2003 SVT Focus: The read headed step-child does it again.

[JCE]

In the UK, we also got a wagon version

Nice choice, JCE 👍 One of the people on my team at work has an ST170 and loves it, and I've always liked the look of those Focus models. Welcome to the world of a Ford whose chassis and major controls (steering, gearshift etc) are better than those of many sports cars. Ford gearboxes are especially good, I've found.

What? An estate version of the ST170? Pics please!

Love it 👍

Very impressed with the condition of that interior, too. Clearly the state of Texas looked after it But yeah, hairdryer those vinyl things immediately. They're very early-90s-Suzuki-Vitara.

Thanks, and yes as soon as there is one more sunny weekend I am going to attempt to remove the vinyl.

 

[McLaren]

Well, at least now you'll be easy to spot. Don't see SVT Focus' anymore.

 

[homeforsummer]

What? An estate version of the ST170? Pics please!

And a review

 

[JCE]

Oh, that's pretty damn cool actually. I'll go read the review.

 

[JCE]

Update! I had my insurance run my new car since I had to get Allstate on black Friday because my insurance office was closed. My insurance is, are you ready, $64.17/mo for full coverage with every option put on it. I love being old and in a good insurance bracket.

 

[Omnis]

And a review

Now that is awesome.

 

[Philly]

Sweet choice! One of my friends has one and it's just like a go cart. Definitely looks like a great car.

Now go supercharge it.

 

[JCE]

I took the SVTF out for a little drive and took a corner that I took in my Camaro and minivan at what I thought was a good speed (40mph for the Camaro and 35mph for the minivan), that is to say what speed those vehicles could take at their limit. My Focus literally almost doubled their speed though the corner @ 70mph. This thing handles WAY better than my old ZX5/ZX3 did. There is literally ZERO understeer, the tires don't even make the squealing noise. I've never driven another car that handles any better, the Prelude and SE-R I had before don't even come close. And I don't even think the tires on this are even Z-rated and for sports cars.

So thank you SVT for making possibly the most fun car to drive I've ever owned.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Sounds like you made the right choice!

 

[homeforsummer]

I've never driven another car that handles any better, the Prelude and SE-R I had before don't even come close. And I don't even think the tires on this are even Z-rated and for sports cars.

So thank you SVT for making possibly the most fun car to drive I've ever owned.

Here we have an example of virtually every Ford Europe chassis since about the mid nineties 👍 From a Ka (well... not so much the new one, but that's a Fiat anyway...) to an S-Max they're all very, very good indeed.

It's a pity they've forgotten how to make them look nice in the last few years...

 

[JCE]

The chassis might be European but the suspension of the SVT was done in America wasn't it not? Either way, this car handles like a freaking dream!

Sounds like you made the right choice!

Yup.

 

[homeforsummer]

The chassis might be European but the suspension of the SVT was done in America wasn't it not? Either way, this car handles like a freaking dream!

I think you're right, the tuning of the shocks and such were done by SVT, though the basic chassis and bits were a European design so we can take some credit I'm not sure if the ST170 had different settings at all, though it wouldn't surprise me. You have Cosworth and Getrag to thank for the engine and gearbox too

 

[JCE]

Had to get the warranty people to replace the ignition lock cylinder because it froze.

But the verdict is in, I LOVE THIS CAR!!

Holy F'ing handling Batman!. The rate this thing takes corners is just beyond brilliant. I love everything about it. Next year I'll be doing some minor performance upgrades. Nothing big, bug enough to get me at least 185bhp.

Also, I'll be taking some very detailed photos once the vinyls get taken off and my new SVT badge (from a Terminator) get put on.

 

[mustangGT90210]

Fominator eh?

 

[JCE]

When I supercharge it I will call it my Focimator!

 

[mustangGT90210]

Haha sweet, even though I prefer fominator

 

[ND4SPD]

I took the SVTF out for a little drive and took a corner that I took in my Camaro and minivan at what I thought was a good speed (40mph for the Camaro and 35mph for the minivan), that is to say what speed those vehicles could take at their limit. My Focus literally almost doubled their speed though the corner @ 70mph. This thing handles WAY better than my old ZX5/ZX3 did. There is literally ZERO understeer, the tires don't even make the squealing noise. I've never driven another car that handles any better, the Prelude and SE-R I had before don't even come close. And I don't even think the tires on this are even Z-rated and for sports cars.

So thank you SVT for making possibly the most fun car to drive I've ever owned.

Speaking of epic handling FWD car's did you take a look at a Mazdaspeed Protegé? Some call it the best handling FWD car out there. I used to have an issue of Road and Track where they compared the car's handling to Elise's and Ferrari's and the MS Protege came out on par with the best of them.

 

[JCE]

I didn't look at them mainly because I knew it would be impossible to find one that was at a dealership that would finance me. I got LUCKY finding an SVT Focus. The dealer was an off-lease and or rental return dealer. They bought my SVTF at a local auction.

But I do know that the MSP is one of the best FWD cars ever. Not that quick in a straight line compared to the Spec V but enough speed veritcally and horizontally to be a GREAT driver's car.

 

[Boz Mon]

So I have to ask, how does it compare to the Prelude handling wise?

 

[JCE]

It is far superior. It makes the Prelude feel heavy. The Prelude has considerably more understeer than the SVTF. The Prelude is good but the SVTF is just in a league all its own. I'd probably put that to the Focus chassis.

 

[JCE]

New pics updated in the first post. woot

 

[Cano]

ah, very nice choice. I took a ride in one at a club track meet once and was also utterly astounded by how it handled. The fact thst it is a 4 door makes it even cooler in my book also. Now go get a 572 for your Camaro (if you even still have it).

 

[JCE]

I bought one of these for the Focus:


I also put my KAISER custom Texas license plate on him, pics of that are soon to come. Also, the clutch master cylinder is leaking but other than that the car runs great! I've almost passed 66,000 miles.

 

[JCE]

The plate:

Where to put the Nurburgring decal? A, B or C? Or somewhere else?

 

[Lucas]

A friendly advice: don't put that decal on your car. It could make you look stupid. Especially if people asked you if you have been there. C seems like the best option, though.

 

[Joey D]

Put it on the glass. Stickers on the paint work is a no-no unless they are stripes or something.

 

[Boz Mon]

I would go with A just to be sure it doesnt ruin any paint when/if you want to remove it.

 

[JCE]

The good news is the SVT Cobra badge looks awsome on the Focus. I really like it.

The bad news is the Nurburgring decal was put at a slight angle because I was an idiot and wasn't paying as much attention as I should of been. I don't like the way it looks slightly tilted.

Opinions?

Before (after SVTF emblem debadged):

After:

 

[JCE]

I removed those craptastic side vinyls.

Before:

After:

Oh, and I also bought me an SVT center cap for $11 at my local Ford dealer I used to work at. And now I'm ordering a SVT wheel as well.

 

[Omnis]

You actually put the Ring sticker on your car? Fail. You should know better than that. No track stickers unless you've driven it.