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

If I could even contimplate owning a WRX, as ugly as it is, I don't think I'll have a problem owning an SVT Focus.

I got rid of my SVT 6 weeks ago. Got this Sable LS, which in many ways is a better car than the SVT. But....one year down the road I'll be in a 323i, A4, or the Lincoln LS. That is what I consider upwardly mobile.

Spending less does not mean I've gone down in the world, but going back to a small car does. I owned a 1985 Nova and a 1994 Sentra before this, and I just don't want to go back there.

FWIW, the Focus I drove WAS a Street Edition, but no small car, including the Focus is a 30,000 mile a year car (with many trips) to me.

I'm not saying the Focus is not an excellent small car. In fact, I recommend it to people shopping for a small car. However, NO Focus can fill Ross' (or any other Contour's) shoes.

I think the SVT F has a far different image than the Contour. It's a personality difference. Both will handle very well, but the SVT C is the hardest FWD car I've driven at the limit. It's very rewarding, but it has to be finessed to get excellent lap times. I think of it as a little more sofisticated than the SVT F. I suspect the Focus will be more of a point and shoot typical FWD handler which is very easy to find the limits. I think it would be less rewarding, personally. It doesn't fit me, nor do I think the image fits you, James. But I'll highly recommend the car to many boy racer types.

Aaron

I just want to know why James is so pre-occupied w/ size????

Because, honey, size REALLY does matter! :p :p

On a serious note, though, I drive over 30,000 miles a year. When you spend that amount of time in your vehicular relationship, the right size of car is VERY important, as it the look, the feel, and every other facet of the car.

Geesh, I feel bad for those people downgrading from those Chevy Astros to those teeeny little ferrari's.
:rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

In all seriousness though ( :D) the SVT Contour is a small sedan. It is rated at somewhere between a C and D class size car, while a Focus is rated as a C class. The Focus 3 dr has the same if not more interior room in every conceivable measurement.
James, I think it is clear that your reason for not liking the Focus comes from its styling; it doesn't suit the image you want, while the Contour does. Nothing wrong w/ that, but let's call it what it is, and not disparage a car that you have neither sat in nor driven, and probably haven't seen in person. There is no question that the SVT Focus will have a completely different "soul" than the SVT Contour, but I highly doubt that makes it a "step down" even its outside dimension does not accurately describe it's position in the "status" ladder. Heck, if that was the case, we would all drive Crown Vics.

"It is rated at somewhere between a C and D class size car, while a Focus is rated as a C class."

Is this anything like cup size?

It's not a Contour.

Seriously, after having the Contour, my opinion of Ford has gone down. Our Infiniti is great. I know it's more expensive, but it still feels like it's better quality -- everything in the car does! Even the pedals feel nicer.