I ask this simply because I am annoyed that I cannot find anyway to import any of these cars to the states. I heard that they are also sold in mexico. If this is true then I see no reason why there wouldn't be at least one human being in all of the USA that has a friggin euro focus. If so, how much did it cost? Where in the world did you get it from? I know it wasn't ebay. You're better off shooting yourself in the foot cause you won't find it there. Now what I really would love to have is a ford streetka, but that's an entirely different matter all together. Thanks Ford for being sooo..... well, you know.[mad]

I live in D.C., so I see rare overseas stuff once-in-a-while (SEATs, Opels, even a 90's-vintage Fiat Coupe - HOT!). Diplomat cars, you know. In fact, I see a certain first-generation silver euro Focus wagon practically every week. Totally bland, but it's got the euro grille, bumpers, side markers and all. Only a matter of time, I suppose, before I see a MKII Focus here...

But, yeah - Ford sucks for pandering the crap to us that Europeans (and Mexicans?) aren't stupid enough to buy. The MkI Focus was the ONLY euro-worthy Ford ever brought here (I ain't counting the disastrously marketed Merkurs), and practically the only U.S. Ford that ever caught my eye. At least GM is FINALLY getting with the program and bringing us Saturn-badged Opels.

I'll drive my SVT until it dies, and then switch brands. The 2005 facelift and the incoming 2008 are DISASTERS (no offense intended on the 2005...), so it's clear that Ford is back to its old ways.

Just drive your SVT till 2011, that's only 4 more years, then you get the MKII.

Actually, if Ford carries through we'll get the MkIII Focus in 2010/11 along with the rest of the world.

If you want Euro styling, you can duplicate it on a US Focus...there's the F2 RS bumper for the '05-'07, the replica RS edition bumper and you can import direct-fit (on 2000-4 models...05-07 require swapping the fenders & hood) front and rear bumpers. I currently have a pair of ST170 bumpers waiting to go on my Focus (front and rear) after they get painted later this month or early next month. I had a ST170 front bumper installed between last August and this February, when it was destroyed in a run-in with a rock-hard snowbank that was left across the road by a plow driver.

Like so:

http://www.geojensen.com/images/Focus/eurofront_2.jpg

The website www.european-parts.net sells a wide range of Euro OEM and aftermarket body parts...but they're expensive as is shipping. There's a group of people on here who complain bitterly about him (mainly because they're surprised when it take three weeks to a month for the parts to arrive from Germany), but in my experience I received my parts in a reasonable amount of time and Sascha (the guy who runs the site) is prompt with e-mail responses and is generally very helpful.

Good to know, as I've noticed the complaints but have been lusting for some of the items...