![]() 10/21/2013 at 17:58 • Filed to: None | ![]() | ![]() |
Ok then Kinja. Do as you please.
So I'm starting to really think that my next car is really going to end up being American, because I want something I can AutoX but also DD, so parts need to be cheap and it needs to be reliable. In that case, where better to look than SVT?
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! Powered by a 2.5l Duratec (the one I'm looking at apparently has a 3.0L Taurus engine swap-What does this mean? Is it a SHO engine? Will it rev as well as and sound like the stock CSVT Duratec? There are the questions that haunt me). Block by Cosworth, 195 HP at 6700 RPM, came stock with a short throw shift setup, loud exhaust, custom suspension, and a high safety rating. Downsides: Can potentially look a bit ricey, has tiny ridiculous brakes. NOTE: The one linked is the one I'm considering.
And as for the Focus SVT, well, those are a bit more well-known. Zetec I4, Cosworth block, hot hatch. Great factory suspension, ultimate autocross gear ratios. SVT suspension, and (IMO) extremely nice looking with the European Performance Package (pictured)
Which would you rather have Oppo? Both are around $6k for a really nice one with 60-80k miles, both are FWD, both have roughly the same power output stats, have great exhaust notes, and could potentially be a ton of fun.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:00 |
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Personally, I'd go for the Contour because 1. I've never seen one and 2. No one expects to be whooped by a freakin Contour. Also, at least on youtube, I think they sound better than the Focus
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:01 |
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Kinja would pick the bug.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:01 |
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the CSVT 3.0 swap is a 3.0 Duratec swap, which is VERY common on the CSVT's because it literally drops right in. Its not a SHO engine, trust me
I would go for the SVTF to be honest. The EAP has the HID projectors and recaro seats, plus I've heard they handle like they are on rails (autoX, hello). Above all, they are easier to find, and newer.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:03 |
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They handle that well? I've always thought they were all show no go, really. Hm
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:03 |
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So what does that mean with the 3.0 Duratec? From what I can find on the webz, it just means 5 more HP and a few more torques, both of which come at a significantly lower RPM than a stock CSVT 2.5, which means less fun.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:06 |
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I'll take the blue one...
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:08 |
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If you don't pick the Baja Bug you are a horrible person and I hate you.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:08 |
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I guess the Focus SVT, because I don't hate it.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:10 |
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Comp Orange EAP cars are very rare as well. Also looks like it has the full Recaro interior and is a two-door.
That SVTF is by far one of the rarest combos. And in my opinion I'd go with it for both the reasons we've talked about before, but also because as far as resale goes, I think in a few years these will hold their worth if they're kept clean.
I bought mine for $8,000 in 2006 with 60,000 miles. And most of them now are still going for that amount, even with higher mileage. That's resale value if I've ever seen it.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:12 |
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I think when you mix in the 2.5 SVT cams and other junk you can bump the power up, but the displacement increase gives a better platform for more power
http://www.contour.org/ceg-vb/showthr…
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:15 |
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this may also be of interest
http://racing.ford.com/enthusiasts/co…
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:16 |
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I've heard good things about the handling as well. I think they were highly underrated when they came out, and since. 170HP in a hatchback that weighs 2600lbs isn't bad at all.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:20 |
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The 3.0 swapped Contours are awesome cars to drive, but the aftermarket support for the car itself is almost gone. Plus the Duratec was shoehorned into the car to begin with, so expect big bills or scraped knuckles when the time comes to change something like an alternator. The Focus on the other hand is pretty basic, just watch out for abused clutches and old timing belts.
BTW, I adore my SVT Focus, I've owned it longer than almost any other car.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:23 |
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If the Duratec 3.0 drops in, I wonder if the Duratec 3.7l and/or 3.5l Ecoboost drops in as well... imagine 310 reliable HP in the Contour!
It would be a tough choice for me, it all depends on what I wanted to use them for. If it was straight-line and highway stuff, the Contour is the better choice, but for everything else, Focus. The Contour is probably easier to modify too.
In reality, I would go looking for an earlier-year Mustang (w/302) instead, but that's me.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:42 |
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This is hearsay, but i've been told that SVT contours are not particularly well built, so that might be something to research.
It's unfortunate because I think they're much cooler than the SVT focus, but I actually think those are pretty cool as well in their own right.
The Contour also supposedly has tiny back seats.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 18:58 |
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Hello, my name is A3R0, same as yours (kinda). I just wanted to introduce myself because our names are so similar. However, I based my name on Saab 9000 Aero's and aerodynamics. I also would like to say I did not copy or ever see your name. Nice to meet you. I also noticed you are greyed out, if you want to be un-greyed and be able to post to oppo, write in the comments here . Nice to meet you.
!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!
![]() 10/21/2013 at 19:53 |
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Until about 10 years ago had a 98 Contour SE that was fucking brilliant at everything. It rode great, handled great, was decently economical, and was cheap to buy. The best part was that sweet little V6. It sounded better than anything else I could afford and wasn't too slow either.
I loved that car. I loved the "check engine" light that never hesitated to let me know something was wrong. Every week. I loved changing the water pump (which was on the back of the motor). I loved pulling the intake manifold to change spark plugs. I loved all seven(ish) O2 sensors. I loved the intake manifold runner control modules that would shit the bed about once a year. I loved pressing new wheel bearings into the car every winter (they only failed when it was 33 degrees and raining. In Michigan. For a month). I loved that the backseat was so cramped that my 8 year old brother-in-law complained. Wait... no, no I hated all that stuff.
But I still didn't hate the car. God I loved that car. Fucking brilliant little machine. Buy one or die.
![]() 10/21/2013 at 22:55 |
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So in other words your looking for a miata.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:00 |
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Nope. No convertibles and its got to be safer.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:02 |
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Just in a quick search I could barely find any CSVT parts at all, so a very good point and thank you. Also, if you ever consider selling that Focus....
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:02 |
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The FSVT was a google search, so that's not actually one I found for sale. Otherwise, I'd be all over it.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:04 |
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Its tough for me, just because I'm young and insurance/satisfying my parents is still a very real issue. A Mustang would be a big no-no, as would a Miata, so I'm stuck in a pretty hard place.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:07 |
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I have heard most of that as well. The seats wouldn't really be an issue since (as of now) I never have passengers, but the rest is definitely very important.
The CSVT is a weird thing. I'll look at one for a while and just see it as a riced-out economy car trying to look cool, but then if I stare at it long enough it looks cool and very capable. It's different and weird, but fun. The FSVT, on the other hand, is the exact opposite. Very clean-cut and almost a bit of a sleeper. You won't know it's anything special unless you know your cars.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:07 |
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This. This is the ultimate review.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 16:08 |
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Oh, this is awesome. So much goodness, thanks.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 17:04 |
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Funny, since a Mustang is probably safer than a Focus hatch due to the sheer extra mass.
Insurance costs are stupid.
![]() 10/22/2013 at 21:02 |
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No convertible: hardtops readily available
Safety: Low center of gravity so it doesn't roll easy, and good crash test ratings: http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2002/mazd…
Also many aftermarket roll bars for safety.
So much aftermarket support for any kind of tuning.
Sorry its the answer.