Ford Focus RS

Anyone own a Ford Focus RS? How do you like it? Has it been reliable?
Toying with the idea of a commuter sports car.

 

What else are you looking at or does the focus have your fancy?

 

The current Corolla Hatchback has a 6 speed manual and <170hp. Super fun to drive but still fuel efficient. Could always tune it some if you want more power. Hopefully the GR Corolla Hatchback will be released in another year or so. That should be about 260hp and potentially AWD!
Just throwing out a Toyota option if you are wanting something that should last longer. But the Focus ST and RS both looked fun. If you can find one that had been taken care of, you should be fine. I'd just be worried with having to buy used that the prior owner abused the car due to it being what it is.

 

Why not GT86?

 

Not a bad car, know people with it who like it. I just have a soft spot for a hatchback. Hoping to find a used corolla hatchback (not the scion or earlier corolla version) once my truck is paid off. That is unless the GR hatch is released and is AWD, might have to buy that new instead.

 

I currently own Audi A3 TDI which is a blast but not great for heavy snow days. RS would be a blast in the snow. I am exploring the idea. Thought about Subaru WRX but again get RS looks like a blast to drive. Plus no rev hang like WRX.

 

Subaru might be bringing back their WRX Hatchback as well. Currently it's not confirmed but when they release the refreshed WRX there is a chance.
Have you found any Foucs RS for sale? Decent shape?

 

I was in the same situation about a few months ago, we ended up finding a 2016 subaru impreza awd hatchback, manual, basic model. It only had 29k miles on it. I use it mainly for commuting, it is fun to drive...

 

One of my former co-workers has a 2015 Focus (not the RS) and his automatic transmission is already on the verge of death. Might have better luck if you can drive standard.

 

Only problem with RS is head gasket but it was recalled and had heard some dealerships will still honor the recall.
I have found a few RS for sale. They hold there value really well, much like a Tundra. Again I love the idea of owning one but I do have and obstacle, my wife. She would not be stoked if I shelled out 30K for a sports car. Especially Ford.

 

Owned a 2018 RS, even attended the RS Academy (their free high performance driving class). The RS handled incredibly well and it was a blast to drive alone. The AWD worked very well and it'd scare you with how hard you could push it while the AWD system adjusted and kept you pointing in the direction you wanted to go. Throw on some good snow tires and it was unstoppable in weather unless the depth of snow turned you into a snowplow. Downside? The ride was very harsh. Way harsher than the Mustang GT with Track Pack I traded in on it. The family hated riding in it. It would pogo over expansion bumps like crazy. Kids would get nauseous in the back seat. Now, if you research it a bit, allegedly, that was "fixed" in late MY 2017 with different front struts, but if it was, I can't imagine how bad it was before!

If you are single, or have the garage space for the "weekend driver", they are a lot of fun. They autocross very well

Problem wise, yes, the head gaskets were an issue and most should have been fixed by now via the Service Action Ford issued. I believe that was corrected in production towards the end of the 2017 model year. Most that had it done were happy, but there are always a few with reoccurring issues in the forums Some folks complained of the RDU (Rear Drive Unit) giving up and going into limp mode when pushed hard on track days, but there were work arounds (extra cooling) to help with that if it was a problem. Also, for winter folks, the splash shield under the engine was a weak component if you frequently drove in snowy / icy weather, and it'd often get so packed with ice it'd rip off of the bottom of the car. (A few aftermarket companies stepped up to make aluminum or stainless steel versions to correct).

One of the bigger issues was that finding a good service department tended to be problematic, since most Ford dealerships didn't seem to have technicians that were trained on the RS and they had no idea what to do with a "fancy Focus". It was pretty limited in production, so unless it was a dealer that sold quite a few, chances are most dealers wouldn't ever see one.

Personally, I never had any issues at all with mine. I ended up getting rid of it due to the ride issues since it just sat in the garage w/o hardly ever getting driven.

 

Oh, and the smallish gas tank was another problem. Mileage range was around 240 or so on the high end. And of course, would decrease the more you used the go pedal...

 

That what I wanted to know, thanks for the beta. I have heard the ride is harsh, but some say it’s not that bad. It’s a rally car. 240 miles on a tank, thought you might get 300. I get 540 miles on a tank with A3.

 

If you can find one around you, take it for a spin. Maybe I'm just too sensitive or the midwest roads make it a bit more uncomfortable to ride in.

I think the gas tank is around 14 gallons.... Highway driving, you can average around 18 to 19 MPG being conservative, but in town / city drops it pretty quickly. Main reason is because it's so fun to pull hard from stops and zip around. Heh!

 

Get a Supra

 

Oh, and I'm sure your google fu already found it, but if not, this forum is a good community and has a lot of info about the RS: https://www.focusrs.org

And if you do pick one up, I still happen to have a set of wheels / snow tires in the garage someplace (not OEM) if you need a set... Heh!