Svt Focus vs Mk V GTI

"Chris Limbright" (lightbright32)
05/15/2014 at 11:47 • Filed to: None

So it seems like the time has come to part with my 2004 convertible mustang with 90k on it so I think I can probably get about 7k for it. So I'm going to Michigan Tech next year for school so I need something practical so right now I'm deciding between a Svt Focus and a Mk V Gti. So do you guys have any other possible suggestions?

Heres a couple things im looking at currently

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/cto/444284…

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/4454403811…

DISCUSSION (17)

OPPOsaurus WRX > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 11:53

http://annarbor.craigslist.org/cto/4469253909…

http://detroit.craigslist.org/okl/cto/446913…

Twingo Tamer - About to descend into project car hell. > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 11:54

I'd say the focus, the mark 4 gti is known as possibly the worst gti of all the generations.

JR1 > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 11:56

If Mr. DeMuro's post about German reliability holds any truth (and I am sure it does) I would lean towards the Ford.

offroadkarter > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 11:58

for reliability reasons I'd be looking into a SVTF. The GTI is obviously the faster of the two.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 11:59

The SVT is a great car, so long as it's been maintained religiously. The timing assembly needs done every 5 years or 80k- pay no attention to Ford service manual interval.

The thermostat housing is cheap plastic and prone to leaks. The fix is using the T-stat housing from the older Contour with the Zetec and a properly sized brass plug.

The SVT also requires premium (91+), so that' something to consider in your budget as well.

Despite the flaws, the SVT is hands-down one of the absolute best driver's cars from the last decade. I adore mine, number 85 off the line, 2002 in Sonic Blue.

The European Appearance Package was offered in 2003, only on the 3-door, while the 5-door was also new. For 2004 you could have gotten the EAP on either the 3 or the 5-door. Part of the EAP was a pair of black leather Recaro seats that are some of the best ever offered in a production car.

The SVT you've listed is priced too high. About $4,000 is a more realistic figure for an 02 with 83k miles. I would look for an EAP car as well, since they came with every option available at the time, plus a few package specifics.

Check out the forums at FocalJet.com for a wealth of knowledge about the SVT.

Textured Soy Protein > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 12:07

In my opinion, the GTI is a little better to drive and the SVT Focus is the more reliable option. But the SVT Focus also has its share of common issues including clutch master cylinders, coolant leaks, and oxygen sensors. At least the parts are cheaper than the VW.

If you're on the sporty fwd hatchback tip, I would look at the '02-'05 Civic Si hatch, and the Acura RSX. The Si and base RSX have 160 hp, the RSX Type-S has 200 hp.

dogisbadob > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 12:08

Between those two, get the Focus. Sorry, I'm not a VW fan. Also, remember that the 03-04 SVT was available as a 4-door which is more useful.

Other cars worth considering are the Protege5 and Matrix XRS/Vibe GT. If you're lucky, an Astra might also be within your budget. Of course the underrated EP3 Civic Si (best British car ever made) and the RSX Type-S are worth considering, and they should be in your price range, but of course they're only 2-doors. I also like the 01-04 Volvo V40 wagon. For convertible fun and easy parking, the Vitara/Tracker might also work. If you can do without a sunroof, the xA, xB, and Suzuki's Aerio SX are good options as well. I don't know if you'll be able to find a Scion TC in your price range, but it's worth considering since it is a Toyota.

You may also like the C230 sport coupe. Normally I don;t recommend them because of reliability issues, but you are considering VW, so you might not care as much. The C230 has a panoramic sunroof and a 6-speed manual transmission available. A lot like the TC except with more prestige and RWD.

Why isn't the Miata on your list? :p

Good luck at Michigan Tech!

Squid > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 12:11

Get the Focus and do the timing belt and all that jazz and enjoy a fun hatch. I'm just wondering why he ditched the factory wheels to put those Enkei's on there that look really similar to the SVT 5 spokes. I agree with ADab OfOppo in trying to find an 03+ with the EAP. But I dunno, when I was searching for a SVT Focus last year this was about the price they were and this had lower miles than the ones I found, if this car were to come up in SoCal it wouldn't last long at this price.

Another thing to be conscious about are the crappy motor mounts Ford used on the Focus. They are shit and will break and give you a nice vibration at idle.

Chris Limbright > dogisbadob
05/15/2014 at 12:12

I didnt put up miata up there just because of the amount of snow at michigan tech

Garrett Davis > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/15/2014 at 13:07

"...the SVT is hands-down one of the absolute best driver's cars from the last decade."

I love the SVT Focus a much as the next guy, but come on...

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Garrett Davis
05/15/2014 at 13:10

I said one of, not the only. I also did not quantify how many cars are included on said list.

And, yes, the SVT Focus is that good.

BigRed03 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/15/2014 at 13:18

I too suggest the SVT Focus. I may be biased with my '03 5-door, though...#1943 of 2173 5-doors for '03, 1 of 591 red seats + silver paint.

Now, SVT specific parts for these are getting to be harder to find. If you do get one, get the timing ASSEMBLY done ASAP. Interference engine = muy expensive-o if belt snaps. These regularly get 150K+ miles (I'm at 131k right now.). However, if the car has not been maintained well previously, it could be a money pit.

Garrett Davis > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
05/15/2014 at 13:23

Eh, I drove one for a week or so a few years back. It was a really fun car, but I can think of many more fun to drive cars of the last decade. I'm not bagging on the Focus at all, I lusted after those for years, but there's no way I could rank it in even the top ten of best driver's cars from the past decade. This is coming from a guy who willingly purchased a 318ti...

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > Garrett Davis
05/15/2014 at 13:39

Again, I did not specify a ranking. Only that it is on the list.

I stand by my statements. It's just a blast to drive one.

Jmaister > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 16:58

who is paying for maintenance?

do you absolutely need the car?

Slow4o > Chris Limbright
05/15/2014 at 21:12

I own an 03 EAP in silver. I paid 5k for it with 105k miles on it 2 years ago. It has been largely trouble free and a great DD and autocross car. It is a fun little car, and the EAP interior is AMAZING. I probably overpaid some for my car, but the EAP + the condition of the interior (almost flawless) made it worth it for me. I just did the timing belt change, and have the advantage of having a bunch of guys in Houston that have owned these cars since new, so the job wasn't hard at all. The only problems I have had with the car are that it eats rear O2 sensors (because of the cat placement) and the IMRC keeps screwing up, but that is a simple fix. I autocross it instead of my Mustang because it is much more fun in that environment. I have never driven a GTI, but would recommend the Focus just because working on it is really easy.

BlythBros. > Chris Limbright
05/16/2014 at 20:15

I think the Focus is the way to go.