[Toolman00]

Hi guys, this is my first post. I joined to get some answers and help me decide on a car.

Well, I found a SVT Focus at my local dealer. It was a Black 2004 3-door European Package Focus. It was a pretty sharp car, and caught my eye when me and a group of people were checking out it and a '04 Mach 1 and '04 FX4 F-150 (also caught my eye). [thumb]

I probably won't make a move on it for a while, to do some research (kinda why I came here), and to wait for the snow season to pass (don't feel like buying new rims and snow tires right away). I guess I'm looking for a reason WHY I should pass up on it.

Is it gonna give me lots of problems? I bought a 2001 S-10 ZR2 a few years ago and it was nothing BUT problems for me (GM lost me as a customer). Something was messed up in the front suspension (keep in mind I've never offroaded the truck). I traded it in on a 2000 F-150 Offroad Package that I've done some modifications to, and it's been problem free since I've bought it. Kinda why I'm considering a Ford again.

The reason why I'm considering the Focus is because my current situation doesn't need a truck. I'm gonna miss my truck, but I'd gladly take the cheaper payments and better MPG's (currently see 12.5 MPG's with the truck, but have no problem stopping at every gas station [8] ). It's gonna be kinda hard to accept a little 4-cylinder, but at least it makes some power and will be quicker than my F-150!

I don't think I'll be able to take it for a test drive, but I'm wondering one other thing. I've driven stick before, I can drive it, just need more experience driving stick 'cause I stall out the first couple of times (what a great way to learn, by getting a manual transmission [rolleyes] ). I guess learning how to ride a motorcycle will help a little. Anyways, is the clutch in the Focus gonna make my left leg bigger than my right? It seemed fine for me when I sat in it and tested it out, but you never know.

One more thing, are the HID's worth it? [rolleyes] What color do they look like when lit up(white, purple, blue)?

Thanks in advance!

- Toolman

 

[Lil PZEV]

Hi, and welcome! As far as reliability goes, the Focuses have been pretty good since 2002-on and I'm pretty sure that applies to the SVT's as well. As to the car, black Euro package = [thumb], that's a hot Focus. I know the SVT does require premium fuel, so that might affect your decision. Most everyone that has the HIDs seem to love them, I believe they shine white. Good luck making your decision, I'm sure others will drop in and help you with some more experience than I have with this model.

 

[Infra3sv]

How can you think about getting a truck over an SVTF? The HIDs shine white. The Euro package is rad. You'll be shifting all the time in the SVTF. I haven't noticed one leg bigger than the other.
Is the ZR2 an offroading vehicle?

 

[CKA]

Dude u need to go get the SVT before someone else does!! Plus trucks are gas gusslers and these cars are way better!! Anyway good luck and hope u make the right decision![]

 

[Toolman00]

I don't really need my truck right now, but I'm looking for a different job that's in construction. The job I'm looking at should pay the same, if not more, and I don't think I'll need a truck (not unless they want to pay for my gas). I'm seriously considering the Focus because it gets better mileage, what should I expect? , it's more practical for me, and there really isn't much I can do to the car (I can't lift the car like I would my truck). I'm not really planning on going big on this car, just intake, exhaust, and stereo (if the stock radio stinks). There might be a supercharger in the very distant future however (I'd love to beat my ex-bosses 99 Cobra), but we'll see then.

I think the one thing I'm gonna miss is having my KC Daylighters. I can see clearly for a good half mile down the road at night! [8D] Maybe I'll see if they fit in the fog location!

I wouldn't have a problem filling up with premium... I see 12.5 MPG's with my truck now and see around 15 in the summer. I have a computer tuner and used the premium setting until the snow fell. I've been known to spend $70 in gas in 24 hours a couple times in the summer taking long trips.

I'm not too worried about the Focus disappearing. The Ford dealer recently got the rights to sell SVT vehicles and has the Focus in back by the garage... you have to actually go inside the building to check it out.

The ZR2 is an offroading vehicle... sort of. It's kinda like a Z71 Silverado, but more offroad ready (comes with better, larger tires and larger wheel flares), though not as offroad ready as a Jeep Wrangler Rubicon [eek] .


Thanks again

- Toolman

 

[herbiefreak]

your lucky to even be thinking about getting one "because I wish" we also have had some problems with a chevy"LS s-10" truck the my boyfriend bought 1 year ago. THE TRANSMISION! I bought a 2003 zx3 and i love it and my boyfriend is going to sell his truck. Now would it be tacky to have two focuses??? You should really go for it the svt is the BEST looking little sports car out in the world of 4cl. You have GREAT tast!!!!!!!
PS. the dodge turbo neon is a pile of *****!!!!

 

[herbiefreak]

i just remembered! for about the same price as a mach 1 mustang you could have an RS focus that is all wheel drive and turbocharged. its definately a very good match for the subaru WRX and i think it is even a better all around car. you will have to have it shipped over here, but im sure if you show interest at a dealership, they can work somethin for ya.

 

[DilSVT]

If I were you I would be worried about the car disapearing because the first time I went to look at a SVT Focus with my co-signer, and the damn thing disapeared the same day I was going to buy it. So, I had to look somewhere else and it took another month. They go like hot cakes and don't think someone won't buy it because it is inside that is what happened to me.

