Best Replacement for Ford Focus SVT

Up until today I drove a 2003 Ford Focus SVT. I really liked the car; it was small, zippy, and had an insane ability to haul things considering its size. I did almost all the work on the vehicle myself since I bought it new. Unfortunately it is also possible for the friggin’ CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO DIE. When that happens you don’t notice the timing has gone to shit (other than a somewhat rough idle I had been about to dig into) and suddenly you are out a head gasket and need a new engine. Just 1k shy of 200k miles, too.

So now I need a new car and would like suggestions from our motor heads.

What I liked about my old car: Drove like a sports car many times its price. 3 door hatchback was just the right size for a daily commuter. Still primitive enough that I could work on it (though that timing belt 90k miles ago was a pain). With the folding seats it could carry more than most full-sized sedans.

I grudgingly admit I secretly loved having literally one of the only two of these in a 50 miles of me.

Despite enjoying doing the work, I am not a car guy, do not know what is currently on the road, and unless I am driving it, don’t really care. This leaves me with a hard time finding a new vehicle.

I’d like something similar to my last car, and am willing to go used. I’d like a better turning radius (it was shit on the SVT, worse than a normal Focus) and good fuel economy. I do not want a digital display, backup camera, or any other frivolous bells and whistles. A nice sound system would be good though.

I have tried some of the car finder sites and have been overwhelmed with choice. Any good suggestions? Thanks.

Ford Focus ST. Done.

Well that was easy. I was also looking at the Fiesta SE.

Correction, looking at the Fiesta ST.

Are there any similar cars that do not have a LCD entertainment system display? I hate those.

How about a VW GTI? An older one won’t have the modern features that you don’t like. Aim for around 2008-2010.

I drive a 2008 Mazda3 MPS (sold as a Mazdaspeed3 in the US, I believe). It’s mostly a Focus underneath - the engine is a slightly re-worked Ford unit with a great big turbo. In performance terms, it’s a bit quicker than a Focus ST and a bit slower than a Focus RS. Timing chain rather than belt. Bought it 4 years ago at around 40k miles, now has over 80k. Decent tyres for it are on the pricey side but other than that, the only major expense I have had is a recent replacement of most of the front suspension. Apparently the cost was largely down to the fact pattern parts were not available so they had to get OEM from Mazda. No mechanical issues whatsoever (though the engine is known for potential problems with the VVT - many owners have had this replaced, I haven’t bothered). It’s an absolute blast to drive, and being 5 doors, is pretty practical. No bells and whistles at all except cruise control, which is a nice to have. I think that’s also true of the next generation model if you wanted something a bit newer (good, unmodified examples of mine are probably getting hard to find now). I average 30mpg with my weird mixture of very economical and very aggressive driving (much of which is commuting - on longer trips you can get 35). I’ve never found turning radius to be an issue but don’t know how it compares with your old car. Basically, I think it ticks all the boxes you’re looking for. Good luck.

Thanks! Those rae both excellent suggestions!

New or used? Price range?

I would suggest the Focus ST or the Mazdaspeed 3 as others have. The Focus ST is available new for a little while longer but act fast. The Mazdaspeed 3 is a used car only. The Fiesta ST is a little small for my taste but my neighbor has one and he loves it. I also saw a guy who took his on the track and he had a ball.

I think every new car on the market has a touch screen now because I believe the requirement for backup cameras has kicked in. Once you get a backup camera, you get a screen, and once you get a screen, you get a touchscreen.

Also consider the Volkswagen GTI. New and used ones are available at almost any price point but you get what you pay for. A comparable Mazda or Ford will likely be cheaper to buy and maintain but the GTIs have a cult following.

New or used are both on the table. If I get new I will probably go for a 2017 just for the moderate price reduction of a previous year model.

Price range is probably topping out around 25k.

Oh, are they discontinuing the Focus ST? I have heard that though the Fiesta is smaller, it is actually more comfortable for taller people (6’2").

I have been reading about some trouble with the Mazdas rusting, which seems critical if I’m going to be getting a likely 8 year old car (also I drive cars until they die).

the base Focus ST (“ST1”) package doesn’t have the big touchscreen. it still has a display, but it’s the smaller one like this: http://www.focusst.org/forum/attachments/focus-st-electronics/78987d1419663502-st1-dual-climate-control-fordfocussth3_zpsd9007ecd.jpg

That is a lot more put-upwithable.

Also, apparently the category of cars I am looking at is the “hot hatch”. Was unfamiliar with that before.

look fast, though, AFAIK production of the 2018 Focus is winding down.

Yup, this is a common term in the UK, dating back to the original Golf GTi/Peugeot 205 GTi.

I have found www.mpsowners.co.uk a good resource - it’s UK-focused, but have a search for rust on there and see what turns up. It’s free to register, though for some more detailed content you have to pay a small membership fee (which I haven’t bothered with yet). I think there is a US equivalent for Mazdaspeeds but I’m not familiar with it.

As I understand it, Ford is not making any more cars except the Mustang. They’re dropping all non-Truck/SUV/Crossovers from their line. The margins were too small and Americans aren’t buying them.

They are discontinuing the Focus ST too so if you want a new one, look soon. I haven’t heard anything about the Mazdas rusting but that might be my ignorance. I drive cars until they die too so I can understand your concern.

New Focus STs in my area start at a little over $22,000 and new Fiesta STs are under $20. I think these are great deals although they sometimes include rebates and discounts I’m not eligible for. I’m thinking about getting a Focus ST myself.

Just test drive a focus ST. Doesn’t have the budget roadster feel of the SVT, more of a muscle car.

Maybe check out the Hyundai Veloster.

Good idea with the Veloster! Just test drove the 2017 fiesta ST. That is the new SVT (probably because I had a 3 door SVT.) Really like it. Disappointed in cargo room. The SVT had sets that the bottom folded up before the top folded down leaving an absolute ton of space. So for a 3 door I think it had more room than either the current figure out fiesta. Sad they abandoned that design.

You could also check out the Volvo C30. It would have to be used as I think they were discontinued in 2013.