Ford Focus SVT

[Nick4592]

Well I posted earlier that my friend was looking for a good cheap "fast" (or made to be) car...he said that he liked the focus SVT...I don't know shit about this car does anyone here know how cheap and easily it can be moded? I know it is about 170hp/140ish ft/lb and weighs about 2500lbs but that is all...He is decided on this car but is leaning toward it...Thanks for any input

[ryanman]

Ford and cheap do not go together at all. SVT Fuckus's are slow and take alot to get anything outta them. But just like any other car if you got time and money anything is possible. I do have a friend that owns a shop in Austin, TX that does the VW 1.8T conversion into them but it's not cheap. Overall they'er not bad cars but not quick either.

[fodo]

msrp of slowcus svt = 18800
msrp of neon srt4 = 20450

that's 2grand for 60 crank hp...go figure. if your friend buys a new slowcus over the srt-4, he doesn't belong in the racing community.

[ryanman]

:werd:


Buy the SRT4.

[STIBungy]

My friend bought an SVT Focus. I told him he shoulda got an SRT-4 for that price as well. But he wants to save money so I guess the the insurance cost difference will save him some.

I'm waiting for him to break it in so I can show him how to drive it. :D

[jojo]

Personally I'd take the SVT over the Neon all day long. The SVT is a fantastic car overall. If straight line speed is your primary motivation then you shouldn't be looking at 4 bangers ;)

[powder311]

Personally I'd take the SVT over the Neon all day long. The SVT is a fantastic car overall. If straight line speed is your primary motivation then you shouldn't be looking at 4 bangers ;)I highly disagree.... The SRT-4 would own the SVT all day... The focus SVT is a fit car for soccer moms not kids who want fast cars (not that it isn't posible to make one fast) while the SRT-4 is fast right out of the box.. Even a normal ass neon would hand an SVT it's ass (at least I would think so)... My friend had a 2002 neon and that thing was friggen quick as all hell for a full stocker while my grandmas' car, a ford focus, couldn't beat a geo (i'm exaggerating but seriously it's not fast AT ALL)... I highly disagree...

[V8SpankR]

The SRT4 has over a second and a half in the 1/4 and when equipped with good rubber also has beaten the SVT Focus around a road course;Ford needs about 200hp from the factory instead of giving the public a mild version.

I'm not really a fan of either but I'd take the Dodge before the Ford.

[rmcdaniels]

I test drove both and while the SRT-4 was surprisingly good (other than the interior, where the Ford is a lot better), I'd take the Focus SVT and use the $2500 rebate to buy one of these:

http://www.jacksonracing.com/Shop/ViewProducts.aspx?PlateIndexID=37672

The Ford is lighter, less expensive, has great handling/brakes, pretty good power, and a huge rebate. It will also be a lot easier to bargain with the Ford dealership over a Focus SVT than a Dodge dealer over a Neon SRT-4 because the SRT-4 is so hot right now. SRT-4's are selling at MSRP ($20,995) or more with no rebates while Focuses are selling below MSRP ($19,375) with a $2500 rebate and other incentives (0% APR financing, $400 college graduate incentive, $1K +1.9% APR incentive). With the rebate and a little haggling you could get one for about $16K. Then you have at least $5K to spend making it faster if you want to keep up with the Neons. I can get a lot of go-fast for $5K.

[ryanman]

But you'd stil be driving a Fucus.

[powder311]

I actaully hate the way the steering wheels are in those cars.. My grandamas doesn't adjust and it feels like your driving a bus....

[CT9A]

This is the only Focus I would own.

http://www.sportcompactcarweb.com/roadtests/0404scc_focus/

[powder311]

I didn't read the whole thing (i'm lazy) but is that the kit where you slide a 5.0 mustang under a focus body? lol.. talk about a sleeper....

[CT9A]

I didn't read the whole thing (i'm lazy) but is that the kit where you slide a 5.0 mustang under a focus body? lol.. talk about a sleeper....
sc'd cobra motor converted the body to rear wheel drive.

