F-Body Europe

here is the deal. I've come to the realization that I dont need to spend 550+ bux to drive to work (payment/insurance/gas).

The cars I'm looking at are Honda Civic SI, Ford Focus SVT, Neon SRT, VW GTI 1.8T, and maybe a Mitsu Lancer OZ edition. The are all around the same price point, and with the exception of the Focus all around 30mpg. The neon is the most expensive, and with the problems of serviceing probably out of the question (hands down the fastest also).

I really want the GTI, but with 3200 in rebates with military and cashback, the SVT Focus looks pretty attractive. I already have a check from USAA so I have to act fast before I weaken and go for a 04 Cobra

Dont start shouting rice this and that, cuz I have more than enough in the garage to crush your monkey nuts if I feel like racing. Im looking for a sporty, fuel economy (to a point), and reduce my cost to drive to work (ala Cobra)

Basically Im looking at a 19K buy, that wont get its azz stomped by the KIA in the next lane if he is trying to block my lane change.

Honest opionions sincerly appreciated, flames put out with my acid extinguisher.

Rob

RobH you are where in the states? I would go for the SVT it is a nice car.

GTI or SRT
How about a 3.8 F-body?
'85-'87 Turbo Regal? Insurance will only know that it's a V-6...

I don´t know the prices in the US, but in my opinion the GTI (and all its optional equipment) is overpriced. That 1.8T engine is nothing special and used in so many Audis and VWs (as far as I understand just the boost differs), so i don´t understand why i should pay just more for the GTI badges...
Just my 2 cents

80killer I'm in Lawton Oklahoma, about 150 miles north of Dallas. Your right the SVT is nice. I looked inside and saw those recaro's and that six speed and was like WOW I didnt know they were doing this stuff in the little cars.

ChrisV6 We dont get as many model options as germany, so you have plain vanilla or the GTI. If it has the Audi, BMW or Mercedes word on them the price is way higher.

SSZ28 I dont want a used car for this adventure, the camaro would be atleast a year old and the regal's waaayy old...besides I want a smaller vehicle.

Thanx guys
Rob

Difficult without knowing what cars are being sold as over there. Over her, the Golf is rated as a fat overweight lardy has-been. The Focus is very highly rated for it's handling which is the best in it's class. But there's a 170bhp STi front wheel drive and then there's the RS Cosworth which has 4wd and a trick diff which is fantastic on track but bad on the road as it pulls from side to side and in certain circumstances can actually be dangerous...so the journalists say.

Not sure what a Civic Si is but Honkas are rated as fairly average with only the 200bhp Type R garnering rave reviews for it's speed whilst being condemned for traction issues and lack of low-down torque meaning you have to wring it's neck to exploit it's capabilities.

No idea what a Mitsu Lancer OZ edition is but only the turbocharged Evos are worth having. The Evo VIII is a total weapon and better than any of the above. However, the normal Lancers are just normal Japanese boxes.

The Subaru WRX is also better than any of the above and should be well within your price range but has 7500 mile service intervals and an appetite for tyres.

So buy the 04 Cobra... he he.

...eliminate Honda, eliminate Neon, eliminate Lancer
leaves VW or SVT.
hm,
The difference in price may pay back later on,
check the Blue book values of the used cars if you
want to sell later on.

VW GTI more quality?

At least in Europe the majority would pick VW before Ford
at the same pricerange...

but that may be different in the States, also got to
consider the prices for the parts...

okay, this is the deal. I spent an uncomfortable amount of time at the dealer today, but the up side is I got to drive a lightning and the focus!!!. (I know your gonna ask so, yeah the lightning is a MUTHA )

The car I'm looking at is a 2003 SVT Focus, and it has the european apperance package which adds heated recaro's and 15 spoke 17" wheels, the other big players are HID lights, a loud azz stereo (not really my thing, but..) traction control, and a power sunroof. The rest is standard fare, power everything blah, blah, blah.

What it will save me is roughly 100 bux a month, and one year less of car payment, so I think im gonna pull the trigger. I just have to wait until the boss comes back from germany so I can get her blessing, or there would be hell to pay LOL.

