Ford Focus RS: PH Carpool
There's a new RS on the way; still a lot of love for the old one though...
Car: Ford Focus RS Mk2
Owned Since: April 2014
Previously Owned: "Fiesta 1.3 Flight (first car), Fiat Punto 16V (only because I smashed up the Fiesta and needed a fast replacement) Focus ST170 (hatch), Focus ST170 (estate), Focus ST225."
Keeping it in the family; Rob knew car already!
"I'm a self-confessed Ford fan so it always had to be a fast Ford, because really you can't go faster for cheaper. The car originally belonged to my younger brother and since the day I laid eyes on it I had a case of the green-eyed monster. Being an ST225 owner I always felt like the junior despite being the older one. I convinced myself that doing the mileage I did an RS would be to thirsty and harsh to use as a daily driver but really I felt it would be sacrilege to subject one to the real world punishment my ST225 took on a regular basis. When my brother decided to put it up for sale I felt genuine sadness that I'd no longer be around it so I bit the bullet and bought it from him."
What I wish I'd known:
"To be honest nothing. I already knew the car very well, knew how well it had been cared for and the state of tune it was in. I already knew the suspension was hard but I didn't know how spine crunching a long run could be."
Things I love:
"All of it really. The look ... it's just a bit mad. Everything from the massive spoiler to the overly flared arches down to the bonnet vents. Yes it's a bit chavvy but that's the whole point of a white fast Ford. The noise is pretty addictive too. OK, helped by the three-inch silencer-free exhaust but nothing beats the look of surprise you get when it pops and bangs on the overrun and you get a lick of flame."
Things I hate:
"Well fuel consumption is a major. Being quite modified a sensible drive will return no more than 28mpg and on a spirited run it's been well down in the low teens. Build quality is typical Ford. The interior rattles a lot (the head lining is packed with foam)."
Rob's Focus in eye-catching Le Mans trim
"Insurance isn't too bad, even with all the modifications declared. Like I said, fuel is a major and it will chew through front tyres at an alarming rate but parts and servicing are cheap."
Where I've been:
"Quite far. It began as a daily driver (which was soon remedied with the purchase of a Focus estate) and work takes me all over. We've been to Le Mans twice in it and it really is an attention grabber, especially in the Martini decals. The highlight had to be at the ferry port, a kid passing a 911 Turbo and a showroom fresh 458 Spider to take pictures of us!"
What Next:
"It's either keep hold of it and continue to fettle it or trade up to the forthcoming Focus RS. A new V8 mustang is tempting but I definitely fancy a track day before long."
Want to share your car with PHers on Carpool? Email us at carpool@pistonheads.com!
My one abiding memory was turning up for a local RSOC meet, a little late, to see people crawling over the then newly-released Focus RS.
On seeing me arrive, the crowd dissipated and swarmed around my car instead.
A guy older than me uttered the immortal words "Now THATS a proper RS!"
My ride?
A Sierra RS500 Cosworth in white, with 10k from new.
That's not to denigrate the Focus RS, it's predecessor or the forthcoming model, as I would gladly make space for one in my (non-dream) garage, but rather that there is something missing, no Motorsport heritage to speak of, no.....soul.
Accuse me of being harsh, as harsh apparently as the ride of this car, but the current crop of really-fast hot hatches leave me cold as they just seem to trade on speed.
Nice car though.
My one abiding memory was turning up for a local RSOC meet, a little late, to see people crawling over the then newly-released Focus RS.
On seeing me arrive, the crowd dissipated and swarmed around my car instead.
A guy older than me uttered the immortal words "Now THATS a proper RS!"
My ride?
A Sierra RS500 Cosworth in white, with 10k from new.(end quote)
Your lucky no one turned up in a RS1800 BDA because the crowd would have had left you as well
I think all RS s are special , I do like some more than others and some have more heritage than others , I find it funny that a Focus RS 5 dr is a problem for some ,they want a 3dr but how come a 4dr sierra cosworth is ok , in 1987 was the feeling the same ,3dr to 4dr ??
My one abiding memory was turning up for a local RSOC meet, a little late, to see people crawling over the then newly-released Focus RS.
On seeing me arrive, the crowd dissipated and swarmed around my car instead.
A guy older than me uttered the immortal words "Now THATS a proper RS!"
My ride?
A Sierra RS500 Cosworth in white, with 10k from new.(end quote)
Your lucky no one turned up in a RS1800 BDA because the crowd would have had left you as well
I think all RS s are special , I do like some more than others and some have more heritage than others , I find it funny that a Focus RS 5 dr is a problem for some ,they want a 3dr but how come a 4dr sierra cosworth is ok , in 1987 was the feeling the same ,3dr to 4dr ??
Looking back, the funny thing was the RS1800 was no faster in standard trim than an RS2000, yet it was more desirable purely for its engine (the rest was, in simple terms, a Mexico)
Likewise my RS500 was no faster in standard trim (ok, there were slight gains / losses) than a 3dr Cosworth, but it was that 'Je ne sai quoi', that indefinable cachet, that made them special.
For me, the car doesn't have to be the fastest accelerating, have the highest top speed, the hardest ride etc, it has to have that special something that you feel when you gently hold the steering wheel, press the pedals and adjust the seat.
I guess it is what today they describe as analogue, against a car that to me seems more digital.
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