Why are you even asking!?

Focus RS FTW

Hayabusa engined Smart Fourtwo??

Yes and no :P

Ford offer a Mountune developed kit which takes the ST power up to 260bhp and 290lb/ft torque. It consists of uprated Pro Alloy intercooler, intake upgrade and ECU remap.

Lee

And most importantly that kit doesn't effect your Ford warranty..

Not sure why you've written off the Impreza from the off, but the new car does leave a lot to be desired when you haven't driven one. However, when I drove my mates I realised that although it has been hit with the ugly stick, it is a fantastically quick and composed motor. After 6k miles my mate now confesses that it is quicker than all his previous Scoobs, going back through 05STi, 02STi and a 99 Classic, but it never feels like it is due to the smoother power delivery and refined ride. As usual, the JDM import cars are better spec'd, higher powered and overall better cars. Iain Litchfield is developing new Type 20/25 models which early report rate as astounding road cars, more than capable of embarrassing supercar owners.

If you simply cannot face the new hunchback, consider the previous 'Hawkeye' design, especially some of the very special variants. The JDM import S204 and Type RA-R are awesome and I believe PCM (Performance Centre Manchester) has both in stock at your budget. Or you could hunt down 2nd hand models of the Litchfield Type 20/25's. The last Hawkeye T25's had fully rebuilt Cosworth engines running 415bhp, 420 lb/ft, 0-62 in 3.7s, 100 in 8.7s and although limited (removable) to 157 are geared to 175mph.

I must admit, I am anxious to see a good comparison of the Focus RS to some of the better Scoobs (not just standard UK models which are always compromised). Early reviews have been very good, but I await someone like Evo mag comparing it to the models I list above, especially on difficult roads and in typical British weather to see if the fancy diff and geometry set-up can make FWD anywhere near as useable as 4WD in extreme circumstances. If only Top Gear did good group tests of interesting cars instead of d!cking about or posing in million-pound exotica ! I'd love to see every car do a dry AND wet lap to give a good comparison of overall ability and performance.

Edited 18 April, 200917 yr by corradoboy

The Subaru Impreza is undoubtedly a performance icon. I've considred a few in the past, but most rags agree that the Evo X has overtaken the Scoob in almost every area. I've never driven either so can't really offer an opinion that isn't second hand.

As for desiribility, I think this is where the Scoob falls down. The new one is pig ugly, and there are so many versions, and iterations, and imports and tuners, that it looses it's identity. Not to mention that it suffers from the chav factor. You automatically form stereotypical assumptions about Scooby drivers. Staffy owner, jewelery from Elizabeth Duke, Tattoos, and a criminal record. Sorry but you do.

The Focus RS may well be a chav's wet dream, but they hold their value better than an STI. they have a limited production run, so don't really fall into the hands of the bare knuckle boxers & all, and there is only one version of the Focus RS.

Evo magazine's current favourite car is a Megane R26.R. stripped out FWD shopping trolley!

I agree with much of what you say. It is unfortunate, but when a car has been in production for some 16 years, the earlier models will eventually become cheap enough for less desirable types to afford, and the potential of them makes them very desirable to those undesirables. Usually, the pond-life sink-estate types are in the earlier Classic shapes, although the Bugeye model is now dropping to their price level. By having the newer shapes (Blobeye and Hawkeye) you do elevate yourself above many of them. As a founder (now ex) member of the West Yorkshire Impreza Owners Club which had up to 70 members at its height, we did have a few members whom maybe weren't too wealthy, house-proud or stylish, but the majority of our guys were managers, IT professionals, self-employed, home-owners etc. A good mix of thoroughly decent people, so the stereotypes are probably stereotypical of most stereotypes. Opinions are like @r$eholes after all; everyone has one, and they all stink.

The Focus RS may well be a limited run car, but the Focus isn't. The RS is just a special edition of a multi-million-selling family car which graces council estates across the land, as do older Escort RS Turbo's, Focus ST's, XR2/3's etc etc. You could argue that a similar special edition Subaru such as the S204, or even the iconic 22B would be impossible to find in the scruffy parts of the country, and realistically is a similar marketing concept and genre of performance vehicle to the much praised RS. It's funny how people build up fast Ford's, but are quick to knock down other marques and yet the justifications don't usually bear reversal !

I have driven both Subaru's and Mitsubishi's, a great many of both over the years, and I always prefer the Scoobs. I personally find the Evo astoundingly quick, incredibly capable, but detached in driver involvement. It's too much a Playstation car for me, simply point at corner, foot down, and hang on whilst it keeps you on the road by the slimmest of margins. Subaru's need a driver to wring the best out for them, in an Evo, the driver is often a passenger. I know that apart from the creme-de-la-creme of Subaru's such as the S204, Type RA-R or Type 20/25's, Evo's are mostly quicker point-to-point, but for a true driver the enjoyment isn't just in being able to brag in the pub about out-and-out speed. It's how the cars feels, for you, and the satisfaction derived from getting near the limits. In an Evo if you near the limits, you are near death if the computers decide it.

Edited 18 April, 200917 yr by corradoboy

I will probably get shot down in flames, but what about a TT?

MK2 2.0 (now with quattro) can be tuned fairly easily to over 300bhp or there is the 3.2 with a flappy paddle box.

TTS' are getting quite cheap now as well.

I will probably get shot down in flames, but what about a TT?

MK2 2.0 (now with quattro) can be tuned fairly easily to over 300bhp or there is the 3.2 with a flappy paddle box.

TTS' are getting quite cheap now as well.

Can't see the dilemma - I'd be satisfied with the vRS looking at the details in your sig, and keep the money.

I'd cry if I'd done so much to a car only 18 months old to pass it on to someone else.

