RE: Ford Focus RS: Rebirth of an icon

[MK1RS Bruce]

IanJ9375 said:

I think Ford were involved with "Driver cars" well before they even thought of the Focus name - I suspect your bias to owning a MK1 puts you on that path of thought.

MK2 residuals will take a hit as the Mk1 did when the newer car arrived, if anything the consensus seems to be that a few dealers have bullied the residuals (RS Direct etc) but if you look he's now stopped buying MK2 as he's now stocking up on GT-R's instead

Haha yeah slightly biased I guess but also got a BMW, a fiesta and a landrover so I do buy other cars. What I meant by that was that the cars had stagnated prior to the arrive of the focus. Pretty sure you aren't going to argue with me when I say the focus was a step change compared to the escorts previously.

Focus RS direct certainly helped with the residuals but in the end people kept buying them! They will take a hit now of course.

[SidewaysSi]

MK1RS Bruce said:

Centurion07 said:

The bit in bold I would sadly have to agree with, but a huge furore surrounding the MK1? Really? In what way? Sure, it may have been well received, but I don't think it caused any great furore on the same levels as the "150mph family saloon" Lotus Carlton/Sierra Cosworth, or the outrageous appearance/instant rallying success of the Escort Cosworth.

Well the Mk1 polarised opinion some loved it some hated it, but in all tests it destroyed the comparable competition and it still looks amazing today, it's a modern classic already so it's definitely iconic

The mk2 wasn't as compromised as the R26r so some classed it as not as good but look at the mk2 residuals that to me shows it was pretty well received and therefore iconic

Don't get me wrong the escort cosworth looks amazing but it wasn't a successful rally car as much as it pains me to say it! the drivers car fords began with the focus, the base model of which I'd call iconic!

The Mk1 "destroying" the competition? Are you sure about that? I always remember it as a 3 star "could and should be a lot better" type. It's exterior is good looking I give you that but that's all it really has.

And as we all know, residuals are not always a barometer if how good a car is to actually drive so not sure that's a compelling argument.

[Ali_T]

Initial Mk1 tests were disappointing as factory wheel alignment was rubbish. Later tests on customer cars were far better.

[SidewaysSi]

Better perhaps but I don't think it ever was anything near standard setting. Plenty of far better FWD hatches out there.

[rb5er]

SidewaysSi said:

Better perhaps but I don't think it ever was anything near standard setting. Plenty of far better FWD hatches out there.

You haven't driven one have you

[macky17]

DELETED: Comment made by a member who's account has been deleted.

If production is as slow as everyone suggests, I suspect people will be paying closer to £40k for a fully specced up RS - at which stage you would have a point. Still prefer it to an rs3 even then.

[Ali_T]

It costs the same as the Civic Type R and only a little more than a Megan RS. Yet it offers the technology and performance that an Evo X FQ 360 gave only a few years ago for nearly £40k. Thinking it's overpriced is, frankly, lunacy. It's a bloody bargain!

[MK1RS Bruce]

SidewaysSi said:

The Mk1 "destroying" the competition? Are you sure about that? I always remember it as a 3 star "could and should be a lot better" type. It's exterior is good looking I give you that but that's all it really has.

And as we all know, residuals are not always a barometer if how good a car is to actually drive so not sure that's a compelling argument.

Yes it was a second quicker round the top gear track than the Impreza and type R. Tiff neddel too it round Anglesey and it was quicker than everything else.

I am biased as I have one but they are seriously quick point to point cars. The tyres they had from the factory weren't great, put modern Michelin pilot super sports on it and you will be amazed at what it will do!

All you need to do is drive one!

[MK1RS Bruce]

rb5er said:

SidewaysSi said:

Better perhaps but I don't think it ever was anything near standard setting. Plenty of far better FWD hatches out there.

You haven't driven one have you

They definitely haven't!