Originally posted by pantherd90: New Astra just looks too long to me, that bonnet/front bumper is odd on a stubby tailed hatchback.
I liked the Focus RS, neighbour had one. Looked great.
One strange aspect is that everyone predicted that the RS Focus would hold it's value, but they are surprisingly down to as little as £14K now.
<Boundary!>
Posted
Shins, the torque steer IS bad, i had mine try and turn right into the armco barrier a few times, accelerating hard. In damp/bumpy conditions, wheelslip was always a problem. Also, the new ST is a quicker car, traction is better and it is more powerful, too. It has lapped faster than the RS virtually everywhere. Having said all of that, i still like the Focus RS. The badge as well as the car itself.
<pantherd90>
Posted
Having seen the new Vauxhall Astra in the flesh (no one round here seems to want them) they're actually quite nice. I'd take one over the boring redesign of the Focus.
Originally posted by Boundary!: Shins, the torque steer IS bad, i had mine try and turn right into the armco barrier a few times, accelerating hard. In damp/bumpy conditions, wheelslip was always a problem. Also, the new ST is a quicker car, traction is better and it is more powerful, too. It has lapped faster than the RS virtually everywhere. Having said all of that, i still like the Focus RS. The badge as well as the car itself.
Sorry mate, we`ll have to agree to disagree. You and Clarkson need some more time in the RS, I and numerous RS owners I have spoken too have no problems with the torquesteer.
The damp/bumpy conditions will affect any fwd car obviously!
The new ST isn`t quicker and certainly hasn`t got better traction (LSD!) and I`ll think you`ll find the majority of standard RS`s put out more than the publicised 212bhp!
Lapped faster, daydreaming mate, let me give you 2 clues, Top Gear, Nurburgring. Not sure what reports you`ve been reading but please direct me!
With regards the RS or the VXR, the reply in EVO said it all really! Sticking with my guns on this one, the RS is still to be knocked off it`s hot hatch throne!
Originally posted by Boundary!: Shins, the torque steer IS bad, i had mine try and turn right into the armco barrier a few times, accelerating hard. In damp/bumpy conditions, wheelslip was always a problem. Also, the new ST is a quicker car, traction is better and it is more powerful, too. It has lapped faster than the RS virtually everywhere. Having said all of that, i still like the Focus RS. The badge as well as the car itself.
Sorry mate, we`ll have to agree to disagree. You and Clarkson need some more time in the RS, I and numerous RS owners I have spoken too have no problems with the torquesteer.
The damp/bumpy conditions will affect any fwd car obviously!
The new ST isn`t quicker and certainly hasn`t got better traction (LSD!) and I`ll think you`ll find the majority of standard RS`s put out more than the publicised 212bhp!
Lapped faster, daydreaming mate, let me give you 2 clues, Top Gear, Nurburgring. Not sure what reports you`ve been reading but please direct me!
With regards the RS or the VXR, the reply in EVO said it all really! Sticking with my guns on this one, the RS is still to be knocked off it`s hot hatch throne!
I assume you own an RS? but can you not accept the fact that things move on?
finlo has a good point. Has Shins got an RS Focus? I don't know, he'll have to tell us.
But I had an RS for a year and since i liked it, have no reason to bash it now. But the car was disappointing in some ways. The power band WAS narrow, it DID suffer in getting the power down and it HAS been outclassed by more powerful and more modern hot hatches. Once GGR had given it another 43 bhp, it was very quick, but even harder to avoid wheelspin and torque steer.
Hi Palmy. I went to part-time work recently, but am often in the office (which was our double garage before it's conversion) by 6/7am. I like to be all done by noon if i can, hence the early starts. I tend to work 3 days a week.
palmy..girfriend??.....aargh..next he will be buying a diesel people carrier for his brood of brats, voting labour(blair inc.)..and buying organic muesli on cosy shopping trips to sainsburys....
''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''' "The Power Of Dreams, Is The Impossible Dream, Is The Possible Dream"
Yes guy`s, I do own a FRS and yes I can accept things move on but that`s exactly my point. The only area things have moved on is the power department and those cars can`t handle it, therefore not really achieving anything!
I love cars, Ford or not and love the hot hatch brigade,(not having a go) just merely stating that IMO non of the other newer hot hatches have made any real progress over the RS since it`s arrival 4/5yrs ago!
As said I love the look of the Honda DC5 and would love a go in that! Let`s see if the new Clio and Honda CTR can move the game on!
Hi Shins, the Focus RS came out in 2003, so is only around 3 years old now.
True, no hot hatch is substantially better, but then my Sunbeam 'hot hatch' of 20 years ago did 125 mph, so maybe things haven't gone on too far from there, looking at it that way.
The F RS certainly has character and a good look and feel about it. But something like a Golf R32 is quite a bit quicker and puts the power down better.
I had the 147 GTA, again a torque-steer maniac! Lovely sounding car though.
Never driven the 6-pot 1-series, seems to be a quick car.
If you like unleashing hell, my M5 would probably suit you! I am just getting used to the new engine mapping, it is quite a bit quicker then stock now. It fairly flies!
My sig is a reference to the MLR when I was after the Evo VI TME but couldn`t justify the high insurance and servicing but you never know, still really craving for one!
You`ve had some nice motor`s, have to admit and yeah, the Alfa sounded great!
Some say the M5 is boring to look at, but for me that is a big reason to buy it. Let me explain. Too many of the brain-dead, in their hoods, go after good cars, to either try and steal or simply to damage. (Witness the local guy who has had his brand new Bentley Continental GT 'keyed' from front to back. They tend to leave this saloon alone. Also, the shape gives it a 'sleeper' aspect. Many sports car owners don't expect that it will reach 100 in under 10 seconds on it's way to 200+ mph. I have wiped a few smiles off the faces of those people already, including a guy in a DB9 who looked positively gutted. It can't match the Italian cars for looks, but then at just £61K new (and holding it's value by the way), i don't expect it to. It's not perfect, it can feel a little sterile at times, the computer settings are complicated and can get tiresome, but lean on the loud pedal and it's a case of 'OMG times 10'.
Originally posted by Boundary!: It can't match the Italian cars for looks, but then at just £61K new (and holding it's value by the way), i don't expect it to.
Nah, sorry, the M5 holding its value is as likely as Tony Blair stamping down on chavs. I've seen one for 50 grand already. Granted, it has a few stone chips at the front and some alloy scuffs but still...
Originally posted by Boundary!: It can't match the Italian cars for looks, but then at just £61K new (and holding it's value by the way), i don't expect it to.
Nah, sorry, the M5 holding its value is as likely as Tony Blair stamping down on chavs. I've seen one for 50 grand already. Granted, it has a few stone chips at the front and some alloy scuffs but still...
Wrong!
Dealers are fetching over £60K for used ones at the moment and my local dealer, for example, is getting only 2 more new M5s this year. It is a highly sought-after car. Re-check the prices used and then go and try and buy a new one for list price. You won't.
They'll drop in price later, sure, but it has been a sound buy to date in every respect.
Get a Civic Type R, much better than a crappy tacky vauxhall. The Black Civic Type R is one of the nicest looking cars on the road, i've had mines 5 years now and i'm still not tired of its looks. Get yourself a CTR you know you want to lol
CTR has always been a good car, great fun. The new one is terrific by all accounts as well.
M5 V10? It's actually a truly great engine in a company car body. Which weighs too much. And looks bland. And has too many computers. And, nah, not sporty enough for me if i am paying £63K. Used 996 turbo instead thanks. Or the new Skyline. Or a used Merc AMG of some sort.
