Is it possible? As in has anyone ran one daily for a lengthy period of time, I thinking of chopping in the Octy vRS for one, so wanting to know, high mileage ones to avoid? Because this is what would be on the cards due to price and budget, Being a duratec would they last high milage, parts expensive? High mileage issues?

All iv found is that how "Ford is reliable" but not anything to go off, I love the idea, but is it worth it[emoji16] [emoji16]

I'd get on the RSOC.

I have a friend with one but he wraps it up in garage and only brings it out on sunny days.  

Do you have deep pockets? When you say 'As a daily' do you mean you will be commuting in it? 

 

Great cars but like all RS models they can become money pits. Like you, I would love to own a Mk1 Focus RS but running costs and potential expensive repairs put me off.

 

And beware the crashed/repaired ones.

I'd love one too :( it's a Zetec engine

I will most likely get shot down here but what about the focus st 170?

My Dads mate has one. It sounds amazing. Apparently 300bhp or what ever. He reckons 35mpg. Which I am calling complete bull****.

I have read though that many people who get a mk1 Focus RS are let down by it not being as good as they were expecting :(

I will most likely get shot down here but what about the focus st 170?

like em, but nothing like as... special

Been put off by the repairs, bumper alone being 600/700 ish, rare parts ect, read that the bottom arms are 500 a pair, compared with like 90 for standard FOCUS,

Just to name a few*

I've read it's something like 70% different to a normal Focus

I've long been a focus rs1 fan but lately I've been thinking...

How about a blue fiesta st,mountuned to rs figues

Swap the wheels for focus rs ones and maybe the seats too

De-badge it and for me you've a new rs which would hopefully be reliable

They are brilliant cars, IMO the best looking Focus they ever did. You need to remember a lot of them have been rebuilt after the owners wrap them around the local lamppost, to find a rare unmodified ones are like hens teeth.

 

You will here "Phase2" ones alot, they had a few revisions on them like stitching on the seats etc, If you can get one from someone you can track back via clubs they are quite a good buy but will command good money.

 

It's a basic car (no heated front Screen) but its a cracking drive, My brother has had 2 of them like most fords and bear in mind they are 10+ years old they will have rust on some so be really careful of that.

 

As for the Parts they are expensive as more cars get written off, You will see on the Autotrader a few leggy ones the cheap ones arent always the best.

 

RSOC and Passionford are all good places to find out what to look out for, They are tunable but remember is old tech so it does cost a bit to get them past the 300bhp mark.

My Dads mate has one. It sounds amazing. Apparently 300bhp or what ever. He reckons 35mpg. Which I am calling complete bull****.

I have read though that many people who get a mk1 Focus RS are let down by it not being as good as they were expecting :(

 

I owned a Focus (not an RS I hasten to add) for a number of years and was a member of FFOC forum. I can't recall anyone saying they were not as good as they were expecting. Bear in mind that they had 'only' 212 bhp so there are plenty more powerful cars out there nowadays; back then it was a lot. But it was on the track where it excelled; where its trick differential did the business through the corners and it could stretch its legs. I would have one in a flash if I could justify wrapping it in cotton wool for summer track days.

I think you'd spoil one driving everyday.

At the age now where you need to buy one as an investment and bubblewrap it in a garage for the next 20 years

Buy a MK2 Leon Cupra.... Remap it....

Enjoy!

Buy a MK2 Leon Cupra.... Remap it....

Enjoy!

 

more power/torque than a standard mk1 FRS but less everything else

/\ no horrible sparco halfords seats though which is another plus

What does a mk2 Leon Cupra have less of?

What does a mk2 Leon Cupra have less of?

Less rust?

What does a mk2 Leon Cupra have less of?

if you need to ask...

at the end of the day, the Leon is a mass market product built down to a price to fill a specific market segment

And a ford focus is a bespoke car built in

Low numbers for select individuals?

Lol

And a ford focus is a bespoke car built in

Low numbers for select individuals?

Lol

The mk1 RS was exactly that 4501 (each individually numbered) made worldwide with bespoke parts and a wider track that meant it couldn't be made on the standard production line. Ford also lost money on every one they made due to the parts used.

Funny thing is I see loads of Ford Focus's (Foci?) every day of the week. Therefore I would say the Ford Focus is a mass produced vehicle.

Now I'm no fool and understand that to some the RS models hold a special sort of thing and have some bespoke parts bolted on.

That said there are plenty of other vehicles that pound for pound offer up very similar dynamics. After all the Original MK1 RS is an old car now.

If you want an RS then by all means by one.

I mentioned the MK 2 Leon Cupra as pound for pound it should be a good match and offer more refined handling. If you want more bling you can buy a Cupra K1.

The mk1 RS was exactly that 4501 (each individually numbered) made worldwide with bespoke parts and a wider track that meant it couldn't be made on the standard production line. Ford also lost money on every one they made due to the parts used.

Interesting stuff

JRJG