have on ur car, whether it be a S or St or svt, as long as u r happy and proud of what u drive...personally i am proud to have a SES badge on my car. If sum 1 wants a SVT badge on a non svt car i say let them do it, anyone who knos anything about foci will be able to tell the difference just by taking a quick glance....(even though ive been asked by like a billion people if my SES w/ sap is the new SVT....im like no...do u see a SVT badge on it..)

N E ways, enough rambling from me, i jus think that all u tru SVTF owners should be proud to own a tru SVTF, and honored that someone would badge their car like urs just because they WISH they had one.(that and the fact that the svt badge looks cooler :) )

I have SVT center caps on my wheels, does that make me gay? [:D]

Just to clarify though, I wouldn't put the SVT badge on the back of my car. Even though I have pretty much every SVT part that could be put on, and SVT should've built a Focus like mine IMO.

Originally posted by Massive
I have SVT center caps on my wheels, does that make me gay? [:D]

Just to clarify though, I wouldn't put the SVT badge on the back of my car. Even though I have pretty much every SVT part that could be put on, and SVT should've built a Focus like mine IMO.

SVT center caps on SVT rims, your not putting a badge on your car saying its an SVT though, Ur rims are made by SVT thats a legit representation.

Massive your car is very nice, SVT could have done alot of things but your car is an 05 and Id imagine they would do a front end swap on SVTS if they where made in 05+. I think your car is great, even with all its parts its still not an SVT but you already know that and have the taste and poise to call it your own thing an not an SVT.

If I used a trunklid from an SVT on a ZX3, is that OK? [:D]

^^NEVER. [:D]

Why do all of you SVTF purists buy non-svt parts, like body kits, engine mods, etc, etc, to put on your cars?

This has nothing to with being a purist bro. Putting body kits on a car has nothing to do with what we are talking about here. What makes an SVTF an SVTF isn't really the body kit. It's the entire powertrain (tranny especially). And btw, exactly what engine mods does an SVTF owner do that a zx3 owner does?

Funny... mods on an SVTf engine and trans are different than any other Focus, too. ;)

And what makes it an SVT is the VIN!

I believe the title to this thread indicates that "appearance" is what we're talking about here. If you've modded your SVTF to the point that I can't tell that it's an SVTF then what's the point in having one! " Don't look like no SVTF to me"! You raise the hood to proudly display your FI'ed engine and fully painted and color matched bay. " It still don't look like no SVTF to me"! You point to your 6 speed shift knob..." Oh, well OK now I believe you". yea...right. My point is that soooo many SVTF owners raise hell when someone copies the appearance of an SVTF, but don't want "that" look for their own car. BTW, I would never badge my car as an SVTF, but I do love my little SVTF spoiler. AND... I am not, and never will be, your BRO!!!

People as a whole want to be unique. The SVT is unique. If you put the same Kaminari body kit with CF hood, crazy paint job, coilover suspension, custom interior, and custom built turbo Zetec with whatever racing trans you pick into an SVT and a ZX3, one of them is still an SVT and one of them isn't. The problem is, when someone starts turning their ZX3 into an SVT, it makes the real SVT less unique.

If you want to argue about the human desire to be different, I suggest you speak to someone more qualified in psychology than me.

I don't agree with the statement that "appearance" has to do with what we are talking about here. I believe we are talking about fact-based logic. If i forge a document to say that I'm a racing champion, does that make me one? No. The badge signifies being part of a very special and limited breed of Ford automobiles. If a mustang guy slaps a few shelby decals and emblems on his ride, does that make it a Shelby? NO. Matter of fact it makes him an idiot without any respect for what he's throwing around. People who "forge" the badge are removing the exclusivity of those of us that actually sprung for the SVT version of the car. It's not like these are that hard to come by or expensive. Brand spankin new (like the way I bought mine) it was 21k loaded. If you are financially incapable of buying a 21k car, u shouldn't be spending money on modding a car at all.

Well I'll leave this forum now because I'll never make any of you understand what I'm talking about! If you buy a car for it's exclusivity then why do you mod it and lessen it's exclusivity. If modding is what you want to do then why not buy a less exclusive model to mod and leave the exclusive one's to the people who will appreciate it for what it is. I think none of you really appreciate what you have. Ruin them all. They'll be worthless in 10 years anyway.

After reading my post I realize I'm off topic...Sorry...check my sig.

I mod mine because it makes it run better, I did not buy it for exclusivity. I bought it because it performed well and I got a good deal. I can't help that I have an impulse to make well better. I also don't go bashing other cars because they don't have low production numbers. If I wanted to be that elite I would buy a Saleen mustang. I would at least know the depreciation is not that bad heheh

lol...this is funny because it's such a small topic but so many people have chimed in with such serious opinions about it. Oh well it is fun to see what people think. I think us SVT owners are particularly picky about the "issue"...but that may just be me. I like it when people notice that my car stands out against other foci' and...it's actually a lot more rare than ferrari's are in my area believe it or not! I have seen 2 SVT foci' this week and I have seen at least 4 ferraris...so that makes me feel cooler. But hey..at least you're not slapping a ferrari symbol on the hood of a civic. I give this thread a big fat "WHATEVER"

The fact is this, if your car rolled off the production line in Hermosillo Mexico, and has a VIN number with digits 6 and 7 being either 30, or 39, and your 8th digit being 5, then you do infact own an SVT and your car can be branded as such. Your car is one of 14,003 in the 3 years the SVT Focii was made. Other focii need not brand their car with something it never was. How hard is that to get?

it's very easy to comprehend, but some people believe the focus has the "spirit" of the SVT in it because they're both Fords. I don't know! I never put anything SVT on my car because I think I would have looked retarded. But if people want to look retarded then hey...they're doing more damage to themselves than anybody else.

