Focus RS handling

[RoteEddie]

I am considering changing my current car, Opel Speedster, for something with more comfort and usability, while still being an exciting and fast drive both on the street and track.

The Focus RS seems like a good alternative. Unfortunately I have not been able to test one, but I have read many tests and articles about this car. A lot has been said about the handling, and my impression (EVO's fault) is that handling varies from one car to another.

Can you please help me understand why this is, what causes it and how to recognise a good one?
Anything that can be done to a bad one to meke it into a good RS?
How does engine-tuning affect the handling?

[zippy144]

Hi

The Focus RS is a awsome handling car!!! Proberly not as good as the speedster though...

There are 2 variants of the RS early and late models. The late models have a Pink throttle linkage undr the bonnet, extra stiching on the front seats to stop sagging and as far as i am aware a slightly revised handling setup!!!! ( Don't hold me to that one LOL)

The only thing i will say is the RS is a little bit dissapointing in its standard from!!!! If you change the exhaust and managment( IE Bluefin) The car is more like what you expect it to be...

Hope this is of some help to you

Regards

Tom aka Zippy

[Witchfinder]

Start modifying it and you'll de-value it.

[zippy144]

Hi

Depends weahter you buy a car for investment or to use it as it was intended!!!!!

Regards

Tom aka Zippy

[Witchfinder]

zippy144 said:

Depends weahter you buy a car for investment or to use it as it was intended!!!!!

I hardly think the Focus RS needs modifications to be used as intended. Even in standard tune it's awfully quick and a damned good car. It's easily my favourite modern hot-hatch.

RS Fords are always popular, and good original examples are still fetching almost the original asking price. Why ruin a perfectly good car, and damage your wallet at the same time?

[barcrawler]

You should take a look at the ST as well for comparison.

[:J:]

Witchfinder said:

zippy144 said:

Depends weahter you buy a car for investment or to use it as it was intended!!!!!

I hardly think the Focus RS needs modifications to be used as intended. Even in standard tune it's awfully quick and a damned good car. It's easily my favourite modern hot-hatch.

RS Fords are always popular, and good original examples are still fetching almost the original asking price. Why ruin a perfectly good car, and damage your wallet at the same time?

Not very hard to remove a bluefin and exhaust before putting it up for sale is it

[pikeyboy]

my friend who i go karting with has one of these and he rates it as one the best cars ever. This is quite a statement as he works for sytner in nottignham and has driven everything from poxy 316i's to italian/german super cars. He used to have a brand new clio 182 cup and an integrale evo before getting his focus and he still says the focus is the best all round car. It is a later one though with the later diff and handling set up, if you are getting understeer you can just lift slip the rear out and then nail the throttle and the diff locks and it pulls you straight through the corner - brilliant. Plus it is cheap as chips to run with oil changes at ford for 25 quid rear pads 40 quid etc etc. Modified ones arent worth touching i'd keep it standard they are so much fun anyway

his will be for sale soon as he is buying a house

[Podie]

The problem with varying reports, was that the pre-production cars were given to the press to test drive... they took it as "production" and didn't mention the fact... when the final prod cars were released, a number of factors had been addressed.