[doctorstupid]

other than the ford fuckass being a slow, sorority girl car, it looks like a testicle.

and the SRT-4 is still a neon. i don't care if it has a turbo or not, you're still driving a neon.

i'm such a fucking hater :)

[rmcdaniels]

But you'd stil be driving a Fucus.

Which is why I bought a Civic, but that wasn't one of the choices.

[rmcdaniels]

I actaully hate the way the steering wheels are in those cars.. My grandamas doesn't adjust and it feels like your driving a bus....

The SVT wheel adjusts, it wasn't bad.

[powder311]

If your friend wants a nice car have him expand his spectrum.... I LOVE integras.. nice cars w/huge potential.. does he want to buy new? used? Does he care? Still though with this whole srt-4 vs. SVT debate there is no debate.. The SRT-4 is clearly out of the focuses league here :) ...

[rmcdaniels]

If your friend wants a nice car have him expand his spectrum.... I LOVE integras.. nice cars w/huge potential.. does he want to buy new? used? Does he care? Still though with this whole srt-4 vs. SVT debate there is no debate.. The SRT-4 is clearly out of the focuses league here :) ...


I won't argue that, my point was that one car you can get for $21K, and one you can get for $16K. For the money I still think the SVT is the better value. Personally I'd get a Civic or Integra for a lot less and modify it until neither of those cars could touch it, which is what I think we both did anyway, so fuck the SVT and the SRT, he should buy a GSR or an Si and boost it.

[powder311]

Personally I'd get a Civic or Integra for a lot less and modify it until neither of those cars could touch it, which is what I think we both did anyway, so fuck the SVT and the SRT, he should buy a GSR or an Si and boost it.
:werd: GSR integra fully loaded 95... Don't those go for like 5 to 7k? you'll have enough for a turbo, rims and tires, lowering, fuel sytem and a ton of other shiz... How much does this kid have to spend anyway???

[Pang]

You can get an 03 svt focus at the Ford dealer in Firestone right now for around 14k. A girl I work with just picked one up for 13k. Not bad for all the features it comes with...Heated seats, HIDs, 6spd, 17inch rims, etc...

[jojo]

[QUOTE=powder311]while the SRT-4 is fast right out of the box..QUOTE]

Uh huh. Let's just say that your definition of fast and my definition of fast are worlds apart. There's nothing fast about a stock SRT-4 or a stock SVT Focus. The Focus is, however, a far more balanced car with a nice set of features. I'd rather have the Focus as a daily driver than the Neon. As for going fast I'm going to have to stick with the turbocharged 5.0.

[jojo]

You can get an 03 svt focus at the Ford dealer in Firestone right now for around 14k. A girl I work with just picked one up for 13k. Not bad for all the features it comes with...Heated seats, HIDs, 6spd, 17inch rims, etc...

That's an awesome price. I would probably buy one if someone put that in front of me.

[95GSRB18C]

I dont think the Focus SVT is bad at all. They're only about .2 slower than the GSR stock and they come with alot more stuff...HID's, 6spd, 17's, etc

[powder311]

[QUOTE=powder311]while the SRT-4 is fast right out of the box..QUOTE]

Uh huh. Let's just say that your definition of fast and my definition of fast are worlds apart. There's nothing fast about a stock SRT-4 or a stock SVT Focus. The Focus is, however, a far more balanced car with a nice set of features. I'd rather have the Focus as a daily driver than the Neon. As for going fast I'm going to have to stick with the turbocharged 5.0. lets put it this way... I WOULD HATE to go through the shit of making my GSR fast again, let alone TRYING to make a focus nearly as quick as my car all over again... SCREW debating srt-4 vs. svt.. I like ford trucks... I like nascar cuz there are fords... I am a ford person... regardless, I would buy the Srt-4 over the svt almost anyday (except the days i want a slow as hell turn carving car)...