14,003 Focii have/had (RIP dead focii) the spirit of the SVT. :)

It's just a Ford Focus...SVT or not. Slap all the badges you want on your car. I don't think anyone is looking at it and saying "WOW, it's a Ford Focus SVT, that's such a special and unique car...so different than the average Focus". Don't get me wrong, I like my car but it's just a nice handling, semi-powerful economy car.

and Turbovation...I'm guessing if you were in one of those 4 ferraris, you'd feel a little "cooler" than the guy in the SVT Focus.

the other week i had 2 stupid stang sightings. i have pictures on my cell phone, but havent transfered them yet. i'll post pics when i get them up.

#1 V6 mustang with a euro body kit, and a gt-R badge on it., dual rice exhaust and neons. i just shook my head

#2 also a v6 mustang. cobra emblems in the grill, and the back, saleen window sticker, and a roush body kit, but with only a single exhaust coming out even though the kit had 2 cutouts for exhaust. I mocked him, raced him, beat him, then laughed at him.

Dumb.

I just found the picture of the gtr badged mustang

in the background is my focus and a few of my friends

enjoy

after i took these picks, the owner came out and i asked to see the engine. he said no, then proceded to admit it was a V6, but it was only his friends, and he's just driving it becuase his cobra was in the shop.\

sorry about the quality, but i didnt have my camera with me.

http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/magic2119/Pix000.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/magic2119/Pix013.jpg
http://i58.photobucket.com/albums/g250/magic2119/Pix001.jpg

And that, naysayers, is why you shouldn't put an SVT badge on a non-SVT car. [:D] Love those LX wheels! LOL

i loved the rims too. i complimented the "owner" on them.

This thread isn't ZX3 vs. SVT.

This is SVT against every other production car out there. Should another NON SVT vehicle where the damn badge.

SVT made my Focus Limited Edition, I made it unique. Don't start all your BS about mods made an SVT, or if you mod an SVT it's no longer an SVT. When you plunk down the cash, to buy a genuine SVT, then all you non SVT people, will understand.

I really don't know how this thread got to 12 pages. Maybe it's because of all the BS replies about the FOCUS. I have posted pics of the truck in question, and the question.

You guys are so far from the point. This is what you window sticker looks like when you buy an SVT Focus. Notice the MSRP isn't $14,000 like the ZX3...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_62_full.jpg

And here is the truck that this topic was started because of...

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_65_full.jpg
http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/10/web/466000-466999/466413_63_full.jpg

The truck shouldn't carry the badge either, but I disagree about being off topic. ZX3s wearing the SVT badge is exactly the same argument as any other vehicle wearing it. If the car wasn't an original SVT, it shouldn't have the badge, end of story.

Why so annoyed?

^Agree

btw.. my MSRP is higher than 14,000, more like 19,500

if you own/drive an SVT, you will understand. There is something special about these cars and I haven't quite put my finger on it.....hmmm.

"This is what you window sticker looks like when you buy an SVT Focus. Notice the MSRP isn't $14,000 like the ZX3..."

Please tell me you didn't pay nearly $22,000 before taxes for a Focus, SVT or not.

Originally posted by azdamay
"This is what you window sticker looks like when you buy an SVT Focus. Notice the MSRP isn't $14,000 like the ZX3..."

Please tell me you didn't pay nearly $22,000 before taxes for a Focus, SVT or not.

R U KIDDING?

ST's sticker for that much and dont even have all the SVT crap.

Also I dont think in the past 6 years anyone has ever payed sticker for any ford vehicle unless it was a GT or a new mustang for the 1st 3 months it was out.

Originally posted by Logan175
Like I said before this is much the same deal with a porsche turbo and a porsche Carrera. At 8:12 they use a very visual demonstration if you know what i mean ;-)
Watch this top gear vid.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lIB3bbdU9oU
(you may notice at 55 seconds that they use an SVT focus to demonstate understeer.)

Logan

I am gonna qoute myself because noone else noticed the video with free boobs at the end which aide in the discribption of what a svt is.

there. Enjoy. laught and learn

Logan

Originally posted by 1SVTFocus
Also I dont think in the past 6 years anyone has ever payed sticker for any ford...

That was my point. If he actually paid $22,000 for that car he got ripped off. I have an SVTF so I can say this: there is no way the car is worth that much money.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlDLybhuOH0

Watch this its funny GTR Mustang

That would piss me off if i saw a focus that wasn't a svt with the badges. Its kinda sad too...

I was quoting a sticker price, not what I paid for my Focus.
I got A plan, which was around $17,500, and $3,500 off in rebates, and a Free Dell.
I paid around $14,000 and got a PC.

If I bought a ZX3, the price would have been closer to $8,000. MSRP was around $14,000, A plan was $11,500, and rebates would be $8,000.

$14,000 > $8,000

Matt, you are comparing a 2007 price tag, to a 2004 price tag. How much was gas three years ago? How much was premium three years ago...? Prices go up, unfortunately.

My 2001 Ranger was 17k new, my 2005 was 27k. Same truck, 10k difference.

Tomorrow I'm getting a 2006 leftover F150 FX4, with 4k off from A plan, and 5.5k off in rebates. Just so you don't think I'm paying full price...and it annoys me to see FX4 on trucks that aren't...

Sorry for bumping this thread, But 2 nights ago I was behind an Accord which was like a 2001, and next to the Accord badge there was a sticker that said SiR.

I laughed and it was kind of funny considering the car was grey and the part around the red lettering of the sticker was white.

And man that GTR mustang wideo was hilarious![hihi]

Just today I saw a jellybean Taurus GL with a VTEC Tuning badge on it. Holy crap! [giggle] [limp]