Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General reasons NOT to buy svt focus??

the SVT Focus looks to be a solid performer, if I were a girl I might look into buying one. But until that sex change operation, I have a list of cars that would kick the sh*t out of a focus in every category including performance and looks that I could get my hands on for around or under 20k.

Not that I have anything against the Focus, its just I'll forever be pissed that SVT bent over backwards to make sure the aftermarket's available for the Focus but treat the CSVT like the drunken uncle of the family that nobody talks about.

So how come I feel more crampped in a ZX3??
Does numbers do make it look bigger inside but I feel my CSVT feel much bigger.
Anyways, I guess it depends what kind of person you are and how you feel inside the car.
And as for the statement that the car should look and handle good, I totally agree. Is not only the performance, but the looks have to do a lot with a car.
One can't see the car while driving, but I do like to see a nice looking car everytime I see it parked.

I find it curious that any contour owner would put down Focus as too small inside when facts do not support this. I travel alot and my company has Hertz Gold plan so I drove lots of Contour/Mystique and all kinds of Focus and I can tell you without getting out the measuring tape, the Focus is bigger inside in every possible way. Even the ZX3 has more useable back seat than the Contour and the bigger doors make up for having no rear door. Getting in the back seat of ZX3 is not as bad of a bet as getting in the back seat of Contour.

James,
The RS is not in production currently, but is under development, as I understand it. So it is not "in the euro toybox" any more than the WRC focus is (not that I would mind)

Personally, I would love to see a turbo focus in the US as much as you would; unfortunately, I don't get to make that decision, nor am I likely to know if they do make that decision (at least not any sooner than anyone else here) But what I do know, is that the hard part of developing a new powertrain is the calibration of it and its subsystems to meet local emisisons and other laws. These are entirely different in the US than in europe, and so, even on a already developed engine, the hard (and expensive) part of certifying the powertrain for sale in the US must be re-done, and rarely does this happen for a limited production vehicle, as a turbo focus would have to be.

now, I am not knocking Contour's at all, but the SVT focus will be faster, and handle better, whether or not you like the way it looks or how many doors it has. It will be 2 model years newer than the latest Contour to roll off the assembly line, would you rather Ford not improve the performance of its small sporty cars?
The SVT Focus will be substantially lighter than the SVT Contour w/ only a 30hp deficit, and it will have a much fatter tq curve too, w/ 85% of its peak tq available at 2000rpm (IIRC) the SVT Focus will have roughly 15.3 lbs/hp (~2600lbs/170hp) to the SVT Contour's 15.7 lbs/hp (~3150lbs/200hp)
Also, the Focus has proven itself to have superb driving dynamics, even on the standard suspension setup, which SVT will no doubt tighten up and make it even better.

Assuredly, the SVT Focus will not be for everyone, especially w/ the controversial styling, the lack of rear doors, or even Ford's recent quality record; but to the fools who feebly attempt to discredit a car because they are ignorant, or really don't like the way it looks, or even if they are mad because Ford stopped making the Contour, you are wasting your breath, because this little goofy looking car will kick ass when it hits the showroom floors.

Though I have no plans to get rid of my Contour, or even to consider getting an SVT Focus, I still must give props where they are due.

I was going to comment on how I'd expect the SVT Focus's lighter weight to significantly increase the fun factor, but I couldn't support that on power:weight ratio alone. I came up with 2769 lbs/170 bhp = 16.29 lbs/bhp for the Focus (from Supercars.net) and 3068 lbs/195 hp = 15.73 lbs/bhp for an E0 (from 1998 SVT Sell Sheet).

I also recall big promises of low-end torque for the Focus, though... Plus, >10% less weight, (presumably) lower polar moment of inertia, and more contact patch than my E0 sounds like a recipe for a grin-inducing, tossable car. As long as SVT Focus has fewer than 4 doors, the wife won't let me get one, but I'll be anxious to test drive one anyway!

I used the same weight for both cars, the published curb weights, though I admit I did use the weight from the premium ZX3 for the focus, but it should be very close, I will check on the actual weight #s for the Focus as soon as I can.

Rara, to help you out with everyone's issues with the Focus not having more doors, word at www.focaljet.com is that SVT did a survey trying to poll interest in offering an SVT version of the five-door Focus ZX5 that's finally being released in the states...

No word on whether it's a go or no-go yet from SVT, or just a load of BS, but maybe Troy@SVT could come back and give us a little hint?!? (wink wink, nudge nudge)

Oh, I also posted a pic of the Focus RS for anyone who hasn't seen it over in the : other thread going on about the SVT Focus. :eek

i would wait for SVT to roll out a hopped up ZX5. Those things are very popular in the UK and Ireland. I saw thousands of them, and people swear by them. they are ride lower over there than they do here and apparently handle better than the other body types. plus, LOTS of aftermarket stuff to make the car faster, better, and different. i don't particularly like the looks of the ZX3, hence the new SVT doesn't really appeal to me, bu the lines of the ZX5 match up well, and is supposed to be the most balanced focus available.

also, to rebutt what Troy@SVT posted:

i have driven a ZX3 with all the options, the ride was quite nice, but the car felt too small. the ride height was way too tall for a car that short and it felt like it was going to tip over going into corners. in other words, it feels nothing like the contour, and that's not a good thing.

also, regarding interior dimensions...the numbers really mean nothing. in reality the rear leg room in a ZX3 is about 1/2 what it is in my car. you have to sit with your knees touching to fit behind the driver's seat when someone like me (5'11") is driving. the sedan or 5 door would have been a much better replacement for the CSVT, IMO. more room, more doors, bigger feel, and more balance around corners.

IMO, all Contiques, even my E0, are a bit tippy in the corners - especially if there are some bumps thrown in. Just part of the compromise. I'd like to get my hands on a Focus S2 with the stiffer suspension.

Troy - how similar are the Focus S2 and Focus SVT suspensions?