I didn't stall mine on the test drive! Do I get a cookie?
However, I did almost throw the salesman through the windshield. The brakes bite HARD, with very little travel. When I get back in the SVT, I have a little moment of panic when I hit the brakes, because they travel... and travel... and just when I'm sure that I have a broken brake line.... then they bite.
There are a few issues that people have had, mostly with fit and finish issues, but a few more serious. Mine had to have the hatch repainted due to some very minor (but enough to bother me) bubbling in the paint on the bottom edge. I also had the third brakelight and one of the foglights replaced because they had excess condensation in them. Everything has been covered under warranty, including a free rental for me when I had the hatch repainted.
There is a TSB out for all the '13 models regarding the lower motor mount - it's very flexible, and allows a huge amount of engine movement on hard shifts. Turn the traction control off, do a hard 1-2 and 2-3 shift, and you'll feel like the engine is coming through the firewall. Seriously - it scared the crap out of me the first time it happened, and I knew it was coming (thank you,
www.focusst.org). The TSB replaces the rear motor mount and a clutch line that needs a slight re-route. I had this done, and it's remarkably improved. There are also stiffer aftermarket motor mounts you can buy that will remove almost all the movement. Here's the difference:
My insurance isn't bad at all. The SVT alone with full coverage was $70/month, and the two together are $130.
So far I've got just a few modifications - Steeda short throw shifter and bracket, higher-flow air filter, Superchips SCR Tuner (won that in a photo contest!), and 20% tint all around, with 70% on the windshield. My next step will be exhaust, but I'm not sure when that will happen.
