SVT Focus or New GT?

[DaveSVT03]

03CobraBro,

I am impressed by the gas mileage the SVT Focus gets, but I don't think anyone buys any SVT for the mileage. I only mentioned it because I went from an 03 Cobra to this Focus so I guess I'm still in shock at the difference. You still have to put Premium Gas in the SVT Focus so its no huge bargain to fill up.

Enjoy the Cobra - those cars are simply amazing and they handle better than they get credit for. At our Autocross an 03 Cobra came within a few tenths of my time.

 

[Phantom_LS2]

anyone know what SFTF's are running at the tracks that are equiped with the jackson racing supercharger?

 

[NJCOBRA10thA]

WHOA!!!!

MY SVT Focus got on average 13.5 to 14.5 MPG around town. I called SVT and they said it's low but not outrageous for that car. I called my Ford dealer and they said Ford won't let them look at a gas mileage problem unless it has 10,000 miles on it.

I don't care so much about mileage if the car has the power to merit the low #'s. First few tanks in my Cobra I am getting 11.5 or so but loving every gas sucking mile of it.

This is my 3rd SVT. I had a 98 Contour SVT and I felt that was a great car. Of course like any other car I ever had it could use more power but it wasn't severely under powered at <3,000 RPMS like I felt the Focus SVT was. I almost loved my Focus SVT but that lack of low end drove me nuts. God forbid you get off to a bad launch and it took forever to get the power back and after turning it seemed like an eternity in 2nd until you got to 4,000 RPMs (where mine seemed to show very nice power).

Both cars have their merits (GT and SVT-F) but if you are buying it for the gas mileage it may not make sense.

Maybe my car was unusual but the SVT guy at Ford said his gets around 16 MPG around town.

I miss some of the niceties like moonroof, heated seats, HID's but am much happier now.

If the Focus had the Contour SVT 2.5L 195HP 6 from my 98 Contour I probably wouldn't have thought twice about getting rid of it with just 3,500 miles on it.

Rarely drove on highway so I am not sure what kind of mileage it got there but I would imagine it would be pretty decent.

Just adding my .02 that good gas mileage is not a valid reason IMHO (no flames please) to buy a SVT Focus - that is if you are mostly doing non highway driving like me.

Good luck, you should enjoy either car.

At the time I bought my Focus SVT I couldn't afford the Cobra so there was little choice. I didn't consider the GT but probably should have - it's just that I had 2 GT's before 85 and 87 and didn't want the same thing again. The Cobra was different so I was happy to get it.

I Think my bottom line is I should have gotten the GT instead of the SVT Focus.

Maybe it wasn't the engine, maybe there is a better rear end for it that would give more low RPM power - I just don't know but my decision stands - I wasn't happy before and now I am overjoyed.

Dan

 

[cmezip]

I miss my 2001 Bullitt ( what I traded in the SVT Foci) they both have their perks. I miss my Bullitt but I love the SVT it would be a tough decision to make if I had to chose, I love the 2004 GT's with the orange paint, I would take one of those over my Foci. I am impressed with my Foci though, 2 weeks ago I ran a 15.3 @93 mph and alls I have is a pully, gonna try this weekend for 14's with no spare and a little less gas.

 

[quivvy]

Originally posted by TORCH_RED
anyone know what SFTF's are running at the tracks that are equiped with the jackson racing supercharger?

in my opinion, waste of money. i dont know what they are running at the 1/4 mile but i heard not much better. and at my last track event at gingerman (south haven MI) there was another SVTF there that was supercharged by jackson. his car was stock besides this, and mine is too. i ran cirlces around him lap after lap, he actually came up to me and asked what my secrets are and asked if he could get a few pointers. he didnt seem too hapy with the 2Gs he dropped on that supercharger. just my 2cents.

 

[a64armt]

What's the "new" thing? :shrug: That seems to be what people ask themselves when they are looking to purchase an automobile.

SVT Focus, Mustang GT, Cobra, Lightning, or Mistu EVO? A Cobra is too pricey, a Mach 1 is ok, then there is a overpriced EVO in the Mix. :idea: 16 y/o, try a 1990 Honda Civic, tell your friends your Porsche is in the Shop, and go easy on your parent's insurance.

