New car: 03 SVT Focus
Nov 24, 2004, 09:55 PM
#1
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Nashville
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
New car: 03 SVT Focus
I just bought a 2003 SVT focus today for a daily driver. Overall I like the car but DAMN it's slow!! I am soooo spoiled by my Evo! But seriously, I didn't want a fast car as a daily driver. Driving a slower car all week long makes the Evo seem even faster when I hop into it!
The interior of the SVT Focus is nice. Comfortable seating, with high side bolsters-although nowhere near as high as the Recaros. They are leather on the outside and some type of cloth (similar to the recaros) in the center. The driver-side seat has power (only lifts up and down) and adjustable lumbar support.
The stock sound system is freakin great! it has a 6-disc in-dash changer, separates in the doors and a 8" sub out back. sound quality is amazing and it gets LOUD!
I like how smooth the 6speed shifts, although it could use some urethane bushings and a shorter throw. Luckily, there are several aftermarket solutions available.
I like the styling of the car. Ive always been sort of fond of hatchbacks. It has the HID headlights and factory foglights...nice.
The brakes are fairly nice with 300mm front and 280mm rear, but use single piston floating calipers-like Hondas.
It came factory with 17" rims that really don't look bad at all. Sort of like Enkei RP01.
I'll post pics soon, but I want to wait and take pics together with my Evo after if gets out of the shop.
Oh yeah, I got the car for just a tad over $12k
The interior of the SVT Focus is nice. Comfortable seating, with high side bolsters-although nowhere near as high as the Recaros. They are leather on the outside and some type of cloth (similar to the recaros) in the center. The driver-side seat has power (only lifts up and down) and adjustable lumbar support.
The stock sound system is freakin great! it has a 6-disc in-dash changer, separates in the doors and a 8" sub out back. sound quality is amazing and it gets LOUD!
I like how smooth the 6speed shifts, although it could use some urethane bushings and a shorter throw. Luckily, there are several aftermarket solutions available.
I like the styling of the car. Ive always been sort of fond of hatchbacks. It has the HID headlights and factory foglights...nice.
The brakes are fairly nice with 300mm front and 280mm rear, but use single piston floating calipers-like Hondas.
It came factory with 17" rims that really don't look bad at all. Sort of like Enkei RP01.
I'll post pics soon, but I want to wait and take pics together with my Evo after if gets out of the shop.
Oh yeah, I got the car for just a tad over $12k
Nov 26, 2004, 07:46 AM
#3
Evolved Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Diamond Bar, California
Posts: 3,783
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Yeah good buy, man that is a great daily driver. Usually people buy like some $2,000 Civic or Escort as a second daily driver, but the Focus is nice.
Nov 26, 2004, 10:47 AM
#6
Evolved Member
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Vestal, NY
Posts: 542
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Nov 26, 2004, 12:24 PM
#7
Evolved Member
iTrader: (13)
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Parkland WA
Posts: 1,076
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the svt's are nice for a daily drive. I drove one around one for a while. Mine was the ZX5 though. Which one is yours the 3 or 5? Thats a really good price on one too, how many miles did she come with?
Trending Topics
Nov 26, 2004, 10:45 PM
#8
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Nashville
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ok, well today something "broke" in or around the intake manifold on the focus. Some solenoid or something that requires removing the entire intake manifold and all the upper engine misc. pieces. Since I had the car less than 48 hours, I basically told them they could keep the p.o.s.
SO...that said, I guess this thread is now null and void since I cancelled the purchase order/contract, tore up the deposit check, and told the dealer to "bite me" They weren't too happy, but I guess they understood because they didn't argue about it too much.
I still have my 88 civic hb beater, I guess Ill continue driving that...although it's ugly and slow!
SO...that said, I guess this thread is now null and void since I cancelled the purchase order/contract, tore up the deposit check, and told the dealer to "bite me" They weren't too happy, but I guess they understood because they didn't argue about it too much.
I still have my 88 civic hb beater, I guess Ill continue driving that...although it's ugly and slow!
Nov 26, 2004, 10:56 PM
#9
That is a very common problem with the car. I had 2 done under warranty, and they supposedly now have a new and improved part.
I got an 03 when they first came out. When the rebate kicked in you could have gotten a new one for somewhere around 16k and it was a great car for the money, a very well balanced, solid, sporty small car. Best of all was that it came with the SVT "preferred" service package. Its a good thing that they included a loaner car when the car was in for repair work, because I spent a lot of time driving rental cars.
Long story short, SVTF is a great car. Make sure you get one still under factory warranty or buy an extended warranty and make sure you have rental car coverage.
I got an 03 when they first came out. When the rebate kicked in you could have gotten a new one for somewhere around 16k and it was a great car for the money, a very well balanced, solid, sporty small car. Best of all was that it came with the SVT "preferred" service package. Its a good thing that they included a loaner car when the car was in for repair work, because I spent a lot of time driving rental cars.
Long story short, SVTF is a great car. Make sure you get one still under factory warranty or buy an extended warranty and make sure you have rental car coverage.
Nov 28, 2004, 06:06 PM
#12
Evolving Member
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Jackson, MS
Posts: 218
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Ford is INTENT on preserving their "fixed or repaired daily" reputation. You will find that out with every Ford product that you own!
Now that being said, I kind of like the new Mustangs
Now that being said, I kind of like the new Mustangs
Nov 28, 2004, 08:45 PM
#13
Evolved Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (14)
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Nashville
Posts: 1,168
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
actually, I will just continue to drive the crappy blue civic. Today reminded me why I got it in the first place. I can just park it anywhere and dont sweat when some old fart in a 2ton truck parks so close I cant even open the door. So, I'll just putt around in my blue-bucket and smile at my 40mpg...but I GOTTA tint the windows so nobody sees me!! It is kinda hard to get any respect in an $800 car. I actually had a sales rep today tell me he could "probably give me an appraisal on my car without driving it" I just started laughing!
