RE: Ford Focus RS Mk2: PH Heroes
Discussion
Yipper said:
Saw an orange Mk2 this morning. So much road presence for so little money. Arguably, right now, the best "blue collar" car for the UK market this century. The Mk3 hype is way, way overdone -- but the Mk2 remains an impactful car. Great design, nippy and tunable engine, decent handling, etc.
Do you mean a Mk2 Escort RS? The Focus RS MK2 only came in white, blue and green as far as I know? Could it have been a Clarkson ST ASBO per chance, which is a wholly different kettle of fish...RamboLambo said:
Its a true enthusiasts car and a legend. Those that don't get it, never will but if you have petrol in your blood you will understand and no doubt really want one.
As regards values I recently turned down a genuine bid of £27k for my concours low mileage MR375 Clubsport (full mountune spec )and prices are only going to go up as it becomes a collectors car.
Just look at Escort and Sierra Cosworth prices at £50k.
A good Mk II Focus RS will command similar money in 10 years time
Very unlike you to talk up,a car you own ;-) a mk2 will not command £50k in 10 years. A collectors car? With the Sierra and Escort it's a numbers game. The few good low mileage unmolested examples left are commanding great money. Rarity and non tuned is where it's at in the classics market.As regards values I recently turned down a genuine bid of £27k for my concours low mileage MR375 Clubsport (full mountune spec )and prices are only going to go up as it becomes a collectors car.
Just look at Escort and Sierra Cosworth prices at £50k.
A good Mk II Focus RS will command similar money in 10 years time
For what it's worth the mk1 I'd really love, the mk2 yep really like them too aggressive looking nice power, poor interior but you can't have it all.
This really is a great car , I owned own a mr375 clubsport which I loved and perhaps was a little harsh for every day driving with the bilstiens , that said every drive was really what a true petrol head would love , thrilling . I sold it for the same money I bought it for , 26k so surely a car Is worth what someone else is prepared to pay for it ? Does it really matter what other cars you could buy for the same money , not really if you want a rs focus then you cough up the money , I don't think values of these will change much even now the Mk 3 is out its still 20k plus if that's not for you buy another car , BMW m3 is a good option , but no where near as much fun . Or do what I did and buy a caterham to replace it .
Well a brand new Fiesta ST-3 starts at £19,500+ these days, with other top spec cars like the Abarth 500 Competizione and Clio RS also being £20,000+ you can see why these prices have held so well.
I know it's comparing new to old but ultimately the target market/end consumer is likely the be the same, and as the article states, the RS is by no means 'old' in it's feel or performance.
It's only when the current crop of hot hatches, such as the mk7 Golf R, start reaching the £20k mark do I think we'll see the mk2 RS start to drop slightly, and even then I think they'll always command decent money due to the first point being that even the cheapest of hot hatches now days are becoming expensive.
I know it's comparing new to old but ultimately the target market/end consumer is likely the be the same, and as the article states, the RS is by no means 'old' in it's feel or performance.
It's only when the current crop of hot hatches, such as the mk7 Golf R, start reaching the £20k mark do I think we'll see the mk2 RS start to drop slightly, and even then I think they'll always command decent money due to the first point being that even the cheapest of hot hatches now days are becoming expensive.
I've had a MKII Escort RS2000 and 2 Capri 2.8is (all RWD of course).
Would I want a MK2 Focus RS - no! 0-62kph in 5.7 seconds is pathetic given the quoted power output!
My current BMW (RWD thankfully)! can do that with only 265 bhp because the right wheels are driven, but then it is less than half the price of the MK2 RS Fookus - I think performance Fords are getting a bit over-ambitious in terms of value (or is that up themselves)?!
Ready for flaming!
Would I want a MK2 Focus RS - no! 0-62kph in 5.7 seconds is pathetic given the quoted power output!
My current BMW (RWD thankfully)! can do that with only 265 bhp because the right wheels are driven, but then it is less than half the price of the MK2 RS Fookus - I think performance Fords are getting a bit over-ambitious in terms of value (or is that up themselves)?!
Ready for flaming!
Just to add, as someone who bought his new seven years ago, I'm intensely relaxed about the residuals. 
