I want to buy a Focus SVT

"Dsscats" (dsscats)
01/20/2014 at 16:51 • Filed to: None

What should I do? What should I look out for?
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

DISCUSSION (17)

Paul, Man of Mustangs > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:54

I'm always hesitant to buy from people with that atrocious of grammar and spelling. Not that there's anything wrong with the car, but it might be less than well treated.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:54

Timing Assembly.

Thermostat housing

I own 2002 SVT #85, ask me anything you want.

Also check out forums.focaljet.com for more info about the SVT than you'd ever think possible.

dogisbadob > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:55

EVERY SINGLE Focus and Escape/Tribute Zetec will need a new thermostat housing. A popular upgrade is replacing it with the Contour's housing.

Also, you should convert to European tail lights with amber turn signals.

An extra set of doors is also nice to have.

vdub_nut: scooter snob > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:56

I drove one once (when i worked at a tire shop) that had an almost nonexistent throwout bearing. Any iota of clutch pressure caused an awful whine. I told the guy what the sound was, and he and his mom went "Nah, you're making that up".

Not sure if it's a common thing, but it could be.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:56

I'm guessing that the hood just wasn't latched in the front photo. If it was I would run away as that car has clearly had an accident.

Dsscats > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
01/20/2014 at 16:57

Ow much are those to fix? Do they put it out of commission?

MikeB23ft > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:58

Semi-pro tip: hold out for a European Appearance Package and a seller that isn't full retard.

Luc - The Acadian Oppo > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 16:59

I don't have much experience with these but I loved these things when they came out but Being 17 when these came out I was in no position to buy a new car. But this thing looks clean and it's the right color. To me the price seems fair. Go check it out and if it is mechanically sound and as good as it looks in the picks. I would say you can't go wrong. $4500 doesn't get you all that much these days.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 17:01

If the timing does go, you're looking at a new top-end at least. It's an interference motor. Valves and pistons do not play well together.

80k or 5 years is the general rule.

It's about $600 for parts and labor from a decent shop. Dealers will want close to $1,000. If you can do it yourself, there is a very good guide on FocalJet. It's nothing strange, just a procedure you have to follow to the letter.

T-Stat housing is an easy DIY job if you're half-way good with tools.

Goshen, formerly Darkcode > Paul, Man of Mustangs
01/20/2014 at 17:05

I once stumbled upon a HSV Clubsport owner on a local forum who couldn't spell for shit. Immediately wondered how could someone with such terrible language skills managed to acquire so much money.

offroadkarter > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 17:06

As said before, timing belt and T-stat housing.

Find out how long ago the timing belt was done. If it wasn't, use that as an arguing point and if you buy the car, do it ASAP.

here is a little tidbit on the t-stat housings

http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/svt-foc…

Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 17:07

Oh boy...

What you first need to realize about SVT Focii are that there are 2 kinds of SVT Focii: those that have been well-taken care of by loving owners, and those beat to shit by idiots who don't respect the car. Often times it's impossible to tell the difference between the two, since the SVT model will come with problems beneath the surface. There's not a single SVT owner I've met or talked to who hasn't had problems with their car, especially at high mileage numbers.

100k-120k miles in your case is really about where things start to go wrong (I'm at 105, so believe me when I say this), but ask if the timing belt and water pump have been replaced, as well as what PCM code the car has. 2003 SVT's came with shitty programming where the car can idle high and run rich, problems later codes fixed (if he has had reflashed, ask if he has code YRF0, that's the most recent code).

There's not a lot of specific areas to check for besides those two, but maybe take it to a mechanic for a thorough check-up, as a lot of the problems these cars have can be hidden in plain sight. For reference, I've done all the work on my car myself and spent about $1200 in two years and 10k miles, excluding a clutch. Parts are getting difficult to come by, though the aftermarket is definitely active with these little cars.

My take on the SVT Focus is that it's a car I love to death and never want to get rid of, but it's not one I would recommend for someone wanting reliable transportation. It's like an American Alfa Romeo: it's absolutely fantastic when it's 100%, but it's maddeningly frustrating when things go wrong. Seriously, though, if you're looking for sub-$5k performance with a dash of practicality, and don't mind taking a few weekends a year to fix some stuff, you can't do much better than an SVT Focus. It has such a fun and happy personality that gets under your skin and makes every drive, from a HPDE run to a trip to the grocery store an adventure.

Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 17:13

Have fun getting a Head if you need one...

Was looking for a head on one and they were super expensive and stupid hard to source.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Tyler's SVT Focus Hates Him
01/20/2014 at 17:17

I want to hate this post...

But, yeah.

maximillious > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 17:45

Let me start by saying I know some people have had great luck with these.

DONT FUCKING BUY ONE!
I bought one in april from a stealership. I test drove it a bunch and saw no issue. got half way home from buying it and the CEL goes on. And so it begins.

IMRC stuck open error,

later a CAT error,

After that I discovered someone did a shoddy tune (not the cars fault but watch out for those having been installed)

Alot of these cars have a problem with a very unstable idle when stopped or slowing so bad so that the car will stall out. This happened with mine in the middle of a left turn across 3 lanes of traffic. Luckily i was fast on the key or that Semi and my life would have become not such good friends

The AC compressor blew out after 3 months

THEN, and this was the final fucking straw. The intake Manifold blew off. I dont mean like a little puff and no start, Im talking about the loudest bang I have ever fucking heard (and I've fired a Barrett 50 cal) with a bright flash of light a Mushroom cloud that sent the Japanese running and the entire contents of my coolant dumped on the garage floor.

I will say it once and I will say it again. I fucking hated that car. It was ugly as sin and not fast enough to justify living with those looks. (like an mediocre chick that is bad in bed... come at me Jez) The car only had 38k miles on it so its not like it was in bad shape. It did sit alot considering it was 11 years old and had such low miles. If I was you I would get something else. Might i suggest on 02-05 Civic SI? Perhaps even a 2000-2001 Integra GSR both are way more fun and much less trouble.

In my experience i would take a swift kick to the nuts rather than an SVT and 500$ pocket money (because I would have to spend the 500$ plus to fix all the shit that is wrong with those cars)

Sorry to any oppo that owns and loves these, if you went through what I did you would not argue.

Aaron James > Dsscats
01/20/2014 at 23:34

I'd look at several of them if you can so you can compare how they drive and run. If I was buying for myself I would only buy one of these that was bone stock (CAI=hooned) and owned by an adult. Lots of these have lived hard lives filled with high RPM clutch dumps, missed power shifts, and 4 lifetimes worth of extreme brake duty.

Wesley Hanna > Nick, Drives a Cobalt LT
01/21/2014 at 11:26

Make sure it has been taken care of just as you would for any car. Make sure the timing belt has been changed every 100k miles and check for rust on the rocker panels. Start cruising through focusfanatics and focaljet to get an idea of what some of the common problems are and what to expect.