I guess it depends on what you want in a car. Everyone has given their experiences and opinions on the different cars, and they are all correct, or close. Buy a car that you want, and more importantly, possibly need. There are too many people trying to sell cars that they are upside down on (financing), and complaining that their 8 month old car isn't selling, when they are asking more than a new, same year car,with rebates and discounts is going for. Unless you are 16 and have wealthy and generous parents, or are well off yourself, you are going to have to live with a car long enough to get your money's worth, or build equity so you can at least trade it in for pay-off. Just ask the dozen or so people trying to sell Newer Cobras here. :cryying:

We, my wife and I, enjoy our Focus SVT very much. We nearly fight over who gets to drive the Focus over the Expedition. I think it is a wonderful car and ideal commuter vehicle (but not a good car for a teenager). :burnout:

If you are looking at any of the discussed automobiles, with the exception of the Focus, you had better be single, a D.I.N.K. (dual income, no kids), or be looking for a second car. Yes, you can shove 2 kids into the back of a Mustang, but why would you do such a thing to your children. Especially on a regular basis. Some kids are in therapy for less!

If you want attention, buy some BLING BLING accessories. They have wheels with spinnie things on them now, they get a lot of attention. :coolman:

Have a wonderful and stress free day.

 

[Mike-SVT]

I've had both and the SVT Focus is a MUCH better all-around driving car than the GT.

A lot more nimble, with better brakes, handling, ride quality and interior. The Mustang GT is a dated platform on its last legs.

I liked to drive my GT but I LOVE to drive my SVTF.. And still do after 1.5 years and 20,000 miles.

 

[crssvt]

Did anybody else consider any other small "pocket rocket" type cars before they bought their SVTF? The Mazdaspeed Protoge, Hyundai Tiburon GT, and Mini Cooper S all similar price ranges to a loaded SVTF and similar performance numbers. Just wondering, as I am in the market to replace my daily driver Escort GT with something a little more modern and dependable. Thanks, Chris.

 

[DaveSVT03]

I did research the going price for a few others, but when you factor in that most dealers are letting the 03s go at invoice less the 2K rebate - well that closed the deal for me. I got a lot of car for the money.

 

[jsostakas]

Dave,

I got my 03 SVTF for the same reason last week. It is a deal that you just cannot beat!

I looked at the other cars in the similar price range. I liked the other cars just fine. But when I took the SVTF for a test drive, I signed right there and took it home.

A friend of mine is a big rice fan. He has had a CRX and now enjoys an RSX. When I told him that I got the SVTF, he scoffed at me. I told him that he would be impressed with it. He said 'cmon now, it's an American car, I doubt it will impress me' I told him Driving is believing.

I took it to his house and handed him the keys. After about an hour of testing, he decided his RSX is a little faster, but the SVTF handles much better than his RSX. He said his RSX is nervous on curves which have bumps, where the SVTF tracked well and gripped better.

His overall evaluation was that he was indeed impressed and liked the SVTF interior more and the better handling. All he would like to see is a little more HP. His RSX is rated at 200. I told him give me a little time, I just got it!

 

[rmvurhdfmurass]

Originally posted by 1stSVT
SVTF all the way! :thumbsup:
1. HID lights are by far the best thing at night. I can't tell you how many times I get brighted. I simply bright them back and see them swerve off the road.:lol: Plus, HID's on a sub 20k car
2. Heated seats, heated mirrors, engine block heater (I don't even need that).
3. Audiophile 9006 radio-6 disk in-dash player with an 8inch sub. My 28k Passat I had only had a tape deck:cuss:
4. 4 doors and a hatch with 7300 redline=:burnout: I can put 4 full size adults in this thing and be comfortable.
5. 17 inch wheels on a sub 20k car with Contisport tires-Are you kidding me I only paid 17,500-Pinch me
6. My one gripe-The low power under 2500 rpm's:cuss:

As far as the SRT-4 (street/road/track 4 cylinder) sweet car for under 20k, BUT you don't get half of the things I mentioned above. You get a small car with a massaged engine and nice seats. Thats it. You pay for the engine without anything else. Ford did a great job of doing a full circle car in the SVTF. Dollar for dollar it is tough car to beat. Remember, SVTF has won many comparos since it came out.
My $.02 hope it helps.

