New DD, focus rs? Gt350??


daytrayd

daytrayd

GT Owner
Mark II Lifetime
Apr 23, 2010
557
Austin, TX
My wife wants my srt Jeep, so that means a new DD for me. Been leaning towards a focus rs for 4 doors for easy access to a car seat. Thought about a gt350 or even gt500, but dealer basically told me good luck it’s going to cost you a ton over sticker for a gt500. Only other candidate is new m3. For the money I’d lean RS, but open to your input. Manual is +++ but not a requirement. I’m looking for something to hoon every now and then.
 
Focus RS was my daily driver for over a year and I loved every second of driving it. Some of my passengers thought that the suspension was a bit firm, but it was fine for me. Love the seats, steering, shifter and overall fun driving experience. Put a tune (70 wheel torque) in it and it goes from good to great!
 
Since you live in Austin, you don't "need" the all-wheel drive for winter driving, but where I live (Virginia) I'd definitely take the RS for DD duty. 4 doors makes getting stuff in and out waaaayyy easier.
 
Focus ST is a blast to drive too (daily drove one for over a year) if you want bang for the buck and don't want / need AWD.
 
If you really want to have a blast at legal speeds, drive the Fiesta ST. It's a better driver's car than the Focus ST in my opinion. They're practically free too.
 
How important is the budget? I only ask, as the RS, and M3 are not exactly at the same price point. I have been a fan of 3 pedal German 4 door sedans. Ive had 5 (2 S4s, then on to 3 M3's, latest being the current model). Have had car seats in all of our mustangs, but would get old for a DD. The M3 is my DD summer driver, when not in a truck.
 
Specracer said:
How important is the budget? I only ask, as the RS, and M3 are not exactly at the same price point. I have been a fan of 3 pedal German 4 door sedans. Ive had 5 (2 S4s, then on to 3 M3's, latest being the current model). Have had car seats in all of our mustangs, but would get old for a DD. The M3 is my DD summer driver, when not in a truck.
Click to expand...

Budget not important, just wanted something with 4 doors, nimble, and manual. I find the RS intriguing, also the m3. Just really looking for a fun driving experience both on and off track, heal toe and mini drift here and there. I’ve long been in love with the escort cosworth rs, so the focus is probably my top pick. I do love my e36, and i think the new m3 is nicer. But i haven’t driven either, so was looking for opinions. Seems like people like both! I may just need to drive both myself!
 
For whatever the reason - perhaps there were many, I just never warmed up to the RS. Reasonably quick (a tune is necessary) and corners like no other, but I found it very thin after those two attributes. YMMV
 
Last edited:
Very hard to beat a 4 door sport performance sedan M3, that's what the Bavarians do best, and I'm no huge BMW fan (things changed a bit after I purchased my M2 last year, oh mama :biggrin). But for few $$ less than an M3 consider the ATS -V :cheers
 
The sound of the GT 350 is just wonderful!
 
We got over a foot of snow this weekend. The AWD sounds great.
 
I have owned RS for 18 months now. Agree with above , add a tune and really goes and handle, however suspension really hard. Mine at dealer now for head gasket recall. Got bad press and you can have 2018 under list easily. Fantastic in snow with winter tire wheel package!
 
I have an RS as a DD and absolutely love it. Quick and corners like it's on rails. With 4 doors it makes it very useable for errands and the like.

You also get the added benefit of the RS Adrenaline Academy at UMC which is a blast too.
 
I test drove one, it was a bit dissapointing. The power is decent, but falls flat about on the top end right when you start to hear some noise. I tried the track mode on the street and OMG that thing was rough, in a bouncy way. It was so weird. Does the tune help the top end or sound? Anyone thrown and exhaust to help with the engine sound? I really wanted to love the car, it did have pull but overall it was just a bit disappointing. I think a little more top end and louder exhaust would make up for it, and the normal suspension mode seemed tolerable. Do yall drive in sport or normal, and on track is the track setting usuable? It literally was so bouncy it felt like a low rider on a relatively smooth concrete highway.

Thanks for the input guys!

Cavan
 
Hi Cavan,

Mine isn't tuned yet but I think that will help fix that "flat feeling" that you perceive near the top end. I don't like that feeling either and I think what's going on is that they map the throttle in such a way that they reserve a fair amount of power for their "over boost" feature. So when you mat the throttle you'll feel it kick in but it's not smooth or linear and only comes on when the throttle is wide open. I know they also limit the maximum torque in either the first 2 or 3 gears so it also adds to that non-linear feel of the throttle. My understanding is that a good tune will fix all that.

You're right about the ride quality. It is stiff and I only drive around in Sport mode or Track with normal damper settings. Track mode with Sport dampening is way to stiff and bouncy for the road. On a perfectly smooth track it would be far more useable.

Make no mistake, the RS isn't a proper track car but as a DD, a grocery getter, a family toter and an occasional open track day competitor for a novice/intermediate driver, it's quite the package. If you had the opportunity to throw it into a turn or two aggressively, you'll really appreciate it's capabilities.
 
Tune really helps. Cobb, montune, or other specialty tuners out there. Also “piped in sound” terrible and easy to unplug in trunk! Can add aftermarket exhaust. I attended adrenaline academy in Utah, it was recommended to use sport mode on the track! More info available on focus rs forum.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Top Bottom