TVR owners, what do you think of the Focus RS?
Discussion
Saw one yesterday in the bright pearlescent green colour. It really did look amazing. Very menacing and purposeful.
Straight line performance is about the same as my Chimaera, but handling will be in a completely different league. Not sure whether i could part with my pride and joy for a Focus though?
It is getting great reviews and i'm certainly very tempted.
What do you reckon?
Straight line performance is about the same as my Chimaera, but handling will be in a completely different league. Not sure whether i could part with my pride and joy for a Focus though?
It is getting great reviews and i'm certainly very tempted.
What do you reckon?
There is a white one near me, they do look good. I am a big fan of Fast Fords, have had a few, good fun for your money. Best bet if you’re interested is go and try one. I have heard the FWD feel has been greatly reduced, and the handling very neutral, albeit some FWD “tug” on the steering is still there.
For that type of Car though I would rather an Evo [ not a 10 ].
However, I think you would get a bit bored with it after having a Powerful RWD TVR, you just cannot beat the driving involvement factor TVR’s give you
For that type of Car though I would rather an Evo [ not a 10 ].
However, I think you would get a bit bored with it after having a Powerful RWD TVR, you just cannot beat the driving involvement factor TVR’s give you
I think it's a very different car.
As has been said before, nothing can replace the unique character of a TVR. However, I suspect very few TVRs would be able to keep up with a well driven new-shape RS on a twisty road and it just seems to do everything well - hatchback practicality, mainstream dealer support etc.
But that's always been the case. I suspect the same amount of money spent on an Evo or something has always produced a car which appeals more to the head. It's just that very few cars have the same effect on the heart.
As has been said before, nothing can replace the unique character of a TVR. However, I suspect very few TVRs would be able to keep up with a well driven new-shape RS on a twisty road and it just seems to do everything well - hatchback practicality, mainstream dealer support etc.
But that's always been the case. I suspect the same amount of money spent on an Evo or something has always produced a car which appeals more to the head. It's just that very few cars have the same effect on the heart.
I had a moment with an RS a couple of weeks ago in the wedge. Both at the lights on a dual carriage way, I had noticed the white car but not really what it was, but as I had been a bit (ahem) playful in the traffic up to then I went off at the lights a little (but not seriously) smartish. Anyhoo next thing I noticed was the psssh of a dump valve and Mr RS alongside. We had a minor playette for a while, but his brand new dumpy valvey turbo whatsit was always neck and neck with my 20 year old 350i - and believe me, for a minute or 2 we were both trying!!! 
Anyway a roundabout loomed and traffic and as I have the stopping distance of a supertanker, I gave him a wave and started braking. Nice enough but I'll stick wiv me wedge
Anyway a roundabout loomed and traffic and as I have the stopping distance of a supertanker, I gave him a wave and started braking. Nice enough but I'll stick wiv me wedge
get a grip man...The previous Focus RS was amazing. The latest Focus ST is an incredibly capable car and the New RS is just an outstanding class leader of which much more exotic equipment should be wary of!
Fast fords these days are very capable cars. I'm personally not into fast family cars, but if i were/needed one then that would be top of my list.
Fast fords these days are very capable cars. I'm personally not into fast family cars, but if i were/needed one then that would be top of my list.
Chimjunkie said:
The previous Focus RS was amazing. The latest Focus ST is an incredibly capable car and the New RS is just an outstanding class leader of which much more exotic equipment should be wary of!
Fortunatly I don't feel the need to prove my worth and hence be wary of any other driver on public roads. OK so it's a quick Escort, let it go... I have yet to see one in the flesh so cant comment on the looks, However My other car is a 300 BHP ST which even without the Revoknuckle (just sprots suspension and geo set up ) is fairly rapid and would lose my chim in the twisties.
Day to day practicality is priceless tip trips, moving stuff about is no hassle then when its empty you can shock a few people;)
However when I feel the need for pure anadulterated driving it has to be the TVR.
So my 2p worth spend £13k on a modded ST and use the £12 you save to upgrade your TVR
Day to day practicality is priceless tip trips, moving stuff about is no hassle then when its empty you can shock a few people;)
However when I feel the need for pure anadulterated driving it has to be the TVR.