Early reviews have been very good, but I await someone like Evo mag comparing it to the models I list above,

Autocar have it next week, and I think Performance Car has it next month... both I would trust more than Evo :thumbdwn:

Dont know about when it will be launched, price or performance yet, but this should be interesting when it gets here judging by the R26R

Guys - many thanks for the time you've taken to post - some good ideas coming through.

The TT I have to confess I have considered - it would have to be a TTS however just to give me a noticeable improvement in straightline pace. I think currently its a little over budget however and Im still not sure I should move to a two door coupe just yet.

The scooby and evo's just dont seem to do it for me tbh. The interior build and plastics quality are awful imo and I'll never forget the first time I slammed a boot lid on a scooby - I think I can still hear it 'tinging' in my ears! :P Sardine can springs to mind.

I think the EVOs are the better looking but Ive only properly driven Scoobys.

When my last Focus was in with Power Engineering I had the use of their own 330bhp scoob. Traction off the line was formidable (although Im not convinced the drivetrain would be happy doing that too regularly) and overall grip was excellent; although it was far from standard and I can remember taking corners in the focus at a higher speed! (the Focus had Eibach ARB's and Bilstein PSS9 coilovers).

Also, I didnt actually think the scoob was that quick once moving at speed - above 80mph the Focus felt quicker - this was later proven to be the case too.

Im afraid the Renault would be a 'no'. I just couldnt bring myself to own a french car (so says the skoda owner)

A couple of posts have already sussed that my heart is set on the RS - I think this a fair reflection right now. However, if I did this I still think it would offer similar, maybe just slightly better, straightline pace than my VRS. I can currently keep up with a mates ST thats tuned to a genuine 300bhp and 325lb/ft no problem so Im not sure how much more pace the RS would give. It would certainly be better in terms of 'chuckability' and driver involvement of course.

One thing is clear though, whatever I look at - my Octy seems to stack up very well indeed. It also has the benefit of a big practical body for the family side of things.

Even looking at something like a new supercharged six cylinder S4 and the figures look near enough identicle - and thats a 36k car :eek:

Hmmm, even more thinking time needed. If Im spending another 14k on a car it needs to give me more!

Thanks again for all the posts; keep the ideas coming.

Lee

With that kind of budget I would go for a bmw M5 as running costs dont seem to be a problem! Big practicle car and well 500bhp is rather tastey too

it just proves how good the tuned vRS is.

I say keep the vRS, and get a ko4 turbo or garrett turbo(Turbo Upgrades | KTM Xbow)

then you'll have 360bhp go play with:D and to be fair with the mods you already have, you shouldnt have to buy anything other than the turbo +ancillaries and the stage 3 MAP.

To keep the interior nice you'll have to stay german. then to get equal performance your looking at big bucks. Or will you be willing to tune it up as well.

it just proves how good the tuned vRS is.

I say keep the vRS, and get a ko4 turbo or garrett turbo(Turbo Upgrades | KTM Xbow)

then you'll have 360bhp go play with:D and to be fair with the mods you already have, you shouldnt have to buy anything other than the turbo +ancillaries and the stage 3 MAP.

To keep the interior nice you'll have to stay german. then to get equal performance your looking at big bucks. Or will you be willing to tune it up as well.

Well as per the earlier posts Im more than happy to tune the new one, thats not a problem.

Ive been offered a good price for my Octy now so Im really getting desperate to find the replacement car.

Oh, and I have the full KO4 kit ready to go on the Octy. It'll be sold off seperately if I swap the VRS for something else.

Here's a curved ball for you. What about either keeping the Octy as a runabout, or buying an eco-shed for everyday duties, and buying into Damon Hill's 'P1 International' performance car club. I know a guy in London whom did this. It costs him about the same each year as it would to own any reasonable performance car (fuel, ins, service, repairs, tax, depreciation etc) but he manages about 24 2-3 day rentals a year of everything from Ferrari's, Aston's, Lambo's, Porsche's, Bentley's, Roller's, Maserati's.....you name it. I'd consider it if I was just a tiny bit better off.

I'm making a case for an ST with SWMBO, so an RS would have the same:

- Practical family hatch

- Decent boot

- Excellent safety

- Heated windscreen

- Comfortable

- Fuel efficient

Ok that last one is a lie, but the others are genuine!

Go for the ST, in green

Here's temptation for you. This was parked in the pits at Goodwood.

From what I heard it is a pre-production model though but looks pretty good in white.

Here's temptation for you. This was parked in the pits at Goodwood.

From what I heard it is a pre-production model though but looks pretty good in white.

That's got to be one of the most ugly fecking cars I've ever seen in my life ........

.............................and I want one..................

...............now where did I put that lottery ticket ?

There's not a lot between them on looks really....

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and that RS looks absolutely brutal. IMO it actually looks more lairy that the STI scoob. I prefer it in Performance Blue though....

Oooooer, isnt there rules for this sort of 'porn' being posted on the forum?!

Blue RS just gets it in my book. Just slightly ahead of the white one. And the Scooby just isnt my cuppa im afraid.

12k on top of my car though. It would definetly need the stage 1 mountune package asap

Might as well add the green one into the equation for good measure - looks like green is the new orange !

And the concept green interior

Oooooer, isnt there rules for this sort of 'porn' being posted on the forum?!

You should see it in the flesh.

It was sharing floor space with a Ferrari 612, Porsche GT3 RS and a Clio. The centre of attention was the Focus.

You should see it in the flesh.

It was sharing floor space with a Ferrari 612, Porsche GT3 RS and a Clio. The centre of attention was the Focus.

Oh dont worry I have seen one... and been in one.

The last was a green one at Fords Dunton Technical Centre - I think its fair to say thats when I really though 'I want one of them'

I couldnt live with the green personally so it would be the white or the blue if I got one.