And if so what were you looking at getting into next?

Question that I recently had to contemplate and found it to be entirely more unpleasant and difficult than I would have imagined. If any of you have read my thread about the car running rich then you understand that it has been going thru some issues. Starting with the vehicle throwing 3 codes initially. One was a quick fix however the other two were more complex to diagnose. I thought right away fuel pump because of those remaining 2 codes but the SVT mechanics did not agree and went the route of replacing the ecu, MAF sensor, my O2's, finally deciding that my aftermarket parts must be the culprit and switched those out with stock. Turns out it was the fuel pump in the end, lol. Can you say pwn3d? So they replaced the fuel pump and no sooner than the far was taken back from the dealer it started running like absolute ass and threw a code, again. The lead mechanic suggested that the car may be close to a buyback or total loss, not sure. So this all lead me into the grim reality that I was in the market for a new ride and depressed me beyond belief. See for me I am in the car that I want to be driving. Trust me if STI or some other wunder car on the market appealed to me more then I would most likely be in one now.

This is where I ended up looking at as replacements:

1) WRX tuner edition that I have been hearing about
2) 350Z Track Edition or G35
3) 06' Stang GT Vert.

None of those fit me as well as my SVTF so yeah, I was a little depressed. As lady luck would have it there was a mistake made in the fuel pump install leading to a line leak. The car is on the road again and doing marvelous from the reports that I get. I'm so very thankful that I did not have to end up going shopping for a new ride knowing that the most perfect car imagineable was just taken from me. The end result is that all is well and I will be sporting this insane little fish car (Piranha) for some time to come.

Just out of curiosity though, have any of you fellow SVTF owners been in a similiar situation and if so what potential replacement vehicles made your list?

You had a bad fuel pump on an '04?! Holy crap... I guess I've thought about it a little. I was nervous to actually buy another Ford car. And after my SVTf, I probably never will... foreign is made so much better. I freaking love my car, but they ruined it by going the cheap route... [:(]

I shall enjoy it every minute I own it, though!! [:D]

I, actually, would trade in my SVTf for a new Civic Si...those things look mean.

I, actually, would trade in my SVTf for a new Civic Si...those things look mean.

Traitor! Lol, j/k. Those cars do look pretty sweet so far. But yeah I did have a bad pump on an 04' but keep in mind that the 04' has a different pump than previous years.

Originally posted by JohnMichael

I, actually, would trade in my SVTf for a new Civic Si...those things look mean.

thinking the same. I have one problem or another ..now i have wheel bearing problem.

ive had many problems for the few months ive had my car....been thinking bout getting rid of it, but there isnt anything else worth getting for that price....

The thing is for me that it's not the money side of the house. More like IMO I'm quite literally in the most ideal car for me. Maybe it goes into my extensive history of bicycling and how every single piece has to compliment the others perfectly or the entire balance of things is thrown off. For me this is that perfect car where every single item just flows. Whenever I have a problem I never think well maybe it's time to get into something new more like what's the solution to get this car back on the road. Me having to contemplate moving on to a new platform of some kind was a possibility that was at the time being forced to make. I just never understood how sad I would be if I lost this particular car until now.

Looks like there are a few Civic SI fans amongst our ranks here though, that's cool. I didn't even think about that car as I feel a strong pull to get out of what I consider the sport compact market and move more towards the actual sports car market.

I went to porshe and looked at some of their newer rides. I liked the 911 turbo, but my svt would spank it, so it would of been a waste of my time. Riiiiiiiiiight! Most people bought these foci because they are cheap. If i had more money at the time i would of gotten an sti.

^^^[confused] You were just joking about that whole 'SVT spanking the 911 Turbo', right? [;)] I agree with you, Chuck...

I felt like I hit solid gold when I actually came across my SVTf. Just test driving it for a few minutes and I knew that it was love... To me, right now, it feels completely worth it, fixing all of the little quirks and bruises to get it to working perfectly...

I figure if I take it easy at times, and not drive the urine out of it every chance I get, I can prolong it's life even further....