 

[Toolman00]

I'm not worried... they JUST got the rights to be a SVT dealer, they are pretty small, and if it's sold... let them sell it. I'm sure I will be able to find one for sale... afterall there are left over 2003's on ebay![] I know it could be sold between now and when I decide it's time, but the longer I wait, the more rebates it gets, and the more I can talk them down (or should at least). [thumb]

I'm in a position where I may need my truck, so I'm only considering the Focus right now. I'll be reading around to find out if there are any problems with the 2004's... though it sounds like they fixed them. I know a local guy who told me to avoid the SVT and get a regular one (because of the problems), but I'm not sure when he was looking at getting a Focus either.

 

[Zarelli6]

i just remembered! for about the same price as a mach 1 mustang you could have an RS focus that is all wheel drive and turbocharged. its definately a very good match for the subaru WRX and i think it is even a better all around car. you will have to have it shipped over here, but im sure if you show interest at a dealership, they can work somethin for ya.

uhh no. not for the same price as a mach 1. first off, they are no longer being made, and secondly, shipping would be horrendous. i bet you would lay out something near 50 thousand for an RS

the mach 1 is under 30 thousand. ALREADY cheaper than the RS not including shipping. here ya go http://www.mach1registry.com/FAQ.htm#how
otherwise everyone who wanted one could potentially get one if you have 30 thousand. and you would see them all over
and its also not awd.

 

[Zarelli6]

that herbie person is not very well informed.

 

[had one]

The dealer in my town has 3 new 2003 SVT one with euro options. The SVT is not selling well. They are offering rebates and discount of $5000. and still can't sell them

 

[Toolman00]

I'd love to get a Mach 1. My old bosses son bought an Azure Blue Mach 1 last year. Sweet color! I bet it out runs my bosses 99 Cobra (Mach is geared lower), he said it kept up when they raced at a SVTOA meeting (I doubt he'd admit losing to his son anyways!). I unfortunately don't have a garage, much less the space for 2 vehicles.

Well, if the dealer still has the SVT Focus in March I'll probably take it out of his hands.[thumb]

 

[svted]

but don't foget after you buy the RS and ship it over here you couldn't put it on the road anyway.. you'd have to swap vins with a US focus and then drive it around. but don't get caught and don't crash. but the dealership definitely won't get you one.. enjoy.

 

[Seb656]

ok Im not gonna bull$*#* you about this the SVT has occasional problems someone people have serious problems but most haven't had anything serious happen (I have had some minor problems nothing major ie. check engine light coming on and such)

Second for the price your paying they are definatly worth it Once you get it you won't regret your purchase I don't think there is one SVT Focus owner on this forum who regrets there purchase. Im not gonna lie you won't beat a Cobra in this but you will have fun driving it

 

[Toolman00]

I'm not really scared about having a problem, just wondering what the common problems are. I didn't do any research on my 2001 S-10 ZR-2 and that thing was nothing BUT problems! Window motor went out the first week (it was maybe 40 degrees out too), ball joints went out quite early, oil cooling lines leaked, exhaust gasket went, truck leaned to one side (couldn't fix it, that is, if the dealer looked at it). All that happened before 36k miles, some more than once! If I would have known it would have had all those problems I would have looked at another truck. It was pretty good on gas though, got about 18 MPG's if I drove decent. [thumb]

I'll probably make a move on the SVT sometime late March early April. I should have quite a bit of money saved by then for a nice downpayment![] If for some reason they do sell the Focus, how long do I have to order one?

 

[greystealth]

The SVTF is a great car. It's like no other 4 cylinder. And when you mod it up a bit, it's a definite eye catcher. We have a ZX3, and SE sedan, and an 04 SVTFocus. Three focuses here. Little problems here and there, but very minor, mostly maintenace type stuff. But one thing is for sure, the SVTF is a high performance vehicle, so it's not made to realy be economically fuel wise, not to mention the premium gas which is not very cheap. I don't think the SVT is very good on gas, especially when you get on the gas pedal, which is very tempting most of the time. I would recommend getting a new 04 focus, with the new 2.3 PZEV engine. Get a black one and mod it up abit. The new PZEV is suppose to be a great engine, clean, economical, and quiet. You can probably get one for about 14 or 15 grand, get some wheels, drop, tint, nice headlights, maybe a couple engine mods, and the total spent on that will probably be much less than the 20 grand SVT, and you'll have a car just as fast, looks, and you'll have a car with great gas milage. Good luck.[thumb]

 

[orangesvtf]

when did they start selling a black european package focus? i work at a ford dealership and i was told they only offer a european package focus in orange and yellow.

 

[greystealth]

they have em in Silver and black also.

 

[Seb656]

Don't buy an SVT if you want good gas go buy a Prius (the hybrid car)
The SVT does have Tranny problems (clutch etc) I haven't suffered from them the intake mainfold seems to have had some problems in some I got mine fixed and no problems since

Also the HID's are great I don't know how nice ur KC lights were but the way these illuminate is amazing normal headlights fade out after a certain distance these illuminate a certain distance then stop (hope you get what im saying)