akshay67

How does his red face affect performance?

Mad Gypsy

Have you driven a M3? I have, and in the dry it's grip and handling are both excellent. I own a Type R which I have to say is better handling but not a lot! Esp in the dry, in the wet the M3 is tail happy and a bit scary. All BMW coupe's are superb cars.
All this 'twisties' bullsh1t does my head in, in almost every situation you wish to dream up, a M3 will waste almost any scoob ever created! Except a Type R Even then, it's a close run thing. You have to be running at LEAST 300bhp in a scoob to even think about trying it on with a M3.
You people who make comments on cars you have never driven are drug adicts! a M3 is the bolloks!!

[Edited by Mad Gypsy - 10/13/2003 11:09:35 PM]

chrisp

Except a Type R or RA you mean

TiSwAs

An enjoyable read, never knew there was respect for the RS from Scooby drivers

Mad Gypsy

There isn't that much respect for a focus here, but if you drive a standard WRX then you have to give it respect as it will no doubt keep up with you.
When you start talking about STI's, Type R's/RA's, it's a different story as they will waste a RS Focus. Perhaps a Focus Cosworth could redress the balance?

Boss Hogg

An RS Focus will waste a standard WRX. I own an '02 and have driven an RS - and it's no contest (in the dry)

Also driven an M3 (my mates) and even with 3000 miles on the clock it ws much, much faster than both, and they do handle very well - but no so good in the wet - bit like the Focus.

Also no Focus Cosworth in 2005 - and that's from the horses mouth. Ford have a history of releasing even the ST sports models some time after the first examples of the standard models - eg they've only just released the ST Fiesta.

DjacK-uk

Why do u have to give a car respect only when its faster than yours? Thats just the most supid thing I have ever heard.. I respect allmost every type of performance car, just coz my Evo 6 has 150 bhp + on my focus rs dont meen i dont respect the focus rs.. lol.

Its sad when like minded enthusiast's slate others cars, its what we all love isnt it? get real.

Mad Gypsy

I don't respect/like the Focus because it's a Focus, you could give it 1000bhp and I still wouldn't like it.
It has nothing to do with the fact that it is slower than my car.
The Ferrari Dino is not as fast as my car or the Aston Martin DB5, but I respect both and would swap my car for either in a hearts beat.

DjacK-uk

Im glad you relised my comment was directed to you!

Jap Imports

I've Driven the RS Focus, didn't think much on it, Most Scoobs Will leave it for dead, Maybe a Standad English one wont leave it as quick but should have the Edge. Nice Cars though

focus sti

Ive got a Focus thats just as fast as any Impreza out there, coz i`ve dumped the ford bits & replaced it with all the mechanicals from a scooby, engine, transmission, suspension, dash etc, mail me & i`ll send u the pics

jonmorris

Why do you hate the Focus? It has a class leading chassis and suspension set up that made VW virtually copy it for their MkV Golf. In virtually all tests, the Focus comes out on top - exect perhaps the "What car would you like your neighbours to see parked on the drive? A VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes or Ford" when it probably comes last!

Do you not like the look of the Focus, or do you simply hate it because it's a Ford?!

If you don't like it, fair enough - but why does that mean you can't respect it? Don't Ford deserve respect for giving the likes of VW a good hard kick up the back side, forcing VW to make a car that might actually be enjoyable to drive and not some thing that wallows around, has no feedback and costs way too much?? (I am talking about the standard cars here, not ST/RS/R32 etc)

I love the M3 but doubt I'd ever pay that much more for a car based on a 3 series BMW. I think I'd feel (no, I know I'd feel) exactly the same way if Ford were to make a £40-50k Focus Cosworth. Then again, I doubt I could afford one anyway so it's immaterial. It isn't just the cost of buying the car but running it day to day, which puts the M3 out of the reach of most people.

Finally, there is "no word" on the Focus Cosworth. It's not been decided yet and there are LOADS of factors to consider.

Will Ford stay in WRC next season? Will the Cosworth be a joint development with the performance Volvo/Mazda (keeping development costs down but perhaps making the Cosworth too "mainstream" and damaging the whole Cosworth/RS image)? Will FMC get the funding? Will they sit out a season (or two) of WRC and then come back in with the brand new car, then launch the Cosworth at almost the same time? Will Ford simply produce another RS version but offer AWD, which will probably satisfy those who didn't want to go FWD but cannot wait for a 300+ BHP monster?

If you can find out from any one person what the real story is, you'll make a fortune because everyone wants to know!!

Jonathan

PS. I think a lot of people seem to think the RS can't be driven in the wet.. but I think you would be surprised how much grip there is in all but icy/snowy conditions!

[Edited by jonmorris - 10/15/2003 10:40:19 PM]

Boss Hogg

I know! And I know there will be no Cossie Focus in 2005 - partly for the reasons you've outlined above.

But you can't diss the M3 - it is a supremely quick and capabable car - and the handling is beautiful.

My WRX handles like a pig - it understeers massively, and the Focus in comparison to the M3 is too much hard work after 30 mins

Duck_Pond

As an owner of a classic uk Impreza Turbo, I appreciate what the RS Focus stands for. Ford have created an in-yer-face performance car which offers fabulous performance for the relatively low cost of ownership.

Sure, if you cane it too much in certain conditions, it will be a tad scary, but isn't that the whole point of this genre of cars? The Scooby has unbelievable grip and handling, but if pushed too far, it will also become scary.

Whereas Subaru seem to have softened up the Impreza with the last two versions, Ford have had the bottle to create something raw again, like the original Impreza was, and what the Cossies were.

For that alone, you have to salute them.

jonmorris

I read somewhere else, "Too many believe that sticky tyres, 4wd and decent suspension allow the laws of physics to be ignored. Net result is you crash at a higher speed."

Every car has its limits but some drivers like to try and find them on a public road. I've seen an Impreza lose it ON a roundabout (fairly low speed to be fair) and a M3 almost lose it coming OFF a roundabout (loads of gravel/grass as he swerved to avoid the central crash barriers).

It doesn't prove much because you can't tell what the drivers were doing at that precise time - but I think some people can fall into the trap that their car is invincible because of things like 4WD, traction control etc.

chrisp

geometry and bumpsteer can sort that.