MK2 Focus RS & Escort Cosworth - Input on each please!
Discussion
Hi All,
I am currently considering an MK2 Focus RS or Escort Cosworth for weekend/special occasion/bored/need cheering up/good weather conditions usage
For a long time - like many I am sure, I have loved the Escort RS cosworth. The cars presence, coupled with its heritage and reviews really make these something special. I have never driven a Escort RS Cosworth, but am quite confident that if I did, I would be impressed.
I have owned a Focus ST, and was very impressed by this also, and do actually miss the car from time to time. Again, I have not driven a MK2 RS, but from what I understand, these are something quite special, and are well worth the premium over the ST.
Was hoping for some input from owners, or those who have expereince with both cars with regard to:
1) The drive
2) Living with day to day
3) Realiability
4) Performance
I suspect the Focus RS is pretty solid in terms of reliability - with it being a fairly recent car, and also that it may have some performance edge over the Escort. I do have some concerns over the escorts reliability - I would not be looking for a heavily tuned car (standard of very simple performance mods <300bhp), and the car would need to be in standard form.
Enough of my rattling on (as I write this I realise how much I love the Cosworth) - any opinions and input would be much appreciated.
All the best,
Matt
I am currently considering an MK2 Focus RS or Escort Cosworth for weekend/special occasion/bored/need cheering up/good weather conditions usage
For a long time - like many I am sure, I have loved the Escort RS cosworth. The cars presence, coupled with its heritage and reviews really make these something special. I have never driven a Escort RS Cosworth, but am quite confident that if I did, I would be impressed.
I have owned a Focus ST, and was very impressed by this also, and do actually miss the car from time to time. Again, I have not driven a MK2 RS, but from what I understand, these are something quite special, and are well worth the premium over the ST.
Was hoping for some input from owners, or those who have expereince with both cars with regard to:
1) The drive
2) Living with day to day
3) Realiability
4) Performance
I suspect the Focus RS is pretty solid in terms of reliability - with it being a fairly recent car, and also that it may have some performance edge over the Escort. I do have some concerns over the escorts reliability - I would not be looking for a heavily tuned car (standard of very simple performance mods <300bhp), and the car would need to be in standard form.
Enough of my rattling on (as I write this I realise how much I love the Cosworth) - any opinions and input would be much appreciated.
All the best,
Matt
Quite a question your comparing a car that was built 20 years ago to a 3 year old one!!!
The escort cosworth is an icon & good ones while incredibly hard to find now, they do feel old to drive but still feel special reliability is good for the type of car but now they are getting on its quite possible for anything on the car to fail, they can also rust quite badly so if you choose this path expect to spend a long time looking at sheds until you can find the one for you.
The mk2 focus Rs is a modern twist on the Rs badge it's remained resilient price wise & in stock form will be a fair margin quicker than the escort & is also very tuneable like the cosworth, it will also be much easier to find a good example.
It's your choice an old classic or a modern one both cars will hold their money well & will be fantastic to own Imho of you can work on cars yourself & like to tinker the cosworth would be a fantastic choice but if you just want to jump in the car & drive it then the focus would be a better choice
Good luck whatever you choose & don't forget pics when you do
The escort cosworth is an icon & good ones while incredibly hard to find now, they do feel old to drive but still feel special reliability is good for the type of car but now they are getting on its quite possible for anything on the car to fail, they can also rust quite badly so if you choose this path expect to spend a long time looking at sheds until you can find the one for you.
The mk2 focus Rs is a modern twist on the Rs badge it's remained resilient price wise & in stock form will be a fair margin quicker than the escort & is also very tuneable like the cosworth, it will also be much easier to find a good example.
It's your choice an old classic or a modern one both cars will hold their money well & will be fantastic to own Imho of you can work on cars yourself & like to tinker the cosworth would be a fantastic choice but if you just want to jump in the car & drive it then the focus would be a better choice
Good luck whatever you choose & don't forget pics when you do
Might want to watch this comparison of the two, plus the mk1 RS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=600meX6oa1A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=600meX6oa1A
Focus RS Mk2.
Much nicer place to be in and more reliable. Mine is my daily, weekender and track toy. In coming up to 3 years of owning it, it's never missed a beat. Off the line speed isn't what it's about, it finds its comfort zone in twisties and is awesome fun to throw around.
Not owned an EsCos, always wanted to - had the option of getting one instead of the Mk2, but chose the Mk2 for reliability and capability. Also factor in the fact i didn't want to meet my hero. Rose tinted glasses shall stay on for the foreseeable future.
