Tuesday 30th June 2015

Ford Focus RS: Spotted

An unmolested fast Ford icon for £10K? Best get in before the new one bumps them up!

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There's a fun game to play in the classifieds, called 'How silly are fast Ford prices today?'. Someone picks an ad (a third person, to prevent cheating), the other two guess the price, closest to it wins that round. Go again. Trickier than it sounds though because everything is so damn expensive!

Now this is stance

Examples? Racing Puma, #339 of 500 and 68,000 miles; £12K. Escort Cossie? £35,000. Sierra RS500? Seventy thousand pounds.

So to see the first Focus RS still available with reasonable mileage for £10,950 is quite a surprise. Sure, you can still spend more on a minter but even a car with 14,000 miles is £18K. Given where the rest of the fast Ford back catalogue appears to be heading that looks remarkable value.

As the car ages the bespoke nature of the Focus RS really appeals. There's that oft-quoted figure that Ford lost £4,000 on every RS thanks to an AP Racing clutch, Quaife diff, Sachs dampers, OZ wheels, Brembo brakes and Sparco seats. Ford's own press release says 70 per cent of the parts were new. On a Focus! That's pretty cool.

So while it may lack the rarity or competition pedigree of other RS models, there's little doubting the Focus as bona fide icon. To this day a debate continues on the driving experience, whether the diff is too aggressive and if the car is unsuited to British roads. Some love them, others hate them. It's also worth stressing again that every Focus RS seems to be different so it's worth trying a few.

Don't forget the starter button!

This car appeals due to being unmodified and having a fairly low mileage if 76,000. Get a proper plate back on there and job's a good'n. The RS seems to respond well to mods - see this 440hp version! - but it will surely prove the standard cars that are the most desirable. More knowledgeable fast Ford fans than us will be able to identify this as a Phase 1 or Phase 2 and the relative benefits of each. Being such a revered car too the Internet is awash with purchasing advice.

So there you have it. A good example of a great hot hatch and a legendary fast Ford as well, interest in which will surely continue to rise over the coming months. It wasn't that long ago the good cars were £7K... Grab it while you can!

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FORD FOCUS RS MK1
Engine: 1,989cc four-cyl turbo
Transmission: Five-speed manual, front-wheel drive
Power (hp): 215@5,500rpm
Torque (lb ft): 228@3,800rpm
MPG: 28
CO2: 237g/km
First registered: 2003
Recorded mileage: 76,215
Price new: £19,995
Yours for: £10,950

See original advert here.

[The Don of Croy]

Now that tales of 'classic car' prices have become mainstream then surely the (inevitable) crash cannot be far away?

That aside, £10k for a bespoke performance car from Henry's stable seems actually reasonable.

[iloveboost]

I thought prices for older versions of the equivalent model fall slightly, when a new facelift or model comes out?

[neil-935ql]

I think good rs examples will always hold there values low mileage cars even more so

[ejenner]

I keep seeing 'An error has occurred' when I try to give this a low rating. Clearly some market manipulation going on.

I like Fords but I'd want to pay about £4-5k for something like that. Just wouldn't seem right paying as much as 10.

[deadmau5]

ejenner said:

I keep seeing 'An error has occurred' when I try to give this a low rating. Clearly some market manipulation going on.

I like Fords but I'd want to pay about £4-5k for something like that. Just wouldn't seem right paying as much as 10.

I totally agree on the price.

For the people who've purchased them, what was your motivation to buy? Loyalty to Ford?

[MadDog1962]

Overall these are great cars. However, the performance numbers seem conservative considering the claimed 212HP and more than 225 lb-ft of torque. Especially considering its supposed to weigh only 1278kg. Only (minor) negative for me is the two-tone black and blue leather interior which looks kind of tacky and too boy racer. That could be fixed I guess, but it would hurt this car's originality and value. Otherwise it could be a perfect weekend toy for mountain roads in mid-Wales (when plod isn't watching).

[Baryonyx]

These cars are incredible, beautiful things. I was so disappointed with the second Focus RS after this winner.

[neil-935ql]

My brother had one of these great cars if you find a good one , they go round corners so well ! Decent tyres permitting would make a great track car / weekend toy just make sure you look after it properly, I do agree about the interior not a fan of the seats but I guess they need to stay to keep it original , values will only go up

[macky17]

This car has been for sale at the same price for months so some haggling would be appropriate.

[Barchettaman]

[leedsutd1]

lots of rough ones about ,previous damage and they can suffer with rust good ones have been changing hands for over 12k so first thing needed is a HPI check,than a good luck for accident damage ,quite a few about with over 300BHP

[loose cannon]

I like them bar the interior and prefer them over the mk2
But £12 £13k id rather a used Megane 250 or 265 twice the car IMO and much newer no rust etc etc
And a better all around performer it's a £5 to 6 grand max car for a minter in my eyes and ropey ones should be a couple of grand

[neil-935ql]

The Renaultsport s are very good cars but will massively depriciate where as the rs will only stay the same or increase in value lit could be a good investment if you keep it a while

[Terminator X]

I had the chance to buy a brand new one with 20% off back in the day eg £16k

TX.

[craste]

When you drive this car and the turbo kicks in , its a proper rush and so exciting to drive.

Best looking hot hatch ever to my eyes.

Lovely things.

[redroadster]

Had one from new on a smooth twisty rd or a race track brilliant,but the ride quality on normal roads was just not good enough for me I sold it for this reason and before anybody says what do you expect from this type of car well try a Peugeot 309gti yes a very old car now but they got it right had handling and ride comfort,rs was stunning looking though.

[Quickmoose]

On the last four occasions I have changed car, this has been on the shortlist, only to drop off again when I see that interior....
shame as the exterior is pretty much perfect...

[FWDRacer]

Barchettaman said:

I spotted the reg as well.

[deadmau5]

leedsutd1 said:

lots of rough ones about ,previous damage and they can suffer with rust good ones have been changing hands for over 12k so first thing needed is a HPI check,than a good luck for accident damage ,quite a few about with over 300BHP

They were renown for torque steering with standard power. They must be a real handful at 300bhp plus.

[Martin_Hx]

I almost went for one of these back in 2007 instead of the Civic Type R i still have, i sometimes think i made the wrong choice... then i see the interior and remember why

it totally put me off what is a cracking motor.