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Comments
-c
ZX5 is a great package, utility-wise.
Comparo just shows that the RS needs to either lose weight or gain power, preferably both. That Nissan is still using a non-indy rear suspension, basically a torsion beam adapated from the old Quest van!
Even more interesting, I'd rate reliability in the opposite order, Subaru, Nissan, Mitsu, then Ford. Last Ford I owned had trim pieces falling off far too frequently. My Subie is holding together so much better there's no comparison.
-juice
-c
-Frank P.
That car was actually based on the Mazda Protege, same wheelbase, track, even suspension. The powertrain was actually not bad, 1.8l DOHC with 127hp and 114 lb-ft, in a very light car. Torque steer wasn't too bad, either.
It was the interior that fell apart. I'd literally open a door and something would fall out, some weatherstripping or door seal. The seal around the windshield came out at about 12,001 miles, just after the B2B warranty, and Ford would not fix it for me. Stitching would come apart on the seat and door trim. It had more squeeks and rattles than I could count. The carpets came loose.
The Forester's assembly is done with much more care. There may be some cheap materials, but tolerances are tight, nothing has come loose, and NVH control is 400% better.
The scary thing? Reliability actually dropped when the Focus came out. My Escort was about average if you are to believe CR reports. Focus was much, much worse.
Scary!
-juice
A friend bought a new 2002 Focus wagon and I thought you know that does not look half bad.
After driving it though what a cheap piece of crap, I drove it on a gravel road, Geez it was a bucket of bolts everything that could rattle did.
Cheers Pat.
Try as I might I cannot find a comfortable driving position in those cars, and even when I get close, the seat cushions are so misshapen they cause saddle sores almost immediately. The shapes and locations of instruments and switchgear seem to have been chosen just to make a visual statement rather than to be useful.
Ed
The 5 door is still small, the wagon is huge and that would be the only one I'd even consider. It's getting the PZEV 2.3l engine with more power this year, so maybe that wouldn't be so bad. I doubt they'd make an SVT wagon.
Like Ed, I also find the interior rather bizarre, in a bad way.
Just be ready to tolerate "things falling off" syndrome. My neighbor has a wagon with the Zetec engine, and strangely enough he says he prefers the Escort wagon he had before. He seems like the type that would choose ride over handling, though.
Dunno, I think that platform is ripe for a full redo.
-juice
I actually have never driven one, hard to believe. Went to a Ford dealer once, but they were not SVT certified, and wanted me to try a Rousch Mustang instead. No thanks, not my style.
-juice
Bob and I will be there during the Industry Preview Days, Jan 6-8. I guess that's when dealers go? Employees maybe?
Then it finally opens to the public on Jan 10.
-juice
-c
We probably will know a lot more about the new powertrains. Will base engines get AVCS? What HP will the 2.5T make? What about the H6? Will that still be a 3.0l, or bigger?
Subaru surprised us with the STi and the F-XT, so who knows. US is getting unique models, that, for once, FOR ONCE, are better than their JDM counterparts.
-juice
What other small car do they have? Maybe they'll bring the new Mondeo? But that would kill the X-type. That Jag already has $7500 rebates to overcome.
-juice
The Focus in Europe is a major product for Ford. I would venture to say it isn't here in NA and justification for retooling of the NA plants isn't there.
-juice
-mike
But in Europe Ford has a couple of cars beneath Focus in the lineup, the Ka and the Fiesta. So it's the 3rd step up in the lineup, not really an econobox from that standpoint.
I should drive one just to see, all these press wags can't be wrong. It must drive quite well for people to overlook the awful launch glitches and nagging quality problems.
-juice
Bob
The Mondeo is an excellent car in Europe yet Ford took it made it the Contour and screwed it up, Nuff said.
Cheers Pat.
*cough* WRX *cough* ok well 2.5RS anyway.
-mike
Don't know how technical you want to get with your questions, but there has been quite a debate on nabisco (2.5 forum) about pistons. Are they really forged? APS Australia and RalliSpec say no.
One response on one of the threads mentioned that the Subaru info says "based on" (insert exotic internals here).
There's a sticky over there.
-Dennis
SVT is to Focus as 2.5RS is to Impreza L. Well except yours, of course!
At least we now have WRX, the more legit contender. Focus SVT guys still have to live knowing the real deal is only available in UK and Europe.
I don't think the RS is a whole lot different than the base Impreza (TS now).
-juice
-Colin
Bob
http://www.detnews.com/2003/autosinsider/0312/23/a01-16896.htm
Bob
Craig
-Brian
It s especially sickening since you were just waiting for the legacy so you could sell the car.
Cheers Pat.
http://www.imagestation.com/album/?id=4288154025
if not, go to my original link as I've updated that as well with more info and hopefully pics that non-imagestation members can see.
it might be totaled actually. private party value is about $12,000.
thanks for the well wishes, all. and of course Pat is right, this is just a machine and I'm just fine. no whiplash or anything.
-Colin
Jim
Sorry to hear about the accident. I'm glad to know that you were okay though.
Any estimates on the repair job yet?
Ken
-Dennis
Bob
I probably should've have been at the party I was at either. it was OK, but hosted by an ex-gf who is probably better left alone.
yee haw, what a wonderful new year so far. OTOH the weather is awesome and I'm thinking about taking the CBR for a spin. I'll be gentle!
-c
If you were thinking of selling anyway this may be the best way out a lousy event.
Cheers Pat
Looked at pics. again missed that large gouge on the door first time around, front bumper is also toast, if they do fix it Colin I will be one surprised dude.
drivetrain is solid and super expensive so you could be right about them totalling it... still, I would be surprised myself.
-Colin
-Frank P.
Good luck in getting things resolved.
Ed