Much nicer place to be in and more reliable. Mine is my daily, weekender and track toy. In coming up to 3 years of owning it, it's never missed a beat. Off the line speed isn't what it's about, it finds its comfort zone in twisties and is awesome fun to throw around.
Not owned an EsCos, always wanted to - had the option of getting one instead of the Mk2, but chose the Mk2 for reliability and capability. Also factor in the fact i didn't want to meet my hero. Rose tinted glasses shall stay on for the foreseeable future.
I have an Escort Cosworth and I used to sell Fords at the time of the Mk2 RS.
I love the Escort. I've only ever used it as a second car and I don't get to drive it nearly as much as I'd like to. It does feel quite basic compared to the Focus but as soon as you start the engine you forget about that and just enjoy it for what it is. It is still a very capable machine which can still give modern cars a run for their money and gives you such a sense of occasion.
But as I always said to customers looking at the RS if I ever was going to change the Escort for something else it would be a Mk2 RS. It is a completely different car to the Escort but just as much fun. Plenty of people use them every day but in my opinion they are still a little too harsh for long commutes. It too is a very capable car which you would love every minute of driving.
I have made a couple of half hearted attempts to sell the Cosworth and look for an RS but I would really hate to see it go. I’m still trying to persuade her indoors to let me have both at the same time but no luck yet.
I love the Escort. I've only ever used it as a second car and I don't get to drive it nearly as much as I'd like to. It does feel quite basic compared to the Focus but as soon as you start the engine you forget about that and just enjoy it for what it is. It is still a very capable machine which can still give modern cars a run for their money and gives you such a sense of occasion.
But as I always said to customers looking at the RS if I ever was going to change the Escort for something else it would be a Mk2 RS. It is a completely different car to the Escort but just as much fun. Plenty of people use them every day but in my opinion they are still a little too harsh for long commutes. It too is a very capable car which you would love every minute of driving.
I have made a couple of half hearted attempts to sell the Cosworth and look for an RS but I would really hate to see it go. I’m still trying to persuade her indoors to let me have both at the same time but no luck yet.
Edited by xrv on Friday 30th November 21:01
Johnnytheboy said:
Might want to watch this comparison of the two, plus the mk1 RS.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=600meX6oa1A
What a knob, no matter how old the Cosworth is, had it had just over 300 bhp like the MK2 it would have been a much closer run.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=600meX6oa1A
Totally nuts comparing them like that tbh.
Sorry not you Johnny, the dick driving the cars.
Edited by Sunnysidebb on Sunday 2nd December 19:13
The question is, do you have the time, the passion, the commitment and the heart to run the Cosworth? The Escort Cosworth is a truly special car. In my mind, so much more exciting than the overweight, turbo FWD shopper that is the Focus RS mkII.
But the Escort will require more care and attention to keep running. It will reward you tenfold over what the Focus will though. They still feel 'special', just like they always have!
But the Escort will require more care and attention to keep running. It will reward you tenfold over what the Focus will though. They still feel 'special', just like they always have!
weirdly, i had a similar though a few weeks back for a third car. my choices were wider a 2005 mustang, mk2 focus RS, maserati 4200, aston db7 or an escort cosworth.
after much deliberation i chose an escort and picked it up last week. there are some that have had hard lives, but parts are generally cheap and readily available. in short, its fantstic. to me its iconic and was the only car i talked about school. yes, compared to a mk2 it will need love (but mk2s will do too eventually), but where is the fun if you are not fiddling with it too?
after much deliberation i chose an escort and picked it up last week. there are some that have had hard lives, but parts are generally cheap and readily available. in short, its fantstic. to me its iconic and was the only car i talked about school. yes, compared to a mk2 it will need love (but mk2s will do too eventually), but where is the fun if you are not fiddling with it too?
The Cosworth just has the X factor. I had one in the 90's ad sold it. I got this one a month ago after selling my 650 bhp 900 nm 911 Turbo. Some call me mad, but these cars have an unexplained attraction.
They are a lot more work to maintain though but on the plus side , you dont need expensive diagnostic equipment to look after one. Most servicing can be done DIY.
They are a lot more work to maintain though but on the plus side , you dont need expensive diagnostic equipment to look after one. Most servicing can be done DIY.
Thank you very much for your replies and advice!
