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I was looking at trading in my contour and I thought why not get another SVT? So I drove a focus today. I like the styling of it pretty well and it drives pretty good, but I really wasn't all that impressed with the power. It did't seem to have the same get up and go that the contour does. Has anyone else driven one, and what do you think about it?
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Can't say I've driven the SVT Focus, but I did test drive a Vibe GT over the weekend. Similarly disappointed. 8K rev limits are cool, but what a dog to 6K RPMs. Even after that point, the pull didn't seem too impressive. Granted, there were 3 of us in the car for the test drive, but still...
Just confirmed what a good car the SVT Contours were (are). I'm waiting for the PT Turbo's to come out and give those a look-see. Still, I'm surprised that they are only mid 7's in the 0-60 and upper 15's according to the magazines. Nothing a chip can't fix I'm sure.
Stay tuned.
Jim Harris
98.5 E1
87,800 miles
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99 SVT Contour Silver Frost, #365/2760
91 Isuzu Impulse XS Kammback, Handling By Lotus
Victoria, BC, Canada
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Originally posted by idon'thaveaname:
I was looking at trading in my contour and I thought why not get another SVT? So I drove a focus today. I like the styling of it pretty well and it drives pretty good, but I really wasn't all that impressed with the power. It did't seem to have the same get up and go that the contour does. Has anyone else driven one, and what do you think about it? You know it's funny, but everybody with the SVT Contour that test drives the Focus SVT comments about the power. But the Focus has similar power to the wheels and VERY close 0 to 60 and 1/4 mile times. The question is what is so different about the power? 
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What's so different about the power? Well, they squeezed 170hp at the crank out of a 4 cyl engine without a supercharger. While I love my Zetec, I don't see why they made an SVT model with the Zetec, it should have been a V6. Someone put a Duratec in the Focus, so it's humanly possible; why didn't Ford do this?
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Originally posted by Rynn:
Someone put a Duratec in the Focus, so it's humanly possible; why didn't Ford do this? It won't pass federal crash requirements.
Very few of life's problems can not be solved with the reasonable application of more horsepower! ********* 2001 SVT Mustang Cobra My Ride Former Owner of: '00 Contour SVT #1931/2150
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If the SVTF is to slow for you, don?t buy it. I happen to think that the power is fine, but then I?m coming from a V6/ATX Contour. Like the Contour, I don?t think that SVT?s intent with the Focus was to make a 1/4 mile monster but instead to make an all around great enthusiast car. And IMO SVT did a great job. What was the MSRP on the SVTC? What is the MSRP of the SVTF? Does the power difference reflect in the price? Would people be flocking to the SVTF if it had 205HP but priced at 23K? It is a Focus after all, and the story might be different if all-wheel drive was thrown into the equation. Bottom line, the SVT Focus is a great car, and a totally different car than the Contour.
Clinton
'96 T-Red Contour SE V6 ATX
'01 Radium Sentra SE
-Waiting for-
'02 CD Silver Focus SVT
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Yeah what he said  The Focus although hitting 170hp still has a low torque number. It was not built as a drag racer and Ford never said it was made to go super fast in a straight line. It is about as fast as a regular duratech Contour (like mean green was), but the car really shines on a track where it's beefed up suspension and bigger brakes come to play. I like the car personally, but I like the 5 door version I saw better (I hate the two door even though they are identical save for the extra doors and a slightly different shaped rear window)
1996 Contour "Mean Green" (99-02)
2002 Malibu Blue Focus ZX5 - something to hold the PB 15...
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Keep in mind we are all using uncalibrated butt dynos. The SVT Contour has always felt quicker than its numbers suggest. Ask the '94 Cobra guys (Rara & Bassen) how they think the Cobra compares in feel to the SVT Contour. About equal despite at least 0.5s quicker in the quarter mile (stock). The Focus I am guessing does'nt have the quick feel to it (the tall gearing doesn't help either).
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