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"vondon302" (vondon302) 02/23/2018 at 07:47 • Filed to: Unnecessary want

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I’ve been looking for a replacement DD for my P71. Don’t know much about these but looks fun. Might be alittle too high strung for my purposes though.

TheTurbochargedSquirrel > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 08:12

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Don’t have anything to say about the car but I always liked those rims. Probably my favorite OEM wheels. Hopefully SVTyler will chime in about his.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 08:13

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From what I’ve heard trying to daily a normal focus SVT hard enough. Due to harsh ride, poor fuel economy and poor reliability. It seems like the owner of this one has only made all of those worse.

On the flip side it seems like all the work has been done with care by knowledgeable people. I guess if you wanted a modified SVT Focus this is the one to get.

vondon302 > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 02/23/2018 at 08:15

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Just about what I thought too.

diplodicus > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 08:21

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I’d say NP. Prepare to have to replace the clutch master cylinder and thermostat housing. The wires for the ignition coil connector will also pull out of the connector eventually because they didn’t leave enough slack. It’s a 40$ part. The solenoid for VVT and the Variable Intake manifold are common issues as well. Fun cars, Idk how tall you are but at 6' I always felt like I was riding too high up in the car even with the seat fully lowered.

If you buy it I have a set of the 5 spoke SVT rims you can have if you want.

themanwithsauce - has as many vehicles as job titles > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 08:22

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Stock ones are like a precursor to the Fiesta ST. Good cars when maintained but first gen focuses did not age too well on the reliability and plastics front. Definitely a hoot to drive. But keep it stock for daily purposes.

AdverseMartyr > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 08:28

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I can’t really say except for my heart just says CP to this body style. I just don’t like the front end of it for some reason. I’ve never really been able to say why, but ever since it first came out I haven’t liked it. I like the more recent style just fine, but not this one.

vondon302 > diplodicus 02/23/2018 at 08:31

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Great information.

Thanks

MasterMario - Keeper of the V8s > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 08:42

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I wouldn’t hesitate to pick it up if it were a weekend/track car, but as a daily it might be a bit high strung as you said.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 09:03

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Owned one for 10 years. AMA

vondon302 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 02/23/2018 at 09:28

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How bad is the stock ride and how easy is it to work on? Looks tight in the engine bay.

Thanks

SmugAardvark > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 10:06

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I didn’t like the interior when I drove one, but that is purely a subjective matter based on my personal ergonomics. Beyond that, I had no qualms with it.

Given the level of modifications, I’m not sure I’d want to daily it. But I’d bet that it’s a blast to drive.

vondon302 > SmugAardvark 02/23/2018 at 10:09

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My thought too. Thx

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > vondon302 02/23/2018 at 10:51

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Stock ride is compliant and not at all unbearable. It is definitely on the sporty-side though.

Engine bay is tight. Depends on what you want to reach. Not mentioned, but absolutely vital is changing the timing assembly (Not just the belt, but all the tensioners as well, and probably the water pump at every other timing change) every 80k/5 years. That is a huge PIA, and requires a special tool from Ford to set correctly.

All the other advice about the t-stat and actuators is correct.

I adored my SVT. Well maintained, they are truly sublime to drive on a twisty road. But left for too long, they are very high-strung and become a huge drain of time and money to keep up with. Parts are also impossible to find, and are more expensive because they were never made in large volume. Lamborghini made more Gallardos than Ford made SVT Foci.

I would suggest looking at a different Focus for a DD; as much as it pains me to say, and SVT is a really bad DD.

Look for a 2005-ish 2.3L Duratec Focus. That engine is much more modern than the Zetec found in the SVT, and is far easier to maintain. If you get a hatchback, the SVT suspension bolts on. You can convert to rear disc brakes easily enough. And there are plenty of SVT interiors around to swap in, if at least the front seats to make an SVT-lite with almost all the positives, and none of the drawbacks of an actual SVT. Yes, you’d lose that 7k redline, and SVT heritage. But the Duratec cars are that much easier to live with it is worth the effort

vondon302 > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) 02/23/2018 at 11:34

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Thanks great information.