I think that if I was to go for an RS, I would be more inclined to use it, perhaps on a daily basis, as it would seem the car is more suited to this. From what I have heard its a really great car - but, it may be missing that special something I am looking for.
With regard to the Cosworths need for love - Being honest, I am not the most skilled person with maintainence/mechanics, but obviously am prepared for some general care and attention and reasonable associated costs. I would hope that after finding a good example, giving it a good going over mechnically and running well, it would just need general upkeep rather than being unreliable for the odd occasion which I would want to use it.
I was not too fond of the review video comparing the Focus to the Escort. As has been said, the escort design is over 20 years old and cars have came on a lot since then. I think it is a credit to the Escort that it has remained special, and is still considered a contender to this day.
When I do make a move, I think I will be going for the Escort
Matt
I think that if I was to go for an RS, I would be more inclined to use it, perhaps on a daily basis, as it would seem the car is more suited to this. From what I have heard its a really great car - but, it may be missing that special something I am looking for.
With regard to the Cosworths need for love - Being honest, I am not the most skilled person with maintainence/mechanics, but obviously am prepared for some general care and attention and reasonable associated costs. I would hope that after finding a good example, giving it a good going over mechnically and running well, it would just need general upkeep rather than being unreliable for the odd occasion which I would want to use it.
I was not too fond of the review video comparing the Focus to the Escort. As has been said, the escort design is over 20 years old and cars have came on a lot since then. I think it is a credit to the Escort that it has remained special, and is still considered a contender to this day.
When I do make a move, I think I will be going for the Escort
Matt
OK... I use my Escort as a everyday car. Purely because it is just wrong to have this kind of car and not enjoy it and show the car.
I had some recent problems with the fuse box (known problem) but £281 later and some time for me to fit and its backup and running as good as ever.
You cannot compare the two for anything other than a modified Escort to a MK2 Focus. I know for a fact, spend a couple grand on the Escort and the Focus wont know what way it went. You could do the same to the MK2 I am sure but the MK2 is still dropping in money, it will get down to the kind of price the MK1 is at the moment, maybe even lower... The Escort if looked after will never lose a penny... You will more than likely make money on the car.
Now for a run down of the performance, lets be honest, this is why your looking at these two.
My car is near around 380bhp, maybe a bit more, loads of torque and rear wheel drive... This makes the car VERY quick. I am talking quick enough to leave the Focus behind at great rates, go passed Subaru STi's like they are stood still.
Reliability shouldn't be an issue for you though if it is a weekend toy? but as we are talking about this, I used both of mine every day I owned them. Both cars together has spent one week in total on the drive where I could not use it waiting for parts. Not bad for a 17 year old car.
The Escort has something about it, the noise, sound, smell. I have driven and owned loads of cars, M3's, other RS cars, GTis etc etc and nothing comes close to the frill a Escort Cosworth gets you.
Drive both, but don't bother comparing a standardish car to a 300bhp 2wd focus RS. It will not compare. Get one at stage 3 power or RWD and watch it go! The engine is a masterpiece!
For your viewing pleasure
I had some recent problems with the fuse box (known problem) but £281 later and some time for me to fit and its backup and running as good as ever.
You cannot compare the two for anything other than a modified Escort to a MK2 Focus. I know for a fact, spend a couple grand on the Escort and the Focus wont know what way it went. You could do the same to the MK2 I am sure but the MK2 is still dropping in money, it will get down to the kind of price the MK1 is at the moment, maybe even lower... The Escort if looked after will never lose a penny... You will more than likely make money on the car.
Now for a run down of the performance, lets be honest, this is why your looking at these two.
My car is near around 380bhp, maybe a bit more, loads of torque and rear wheel drive... This makes the car VERY quick. I am talking quick enough to leave the Focus behind at great rates, go passed Subaru STi's like they are stood still.
Reliability shouldn't be an issue for you though if it is a weekend toy? but as we are talking about this, I used both of mine every day I owned them. Both cars together has spent one week in total on the drive where I could not use it waiting for parts. Not bad for a 17 year old car.
The Escort has something about it, the noise, sound, smell. I have driven and owned loads of cars, M3's, other RS cars, GTis etc etc and nothing comes close to the frill a Escort Cosworth gets you.
Drive both, but don't bother comparing a standardish car to a 300bhp 2wd focus RS. It will not compare. Get one at stage 3 power or RWD and watch it go! The engine is a masterpiece!
For your viewing pleasure
Thanks for your reply.