[rmcdaniels]

lets put it this way... I WOULD HATE to go through the shit of making my GSR fast again


I think that's pretty much the point. What car is "fast enough" out of the box in the price range this guy is looking at? I would say neither the SRT nor the SVT. The SRT is closer, but it costs more,which is probably why it is closer. If you have mad money for a M3 or Z06 or Cobra, then definitely buy one, but if you're looking to get a really fast car in the 20K range then you're probably going to have to start with a cheap upgradable base car (Mustang, Civic, Integra, Eclipse, etc.)and build it up. Either that or find a really fast car with a lot of miles, but then you're looking at being stuck with a maintenance nightmare like my old RX7. Even the Focus with a SC on it is questionable because there's a good chance the dealer might try to get out of warranty work because of the modification.

[Nick4592]

I think that's pretty much the point. What car is "fast enough" out of the box in the price range this guy is looking at? I would say neither the SRT nor the SVT. The SRT is closer, but it costs more,which is probably why it is closer. If you have mad money for a M3 or Z06 or Cobra, then definitely buy one, but if you're looking to get a really fast car in the 20K range then you're probably going to have to start with a cheap upgradable base car (Mustang, Civic, Integra, Eclipse, etc.)and build it up. Either that or find a really fast car with a lot of miles, but then you're looking at being stuck with a maintenance nightmare like my old RX7. Even the Focus with a SC on it is questionable because there's a good chance the dealer might try to get out of warranty work because of the modification.
He is looking for a car under 18 grand and that is easy to work with and comes "out of the box" fast...again I am saying WRX...its like 23 grand and has 227hp out of the box and upgrading it is easy...I personally dont know much about intergras, civics, and the other import types when it comes to upgrading them..

[rmcdaniels]

He is looking for a car under 18 grand and that is easy to work with and comes "out of the box" fast...again I am saying WRX...its like 23 grand and has 227hp out of the box and upgrading it is easy...I personally dont know much about intergras, civics, and the other import types when it comes to upgrading them..

Under $18K limits the field if he's looking at new cars. The SRT and the WRX are out, The SVT is a good pick for that price range at around $16K, and the new Civic Si sells for about $18K (average selling price $18.5K). The V6 Mustang is a not bad either at $14.5K after rebate. It's a little heavy and the handling isn't my favorite, but the handling is fixable and it does have 190 HP and 220 ft/lb of torque. Add some boost to that and it might go places. I think at one point Ford actually had a Ford Motorsports supercharger kit for it that wouldn't void any warranty. The Nissan SE-R Spec V is also nice at $15.5K, but it is extremely heavy.

As far as upgradability goes, the Civics/Integras are great, that's the primary reason I bought a Civic. Fords are very good too, there's a very healthy aftermarket for Honda and Ford products. There's probably a lot of good stuff for GM too, but it's been a lot of years since I've built up a Chevy, so my knowledge is way out of date. I've also seen some fast Neons at the track (not SRT-4, older 1st gen. Neons), so I'm assuming there's an aftermarket for them as well, either that or 1st gen Neons just really kick ass. :rolleyes: I've seen a lot of fast Eclipses too, but the people I know who have built them up say they get pretty high-maintenance if you try to get too much out of them.

Powder311 had a good idea if the guy isn't committed to buying a new car. There are a lot of clean '95 or later Integra GSR coupes out there for well under $10K. There are also a lot of already modified cars on the market that are well under $18K. Check out:

http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/results.jtmpl?model=INTEG&body_style=&color=&max_mileage=&doors=2&engine=&fuel=&drive=&transmission=MAN&start_year=1995&end_year=1999&min_price=&max_price=&only_price=1&distance=any&advanced=&advcd_on=y&make=ACURA&address=27613&search_type=used&x=49&y=10

A stock GSR is pretty quick, has good handling, and the aftermarket upgrade possibilities are unlimited.

[V8SpankR]

[QUOTE=jojo]

Uh huh. Let's just say that your definition of fast and my definition of fast are worlds apart. There's nothing fast about a stock SRT-4 or a stock SVT Focus. QUOTE]

Of course compared to what you are used driving but high 13s out of a stock SRT4 for $20k is still decent plus it's just as quick as a current Mustang GT and almost 2 seconds quicker than the Focus. I'd rather drive the waaay quicker car for a daily plus for little cash input you can run that SRT4 into the 13s at Bandi with some traction help also.

[rmcdaniels]

[QUOTE=V8SpankROf course compared to what you are used driving but high 13s out of a stock SRT4 for $20k is still decent plus it's just as quick as a current Mustang GT and almost 2 seconds quicker than the Focus. I'd rather drive the waaay quicker car for a daily plus for little cash input you can run that SRT4 into the 13s at Bandi with some traction help also.[/QUOTE]

Only problem there is he wants to keep it under $18K. I think that takes the SRT out of the picture. I about had to beat a sales guy up to get him to let me test drive one. I don't think they are ready to start cutting <$18K deals on them yet, not with a bunch of people paying over MSRP for them.

[Nick4592]

I'm thinking he just get a good used V8 or go the distance and get a new AWD Turbo car....maybe a rally racer :D

[92TwinZ]

SRT-4
For about $400 you get the Stage 1 PCM. I've seen two SRT-4's run 13.9's doun here at PMI with just this, but they were the 04's with the larger injectors.

[rmcdaniels]

I think 04's also have a Quaife LSD.

[V8SpankR]

There's an '04 SRT4 with a limited slip with only 2500 adult driven miles for $18,500 in the paper.

[celica man]

hes only looking to spend 18,000....?

here you go

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=159978516&dealer_id=&car_year=2000&make=HONDA&distance=300&max_price=20000&model=S2000&end_year=2005&advcd_on=n&min_price=&address=80017&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1984&color=&cardist=5

[Nick4592]

sweet.....I'll give him the website..Thanks for the hookup

[xxtrizz]

Damn that is a good deal go snap that car up man :)

[Nick4592]

He's going to get a Civic EX for 14 from some from dealership in Aurora

[V8SpankR]

Man,why didn't I suggest a Civic? ;NutKick; :D

[rmcdaniels]

How hard is it to make an EX fast?

[oMekone]

How hard is it to make an EX fast?

very, your gona need boost or a swap to make it even kinda fast. i think it SOHC lol

if i had the $ to spend ide go TRY to find a integra type r, or a s2000 with low miles. if i didnt find 1 of those ide prob look at the new wrx's.

in my opinon the SRT-4 is still a neon, it has a modified PT cruser turbo motor in it and the turbo and the manifold are 1 peice <-- gay. i do know they are underrated tho and they make more WHP than they clame.

if you looking at newer civics try to find a 99-00 SI.

[ryanman]

in my opinon the SRT-4 is still a neon, it has a modified PT cruser turbo motor in it and the turbo and the manifold are 1 peice <-- gay. i do know they are underrated tho and they make more WHP than they clame.


In that case a 99-00 Si is still a civic. :rolleyes: No difference. Civics are NOT the most bad ass car on the planet. I still look down on them just like I do on older Neon's.

Who gives a shit what motor it has, well besides you? For what it is, it's still fast as fuck bone stock and no civic will touch it stock for stock.

[V8SpankR]

Too bad he didn't snag Newt2's R since he let it go for under $18k and his had about $6k in mods on it and it included a laptop to tune the AEM system in it.

[Nick4592]

Too bad he didn't snag Newt2's R since he let it go for under $18k and his had about $6k in mods on it and it included a laptop to tune the AEM system in it.
Is it sold yet??? I hop not for his sake he has the cash for it

[LeonZ]

yeah, its sold. ^

[Nick4592]

yeah, its sold. ^
DAMN.