Have to say I was rather underwhelmed coming straight from my 275 trophy. Nice looking car for sure but it felt a bit gutless in normal mode and the steering was too light. Wasn't able to have it in sport for insurance reasons but dealer is trying to convince me to go back and drive it in sports mode! Gripped well etc but I was disappointed considering the massive hype it's received. Discuss! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The mk2 was a very exciting and fun car to have. Particularly in a straight line, and when tuned. But i have to say, the megane deals with its power better and the lighter weight and balance means it can do things in the corners that the focus just could not. I think the focus will come alive once the rs500 / mountune map comes along.
I was just disappointed. After only a few yards in the Megane I knew it was a serious machine, but the control weights in the focus are just a bit light and vague. The gear change was nice and positive and it held the road well but acceleration in normal mode and steering were just a bit 'meh'. It's £35k too so it needs to be special. Interior is nicer in the Meg too. Makes you realise how good of a car tee Megane really is. Ten years old and still kicking ass[emoji1305][emoji41] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
That last point you make is something that doesn't seem to get mentioned in the FRS reviews - the interior is terrible. A friend has a mk3 ST and the interior is horrible - not in terms of quality especially but design and ergonomics. It just looks a mess.
As I said in the other thread, I really think it's a decent road car for someone who insists on 4wd, rightly or wrongly, rightly in some cases considering the occasional absence of understanding of basic car dynamics and car control. On the other hand, if you do track your performance car (why on earth wouldn't you?) I fear the Focus will be expensive in terms of consumables, which is a massive factor for track billies like me. A couple of reviews highlighted how hard the Ford was on tyres and brakes, unsurprising given its weight and power. The other issue is price. I was comparing like for like (or trying to) and my Megane was £14k cheaper than the £34k Focus although I have to do without Xenons/Leds but at least I only have 3 doors. A £14k difference, that pays for a lot of Spa/Ring trips.
Agree on the like for like spec thing, its one of the advantages of the Type R in that even the base spec is pretty loaded, the GT spec gives pretty much everything one could want in terms of tech. Personally my big disappointment with the RS is that in the flesh it doesn't look much if any different to an ST. its just a bit meh which is a shame as the previous RS for good or bad was a head turner.
Yes bang for buck the Megane wipes the floor with it. Once you've added all the bits my Meg has its £35.5k! I do think it's. A nice car but it's not enough for the money. I feel like hey should've driven a Megane and got the feel for how proper steering should feel. After all that's what countless reviewers have said is so good about the Meg. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The novelty is fading fast with these. There are 40 of them hanging around on AutoT constantly looking for buyers.
Its seriously capable for the money but many HP cars aren't particularly exciting at lower speeds. A friend was not initially impressed with his 911 C4S until he really (and I mean really!) pushed it.
I have a focus RS on order but I get what you mean, in normal the car is rubbish not exciting just a "nice car" but in sport it picks up a lot better I was massively impressed with the corner grip and acceleration from a standstill. But im about to cancel my order though as I have just purchased a 250 cup! save myself loads of money and can go get back out doing some track days again.
Yea when you compare it to the Megane it makes you realise how much of a bargain the Meg is. We will see. The dealers want me to go back and test one in sport. It's still £35k though and think what else that could buy you[emoji848] maybe I'll wait a year or so to get one. That's what I did with the Megane. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Good move I think . A friend has also cancelled his FRS and bought a new RSM. The price difference is almost impossible to ignore .
Smart move and you can now enjoy the better, lighter and more communicative 250 on track. Ford is currently investigating a huge number of owners that are experiencing extreme (ditch finding) torque steer under power with the new Focus.
Now don't get me wrong I loved the focus but like you say 35k is very steep, the focus will hold its valve but I also think the 250 I've bought won't loose much money now and will be much more fun on track.
One overtook me earlier driving like a dick (not surprised) sounded like a wet fart My Mrs said 'I saw that the other day, looks proper chavvy' enough said!
Funny you should say that as oddly enough my Meg has almost pulled me into (insert object / fellow road user here) under extreme acceleration. The diff can be savage and you need to hold her on the road! I like though it adds character haha...it's only when the road has ruts or extreme camber though so it's to be expected, especially with the cup 2 tyres. One thing I feel slightly annoyed about is how the FRS has received the amazing reviews it has. Only Evo commented on the light steering, and Matt bird of Pistonheads said the civic type r was more exciting to drive. Every other motoring rag/YouTube channel has dismissed the type r unfairly I think, and as the Meg is an older design it's been omitted from many of the recent comparisons, with the exception of the auto express one where it reached top three![emoji1591][emoji1591] Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Given we don't like the price or the kerb weight the press reviews will see this RS model go down in history as good, possibly a great hot hatch. It's not going to be everyone's liking but life would be boring if we all enjoyed the same things. It will be interesting how the new RS Megane compares when it's realised and goes head to head with the RS focus and all the other hot hatches
Yea I just hope Renault don't fudge it and ruin the legend that is the current RS Megane! She has some big shoes to fill! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The issue with the extreme Ford torque steer is the unpredictability and extreme randomness of it. That's the concern as its not a repeatable handling trait. I reckon you will get more fun, interaction, feedback and enjoyment, particularly on track, with the cheaper, better looking and just as capable with a couple of cheap mods 250.
They should be able to get something out of the 4 wheel steering. Keep it light, driver orientated, cheap and not ram it full of all the crap the marketing knobs whack off to and it could hit the spot.
Same with so many cars, a lot of initial media hype and then reality kicks in. BMW can hardly give away i8s now despite quoting 12 month plus delivery times at one point. The RSF is an fantastic car for the money however you look at it. The RSM is currently stunning VFM but that won't last.
