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

[JCE]

If you have a sticker of a sports team and you never played for that team then you need to remove the sticker as well?

I'm German and I like the 'ring. The decal has the German flag on it and I'm showing my love for the 'ring. Who cares if I haven't driven it? Its not like I'm putting an RS or "R" badge on the car.

 

[McLaren]

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

JCE gets a pass. It's a little bit of a trend here for Dallas-based owners with sports cars to have European track stickers.

 

[nobuffalo]

I had the idea once, but under it I was gonna put another sticker saying "I wish..." or something stupid.

 

[JCE]

JCE gets a pass. It's a little bit of a trend here for Dallas-based owners with sports cars to have European track stickers.

Thanks. I've noticed a few cars around here with some stickers. I almost went for a Silverstone sticker, but I'm not English. Somebody from America deserpately needs a Laguna Seca sticker. Now that's a track I'd love to drive that it almost within reach of me getting to.

 

[Thatman]

IM totally going back there!! And getting me another one of dems. But this time I can put it on my Mazda while Im there. Cause last time I had to put it on the ole talon(may auto-gods rest its soul). And BTW you SHOULD go as you can easily trespass onto the track if its not busy....

 

[Omnis]

If you have a sticker of a sports team and you never played for that team then you need to remove the sticker as well?

No, but you shouldn't have a sports team sticker when you haven't even been to one of their games.

Well at least you have another reason to get to the ring now. Justify that sticker.

 

[JCE]

IM totally going back there!! And getting me another one of dems. But this time I can put it on my Mazda while Im there. Cause last time I had to put it on the ole talon(may auto-gods rest its soul). And BTW you SHOULD go as you can easily trespass onto the track if its not busy....

Referring to Laguna Seca? I'd love to go...roadtrip?

 

[Thatman]

Well actually..... I suppose I could go south first.... If your serious...considering I was planning on avoiding Nebraska 100% I wouldn't see why bringing a complete stranger would be alllll bad. You driving your Focus? lol

 

[JCE]

When I get the time, money and permission from the future-wife then I'll make a topic about the roadtrip.

And yes I'd take the Focus and not my future daily driver. As soon as the Focus is paid off I want to keep it for the toy and get another one of my favorite cars of all time...the CLS Merc.

 

[McLaren]

When I get the time, money and permission from the future-wife then I'll make a topic about the roadtrip.

And yes I'd take the Focus and not my future daily driver. As soon as the Focus is paid off I want to keep it for the toy and get another one of my favorite cars of all time...the CLS Merc.

Win.

Hate talking about having toy for the weekend, though. Makes me want to sell the other 2 & just have a NSX.

 

[nobuffalo]

Win.

Hate talking about having toy for the weekend, though. Makes me want to sell the other 2 & just have a NSX.

Then sell the other 2 and get a NSX.

 

[McLaren]

Then sell the other 2 and get a NSX.

It's tempting, but they're hard to find in good condition around here & not grossly overpriced. I also have my eyes set on cars that are easier to acquire making it tough.

 

[Thatman]

When I get the time, money and permission from the future-wife then I'll make a topic about the roadtrip.

And yes I'd take the Focus and not my future daily driver. As soon as the Focus is paid off I want to keep it for the toy and get another one of my favorite cars of all time...the CLS Merc.

sounds like a near practical plan!

 

[JCE]

Win.

Hate talking about having toy for the weekend, though. Makes me want to sell the other 2 & just have a NSX.

1. Get an NSX, you'll love it.
2. You are a fan of the CLS I take it? I LOVE IT, it just about has everything I want in an automobile. Literally, almost everything. A 6spd proper manual is all it lacks...but that's what the SVT Focus is for.

sounds like a near practical plan!

Doesn't it though?

 

[McLaren]

1. Get an NSX, you'll love it.
2. You are a fan of the CLS I take it? I LOVE IT, it just about has everything I want in an automobile. Literally, almost everything. A 6spd proper manual is all it lacks...but that's what the SVT Focus is for.

1. They're hard to find, man. AutoTrader only pulled up 5 or 6 within 200 miles of Dallas.
2. I've always loved the CLS. I'd settle for the 550, but this is just orgasmic.

 

[JCE]

On the CLS...

Having driven an CLS 63 I can attest that it is one superb machine. The presence and noise are just brilliant. And the interior felt like a million bucks.

CLS63 AMG:


Back to my Focus...

Turbo vs Supercharger

Turbo:


Supercharger:


Pretty easy decision on which one I want. Just need some $ and time.

 

[buickgnx88]

Pretty easy decision on which one I want. Just need some $ and time.

Oh I know, the electric turbocharger!

 

[JCE]

Genius.

 

[JCE]

Time to start keeping track of my mechanical repairs. My signature will point here too.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SELL THIS DAMN CAR!!

