Talk me out of the Focus RS

[ballmode]

I'm looking for a base model with no options: $35,700 + $800 destination = $36,500 + TTL

I currently have a 2003 S2000 and a 2007 Civic Coupe (manual)

Selling S2000 to use as a downpayment for this car with some cash on top. I figure I can get about $15-16k for the S2000.

Anyways... should I get the Focus RS? Consider the Golf R instead?
save like 8-10 grand and get a WRX?

I am not considering the STI since it really didn't get the engine upgrade I wanted.


I have found a few dealers that won't sell the RS above MSRP, but I haven't found one to take any money off the MSRP. Should I just wait it out?

 

[shabby]

I would skip the current model mainly because it came out 5-6 years ago, the interior is severely outdated compared to new cars coming out today. Enjoy the s2000 for a year or two and when the new rs comes out then get it.

 

[Midwayman]

Man, MSRP for a ford just seems wrong.

 

[Imported]

Whats the RS going to be used for?

 

[tHa ShIzNiT]

Isn't there going to be some type of "market value adjustment" additional fee applied to these cars? I was hearing that there would be...and that it would be substantial.

I'd probably give the car at least 1 year to work out the kinks if you can. Having said that, I do own a 2015 WRX, the first year of the new model.

edit: I did wait until near the end of the model year to see what types of issues were popping up...and after concluding that the 2016 model didn't add anything I wanted.

 

[Demo24]

I would skip the current model mainly because it came out 5-6 years ago, the interior is severely outdated compared to new cars coming out today. Enjoy the s2000 for a year or two and when the new rs comes out then get it.

Then he'd be waiting another 5 years. The RS's only come out towards the end of the product cycle. However, the interior (and exterior slightly) did get a revamp for the current production year.

--

16k for a 2003 s2000? Unless that's some super rare one I'm unaware of you are basically double it's KBB private value. So good luck on that one.

Also good luck getting an RS for msrp since practically all the dealerships getting one have added significant markups to them and given the 'rarity' aren't going to be terribly willing to negotiate that off.


That being said it's an awesome car and you should definitely try to get one if you can! Golf R is nowhere near as entertaining, albeit probably more "refined".

 

[coxmaster]

I'll make it easy...

Have you already ordered one? If not, are you willing to pay 5k markup to get one? If not, you'll be waiting at least another year.

They're not easy to find

 

[ballmode]

16k for a 2003 s2000? Unless that's some super rare one I'm unaware of you are basically double it's KBB private value. So good luck on that one.

My S2000 blue books for $16,500 right now. S2000's hold value

 

[ballmode]

I'll make it easy...

Have you already ordered one? If not, are you willing to pay 5k markup to get one? If not, you'll be waiting at least another year.

They're not easy to find

I've found two dealers to sell at MSRP... I hate paying MSRP for a domestic product... on the fence to see how the kinks get worked out and just buy next year...

I have til next weekend to make a decision

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

Id go with a premium mustang gt if I were looking to spend 36k on a sports car. The interior looks like early 2000's econo box. Otherwise it appears to be a beast of a car.

 

[tweakmonkey]

Econobox?? Heated recaros:

I mean it's not a Mercedes but it's certainly not a Cobalt or entry level Kia.

I think the Focus RS looks more appealing than the Mustang GT in almost every way. Then again I've owned a bunch of Mustang GTs..

FWIW I sold my AP1 S2000 (160k miles) for $11k 2 years ago and bought a Fiesta ST. I LOVE the car compared to my S2000 which was a good car in many ways... but for 0-45 the Fiesta's a lot more fun, which is what 90% of my street driving is and it still hauls ass with a tune. The Focus RS is bonkers fast and all the reviews are saying it's amazing so far. If you want a hot hatch this is the one to get IMO. VWs tend to be more sensible and softer. The Fords tend to be more fun.

 

[postmortemIA]

$36K for econobox? Fool is easily separated from his money.

 

[Dr. Detroit]

$36K for econobox? Fool is easily separated from his money.

I mean because 330HP, AWD, 6spd manual, Recaro's, 8" touchscreen 10 speaker Sony system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, HID Lights, Brembo brakes, 19" wheels with Pilot Super sports.

Yep - might as well get a Honda Fit for $18K because you know apples to apples.

 

[JulesMaximus]

I really want to like this car but it just screams boy racer and it would probably be a cop magnet and a ticket magnet and at the top of the most stolen list. Plus you would have to buy it from a Ford dealership which is a huge turn off for me personally.

For the money and the premium I think I'd rather buy a Mercedes-Benz E550 coupe off lease.

 

[Zor Prime]

I currently have a 2003 S2000 and a 2007 Civic Coupe (manual)

Keep the S2000, trade up the Civic for a new Civic Si Coupe when they come out. The current regular Civic is faster than the current Si! The new Si based on the current regular Civic should be pretty fun but if you really want AWD and can't be seen without it that would be a problem.

