Lads,

As I'm sure you have seen I'm selling an Impreza to buy a Ford Focus RS mk1 as I've always wanted one and have decided that i'll regret it if I don't own one in years to come.

The lads on the Subaru forum are saying that I am mad to change from the prodrive STi but and to be honest I know the RS will be slower and the handling will be more loose on some road surfaces so that doesn't bother me. What is getting me though is they are saying that the Ford RS will give a lot of trouble. I will end up throwing money at it to keep it going. Apparently one of their brother had an RS.

Honestly what are they like to live with as a daily runner. Do they have any faults that can replay like a bad dream or are they solid enough. I will buy the cleanest example that I can afford and will have it check before hand.

I'm not going the ask the lads selling the cars as they will say anything to sell so thought I'd ask you lads that know.

Thanks in advance for any replies lads.

 

Think the dreaded thermostat housing Leak is probably the biggest thing.
They only leak slightly, but it's annoying when they do it

Some have trouble with the clutch after about 45-50k. (mine did )
And they can getting on Ł1k to replace.

To be honest you'd be better off driving one to know if you are gonna like one,
They grip the road very very well.

 

As above, only some have the thermostat issues, mine never did.

The clutch is piss easy to replace yourself, so you won't have to worry about rip off garages. Even easier if you have an air2air intercooler system in place, because the biggest ball ache is moving all the hoses etc out of the way before even starting on the gearbox. Otherwise, a decent AP clutch will set you back a couple of hundred quid and that's it.

They are probably the most relaible of performance cars on the road, very limited few that are unreliable, mostly down to previous knobbers who have gone on to do bodge jobs on them.

 

Subaru will cost more to fix than an RS id imagine so dunno how they work that out but its maybe just cos they have a blinkered attitude who knows.

All you can do is test drive one and as you say if you fancy it buy the best you can and look after it

 

I have test driven one and I've loved it. Everything about it. The look epecially, the interior and drive, handling ect. I have found the one I want.

I have decided to get it when the Impreza sells which hopefully will be this week as there is a lad to look at her tomorrow.

I've checked parts prices and to be blunt the Focus appear cheap in comparison with the Subaru. I have worked on the Subaru myself to keep service cost ect down so will be doing the same with the RS.

The only way I'll know I suppose is to live with one for a while and see how we get on.

So thats that then. Thanks lads.

 

ive always been a ford fan but i bought an impreza (and a r6) instead of an rs and regretted it, go with your heart wished i did

 

The engine is more or less bombproof mate it isn't a money pit dogged with mechanical or electrical issues at all. Just look after it and it will certainly look after you.

 

Will do lads.

Found this buyers guide in case anyone wants it in the future.

Thanks lads.

http://www.rs-mania.co.uk/Buyers_Gui..._Focus_RS.html

 

couple of bits on thet guide are wrong.

they didnt have stanless exhaust (only the tip)

they didnt have a splitter as standard

but the rest of it looks right!

 

They are ok to live with.
Mine has just over 100k on the clock and i have just replaced all the common parts over the past few months. I use it every day and drive a round trip of around 45miles to work and back. It sees a mix of dual carrigeway, B roads and single track every day and laps them up.

Its a pretty good fun car to drive.

Buy mine, its for sale

http://pistonheads.com/sales/2825337.htm

 

I actually had a look at that one on pistonheads yesterday and all the others but as I'm in Ireland I would have to VRT it and it cost 1750 euro to do that plus it would be in around 8500 euro to buy if not 9000 so would have me up over the ten mark. I can buy them over here VRT'd and all for around 8000-9000 euros, unfortunately the market for Ireland bringing them in is not there at the minute.

Thank for the help though lads.