Why does the SVT Focus suck?

[Feersty]

Chad says that the SVT Focus blows ass, I want a few reasons, because I definitely enjoyed driving it. Most of us don't like domestiks anyway so that is why I was wondering.

[white_2kgt]

It's not any one thing with the SVT version. The Non SVT focus is a pretty good car, but with the SVT one most people either have problems or lots of problems. It just wasn't a refined SVT product like the cobra and lightning's are/were. It's almost like SVT didn't even really try. Just surf over at SVTPerformance and read about all the problems owners have with the SVT focus. Don't get me wrong, I love my fords. But the SVT Focus just doesn't live up to the name.

--chad

[Feersty]

Yeah I have been cruising SVT Performance, saw one mention of a clutch problem that is about it, but I haven't looked that hard, obviously.

[Mike]

domestiks

:?: did you mean dumbestics or did you spell domestics wrong?

svt focus is a good car on paper, and it performs well, but for how long will it continue to do so? that is the big question.

[Feersty]

domestiks

:?: did you mean dumbestics or did you spell domestics wrong?

svt focus is a good car on paper, and it performs well, but for how long will it continue to do so? that is the big question.

Spelled domestics wrong on purpose. Yeah it it the Ford reliability once again.

[Mike]

"ford reliability" is used a bit too often. other manufacturers have problems too, not everyone is on the toyota/honda level.

[ScottyB]

i wish they would have brought the RS version over

america gets hosed....again

[DierwulfBL]

SVT cobra drivetrain in a focus..........mmmmmmm if you get a focus get that

[KPWSerpiente]

It's been done many times. But it costs $$.

-T

[ViPER1313]

It's been done many times. But it costs $$.

-T

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.oncracing.com/">http://www.oncracing.com/</a><!-- m --> - 30k for a turnkey car

[KPWSerpiente]

The shop I am thinking of does a 03 motor and drivetrain, and cost a lot more. Or at least it did back when I talked to the head guy who did the design work with Ford on it.

-T

[ViPER1313]

The shop I am thinking of does a 03 motor and drivetrain, and cost a lot more. Or at least it did back when I talked to the head guy who did the design work with Ford on it.

-T

There are web sites that sell complete kits to do a conversion such as <!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.ford-v8-focus.com/">http://www.ford-v8-focus.com/</a><!-- m --> - you can supply your own engine.

[Mike]

<!-- m --><a class="postlink" href="http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/advisory/engines.2005stopship03jan05.htm">http://www.blueovalnews.com/2005/adviso ... 3jan05.htm</a><!-- m --> i try to stick up for ford, but they make it harder for me each day.

[JackoliciousLegs]

I didn't like the drive of the SVT fucus either.... The driving position felt awkward and the shifter felt bad. It's not a bad hatch, but not my favorite. All this aside from reliability issues....

[CaptainHenreh]

All this aside from reliability issues....

The definition of irony: A rotary-driver saying anything at all about the "reliability issues" of another car.

[Mike]

All this aside from reliability issues....

The definition of irony: A rotary-driver saying anything at all about the "reliability issues" of another car.

Posting what Jack will say before he says it: I've had fewer issues with the rotary than I had with my Integra!

[G.Irish]

All this aside from reliability issues....

The definition of irony: A rotary-driver saying anything at all about the "reliability issues" of another car.

Posting what Jack will say before he says it: I've had fewer issues with the rotary than I had with my Integra!

Duh, that's what happens when you buy a ragged out car.

[JackoliciousLegs]

man! You guys are pulling whole sentences out of my mouth!

[NTIman]

A few of my friends have SVT foci. They both bought them with around 30k miles. On on of them the clutch went out within 2 weeks of buying it. The other focus backfired once and shot flames 5 feet out the exhaust. I've driven one once,the interior sucks and its hard to see out the back glass. Car runs fairly decent,but I think Ford threw the car together too quickly.As for "Ford reliability",any car where most guys run the piss out of them constantly isn't going to be reliable. I am a big Ford fan and ( although they aren't perfect) my Zx2 has 125,000 miles and i have had no problems out of it. The biggest reason why Ford sucks is that they generally have bad customer service when you do have a problem.

[G.Irish]

As for "Ford reliability",any car where most guys run the piss out of them constantly isn't going to be reliable. I am a big Ford fan and ( although they aren't perfect) my Zx2 has 125,000 miles and i have had no problems out of it. The biggest reason why Ford sucks is that they generally have bad customer service when you do have a problem.

That explanation does not cover the 9 recalls the Focus had in its first year. As far as driving cars hard, yes it does reduce the reliability of a car but look at some other cars and you'll see that the SVT Focus did not measure up favorably against them. Now it wasn't as bad as say, the 3rd Gen RX-7, but it was certainly worse than stuff like the Civic Si, Sentra SE-R, Mustang, Camaro, etc.

Its a real shame because the car had strong performance for the money and went some ways towards restoring faith in the brand but unfortunately the problems negated some of that positive effect.