I really enjoy the go-kart feel, and it really reminds me of my kadett GSI that I had in germany. pretty cool all and all. Maybe if I bought it I would get off my azz and fix the Z.

BTW the GTI is nice also, about 8 bux cheaper on insurance a month, same payment, but isnt as loaded. And as far a quality between the two, remember this is a SVT Focus. Not to sound like a arrogant bastage, but the differance between normal and SVT is very noticeable and a step up in quality, easily equal to VW/Honda/Toyota.

later all
Rob

Bottom line is: Just as long as you are happy with it. You don't want a car that you don't like driving. If you are really serious about the SVT, see if you can rent one for a week. Then if you like it, get it. This way you don't get any nasty surprises down the road. See if the "boss" get drive it as well. Mine won't drive our VW because the steering wheel is right in her line of view. (no tilt)

Well, the Focus has some serious suspension ... guess the SVT is even meaner... I know one US guy who used to race with the Porsche club (not sure if he still is over here) in the AutoX - he was more or less building an SVT out of his regular Focus, as the SVT came out after he already had his regular one - his car might have been lacking in the HP area, but he was giving the other cars, including Roy's Camaro SS, a hard time none the less ...

this is the fact file on the vehicle in question for those interested.
http://www.svt.ford.com/flash/svt_pdf/2003_SVT_Focus.pdf

Garry - I just got the rundown from the southern meet at a place called hallet speedway (fairly basic 10 turn 1.9mile roadcourse). This place has alot of straight stretches so it caters to the high horse power cars, but thru the twisty section the report said the focus's were able to put at least 50 yards-50 meters (-) on all but the most serious of hardware. Then the straights come and 170hp doesnt equal 300+hp .

Not bad!!
Is the Focus RS available in the US, too?

I think it's only available in the US IIRC...

first of all, yes the RS is a european only edition ( you cant even get spare parts for christ's sake)

I sold the cobra..............(well tomarrow i did) I now have the most funky looking focus in existance. Competition Orange with the Euro package.

I'll post picks soon. (and I already signed up for the SVT experiance coming up that will teach me to drive this go kart on steroids)

Rob

sounds like you're having fun!

has anyone considered maintenence costs?
whichever one costs the least to maintain would be a good bet for a daily go to work car. Just get in and drive day in, day out, year in, year out.

what maintenance.......its brand new, bumper to bumper.


as far as normal wear/tear items, any 4 banger is gonna be cheaper on parts than a Cobra or Camaro ie tires/brakes/clutch.

I do all my own maintenance so that is a non-starter

have you looked at the things that only the dealer can do? just because it is new does not mean that you slack off on maintenence. that instantly tells me something.
if you do 100% of all and maintenence due for that vehicle you must then be a factory mechanic. or maybe you simply will not have the vehicle for more than 5-6 years of day in, day out driving. You will sell it or trade it. If that works for you fine, but my bike is paid off, my LT-1 was paid off, My LS-1 is paid off, the last thing I am going to do is by a brand new vehicle- then put it through the daily grinder. you are throwing your money away.

a well and easily maintained cost effective used vehicle (4 banger) will put you way ahead in the long run. but the long run is probably not an issue for you.

whatever floats your boat- it's your money

oh, you are stateside- you don't drive in Europe. You won't even see half the wear and tear that we see here.

HUH????

You lost me somewhere in the translation. My LT1 is/has been paid for since 99, I didnt sell it, I just wanted a car that was fun, I could still play with, and didnt cost me over $550 a month just to drive.

So I traded in my Cobra and got my new one. Same length payments to the day, and over 100 cheaper just on payment alone. I wont bring up the gas/insurance issue.

Maybe your not familiar with SVT's policy on warranty. They do not fix, it is a replace only type deal. So obviously the first thing they want to do is identify anything that can give them grounds for voiding it. Dont get me wrong any little thing that comes up I will take it in. If for nothing more than the loaner that Ford HAS to give me(its in SVT's Policy )

And your probably right, I dont plan on keeping this or anyother car forever. Right now I got my sites set on the '06 Cobra, so any money I can save now is gravy.