My latest hot hatch

[likesachange]

Well after having a splurt of many different cars in last 12 months am back in a propper hot hatch!

Picked up a focus RS last Friday.

I was either going to go for a b8 s4 avant for me and the wife to share but decided to get her a little VW beetle so I could get myself something a little more special but still not going to bankrupt me running it.

I was browsing for an early ttrs daily but really wanted one with S-tronic and preferably recaro buckets.. But they were coming in at 27k so decided to be sensible and maybe wait a couple of years for one.

So then started to look at the focus rs. I do have a soft spot for mental hatchbacks, having owned a Clio v6, 2 147 gta's, pulsar gtir and many other hatches.

They have increased in value over the last 12 months but imagine have peaked now and will steadily depreciate I imagine.
Anyway a nice white one came up local to me so I decided to go view..

It was immaculate and owned by a very enthusiastic guy who is an absolute star. He had it for 12 months and didn't even do 2k miles in it.

It's got all the options bar lux 2 (sat nav) and has been serviced every 5k which I will be continuing..
It's running the Colin's CP 400 conversion so is much more potent than the standard car but still handles the power no problem.
It also has mountune clubsoort coilovers. Only thing it was lacking was updated brakes... So managed to source a set of 356mm 6 pot ap racing brakes that will be fitted in next 2 weeks.

Here's some pics of my cars in last 12 months..

147gta, auto delta parts and bbs
Last summer


335d touring with csl's downpipes and map 362bhp


135i, dyno'd at 398bhp


S5


And most recent a fully loaded r32


Hopefully now I can settle with the focus, just got married so really need to try and stop being such a car we.

Only got some snaps from last weekend with a couple of friends

[nottyash]

Nice selection there. The 335d gearbox is a letdown though.
I am quite amazed just how much bigger the Focus has become.

[likesachange]

Yes, in the latest incarnations of autos it is pretty lame, but suits the torquey engine well and at least clutches aren't being worn out every 5k...

[r1ch]

Nice write up, what did you think of the R32? Love the Focus, good choice indeed!

[iacabu]

I'd be happy to own any of your previous cars...very nice!

[Muzzer79]

Er, more info on the Mk1 please!

[likesachange]

Thanks, the r32 was a lovely car and very practical, but was very lazy and more of a gt than a hot hatch.. Made the right noises though.

Mk1 is a work friends on going project, its bodywork is in great shape but the interior has just been slapped in so he can get it on the road and have fun. It's a pinto engine and r1 carbs to be fitted.

He is after a second shell so he can do a propper job.

[Too Late]

How did you find the S5.
Thats top of my list at the moment..

N

[Amirhussain]

Great car history, Focus stands out in white, love your 135i

[likesachange]

Thanks all

I took the s5 in against the 135i, the S5 was a propper baller car, such a nice place to be and great at cruising but just not a car that suits my type of driving..
I like to get out on open B road and go for a blast. But for comfort and style it was second to none, plus it had a pretty nice engine note

[anonymous-user]

This RS Focus' are my secret chav fetish. They are awesome.

[Trtj]

Have you had all these cars at once in the last 12 months? Or each one after the other? Thats mental, fair enough. Do they do the 335d in a manual? That would have been it for me.

[likesachange]

Had then after each other, I do like to change often. The S5 and r32 were just temporary tbh.

335d were auto only but have the semi auto paddle shift for more control.
520Lbs/ft !

[nottyash]

ully auy a ftuall

likesachange said:

Had then after each other, I do like to change often. The S5 and r32 were just temporary tbh.

335d were auto only but have the semi auto paddle shift for more control.
520Lbs/ft !

Its actually a fully auto gearbox with flappy paddles.
I don't rate it, because there was no control. It just doesn't do what you want, and theres no engine braking.
Shame because its an otherwise brilliant car.

[150bhp]

Fantastic selection of cars! Love the pic of the 2 escorts and focus in a line, it's like a kind of evolution of the species photo! Can I ask, have you drove your friends escort Cosworth and if so how does it compare to your focus RS? Thanks.

[AuralisMatty]

Very nice bet it goes quite well too had a go in a standard one the other day impressive cars and they make a lovely noise.

[T16OLE]

Lovely cars, my pick would be the S5 followed by the 1 series

[likesachange]

nottyash said:

Its actually a fully auto gearbox with flappy paddles.
I don't rate it, because there was no control. It just doesn't do what you want, and theres no engine braking.
Shame because its an otherwise brilliant car.

Not sure what you mean, as when I was in the "manual" mode it would stay in gear as long as I wanted unless hit limiter or manually changed it up, and afair it would drop down when requested as long as it wouldn't be over revvd..?

[likesachange]

150bhp said:

Fantastic selection of cars! Love the pic of the 2 escorts and focus in a line, it's like a kind of evolution of the species photo! Can I ask, have you drove your friends escort Cosworth and if so how does it compare to your focus RS? Thanks.

Thanks
I haven't, but not sure I'd want too, I know a lot of people argue these car are made to be driven etc, but I would rather have a modern day reliable faster car and use the cosworth for shows and the odd B road jaunt but would still prob not enjoy it as much as a modern chassis set up.

[150bhp]

likesachange said:

Thanks
I haven't, but not sure I'd want too, I know a lot of people argue these car are made to be driven etc, but I would rather have a modern day reliable faster car and use the cosworth for shows and the odd B road jaunt but would still prob not enjoy it as much as a modern chassis set up.

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking too. Always wanted an escort Cosworth but I'm worried I'd be disappointed with it compared to something more modern.