That is a real nice looking car, and I actually like those wheels on the cosworth just as much as I like the standard ones - it seems the wheels suit the car really well.
I think my decision is 80% in favour of the escort - the reason I considered a Focus is because of the more 'modern' factor, reliability, and perhaps the performance esge in standard form. However, from the advice given, and some more research, the escort still excels in the special factor.
I hope to find a very near standard example, and perhaps will do some light performance mods. Something I need to research, but I would imagine something like this: http://www.motorsport-developments.co.uk/rs_coswor... I would also make sure all is 100% sound mechnically before any tuning takes place!
Thanks again,
Matt
That is a real nice looking car, and I actually like those wheels on the cosworth just as much as I like the standard ones - it seems the wheels suit the car really well.
I think my decision is 80% in favour of the escort - the reason I considered a Focus is because of the more 'modern' factor, reliability, and perhaps the performance esge in standard form. However, from the advice given, and some more research, the escort still excels in the special factor.
I hope to find a very near standard example, and perhaps will do some light performance mods. Something I need to research, but I would imagine something like this: http://www.motorsport-developments.co.uk/rs_coswor... I would also make sure all is 100% sound mechnically before any tuning takes place!
Thanks again,
Matt
Hi Matt,
Go for the stage 3, anything from 330 to 360bhp. Should just be injectors, intercooler, map sensor, actuator, big turbo car, exhaust, air filter or replace the standard item with a performance one.
Sounds a lot but most can be had for cheap now. Get it setup with someone like MAD MA Development etc and enjoy. The standard gearbox and diffs will deal with this power as longs as your not launching it every 2 minutes. Nice power, enough poke to keep with most things these days and you have the Escort shell wrapped around you. Really brings these cars a live. Get the suspension sorted as well and go from there.
I would buy one done though, save yourself some money. Standard cars are asking more and no point if your going to mod one. Can get a car with uprated head gasket, suspension, brakes etc and stage 3 setup and just enjoy the car
Go for the stage 3, anything from 330 to 360bhp. Should just be injectors, intercooler, map sensor, actuator, big turbo car, exhaust, air filter or replace the standard item with a performance one.
Sounds a lot but most can be had for cheap now. Get it setup with someone like MAD MA Development etc and enjoy. The standard gearbox and diffs will deal with this power as longs as your not launching it every 2 minutes. Nice power, enough poke to keep with most things these days and you have the Escort shell wrapped around you. Really brings these cars a live. Get the suspension sorted as well and go from there.
I would buy one done though, save yourself some money. Standard cars are asking more and no point if your going to mod one. Can get a car with uprated head gasket, suspension, brakes etc and stage 3 setup and just enjoy the car
MK1 Focus - halfway house between two. Old school 'enough' but modern enough to have all the niceties and relieability.
Head would pick the RS mk2, heart the Escort. As I own a 320hp ST i just can't see what the RS gives you other than a lairy bodykit and a diff.
Go for the 'Scort. Then pick up a cheap ST and take it to Collins.
Head would pick the RS mk2, heart the Escort. As I own a 320hp ST i just can't see what the RS gives you other than a lairy bodykit and a diff.
Go for the 'Scort. Then pick up a cheap ST and take it to Collins.
Both cars are very special in their own ways.
I would love both (which i might do soon).
But please remember technology has moved forward a lot and the Focus is a VERY capable car. Yes its carrying some extra weight (100kg more than a Esc Cos Lux), but that doesnt make it a slouch.
You could also spend a couple of grand on a mk2 Focus and have 400bhp. Believe me the Focus can take it.
My Focus now has 25,000 miles on the clock and been running 400bhp+ for the last 2 years with no issues ..... not even a slipping clutch!
The Focus is a very nice place to be and very comfortable, even on the long journeys. The 5 pot engine gives a lot of power and torque with a wonderful note.
This is mine....
Tough decision
I would love both (which i might do soon).
But please remember technology has moved forward a lot and the Focus is a VERY capable car. Yes its carrying some extra weight (100kg more than a Esc Cos Lux), but that doesnt make it a slouch.
You could also spend a couple of grand on a mk2 Focus and have 400bhp. Believe me the Focus can take it.
My Focus now has 25,000 miles on the clock and been running 400bhp+ for the last 2 years with no issues ..... not even a slipping clutch!
The Focus is a very nice place to be and very comfortable, even on the long journeys. The 5 pot engine gives a lot of power and torque with a wonderful note.
This is mine....
Tough decision
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