I mean, if it were up to me, I'd keep the little bugger for the rest of my natural life! [:D]

Have you ever had to think of getting rid of your SVT?

Hell No! My next car will simply complement my SVTF [:D]

Well, sure I've thought about it. And, like you, it's hard to find a replacement. I don't think I'm going to go the sport compact route again. My tastes are leaning more towards the sport touring class. I love to drive and I do a lot of it, so comfort is paramount. Also, a roadster is not out of the question.

Cars that I would consider are:

Mazdaspeed 6
BMW 330
Audi A3 or 4
MX-5
Solstice - but I think I'd wait for the turbo
GTO
S40 turbo 5

It's funny, I must have driven 20 cars before I decided on my little SVTF and I haven't regreted the decision once.

^ Very choice list! [thumb]

i have thought about what i will do when the time comes to get rid of the svtf and right now i think i would just try to find another low milage svtf. if not i will probably be looking at the following

vw gti
sti
evo
audi a3
mazdaspeed 6

I love my svtf and probably won't ever get rid of it. I've had 3 cars and only regret buying one of them...it was my first car, baby blue mercury mystique...slow wasn't the word and an automatic at that. Next car was a 97 tbird 4.6L V8, loved it to death but it had to go when gas went up so I traded it in on the svtf and I actually regret getting rid of the tbird, wish I would have kept it and just paid a little more for the svtf, they didn't give me but $2,000 on the trade-in and the tbird only had 70k on the odo.

Honda Civic SI 07
Subaru WRX STI 07
Saturn Ion Red Line 07 (Maybe)
Audi A3 S3 07 (Only in Europe)
Saturn Sky 07

These are all under the 30k mark , besides the Audi.

Originally posted by svt_gEEk
Next car was a 97 tbird 4.6L V8, I actually regret getting rid of the tbird, wish I would have kept it and just paid a little more for the svtf, they didn't give me but $2,000 on the trade-in and the tbird only had 70k on the odo.

[eek] Yep, pretty sure you're gonna be kicking yourself later on down the road, if you're not already doing so! [:D] Sounds like a sweet ride! ....and only 2grand, flipping dealers....

Yeah, i've been missing it here lately. I hadn't done too much to it when I got rid of it, custom dual exhaust with flowmasters, clear corners, and alpine HU and speakers all around. At one point I had 17x9 chrome cobra r's on it and they were freakin sweet, but they weren't hubcentric and vibrated like crazy goin down the road so I decided to go back to stock rims on it....I can't find pics of it with the cobras but here's a pic of it about a month before I got rid of 'er [:(]

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/svt_gEEk/driver-front.jpg

Had some ugly wheel gap but when I got rid of 'er I was planning on getting koni adjustables and some eibach lowering springs and replacing the sway bars with some stiffer ones to make it handle better. Also had planned on a limited slip diff. and doing some pretty serious engine work such as heads, cams, udps, tune, etc. The reason I decided to get rid of 'er was it was a auto transmission and they are sooo heavy that it really requires some hp and getting rid of alot of weight to make them fast. That and the gas mileage was killing me driving an hour one way to work every day. I miss it but wouldn't give the svt back for it [:D]

I miss it but wouldn't give the svt back for it

That's the spirit! [:D] Man, I bet the R rims really made it look meaner too!

We'd sell the SVT in a heartbeat if we could just get what we owe out of it...
When it's working well it's great, we love it. But in this day and age there is no excuse at all for an unreliable car - period - especially with the BASIC things that keep going wrong with the SVT. I could understand if it was just first year pains, but the same problems persist right through the last ones made. Sure it seems like an awesome car for the money, but that doesn't make all the problems acceptable. About every 20k we seem to put a few hundred dollars into repairs. I put 240k on one Toyota (Nothing more than brake pads, a water pump, an oil pump. Period.) and have 217k on the one I have now with Zero Defects. Guess I got spoiled.

You guys are surely kidding about the STI and EVO right? Those are even less reliable than the SVT. Same with the Neon SRT4.
She really like the Solstice except for the lack of cargo room. I liked it because I am tall and it's quite comfortable for me. But last night she backed into the garage and we took a DESK out of the SVT! She grinned and said "No way I could ever live with that Solstice."

