El Karacho1647545492 Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Why am I looking at this car? Because I want an NA standard transmission 4 banger coupe with decent gas mileage under $7000, preferrably under $6000. And I want a bit more than 150 hp. Not looking to track this thing (yet), just something reliable while I build some savings. Must haves: Clean carfax under 100k miles, fewer than 80k would be nice reliable for daily use will I find this in an SVT focus? If not, where else should I look? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bam Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 I'd say yeah, they have a few minor quirks as they get up in mileage but overall they are pretty reliable cars, and extremely fun to drive. I've owned quite a few focus's, and currently own a 2003 zx5 for my daily, here's a faily local SVT for sale on a focus forum i am part of. Not sure if you can see them without being a member though... 2002 Black SVT ZX3 - 40k miles, in Akron...$4500obo..Clean title. http://forums.focaljet.com/vehicles-sale/626600-sale-02-black-svt.html Over the winter there were a handful in that price range or lower, with 60-100k miles, but they all went fast. Keep your eyes peeled, check Autotrader as well, I almost went to Harrisburg, PA last fall before buying my current focus for a SVT that was $6000 and had 71k miles on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Fuckus = gay. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wease Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Fuckus = gay. Says the guy driving an Audi... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr. Jones Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Says the guy driving an Audi... Fuckus>Contour>Audi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted May 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 I'd say yeah, they have a few minor quirks as they get up in mileage but overall they are pretty reliable cars, and extremely fun to drive. I've owned quite a few focus's, and currently own a 2003 zx5 for my daily, here's a faily local SVT for sale on a focus forum i am part of. Not sure if you can see them without being a member though... 2002 Black SVT ZX3 - 40k miles, in Akron...$4500obo..Clean title. http://forums.focaljet.com/vehicles-sale/626600-sale-02-black-svt.html Over the winter there were a handful in that price range or lower, with 60-100k miles, but they all went fast. Keep your eyes peeled, check Autotrader as well, I almost went to Harrisburg, PA last fall before buying my current focus for a SVT that was $6000 and had 71k miles on it. That's a pretty good deal. Still, I'd like something that needs minimal/absolutely zero work done on it. Even with 40k on the chassis that car seems like it's been beat to shit already. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodRed Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Didn't the SVT Focus come with an empty NO2 tank in them? Maybe that was a concept or something. Could have swarn I saw a photo of that when they were coming out with them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted May 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Didn't the SVT Focus come with an empty NO2 tank in them? Maybe that was a concept or something. Could have swarn I saw a photo of that when they were coming out with them. that was the roush one i believe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
greg1647545532 Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Didn't the SVT Focus come with an empty NO2 tank in them? Maybe that was a concept or something. Could have swarn I saw a photo of that when they were coming out with them. That was the Saleen Focus. It was gay. It's hard to beat the fun to dollar ratio of an SVT Focus. FRPP has a bunch of parts for them too, and there's good support for NASA's Spec Focus series, so the aftermarket is fantastic. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BloodRed Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 That was the Saleen Focus. It was gay. Yeah I just read that on Wikipedia, it was the Saleen Focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rally Pat Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 I thought the SVT focus was supercharged? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted May 5, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 I thought the SVT focus was supercharged? Nope, just a reworked version of the 2.0 Zetec. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry_Trapp01647545522 Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 you won't gain much of anything with bolt ons(especially over the factory header), so you pretty much have to start with boost to get more power out of the 2.0l. a tune helps drive ability a LOT though. the transmission is a getrag 6 speed, same one used in the mini cooper S, so it's a pretty solid piece. the factory clutches are known for going out, so an aftermarket piece is pretty much a necessity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinergi Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 Why am I looking at this car? Because I want an NA standard transmission 4 banger coupe with decent gas mileage under $7000, preferrably under $6000. And I want a bit more than 150 hp. Not looking to track this thing (yet), just something reliable while I build some savings. Must haves: Clean carfax under 100k miles, fewer than 80k would be nice reliable for daily use will I find this in an SVT focus? If not, where else should I look? Sentra SE-R Spec V can be found in this price range, too. I don't know the comparisons but I drove an SVT focus and was not impressed. It was smooth, but I didn't like it much at all. I daily an older sentra se-r right now because I can... I have other cars to drive, but I thoroughly enjoy that Nissan. You probably could find a used Celica, too. I don't know if you're a domestic or import or if it even matters. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted May 5, 2010 Report Share Posted May 5, 2010 I can guarantee you won't like it due to the name but, a 2000+ Toyota Celica GT-S can be had for that price and if you actually drove one you would be happy with the light weight, 180hp@8000rpm motor, and 6-speed transmission. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skinner Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 I can guarantee you won't like it due to the name but, a 2000+ Toyota Celica GT-S can be had for that price and if you actually drove one you would be happy with the light weight, 180hp@8000rpm motor, and 6-speed transmission. until you go to shift into 5th and hit third by mistake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Removed Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 focus eats springs.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TURBOED Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Might want to check out the 2002 - 2005 civic si also. I haven't driven either (focus or si), but I have heard the overall fit and finish of the focus is lacking quite a bit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cinergi Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Here's an example of a well-priced Sentra: http://www.mautofied.com/2004-Nissan-Sentra-SE-R-Spec-V_Import/listing/100271290/ Yes, I realize it is in GA. I was just posting to show you a price range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Littleguy Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 until you go to shift into 5th and hit third by mistake. I had that transmission in my MR-S for a while and never had a problem. People need to learn to shift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave1647545494 Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 get the svt contour instead its basically the same chassis only you get the 2.6 V6 that gets about the same mileage and a manual trans I think turborust has one for sale Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farkas Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 I could think of a bunch of other cars I hate, that I would buy before a Focus. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ry_Trapp01647545522 Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 get the svt contour instead its basically the same chassis only you get the 2.6 V6 that gets about the same mileage and a manual trans I think turborust has one for sale they are damn ugly though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Crossle Posted May 6, 2010 Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 What is so wrong about the SVT Focus? It's sort of neat for what it is, I mean the man is asking for experience, not to be talked out of buying one... They are pretty solid car and have a really loyal following, so with that being siad they are generally well kept. The shop services one very regularly and the only "big" issues we have had is that when the valve cover decides to leak and you don't catch it it destroys the seal for the t-stat housing on the driver's side of the head causing a coolant leak. This problem is common for a lot of Focus's. It has also had 02 sensors and the car is very sensitive to bad PCV valves since they are down underneath the exhaust manifold where there is a lot of heat, also the rubber hose off the PCV. Other than that is has been perfect, the owner daily drives the car even through the winter with a set of winter tires and autocrosses it now. They are pretty nice cars for a Focus, Ford definitely spent most of their time with these, because these are one of the few Ford's I sort of like working on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El Karacho1647545492 Posted May 6, 2010 Author Report Share Posted May 6, 2010 Let me go down the list of suggested cars: -2000+ Celica: My first car was a 97 ST, uber underpowered but a great car. I'm not the hugest fan of the styling on the 2000+ and I haven't seen many with low miles because they've all been driven by pissed off teenagers. Still, I'd consider it. Transmission doesn't bother me. - Sentra: I've read bad things about 2001-2003 Nissans, but that one you linked looks decent. I can't remember how I fit into a Sentra but it might be a little cramped (6'3", 260) - SVT Contour: Not big on the styling, and I don't fit into older Fords very well for the reason mentioned above - Civic SI: I auto-X'd one at Mid-Ohio a few years back and was thoroughly unimpressed. Something about that car made me feel like it was always trying to go a different direction then I told it to. I'd consider it, but only if I can find one in the mileage range and these tend to get up there. Like I said, I'm not committed to the SVT Focus, I'm just weighing my options. I'd already seen Turborust's contour on CL, I've looked around at Sentra SE-Rs (all the ones I've seen are higher mileage and riced to hell), hadn't really considered the Celica or the Si but I'm going to look into those as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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