What you're wanting is going to depreciate fast as hell, what you currently have is gradually appreciating. I know automobiles are generally terrible investments, but since you're already in a good position ...

 

[Demo24]

My S2000 blue books for $16,500 right now. S2000's hold value

Fair enough, I'd say go for it! When you think about what all you are getting its actually a pretty good deal. Sti's, evos, golf r's have been going for 35-40k for a decade now so having this one come in just at 35k is impressive. 350hp of torque vectoring awd? Yes!

I'd check that you can fit and are comfortable in the recaros. Heard those can be quite tight.

Most of this car has been on sale for years, so I'd think it's be fine for a "first year".

 

[SearchMaster]

There is a very strong chance that demand will remain high for the RS for many months. If you're able to find one at MSRP, you're in the minority - MANY dealers are charging ADM on top of MSRP. So if you get it at MSRP you might be able to sell it for what you paid, or maybe even more, several months afterward.

There's not that much that's very new about the platform like Demo24 said. The 2.3EB has been in the Mustang for over a year and the EB engine has proved quite solid. The AWD system may be new (I haven't researched it that well) but it's not all that earth-shatteringly new in concept. The rest of the car has been out in one form or another for 2-4 years.

 

[monkeydelmagico]

I have a really hard time wrapping my head around the concept of ditching a S2000 for a focus even if it is a rally car. S2000 is a sublime motoring experience.

Having never driven the Focus RS I guess I should not pass judgement yet. If the FoST is any indication I would have profound sellers remorse and want the S2000 back.

 

[jlee]

I have a really hard time wrapping my head around the concept of ditching a S2000 for a focus even if it is a rally car. S2000 is a sublime motoring experience.

Having never driven the Focus RS I guess I should not pass judgement yet. If the FoST is any indication I would have profound sellers remorse and want the S2000 back.

The ST is front wheel drive, which is a massive difference.

 

[tweakmonkey]

I really want to like this car but it just screams boy racer and it would probably be a cop magnet and a ticket magnet and at the top of the most stolen list. Plus you would have to buy it from a Ford dealership which is a huge turn off for me personally.

This is one major reason I'm not even looking at these. The fiesta is bad enough but the main reason for me is as a street car the fiesta is plenty fast and I already have a hard time not speeding around here. The car is at 10% throttle most miles and the extra power would be silly for sitting in traffic.

For the money and the premium I think I'd rather buy a Mercedes-Benz E550 coupe off lease.

Very different type of car but yeah used luxo cars are a bargain.

 

[BlitzPuppet]

It's a focus.

 

[Midwayman]

I mean because 330HP, AWD, 6spd manual, Recaro's, 8" touchscreen 10 speaker Sony system with Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, HID Lights, Brembo brakes, 19" wheels with Pilot Super sports.

Yep - might as well get a Honda Fit for $18K because you know apples to apples.

Its a fast Focus, but its still a focus. I'm sure its fast and fun to drive, but that's not the only thing. However If I were to buy one of the hot hatches I'd be leaning Golf R for the more refined car. VAG reliability aside that is. I guess I've gotten over buying cars for stats and realized that I spend a whole lot more time commuting in them than racing.

 

[yh125d]

I'm not sure why, but it seems like the RS has a lot more nay-sayers "still a focus", "$36k for a hatchback?" etc. than I've seen say the STI is "just a fancy impreza"

I have a FoST, and might upgrade to the RS, but I'm not sure. The more refined car? That has always seemed a load of bunk to me. We're not talking Daewoo vs BMW here. I haven't been in an MK7, but there is no more "refinement" in a MK6 Golf vs a FoST. The Focii are totally capable of being completely docile DD's if you want, but the Golf's I've driven never quite let their hair down, which is exactly the reason anyone would want to buy a car like these. If "refinement" is what you're looking for, maybe hot hatches really aren't your game

 

[xSkyDrAx]

I would keep that s2k (or sell to me for cheap!)

I currently have a modded speed3 (yes i know fwd vs awd) but my next car I would really like to have (short of an M2) is the s2k

But like the others have said, I would probably wait a year or 2 for demand and pricing to die down and also fix any first year issues and updating the interior but other than that, I don't know why anyone wouldn't want to have at an STi killer. That thing looks fun as hell to me.

 

[Midwayman]

I haven't been in an MK7, but there is no more "refinement" in a MK6 Golf vs a FoST. The Focii are totally capable of being completely docile DD's if you want, but the Golf's I've driven never quite let their hair down, which is exactly the reason anyone would want to buy a car like these. If "refinement" is what you're looking for, maybe hot hatches really aren't your game

Pretty much every comparison I've ever read says something along the lines of more refined or "grown up" when talking about the golf R vs the competition.

Like most things "refinement" and fun to drive aren't black and white or even necessarily opposing traits. Some people like smaller cars and a hatch gets you a useful car that isn't huge. Its not like adding power and handling chops means it has to be cheap inside. I'd take something like an AMG A45 over any of the others if price wasn't an issue for instance.