There's sure nothing else out there with kind of grins per dollar ratio of the SVT, but we are seriously thinking of taking the hit and stepping up to either the GTO or the Mustang GT convert next. NOT a Shelby (SVT) Mustang. Never again.

edit: I realize that's a bit of a rant above - don't get me wrong, we do really love the SVT (she more than me, but it's her daily driver so that's a good thing) but I just wish it had been a bit more trouble free. 36 months and 91,000 miles so far. It has to last us a while longer, keeping our fingers crossed...

That's just what you have to deal with when owning high performance cars. Now the svtf isn't what some people think of when you say high performance, but in all actuality, it is. Same with the EVO, STI, and SRT4....reliability is going to be an issue. I can deal with all the little quirks/problems with mine. I don't really mind, eventhough I haven't actually had any problems other than the rattling heat shield, check engine light, and sputtering which is all fixed now because of the tune and strapping the heat shield down. I'm just hoping my clutch will hold out till the summer when I can afford to throw an aftermarket clutch/flywheel in it. Then again I only have 31k on mine [:)]

im actually thinking of getting rid of mine now...............like svt pwr 02 said when everything is working well its a great car but when it isnt it pretty much sucks....................thinking of selling mine and just buyiing a truck or something and having my bug as my toy

I got rid of my svtf due to reliability as well. Went looking for an '03-'04 cobra, but they're too expensive;even used. Came across a Cobalt SS one day on accident and fell in love. Been absolutely trouble free, and fast!

yes...i want an sti....but its awesome having a limited edition car that is very nice. and suprises the hell out of everybody!

i think about a replacement car everytime i roll up beside a sti...and i know theres not a chance in hell i could take it, but i love my svtf so far, even if it is cheaply made. we all knew this, b/c of the blue ford emblem on the front grill.

The car is cheaply made, but that's what Ford was shooting for. A car that's ready to run road courses, auto x, and smoke slightly modded imports from the factory all at an affordable package. For the price, I think Ford did an excellent job on the car and I can deal with all the quirks it has because it's so fun to drive, I wish there was some auto x events close to here, I'd love to give that a shot [:D]

Originally posted by svt pwr 02
You guys are surely kidding about the STI and EVO right? Those are even less reliable than the SVT.

I would surely love to hear where you heard this info at.

Every time I get a ticket, I think about getting rid of it, because insurance is so bad. But, it is so much fun. And it such a suprise to so many (you have a Focus that goes 140?). I am just really glad I can turn a wrench. I'm not worrieda bout the reliability at all. Take care of it and it'll take care of you.

If I did get rid of it, I'd probably get a Solstice/Sky, if they get a GMS price next year.

First off let me say, that I could part with mine it's only a material item.

Secondly, I must have gotten very lucky. I bought mine new in Aug 03, about 3 days later it had a leak in the evap canister. Took to dealer got it fixed. The only other thing I've had done is the clutch TSB at 21,500 or so miles and I'm pushing 29K right now.

They did your clutch at 21.5k?

I am up to 35k with only the clutch and intake TSBs. And a power steering pump. And a coil pack.

But, that's it.

Yep at 21.5k

What intake tsb? I didn't know there was one.

For the broken DSI.

Originally posted by pspringe
For the broken DSI.

Oh, mine hasn't broken, yet.

I have a friend with a 2003 STI, and the only thing he has replaced due to defect was his radiator that he punched a hole in while working on something under the hood (and I still have not let him live that one down).

On my SVT, the only problem I have had with it so far was the YRFO flash symptoms (battery light, stalling when coasting in neutral, or when clutch was pressed), and it didn't have any refrigerant in the a/c system when it came off of the lot. Not sure if it was just never filled or there was a leak, but it was refilled and fixed for free. I have about 24,500 miles on it now, and can't complain one bit.

I thought about it when I was hurting to make payments. I was looking for a 03 D23 powered Wagon with a manual. I'd still consider it if the deal came to me!

