[Bullitmon]

Another ricer or serious racer?

 

[merc50]

Another ricer, but a nice American ricer that can be serious(but they all can be). All in all I am not the biggest fan of such cars but at least the kids are into cars no matter what they are. The Focus SVT is nice for what it is. To me the king of these type cars right now is the WRX, but man I drove one and I could never live with something like that in the garage. I hate the power band on those type cars. Anyhow, at least Ford is trying.

 

[Bullitt1853]

Ok...this will probably offend some people...so I will say sorry ahead of time. Making an SVT Focus is like suping up a donkey..or puting a $5000 stero in a metro. The two just should not mix. If you want a sports car, go buy a sports car. Don't buy a POS and then sink big bucks into it just to make it comparable to a stock sports car. The SVT Focus is a dumb idea, the point of the focus is a moderate priced first car..or family car for those who can't afford nice expensive cars. For that purpose, it does a great job. I have driven them and like them a lot. But, I do not think makeing a special race edition POS is a smart idea. If the SVT is that bored with their lives that they have to look for things to supe up..how about the do a little more work on the damn mustang so the Cobra can stomp the Camaro..(of course that can't happen now that the Camaro is gone)..but hey..lets take on the Corvette then with a Cobra with 450 HP other than the Terminator Cobra (meaning..just a stock Cobra)
My point is this..if SVT is bored..find something better to do than fixing up a family car to just be comparable with a stock sports car...make a sports car even better.


_________________
1998 ZX-9R (heavily modified)
2001 Bullitt "Black # 1853" K&N, 30% Black Tint so far, Chrome OE Ford Bullitt Wheels, H&R 30mm Spacers, Ford Mustang Splash Gaurds

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bullitt1853 on 2001-11-29 01:22 ]</font>

 

[Blakwing]

I'd agree with the whole "First car" and "cheap car" views of the Focus if it weren't for 1 little detail. Have you ever seen one of these little demons tear ass around the Rally circuit? The Focus is far from being a little POS with no potential. And it has a long racing heritage behind it in the guise of Ford of Europe. The Focus replaced the Escort as the rally car of choice over there. Now before you start to bang on the good ol' escort as well keep in mind that European cars and our cars are 2 completely different beasts. The Cosworth Escort was a little 4cyl turbo Escort that'd give Vettes a very serious run for their money in the straight line and could realistically humiliate them in a road race. The Focus is actually pretty close to what they're actually selling in Europe and as such has TREMENDOUS potential over here as a performance car. Is it a "Muscle Car" or "Supercar" in American terms? No.. but it does fall squarely in the same class as the WRX. These 2 beasts have been bangin on each other for a few years now and so far Subaru has the slight edge.
No.. I think the SVT Focus is a great idea and a car that will appeal to those out to buy WRX's, Acuras' and Modded Honda's. It's good to know that there is a serious AMERICAN competitor in that market. And one that will do a fine job at that.

Don't try this at home kids!

_________________
Blakwing

2001 DHG Bullitt #171


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: blakwing on 2001-11-29 05:52 ]</font>

 

[mjchip]

Blakwing,

Notice how the sticker on the front of that Focus says "V8 FMC"? :smile:

Mark

 

[crs2879]

If you look at the other SVT options, Cobra and Lightning, at over $30K each it makes sense for SVT to do a cheaper edition. I don't know about most people here, but to me a $30K is an damned expensive vehicle. SVT is broadening their market to include younger drivers in hopes they will step-up to their more expensive offerings when their finances allow. If my wife could drive a stick, I might buy one for her (wink, wink) but would never think of giving-up the Bullitt for one.

 

[schmedlap]

The Focus is a real nice unit for the money and anyone who has seen it on the circuit will agree as well. It's a "right" car for the "right" people!

 

[Bullitmon]

I have to admit that I am very impressed with the Focus SVT interior. Very stylish. It's also pretty surprizing that it comes with 170 hp from the 4. The WRX is impressive but what can't pump out more HP with a turbo charger. I think it would be interesting to see the Focus SVT with a turbo charger and an aftermarket hood like the one on the Roush edition. It is nice to see that SVT is broadining it's focus (ha ha) but I am dissapointed that they aren't putting that effort into the Cobra. Is this the future of racing vehicles or just a oddity in time? Only time will tell, for me I'll take my DHG stang.

_________________
DHG #3729

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: bullitmon on 2001-11-29 14:40 ]</font>

 

[Blakwing]

Why yes.. yes there is a V8 sticker there. The car has a Cosworth prepped Turbo-4 though. Hmmm... Verrrry interesting.