Incidentally, having changed cars every three years in the years leading up to buying mine, I'm surprised to have kept it for seven. I can't see myself selling it soon, it will be hard act to follow.
Incidentally, having changed cars every three years in the years leading up to buying mine, I'm surprised to have kept it for seven. I can't see myself selling it soon, it will be hard act to follow.
p1stonhead said:
Something about the MK1 appeals to me, but the MK2 never has. Its mental money in my opinion.
As said, £20k gets you a hell of a lot of second hand car including as someone said, all of the below from BMW themselves with a warranty;
Seriously?As said, £20k gets you a hell of a lot of second hand car including as someone said, all of the below from BMW themselves with a warranty;
Edited by p1stonhead on Monday 21st November 07:49
You think anyone in the market for an RS would be looking at ANY of these monochrome rep-boxes?!
You may as well say you could buy a Harrods Xmas hamper for that and take the bus.
It's just as valid.
Ed Straker said:
p1stonhead said:
Something about the MK1 appeals to me, but the MK2 never has. Its mental money in my opinion.
As said, £20k gets you a hell of a lot of second hand car including as someone said, all of the below from BMW themselves with a warranty;
Seriously?As said, £20k gets you a hell of a lot of second hand car including as someone said, all of the below from BMW themselves with a warranty;
Edited by p1stonhead on Monday 21st November 07:49
You think anyone in the market for an RS would be looking at ANY of these monochrome rep-boxes?!
You may as well say you could buy a Harrods Xmas hamper for that and take the bus.
It's just as valid.
Perhaps those really really into Fords and wanting said Focus RS wouldnt consider them but that says more about them than the cars! Do you have one?
I know which one I would buy and its isnt the chavvy ford. The Focus isnt in the same league as an M3. Not even close.Rep-boxes
yeah right.Edited by p1stonhead on Monday 21st November 09:26
macky17 said:
Overpriced and overrated but a good car. Lots of character, handles well enough and looks great I think (just not in green). I sold mine as the ride is really too crashy for a daily. Proper suspension and an mr375 pack and *maybe* it's still worth £20k... Until you look at what else that buys you (Megan 275 cup with ohlins/akrapovic/recaros? Vxr8? E90 m3? C63 amg? i.e. you gotta love Fords).
Couldn't agree more.This or a V8 M3, or C63. Its not in the same league.
Well it seems, and it was inevitable really, that there are two camps here.
The instant haters and the avid followers.
Some people get it some people don't. That's life and a good job we don't all like the same thing otherwise we'd be paying close to 50k for a MK2 RS.....
They are though very capable cars, and a few points to add from me.
The interior is of a different generation granted, but in Lux Pack 2 with the Dynamica Recaros it is a nice place to be.
In gear performance is where it really shines and the extra 500cc really makes itself felt.
No modern road going Fords have any competition history otherwise it would be the Fiesta RS.
The engine is sublime, 2.5 5 cylinder shoehorned in a hatch, pretty special.
Not apples with apples but a simple stage 1 remap IMO transforms these cars. The diff is made to work harder and it really digs in, the whole car felt more resolved than as standard.
Personally I love the looks, A Rallye Sport should look like it's just finished a rally stage!!!
The instant haters and the avid followers.
Some people get it some people don't. That's life and a good job we don't all like the same thing otherwise we'd be paying close to 50k for a MK2 RS.....
They are though very capable cars, and a few points to add from me.
The interior is of a different generation granted, but in Lux Pack 2 with the Dynamica Recaros it is a nice place to be.
In gear performance is where it really shines and the extra 500cc really makes itself felt.
No modern road going Fords have any competition history otherwise it would be the Fiesta RS.
The engine is sublime, 2.5 5 cylinder shoehorned in a hatch, pretty special.
Not apples with apples but a simple stage 1 remap IMO transforms these cars. The diff is made to work harder and it really digs in, the whole car felt more resolved than as standard.
Personally I love the looks, A Rallye Sport should look like it's just finished a rally stage!!!
