I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.
You're pretty much right. I may take it up to Lime Rock once or twice, but no more than that.I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.
I would say that handling shouldn't be a concern here. Between that Prelude and the SVT Focus, I really strongly doubt that you'll find any handling issues with either one. It's not like it's gonna make a big difference whether your car can do .75g in a corner or .8g and you're most likely not ever gonna use that much cornering power. For example, in my Mitsubishi Lancer (FWD), I think the limit I've taken it to (which i was afraid to go past) was one of those ramps that say about 40Km/h "recommended" and i took it at about 75-80Km/h, the car was fully pushing me out of the seat. I'm willing to bet a Prelude or SVT Focus could do that too. i doubt you'd need more than that.
For instance...?So where am I going with this?
I like the Prelude because its different, but yes, I'm cool with the SVT Focus as well. Thing is, there may still be better alternatives out there...
For instance...?
Junk. An arguable performance bargain, yes, but junk.2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (162 BHP)
2003+ VW Jetta GLI or Golf GTI (180-204 BHP, 1.8T and VR6)
It gets harder and harder to find one with less than stupid mileage on it. That being said, if he can live around its impracticality (or fit in it) I would jump at it.1999-2005 Mazda Miata (140-ish BHP, depends on year)
Even Honda owners hate these, and there was a reason why it usually finished close to dead last in all of the comparisons it entered. The SVT Focus is better at being a Civic Si in every conceivable way than the actual Civic Si is.2002-2005 Honda Civic Si (160 BHP)
Small car with a motor too powerful for what the chassis is designed for.2002-2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (175 BHP)
Bah! You always need moar! The Focus is a beast the way it is, and all you need is some stickier tires and bigger antiroll bars to make it grip like a race car. But, as I've gathered from Sport Compact Car's SVT project, they're hard to get more power out of naturally aspirated. But that's okay, because I'm pretty sure they're a tad quicker than my EG2 and EM1, and that's plenty satisfying for me.I wouldn't call the SVT Focus a track car. The Evo and STi are track cars, the SVT Focus really isn't.
I would say that handling shouldn't be a concern here. Between that Prelude and the SVT Focus, I really strongly doubt that you'll find any handling issues with either one. It's not like it's gonna make a big difference whether your car can do .75g in a corner or .8g and you're most likely not ever gonna use that much cornering power. For example, in my Mitsubishi Lancer (FWD), I think the limit I've taken it to (which i was afraid to go past) was one of those ramps that say about 40Km/h "recommended" and i took it at about 75-80Km/h, the car was fully pushing me out of the seat. I'm willing to bet a Prelude or SVT Focus could do that too. i doubt you'd need more than that.
10 grand could buy you an awesome piece of ZZT231 Celica (probably relatively high mileage, though).
Some food for thought:
2004-2006 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart (162 BHP)
They're surprisingly cheap if you can find them, hovering between $7-10K from what I can see. I understand they're pretty reliable as well, although in the long-term, I'm uncertain of what will happen. I'm seriously considering one now.
2003+ VW Jetta GLI or Golf GTI (180-204 BHP, 1.8T and VR6)
My old stand-by models, they're still my standard for everything sport compact. The 1.8T can be a trouble-maker, but they offered the VR6 as well, so take your pick. More or less, they're affordable "performance" cars for "grown ups."
1999-2005 Mazda Miata (140-ish BHP, depends on year)
An old favorite for performance drivers, they're pretty cheap. You may be better off with a late-model NA car (1996-1997), but you can find the early NB cars for less than $10K now. Cheap to insure, easy to fix, just not much room.
2002-2005 Honda Civic Si (160 BHP)
I was really surprised by how cheap the early ones are, and furthermore, how cheap the insurance is on one for me. They don't seem like bad cars, they just seem hard to find unmolested. Knowing me, I'd throw a roof rack on it and make it a "hippie chic sports car."
2002-2003 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec-V (175 BHP)
The early ones had the Skyline-esque style, and I liked that. They're a bit "brutal" compared to the others, but yeah, still not a horrible car either.
And YSSMAN where do you see that it needs premium fuel? Cars.com says regular.
Oh jeez.I did the GT4 test...
Ok, sounds like a reliable enough source.I've got an old issue of Motor Trend downstairs where they compare the SVT ZX5, Impreza 2.5 RS, Lancer Ralliart and SE-R Spec-V... As I recall, the Lancer was the only one that had recommended regular fuel. I also recall it being the fastest there by a large margin (out of the cars I listed there, only the VWs would out-run it, I think), and the easiest to drive quickly (used cars should have better rolling stock now, the M+S tires severely limited it).
After riding in the back of my brother's E30 with no rear seat, nothing will seem uncomfortable.As to what Toronado said, I agree for the most part... I like to keep the options open, as always, but I rarely pick the "conventional" choices every time. I'd likely take the GTI due to my sick obsession with paying too damn much and getting too little, that, and I like to be comfortable when not driving at 8/10s+ all the time.
I would get a Miata, if only I didn't...um...I don't know, but I like the functionality of a hatch.Or a Miata. Because they're cheap. And fun to drive. And cheap. Did I mention cheap?
It was a jk, calm down.Oh jeez.
How about you go drive them? I can almost guarantee you'll enjoy driving the Lude more.
Not complaining, just inquiring.Also, who cares if it calls for premium or not. Just put premium in it. It's better. The computer automatically adjusts spark timing, and you're going to get slightly more power and better fuel economy. Neither will offset the cost, but if you're worried about gas prices while looking at these cars, you shouldn't be looking for these cars. I'll be damned if I get 20mpg in the city with my Si.
Based on what? The fact that it didn't sell as well as the Focus did?It's crap car though.
The Contour was a rebadged Mondeo. Everyone knows how terrible they are.The Focus is one of the best cars Ford has ever made.
2 years older, and only 2,500 cars less common, in a car that would probably be much easier to fix because of how much of the drivetrain was shared with the lesser cars in the range.Plus the Contour is rare as platinum and old.