Note: I get an employee discount at my local Ford dealer so these prices are after the discount! Also these prices do not include oil changes and tires.

Repair bill so far including labor:
$100 to fix alarm electrical nightmare
$80 to repair the ignition switch
$120 to replace front wheel
$1,200 to replace clutch, throw-out bearing and other internal gizmos
$350 to replace wheel bearing and axle
$165 to replace the Thermostat housing
$109 to replace battery
$52 to replace the lower ball joint pinch bolt (WTF?)
$142 to replace Cylinder #4's coil assembly and plug
$166 to replace the front brakes
$121 to replace the passenger tie rod
$83 for an alignment
_____________________________
Total so far: $2,688


Offtopic: Can a mod move this to the Member's Rides forum for me please? I don't recall that forum being here when I posted this topic.

 

[Sly Guy]

Time to start keeping track of my mechanical repairs. My signature will point here too.

I CANNOT WAIT TO SELL THIS DAMN CAR!!

Note: I get an employee discount at my local Ford dealer so these prices are after the discount! Also these prices do not include oil changes and tires.

Repair bill so far including labor:
$100 to fix alarm electrical nightmare Aftermarket alarm?
$80 to repair the ignition switch This was more prominent in older Focuses...
$120 to replace front wheel That's actually cheap. Tire Rack lists one rim for $175
$1,200 to replace clutch, throw-out bearing and other internal gizmos Luk clutch kit is $400 itself off eBay
$350 to replace wheel bearing and axle
$165 to replace the Thermostat housing The only thing that leaks from there is the o-ring, 50 cent fix.
$109 to replace battery
$52 to replace the lower ball joint pinch bolt (WTF?) The bolts are specific and a bitch to remove. Bolt itself is like $4
$142 to replace Cylinder #4's coil assembly and plug The car only uses one coilpack. I bought a new OEM one off eBay for $50
$166 to replace the front brakes The SVT has specific brakes. Largest offered on the focus actually
$121 to replace the passenger tie rod
$83 for an alignment
_____________________________
Total so far: $2,688

Even though you got a discount, it was probably only for the parts. Rest, of course, would be labor.

I own a Focus too, and I swapped the SVT engine, trans, suspension, interior, and brakes.

Are you a member on FJ or FF?

 

[Eric.]

1. They're hard to find, man. AutoTrader only pulled up 5 or 6 within 200 miles of Dallas.
2. I've always loved the CLS. I'd settle for the 550, but this is just orgasmic.

Please, I drove about 250 miles for an '87 MR2. You should be willing to fly to NorCal to pick up the right car.

 

[McLaren]

Please, I drove about 250 miles for an '87 MR2. You should be willing to fly to NorCal to pick up the right car.

I am now-a-days for the right model. I almost considered a M3 right out of Washington til' Compass decided to punk out on the loan. 👎

Last NSX I considered was sometime late last year. But, I knew I'd catch hell & everything else from this forum; it was AT.

 

[Eric.]

Ew. Yeah don't buy an AT NSX.

I didn't realize how old that post was when I quoted it. What cars do you have now?

 

[McLaren]

Ew. Yeah don't buy an AT NSX.

I didn't realize how old that post was when I quoted it. What cars do you have now?

I have the TL & a '11 328i Coupe. Got rid of the Si back around January.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

So basically you've recently been hit with a combination of "🤬 happens" and "nothing lasts forever".

Those prices don't look half bad IMO.

 

[Joey D]

Eh it's an SVT Focus, they have issues. A buddy of mine had one and was always tinkering with it because something was broke on it, but he loved it when it was running.

My suggestion is get on Focus Fanatics and look through the classified, you can probably get a lot of used parts for much cheaper to save you a couple bucks when something goes wrong. It seems like someone is always parting out an SVT on there.

 

[JCE]

Newsflash, after almost 2 years I am through with this car. This is a mechanical nightmare and no amount of excellent handling can overcome the cost thus far. As soon as I can pay enough of the car to break even (next spring) I am selling or trading this bitch.

My new budget is a max of $17,000 USD and cannot be older than 2001. I would prefer less than 75k miles as well. When the time comes I will make a new topic. In the meantime I will continue to research reliability and gather owner experiences of the possible candidates.

 

[Joey D]

2012 Focus...you know you want one.

 

[Tornado]

$17,000 and no older than 2001... well... how about an SVT Focus!

 

[JCE]

2012 Focus...you know you want one.

Actually no. I think I am done with Focus ownership. 3 was enough of them to own.

I want something RWD. I'll be posting a new car hunt thread soon. The wife agrees that I don't need something with 4 doors as it would make me unhappy. Except a Charger or C-class. This leaves me with some cars that were always on my list...

$17,000 and no older than 2001... well... how about an SVT Focus!

NOT FUNNY!!!