Before I bought my SVTF, I looked at and drove an SRT-4. For the SRT-4 I would have to say the seats are really great (for less than an hour), it sounds really bad (mufflerless exhaust and BOV), and it pulls like a team of clidesdales. However, the purchase of the SVTF is simple. The SVTF doesn't have power front windows and ROLL UP (yes, I said roll up) rear windows. The insurance on the SRT-4 is insane as compared to the SVTF. The SVTF looks better, not like someone tacked on some afterthoughts. And as previously mentioned, the fit and finish and options are way better on the SVTF. Where else can you find a car for around 20k that has HID's, heated leather seats and a six speed (among many others). My $.02.

 

[quivvy]

Originally posted by crssvt
Did anybody else consider any other small "pocket rocket" type cars before they bought their SVTF? The Mazdaspeed Protoge, Hyundai Tiburon GT, and Mini Cooper S all similar price ranges to a loaded SVTF and similar performance numbers. Just wondering, as I am in the market to replace my daily driver Escort GT with something a little more modern and dependable. Thanks, Chris.

Chris-
i looked at ALOT of cars and was never expecting to get a SVTF, and i did. i always disliked american cars. and went and test drove a SVTF for kicks, bought it a week later. WOW. loved the car. i was looking at....

1.)Volkswagen GTI - faster, handling isnt as good, brakes are weaker, not great right ups, sloppy shifting, more $, less car

2.)Acura RSX - more reliable arguably, faster, doesnt handle as good, only seats 4, more $$ less cargo space, no heated seats, not as nice of a stereo, no steering wheel controls etc.

3.) Mazda Protege 5 - slow, less of a car for money, not what im lookin for

4.) Mazda Speed - sedan... never test drove one. mixed reviews

5.) mini cooper S - TINY CAR! looks toooo british hehe. although great car, quick, great handling, not practical

6.) Jetta 1.8T/ VR6 - sedan, not spotry, crappy stock wheels and tires. handling isnt superb, not great brakes

thats bout it i can remember off the top of my head. lemme know if u have any more questions. id recomend a SVTF, ive just had a few reliablity issues with mine, but it put up with it cuz its an amazing car for the money. and o yeah, teh SRT-4 performs well, but it will always be a NEON and a ugly one at that.

 

[crssvt]

Quivvy, thanks for the heads up, it seems like the SVTF is the way to go. Especially performance value wise. I know the other cars are pretty comparable when you look at the window stickers, but the dealers seem to be willing to deal on the SVTF. I have yet to try to get any concrete prices for my local dealers yet. I have my sights set on a Competiton Orange unit I found down here.

Chris

 

[Mike-SVT]

I agree with quivvy. The SVTF has more of a "total package" than any of the comparable cars in its category.

After 1.5 years and 20,500 miles, I am still glad I bought the car, especially every time I drive it..

 

[quivvy]

also the other cars arent unique. when every im at a car meet or sumin people say, "oh so thats the new SVT focus, thats nice" etc. and its bone stock. if u pull up in some regular old gti people dont care! be unique and stand out! its nice not seein anyone with the same car and being a part of the SVT community. plus u get the advatnage of SVTOA events and track events. also, the deal u get on the SVTF will blow the otehrs away. i was thinkin bout a BASE volkswagen golf. im talkin stirpped brand new golf, and i got my SVTF for 1000 more. (D plan and 2500 cash back). thats way quicker car, better handling, more unique, better interior, heated seats, the works. i could go on and on. im gettin repetitive sorry lol. get the SVTF! peace

 

[crssvt]

Thanks again, I really want the SVTF. It would give me 3 SVT's total. A 95 Lightning, a 95 Cobra and an 03 SVT Focus. They should look good together, huh?

Chris

 

[quivvy]

hmmm sexxy.....