Talk me out of it Oppo.

"WRXasaurus" (wrxasaurus)
07/13/2016 at 08:55 • Filed to: None

This seems like a good DD to replace my craptastic CR-V. Plus I know I can fix anything that is wrong with it. So it has a little rust on it, all I need is for it to last a few years, and it should be reasonable fun to drive. And I could teach my wife how to drive a manual.

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

DISCUSSION (10)

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 09:04

If the rust is only on the bottom of the doors and the drivers door is banged up, you could always buy replacement doors at a local pic and pull if you don’t care about matching color? Drivers lock couldn’t be that hard to fix...?

Out, but with a W - has found the answer > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 09:04

Willing to take a loss of 2k over a year on a 3k car seems fishy.
Also “no AC - needs charge” = no AC, not a clue what’s wrong, prepare offerings of unicorn tears.

Anyway, I’d say check it out, it still looks like it could be a good deal.

CalzoneGolem > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 09:14

If you know the chassis then go for it but if not make sure you check out the rear subframe guess it likes to rust and turn into fewer pieces than before.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 09:57

For a grand? If the rust is just on the doors I say go for it.

If you know these cars well getting the AC fixed up shouldn’t be that hard even if it needs more than a re-charge.

diplodicus > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 10:16

Find out if the timing belt has been done, Zetec-R is an interference engine. Cost about 1100$ to have a shop do it.

You will also more than likely have to replace the master cylinder, unless they did it. Slave cylinder on mine went out at 180k, it was like 1200$ in labor to have the slave and clutch replaced, ended up needing a shifter cable as well. Cost on that was 180$ish. Luk OE replacement clutch kit is 400$ shipped.

Also the stock thermostat housings leak coolant. The fix is to replace with a contour housing, and plug the extra hole with an 1/8" npt plug.

It’s worth it to replace the hoses when you do this. I didn’t and had hoses blowout on two separate occasions.

Thermostat, housing, master cylinder is like 200$ for parts and then a lot of reaching in small spots.

The stock ignition coil harness doesn’t have enough slack for the turns at the plug. You’ll know it needs to be replaced when the engine starts running on two cylinders. Ford sells a replacement plug with longer wires that you splice together, 50$ or something.

Another thing to keep in my is the IRMC go bad and you either have to rebuild or replace. It runs when this happens, you just get worse mileage. IDK the cost because I haven’t bothered to fix this yet.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 10:17

When was the timing assembly last changed? Prepare for that immediately if it hasn’t been done recently (I’m guessing no given the state of it).

Also the SVTF REQUIRES premium. As in it WILL NOT RUN on anything less than 91 octane.

They are an absolute blast to drive when well sorted. And can be a never ending money pit of left to rot. That looks sketchy as hell. If you are comfortable doing the labor yourself you can save money, but parts are getting rare and are more expensive because SVT even though many are identical to the regular Focus.

I owned one for nearly 10 years. I loved it and still miss driving it. But they are NOT a cheap commuter car. Honestly, you're better off finding an 05 or so with the 2.3L Duratec and a 5MT and bolting on the SVT suspension. If you find seats those will fit too.

Ilike_cougars > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 10:40

I heard maintenance costs on these were crazy.. never owned one, Got a 2002 mercury cougar v6 instead of this..

Camshaft Chris: Skyline/McLaren/Porsche Fanboy > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 13:48

For a daily? Mmmm, maybe not so much, for this specific one at least. For a LeMons car though? Oh hell yeah!

I’ve been casually looking at these for the last few months as possible daily to give the Crown Vic a break, but I don’t think I’ve seen one this cheap. So I’d assume the price is because it’s got some underlying mentioned issues.

WRXasaurus > ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable)
07/13/2016 at 17:19

Yeah, something a little simpler may be better for me. Thanks for all the info.

ADabOfOppo; Gone Plaid (Instructables Can Be Confusable) > WRXasaurus
07/13/2016 at 17:24

It pains me to recommend not getting an SVT, but that one is cleary a basket case and you’d probably be sorry you bought it.

The later ones with that 2.3L engine are just as fun to drive, don’t need premium, and you can straight bolt on the SVT suspension and seats (if you can find them) to make it a great little commuter.