2003 Ford Focus RS from UK and Ireland - Comments

No faults.

I am so pleased with this car I don't know how to put it into words.

The engine is awesome. Power builds from next to no revs, with a mid range surge that just makes me laugh. Sounds lovely as well with a great exhaust burble. It used a bit of oil in the early days, but it's settled down now, and hasn't missed a beat.

Handling redefines what a front drive car can do. Understeer simply doesn't exist, and this will take the M1 to M25 East slip road (a tightening downhill right hander and my reference corner) a good 20 mph faster than my old Golf GTI Anniversary would even dare to attempt it, whilst offering more feel through the steering and seat than almost anything I've driven. The steering feel, gearbox and those big Brembo brakes back up the chassis and performance with all the feel, feedback and effect you could wish for. This is not just a quick Focus, but a sorted, engaging missile.

In fact in all respects, apart from interior quality, this car makes my old Golf look stupid beyond what I would expect from the tiny difference in list price. The best bit is it makes a lot of more expensive cars look stupid too. Not much will stay with the RS on most types of road. It will even stay with Impreza turbos in the dry.

Downsides? It's thirsty when thrashed (low 20's) and the diff does odd things sometimes when the road gets uneven, which can give odd tugs on the steering, but it's nothing you can't live with. Just knowing you're driving a small Ford family hatchback which can embarrass a ten-grand more BMW 330i on any road in any situation makes you smile.

And it looks gorgeous to boot.

Great review, I can't wait to pick up mine in September. My current car is a 00 Astra 1.8 so it should be a bit of a step up in performance for me :-)

I purchased my RS about 3 weeks ago.

I too think this is an awesome car and have never before felt power quite like it.

Previously I have driven an MG-ZR 160 and Vauxhall Astra SXI I used to think the MG-ZR was quick, but the power in the RS is immense in comparison.

The power is right there when you need it.

I love this car!

I've heard the focus RS doesn't handle very well in the wet can you confirm this?

I have recently purchased a ford focus rs and it is fab, but I have one little thing that I wanted to check if anyone else is having the same problem - squeeky brakes. I have been told by several people that this is normal and that all rs cars have this.

I'm not sure though so if anyone can help with this I would be grateful.

The car is fantastic enjoying the the whole package, but the sqeeks are to much.

I think the focus RS is a fantastic car. its very quick with little turbo lag, the handling is excellent on a track, but on real roads its to twitchy. But its to expensive they don't lose their value and for that amount of money a second hand BMW M3 would be a better choice and would annihilate the RS and there is no way a focus RS would embarress a 330ci especially in a straight line.

The Focus RS has an extra 16 bhp per tonne over the 330 and hits 60 half a second quicker (5.9 vs 6.4). It also has oodles of torque from relatively low revs thanks to the turbo.

Believe me, out on the road it's enough. I only mention the 330i because for some unknown reason they always seem to be the ones trying to prove something.

Very valid point on the M3 though.

Can you get these in any other colour than purple with white grills and badges? that's all you seem to see. why is the new st2 got more power, but slower?

Astra GSI would not beat a Focus RS in a straight line or in the corners- I know, I've actually driven both cars. Not so sure with the Astra VXR though- drove one the other day and they are mightly quick, but I don't believe they handle as well as the FRS - also see EVO's comments when they took another look at the FRS a couple of months back. In addition to this though, really, so what? The Astra GSI is a fantastic car for the money you can pick them up for nowadays, and truely is nearly as fast as both FRS and VXR, for about half the price. Not so hot in the corners though (relatively speaking). I personally would alway pick the FRS of these three for the purity of feel it has.

What are you talking about. focus rs is slower to 60,100 and top end as it only 144 compared with 152. I has vxr tune with 425nm ot torque and absolulely demolishes it as my mate own a purple one with white wheels.

^ don't be silly, be fair the VXR only beats the st-2 by 0.10sec to 60 and the FRS is quicker than the st-2 to 60 so its about on par with the VXR top speed their is 1mph init with the st-2 and the FRS may not be geared like that it's a ford a track/rally car not a touring car made for top speed self comfessed by vauxhall all their cars do their max top speed and don't hold back untill the buffers at 155mph.

These sorts of cars are made for the road, they're not racing cars. A Caterham and the sort is meant for the track. And this site is for discussing the advantages of each model, figures and all. And there's countless of oportunities to have a shot on the road if you consider other motorist's. Do it when it's late.