 

[okanor]

Not to be ricey but as a previous owner of a Focus (now I have 2 Bullitts) because it was a fun car, Put me in a SVT Focus and you in your Bullitt on an autocross track and lets see who wins. Some of the people here are such snobs, ohh I drive a Mustang GT w/ the Bullitt package the Focus is so beneth me. I also owned a SVT Contour and loved every minute of it. You should really drive a Focus before you knock it. Ford has come a long way the compact catagory. The Focus is one hell of a deal for the money and it has every right to be graced with SVE/SVT's touch. The Bullitt is the second mustang I ever wanted (the first being a 95 Cobra R)and now I think even if I could find one I would pick the Bullitt over it. Kudo's to Ford for finally making a wide varity of cars that a lot of people can enjoy.

The only thing "ricer" here is chrome wheels on a Bullitt. Might a s well put cobra R wheels and a "whale tale" next :wink:


_________________

Steve

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: cmezip on 2001-11-29 14:41 ]</font>

 

[crs2879]

cmezip, shame on you. That comes perilously close to a flame and you know that we are only supposed applaud any mod anyone does to their Bullitt no matter how rediculous.

Now go stand in the corner and think about what you've done. Smiley Face, Smiley Face, Smiley Face.

 

[Chalmers2212]

Nice idea, to each their own. It's definetly not for me though. Uh I don't think I will be driving one anytime soon - before I knock it. I'm not much for the grocery getter - before anyone jumps on me - I know all the numbers and the SVT thing. Maybe Ford could dress up Citroen's 3-wheeled car or how about an SVT Mini???

 

[okanor]

I am up for the mini, or maybe a festvia? Comon SVT, I am going to go stand in my corner now. :smile:

 

[From the other side]

Looks like a crapload of fun to me! I'd get it if it were under 20K. Otherwise I'd start looking @ the WRX.

 

[Bullitmon]

Careful what you say,
they are expected to go for around 18K.


<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: Bullitmon on 2001-11-29 17:34 ]</font>

 

[llama_boy]

I drove a Focus for about 6 months all over Europe (France to Czech Republic to Denmark to Italy)and it is great car! I even tried to race the "bullitt" train on the A1 between Brussels and Paris! The train won although I did eek out 210kph outa the Focus :sad:
The SVT Focus will be very interesting.. I was already thinking of getting the wife a ZX3.. guess I need to look into it a little more. If I got her the SVT I might even trade days with her... then again I have a very hard time handing the Bullitt's keys over!

Hmm.. I have visions of autocrossing the SVT and dragging the bullitt.. Now I just need more money!

 

[llama_boy]

http://www.contentarts.com/Pages/LocationPages/VRTours/momapages/bmw.html

Ask and you shall receive! The mini will return and the blue and silver car in the background is a smart car http://www.smart.com is also comes in cabriolet and is pretty popular in The Netherlands and Germany.. prolly elsewhere but I only knew these places well.

 

[mustang 1]

I agree with those that say dont count it out.This car has alot of potential as an overall well balanced package.I have driven several SVT Contour's and they are a much more serious car than you think,much along the lines of the original Taurus SHO.But thats coming from a guy that loved the Torbocharged Dodge Omni GLH!

 

[Nota 50]

As the owner of two SVO's and the younger brother of someone w/ two Bullits I would take the SVT as a daily driver almost any day of the week over any of the four stangs that I could drive (well maybe 3). I love mustangs but to have a peppy car that has room to move almost anything short of a 429 Cammer motor gets better milage getting beat on than a GT stang could dream of and have low insurance to drive all the time? I'd take one if my bro could talk me out of my 4x4 gas hoggin' GMC truck that i love so much! As far as making the Focus something that it is not...that would be like trying to get a STOCK regular production Mustang (not one of the R-codes) to beat a Corvette. Oh well just my take on it. Gotta go put on my mudflaps before dark. :smile:

 

[DHG1794]

O.K. here goes.
I owned a Focus ZX3 for a while. Kona edition the one with a "KONA" mountain bike the same color as the car. Problems with my 99 Lightning, drove the ZX3 for about a year. Once Ford gets the bugs out, pretty good car. Don't slam me too hard here but, it was the best handling car I've driven, kinda like a go-cart. Of course the dohc 130hp was a gas miser 30mpg, but the new SVT @ 170HP and 168? ftlbs of tourque available below 2,000 rpm with a 6 speed gearbox can be fun for right at $18,000. The WRC car you see in the previous post is all wheel drive, turbo 320 HP 4 cylinder. Bullittheads, forgive me but Ford ricer or not that's just plain BaddAss. Anyone see the David vs Goliath article between the new Vette and the Ford FR200 Focus? Guess who one. Of course not in the 1/4 but around the racetrack 5 lap average FR200. Ford Racing. Forgive me but I like anything Ford High Performance. Oh, just FYI the 1/4 times were better than our beloved Bullitts too. Low 13's.

_________________
DHG#1794

<font size=-1>[ This Message was edited by: svtoa0100282 on 2001-11-30 00:41 ]</font>