2004 SE Loaner Car

[jollyjohnj]

Ok, my car is in for 20k service and checking out the clutch TSB. They gave me an 04 SE for a loaner.

When I bought my car I never test drove any other model of Focus. The SVT was what I wanted and it is all that I test drove. I did test drive 3 different ones. One silver 5 door, one black 3 door, and of course my baby the infrared 3 door. This is how I determined the red to be the fastest.

Anyway, I read all the time on this board people making comments like “Don’t buy the SVT. You can make other Foci just as fast with a little money.” I’ve always kept my mouth shut in those threads because I honestly did not know. I just have to say after driving that thing this morning my definition of a little money and the one used by people that make that comment must be completely different. It would take a lot of money. I don’t know maybe it’s the automatic, maybe it’s the feel of body roll around curves. Every time I have heard that comment in the past it makes me think that maybe I was foolish with my money when I bought my SVT. Well now I know I wasn’t.

I hope they are gentle with Miss Roxy and she is back in my hands soon.

[Sponsor]

[MyBlackST]

I know how you feel... I have an ST and they gave me a base focus (auto)...there is no camparison....the svt is miles ahead...

[dwdgsi03]

An automatic can take a lot of the joys of driving a car away. As for the body roll, the sedan has gobs of it. That was one f the first things I tackled when I bought mine. But don't let that fool you into thinking that it would take a shit load of money to make an MTX75 perform near the standards of your SVT. Besides, who doesn't like a sedan that can scoot?

[microtonal]

I thing I might agree that you can make it faster for cheaper but you don't get the SVTF package. That too is part of the price.

From what I've seen, a good ported head, some bolt-on's and some tuning will get a ZX3 upto or I've seen some surpass the SVTF power numbers.
That's about $2000 right there.

I think it would possibly take more money to get a standard ZX3 up to the power and exterior/interior package. I mean, a set of good 17in rims and tires cost at least a $1000.

[jollyjohnj]

Originally posted by microtonal
I thing I might agree that you can make it faster for cheaper but you don't get the SVTF package. That too is part of the price.

From what I've seen, a good ported head, some bolt-on's and some tuning will get a ZX3 upto or I've seen some surpass the SVTF power numbers.
That's about $2000 right there.

I think it would possibly take more money to get a standard ZX3 up to the power and exterior/interior package. I mean, a set of good 17in rims and tires cost at least a $1000.

See I don't consider $2000 a little money. I mean how much did the person pay for the car to begin with - I'm talking new. I only paid $15,000 for my SVTF new with only 7 miles on it 3 of them from my test drive.

[jollyjohnj]

Originally posted by dwdgsi03
An automatic can take a lot of the joys of driving a car away. As for the body roll, the sedan has gobs of it. That was one f the first things I tackled when I bought mine. But don't let that fool you into thinking that it would take a shit load of money to make an MTX75 perform near the standards of your SVT. Besides, who doesn't like a sedan that can scoot?

Darrell, I read your post on your time slip, pretty impressive. How much do you think you have invested in your car? I mean the car itself + mods.

I wish I knew Gulfport had a drag strip when I was down there. I was rolling in a 87 GT back then.

[microtonal]

I paid less than $10500 out the door with taxs included for a stock ZX3.

$2000 = power enhancements
$1000 = rims/tires
$1000 = body kit
$700 = suspension upgrade
Who knows what else...


So ya, you might be right.

If you wanted to get a stock ZX3 upto SVTF specs, it would probably cost more.

[jollyjohnj]

Originally posted by microtonal
I paid less than $10500 out the door with taxs included for a stock ZX3.

$2000 = power enhancements
$1000 = rims/tires
$1000 = body kit
$700 = suspension upgrade
Who knows what else...


So ya, you might be right.

If you wanted to get a stock ZX3 upto SVTF specs, it would probably cost more.

Or at least close to it. I know some people paid more for their SVTF than I did mine. I haggled the dealer(s) to death and left a few times - it was a 2 week process to get the car at the price I wanted.

I know there are pros and cons to both, such as with the non SVT there is the enjoyment of doing the performance/appearance mods yourself. On that aspect I did miss out, b/c I am a gear head at heart however I know I would never find the time with all these kids I got. On the other hand I don't think I could have put together a more attractive interior than what mine came with.

[dwdgsi03]

Originally posted by jollyjohnj
Darrell, I read your post on your time slip, pretty impressive. How much do you think you have invested in your car? I mean the car itself + mods.

I wish I knew Gulfport had a drag strip when I was down there. I was rolling in a 87 GT back then.

Oooo, let's see....

I bought my car for $8500 with 7000 miles

CAI: 50
MBRP: 200
Header/flex: 150 (used)
UDP: 60 (used)
VF Motor mount: 100
Eibachs and Teins: 400
FS Strut bar: 50 (used)
Steeda STS: 150

Roughly $1160 in mods give or take shipping and other tidbits (shift knobs, etc.)

So basically about $9700.



As for the dragstrip, that was the most fun I've had in a while. Seeing some of these insane muscle cars with exhaust so loud, you leak on yourself is just crazy.

[lunarc]

personally i got the svt for the complete package, i know many zx3's could take me, but i just like the look and feel of the inside...i was going to buy a zx3 and fix it up...but an opportunity arose to buy a used SVT so i took it. Glad i did, but i respect the zx3s and sedans out there...