So my 2p worth spend £13k on a modded ST and use the £12 you save to upgrade your TVR
My neighbour works for Bristol Street Ford, and is getting one on demo for a few days next week. No doubt we'll be doing some comparisons...
From reading the various press reviews and tests, it's undeniably a very capable car for the money, but I still don't think it will have the sense of occasion that you get in a TVR.
And it has a few cylinders missing as well
From reading the various press reviews and tests, it's undeniably a very capable car for the money, but I still don't think it will have the sense of occasion that you get in a TVR.
And it has a few cylinders missing as well
Chris71 said:
I think it's a very different car.
AgreedChris71 said:
However, I suspect very few TVRs would be able to keep up with a well driven new-shape RS on a twisty road ....
Obviously you've only driven old skool TVR's (S's, Griff's & Chim's) & not a Tcar....
It wouldn't keep up on a WW
Chris71 said:
As has been said before, nothing can replace the unique character of a TVR. However, I suspect very few TVRs would be able to keep up with a well driven new-shape RS on a twisty road and it just seems to do everything well - hatchback practicality, mainstream dealer support etc.
But that's always been the case. I suspect the same amount of money spent on an Evo or something has always produced a car which appeals more to the head. It's just that very few cars have the same effect on the heart.
Dont think the OP was asking for a thread on comparing it to the TVR, but maybe rather hoping for our blessing? But that's always been the case. I suspect the same amount of money spent on an Evo or something has always produced a car which appeals more to the head. It's just that very few cars have the same effect on the heart.
With lots of work done on my cars handling the Chim now keeps pace comfortably with a well driven Exige on the bumpy and twisty roads. It has taken R888's, Nitrons, Upgraded springs, SH drop links, Good geo and a lot of tweaking of the nut behind the wheel however
Cant think of much that would take me away from the TVR. It's a mad car.
you mean it's got seven? I think Ford pigeonholed themselves by not producin mad cars for a while, which is a shame, they have a stayed image which imho isnt deserved.
I lusted after an escort cosworth after my dad bought one home once when i was 14, and he also used to show me the pink and red sierra cosworths stored at Brooklyn.
I actually think the are what got me into fast cars.
The RS is a bonkers cars that a admire Ford for doing. Unfortunately it will attract chavs but then in the days of the escort...if chavs had existed wouldnt the story be the same?? didnt stop it being iconic.
A different car to a TVR but a very good one all the same...
I lusted after an escort cosworth after my dad bought one home once when i was 14, and he also used to show me the pink and red sierra cosworths stored at Brooklyn.
I actually think the are what got me into fast cars.
The RS is a bonkers cars that a admire Ford for doing. Unfortunately it will attract chavs but then in the days of the escort...if chavs had existed wouldnt the story be the same?? didnt stop it being iconic.
A different car to a TVR but a very good one all the same...
Leaves me cold i'm afraid. But I didn't like the ST I had so I may not be the best person to comment.
It's too big and bloated looking for me and the styling looks like they're trying too hard. The fact it has deliberate fake vents isn't a winner for me either.
I'm sure, in its class, it's very capable but it still comes across as a car that feels like it's doing the work rather than a TVR where it feels like you really have to take it by the scruff of the neck.
It's too big and bloated looking for me and the styling looks like they're trying too hard. The fact it has deliberate fake vents isn't a winner for me either.
I'm sure, in its class, it's very capable but it still comes across as a car that feels like it's doing the work rather than a TVR where it feels like you really have to take it by the scruff of the neck.
Fly Boy said:
Chris71 said:
I think it's a very different car.
AgreedChris71 said:
However, I suspect very few TVRs would be able to keep up with a well driven new-shape RS on a twisty road ....
Obviously you've only driven old skool TVR's (S's, Griff's & Chim's) & not a Tcar....It wouldn't keep up on a WW
So, no I can't claim to have relevant first hand experience, but I think it would be a very impressive car that could lose the RS on a twisty road. I suspect it'd be an even more special one that would allow the driver to do so without superhuman skill. The Focus chassis is virtually idiot-proof. Of course, that's also a good reason for going for the TVR in itself.
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