I just bought one because it looked mad and it was fun. The FWD'ness can be a bit of a pain in the wet, and it's woeful on petrol. Sounds nice though. I'm glad the mk3 was a complete departure from the mk2, I think it was the right time to go 4 wheel drive again for Ford, and it makes the mk2 that bit more odd. I think we have to be careful comparing cars just on price, yeah sure I could get a M5 for the same price and it'd be faster, but I'd need a mortgage when one of the mirrors falls off, haha. Anyway I took a picture for everyone to rip to shreds 
...
... ZX10R NIN said:
Yes you could get a V8 M3 for 20k but it's not a limited numbers car with a load of work carried out at the factory so of course the depreciation will be worse the mainstream car, you need to compare apples with apples.
I'd wager a manual E90 M3 will be at least as rare as the Focus, and let's be perfectly honest, more character.This is one purely for the die hard Ford fans.
Fast Fords hold their value well because there's a huge fan base - literally into the millions. There's always someone waiting/wanting to buy.
You could buy a 4 yeas old M3 but many M3 owners have a 'keeping up with the neighbours' image issue. older M3's are definitely falling into the shadier side of ownership too.... That's why they can be a relative bargain. Furthermore, they need far more money spending on them long term. When M3/5 owners are spending money on servicing and repairs, Focus owners are spending money on upgrades.
Clearly they appeal to many people, but also clearly the likes of RS Direct keep the prices unreasonably high.
Its a 12k car being sold for 20k, but has so many fans there will always be buyers.
You could buy a 4 yeas old M3 but many M3 owners have a 'keeping up with the neighbours' image issue. older M3's are definitely falling into the shadier side of ownership too.... That's why they can be a relative bargain. Furthermore, they need far more money spending on them long term. When M3/5 owners are spending money on servicing and repairs, Focus owners are spending money on upgrades.
Clearly they appeal to many people, but also clearly the likes of RS Direct keep the prices unreasonably high.
Its a 12k car being sold for 20k, but has so many fans there will always be buyers.
A friend bought a new RS in Ultimate Green back in 2009, and when it arrived the green was a lot more 'in your face' than the press shots had let the general public to believe. Certainly a fast car (his was stock), but I think his particular car proved that green cars are unlucky. Not my story to tell though!!!
I would have put myself in the 'avid fan' category until the spoiled kid of a local businessman bought one, had it played with (intercooler / exhaust / suspension / remap) and terrorised the neighbourhood with it (the thing popped & farted constantly being driven at WOT). It went on fire while he was driving it one night (outside my house) & no-one had any sympathy.
I would have put myself in the 'avid fan' category until the spoiled kid of a local businessman bought one, had it played with (intercooler / exhaust / suspension / remap) and terrorised the neighbourhood with it (the thing popped & farted constantly being driven at WOT). It went on fire while he was driving it one night (outside my house) & no-one had any sympathy.
Edited by BFleming on Monday 21st November 10:48
ando-x said:
I just bought one because it looked mad and it was fun. The FWD'ness can be a bit of a pain in the wet, and it's woeful on petrol. Sounds nice though. I'm glad the mk3 was a complete departure from the mk2, I think it was the right time to go 4 wheel drive again for Ford, and it makes the mk2 that bit more odd. I think we have to be careful comparing cars just on price, yeah sure I could get a M5 for the same price and it'd be faster, but I'd need a mortgage when one of the mirrors falls off, haha. Anyway I took a picture for everyone to rip to shreds ...
Love the "Argyle" graffiti. Up the Green Army ... 
Winner winner, chicken dinner. Get yourself some of that
Edited by RamboLambo on Monday 21st November 10:55
Edited by RamboLambo on Monday 21st November 10:57
It's the hero worship that annoys me. The Focus RS is a very, very good hot hatch, but ultimately it's always going to be restricted by the fact it's it a small family hatch underneath. Great if your looking for something to liven up the daily commute or speed up trips to the shops but I just don't understand the people that have them as 'second' cars and keep them locked up the garage.
If you cast your net over the secondhand market there's 1000s of cars I'd take over the RS as a toy.
If you cast your net over the secondhand market there's 1000s of cars I'd take over the RS as a toy.
RamboLambo said:
Winner winner, chicken dinner. Get yourself some of that
Edited by blade7 on Monday 21st November 11:33
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff