Focus SVT owners?!

[Bill Owen]

Just wondering if theres any Focus SVT people that are willing to let a guy take a "tame" demo drive in your car (with you along of course!) The dealers say they have none available for demos.

[SaturnRaycer]

Bill,

Is this intelligence gathering or consideration of getting a different car?

[Bill Owen]

Nah, a buddy is car shopping and considering a new Cooper "S" I told him Coopers are "Girlie Man" cars and to try out the SVT also.

Well, none of the dealers have demos I know of and remembered that Blue one at the Novice school. I hope the owner will catch this post and be happy to recruit another SVT buyer. Maybe even me someday. (still keeping the jetta.. of course)


(wonders how long B4 Paul replies to this thread :)

[weidnerpaul]

Nah, a buddy is car shopping and considering a new Cooper "S" I told him Coopers are "Girlie Man" cars and to try out the SVT also.

I always consider the source when a personal attack like this happens, and since I don't think Bill is an Expert on "girlie men"(but you never know) and he certainly isn't an expert on Cooper S's I won't let it bother me....

Seriously though, I wouldn't recommend a Focus of any type until they resolve all the pending recalls---some of which sound serious.

Bill---Does your friend autocross??? If so have him come to the next MOWOG and I'll let him drive it during fun runs so he can see what they're like.

Paul

PS. The drive I let him have is the one you would have gotten before your slanderous post.

[Bill Owen]

lol, I think it took a day for Paul to reply. Youre off your game Paul!

btw: "Cute car"

[Kustom]

I was the Sonic Blue SVT at the novice school. I would entertain the idea of letting someone "test" drive my car. When is the next autox? Let me know and maybe we can work something out. I think I would have to agree with the "girlie man" Mini comment. The only thing that would add to the "girlieness" would be if you bought it in a nice feminine baby blue color!!! (sorry Paul).

I ran across some Car & Driver test data on various cars. They run the same tests on the same track for all the cars they test. Check out how the SVT compares, you may be suprised. You'll notice there are now acceleration stats as we all know that a mini me 4 banger isn't going to hold a candle to the big boys. Enjoy!

Karl

490-foot 7 cone slalom course

Porsche 911 Turbo 48.1
Porsche 911 Carrera C2 47.5
SVT Focus 47.3
Ferrari F355 47.2
Honda S2000 47.1
Porsche GT2 47.1
BMW M Coupe 47
Mazda Miata 46.5
Sentra SE-R Spec-V 46
Subaru WRX 46
Porsche Boxster 46
Corvette ZO6 46
Mercedes-Benz AMG C32 45.1
Audi S4 45
Volvo S60 T5 44
Lexus IS300 43.6
Honda Civic EX 42.8


60-0 braking

Corvette ZO6 105 ft
BMW Z8 109 ft
Porsche 911 Turbo 110 ft
Porsche 911 Carrera C2 111 ft
Porsche Boxster-S 111 ft
Ferrari 360 Modena 114 ft
Volvo S60 T5 114 ft
Porsche GT2 114 ft
Lexus IS300 117 ft
SVT Focus 119 ft
Mazda Miata 121 ft
Subaru WRX 122 ft
BMW M Coupe 124 ft
Sentra Spec-V 125 ft
Honda Civic EX 134 ft


80-0 braking

Porsche Boxster-S 198 ft
Porsche 911 Carrera C2 199 ft
Volvo S60 T5 200 ft
SVT Focus 209 ft
Lexus IS300 210 ft
Subaru WRX 217 ft
Mazda Miata 220 ft
BMW M Coupe 221 ft
Porsche GT2 222 ft
Sentra Spec-V 233 ft
Honda Civic EX 235 ft

[SalahK]

Coopers are "Girlie Man" cars

Obviously Bill is kidding but to those who actually do think this way I have something thing to say...

When a MAN has trouble being a MAN...in bed, he must get for himself the MANLIEST car out there. Then, we might be fooled into thinking that he is still the MAN.

[SalahK]

Oh, I forgot to mention what I think of the Cooper S and the SVT Focus!

Both cars are a hoot to drive, although in terms of subjective handling, I would give the edge to the Mini. The Mini seems to involve the driver to a greater degree and offers somewhat better steering feel. No doubt BMW did a remarkable job of transferring their knowledge of rear-wheel drive to a front-wheel drive application.

Both the SVT and the Cooper S are FAR superior to the slightly cheaper Sentra Spec-V. The SPEC-V is an excellent example of a car that has excellent Objective handing results yet fails to impress subjectively. Clearly for the Sentra, the "whole" is NOT greater than the sum of it's parts.

[aansorge]

Here is another idea,

Forget both the Cooper S and the SVT and get a Type R. I had the pleasure of driving Salah's Type R while down in Topeka for Nationals have decided that that car is a must have! I drove the car with Salah, my pregnant wife, two race tires, and a bunch of other crap in the car and the car still ripped. Unladen and on a track. . . I can only imagine. Oh, and the sound! When the V-tec kicks in your ears are treated to an oral delight. Can you tell I enjoyed the car? Maybe next year...

And by the way, yes you would be buying a used car with some miles on it and little if no warranty left, but its a Honda (they don't break much, believe me) and the depreciation on a Type R is very little so you won't lose out much in the long haul.

adam

beater CRX

[aansorge]

One last thing:

I watched the Cooper S run down at Nationals and it did seem to have fantastic transitional response and power down the straights once it hooked up. There in lies the problem: mucho torque, no LSD. The type R's and WRX walked away where the Mini was spinning. On faster tracks it would be competitive, but on the low speed stuff it may have a problem. Of course, didn't you say this was for a friend and not you? He probably doesn't give a rat's #$@ about anything I've been saying if he isn't into autoX.

Adam

[Bill Owen]

Forget both the Cooper S and the SVT and get a Type R.


What night and times are you appearing at Knuckleheads? ;-)

[aansorge]

What night and times are you appearing at Knuckleheads? ;-)

What would you rather autocross, a Mini, an SVT Focus, or a type R?
All would be awesome, but I tire of wheelspin (this pun was intended) even in my 105bhp CRX. On most autocross courses I believe the Type R to be superior.

However, one could consider the new MazdaSpeed Protege also. Seven inch wide rims, a limited-slip, a nice suspension setup, etc.. . . Only problem for autox could be turbo lag.

[kit]

turbolag? ain't you FWD drivers left brake as you go on the throttle to get the car to rotate? That will keep the turbo spooled up.

[ZETECF1]

The Acura is about $6000 - $7000 more than the SVT. Don't start comparing apples and oranges.

[StevenMosley]

I think he was comparing new to new. He was comparing a used Type-R to a new SVT, but if you were going to compare new to used. The Acura will surely have a better resale value then the ford after 4 years. I might actually even be cheaper to own a RSX Type-S.

[Bill Owen]

What would you rather autocross, a Mini, an SVT Focus, or a type R?


Neither.

I want something on the opposite end of the spectrum. A 1970-73 Mach1 or Chevelle with the best performance suspension you can put together. haha..yea, Im crazy!


http://www.themustangshop.com/photos/29.jpg

[StevenMosley]

Well I want a conversion van. Something that is like a house on wheels.

[Chris Bienert]

I've seen video of "houses on wheels" going through fast lane changes and slolams. I don't think any of them would make viable autocrossers, but it was amazing to see how much they were capable of in the hands of a professional test driver.

[Dennis G.]

I LOVE my "house on wheels" van! Good for towing, GREAT for trips, it really IS like bringing your "house" to an autocross. My biggest problem is the crowd of people that "wanna look inside" when its raining at an event. Sorry... there's limited seating (intentionally), but I WILL look at the weather radar for ya and tell ya if its gonna keep raining! BTW, if anyone's wondering WHY anyone would buy a barge like this...they're actually CHEAP! Mine cost less that the typical loaded small car. And its darn near paid for itself in the amount of furniture I've moved! So far for repairs after 75,000 miles: 1 set of brake pads, 1 set of tires and 1 air filter.

[Nish]

Okay, I'm the guy who was thinking about a new car. I have test driven the Mini ......Nice car but overpriced if you want anything additional added to the package, 750.00 for the Rally lights installed, no thanks. I have autocrossed in my old GLI (man do I ever miss it) Now I have a 2001 GTI but was thinking of changing......I will be there on Sunday to do the fun runs and look forward to meeting the guy with the SVT and I already met the nice gentleman with the mini @ the import car show. Look forward to seeing these cars in action. YEEE HAAA !!

[weidnerpaul]

Nish,
You are welcome to try the MINI during fun runs --- My car has only one factory option(metallic paint) and just the front end of the Aero kit, tot cost was ~21,500, which is cheap when you add the SPM factor(smiles per mile). My biggest concern is keeping my license as I enjoy downshifting and getting that push in the back at hiway speeds...
If you live close to St Louis Park I am looking for a way to get both of my cars to the AutoX this Sunday when I can only drive one, email me if you're interested in also driving it back and forth to the AX too(leave by 7:30 AM)--- pweidn@cs.com
Paul