I have had 0 reliability issues with my car in the 16 months I have owned it, and none of the cold-start problems or anything like that. Every Ford I have owned has been 100% rock-solid...

But, most likely after this (by next spring), I will be leaving FWD forever. I am just so into racing, and the potential for FWD seems so limited. The only consideration I am making with FWD would be a Lotus Elan.

Other than that, I think I am going to go back to Porsche. Boxster or 968 most likely. Those 968's are much harder to find (especially with the M030 suspension option, which let's you dominate B Stock in AutoX), and will probably be more expensive to maintain than the Boxster, but they are cooler and rarer and you don't have to deal with the aggravation of having a convertible. I so wish that they had been making the Cayman for years so I could get one of those.

I might just keep the SVTF and pour the money into a pure racecar though...

am i still considering? no, but sometimes i wish i would have got a WRX wagon instead. Oh well i cant sell it now, i owe more than i would get out of it not to mention all the money i put in into it.

The car is performing flawlessly still. Looks like the issues have been worked out. I'm very thankful for that btw. I do not want to get into another platform just yet and when I do I plan on keeping the SVT turning it into some demonic track only monster. So yeah, I'm stoked! [thumb]

I've not experienced any reliability issues other than the pesky factory tune. That has now been fixed though because I'm hypnotically tuned. That's not to say she hasn't been in the shop though...a month or so after I bought it, the seatbelt light came on and stayed on. Got that fixed and the check engine light came on. Got that fixed and noticed the blinker housing was broke...they ordered a new grille and I got that fixed. The FM radio went out a few months later...just 1 week after my warranty went out...but that just gave me an excuse to put a good HU in...Alpine 9853. Other than that I've had no problems. Just the regular oil changes and alignment(aligned 3 times in the last month because Ford screwed up the first time and I ate the inside edge of my tires up). Every car I've owned has been a Ford and has been in the shop at one time or another for a recall or warranty work and the only serious issue I've had out of ford was the POS all composite intake manifold they put on the 97 tbirds with the 4.6L. I got lucky on that...they had a recall in effect for 7 years after the original sale date that if it busted they would replace it free...but it had to bust first. I had no idea about that recall until I actually busted it one night letting it hit 5k rpms while enjoying my flowmaster exhaust a bit too much. At that point it had been 6 and a half years since the original sale date so it was replaced free of charge, just a hassle to get it towed an hour to the nearest dealership and then wait a week on it. I think I'll keep my SVTF for a long time and probably eventually make it my project car when I graduate college and have money to buy a work car.

Well, in defense of the car it had ran flawlessly for about 10K miles prior to it's accident which impacted and affected the fuel pump, fuel filler tube, and who knows what else in that area. I had zero issues prior to that horrible experience. Now before electing to authorize repair work to the vehicle I had received assurances from both Ford and SVT (both sent out techs to look at it) that it was indeed repairable. So it looks like every problem that I have had to date are accident related. Having the clutch TSB performed was an elective for me as I had no symptoms requiring it, just thinking ahead you know.

We had a few problems with my GTI after it went through a pretty serious deer hit (80mph, turned it into chunky deer salsa). It's surprising how many things can be affected in an accident, and how long they can take to show up.

^^^lol, you said 'chunky deer salsa'... [rofl]

Oh man back when I was involved in the Xterra community there was a guy that hit a cow in Texas at 50 MPH in his X and had pictures. Luckily for him he had a TJM solid steel bumper and did zero damage to the X but damn was that messy

Are you freaking serious?! Hitting a cow at 50mph is probably the same as hitting a Mac Truck... he must have had one serious Xterra... [;)]

Xterra's are very well built ;)

I test drove one right before snagging my SVTf...it was a 5speed man, and it drove really well. If the dealer hadn't been so much of an idiot, I would have went home with it! [rolleyes]

that's manual...not man... [:p]

I would still have mine if it wasn't for the hail damage. Over $5,000 in damage and it broke my heart [:(]

^^^JUST in hail damage?!? Geez, must have been the size of VW Bugs!! [;)]

Yeah, it really was that bad. The same storm totalled out a buddy of mines Focus.