Everything felt good once I got it rolling above 15 or 20 MPH.

Acceleration, cornering, responsiveness and comfort... all quite good.

Later, I would grow to sort of dispise the thing and not drive it much because of quality issues, time in shop and dogged performance in stop and go traffic (a lot of that around here). Only put 4500 miles on it in 6 months, even driving it throughout winter (got the good snow tires for it).

Like I posted in the other threads; the TSB they put out seems to have resolved the performance issues very well for me.

A real joy to drive NOW. I sure hope it stays that way.

 

I wasn't impressed since it didn't feel any faster than my 2000 ZX3. Plus the shifter felt stiff. I told the salesman I'd pass and left. Sure enough they called me and I went back the next day and bought the damn thing! Now it's a different story since I have 1200 miles on it. Much faster and the shifter has either loosened up or I've gotten used to it. After 900 miles or so the upper end really started to come on. I'm still on RLA2 by the way and don't think I'll update it since it runs great. Mileage is 24-26 mpg in combined spirited driving.

 

Actually the SVTF was my second choice.I originally was going for the Mustang GT but found out it was much higher to insure then a SVTF so I went back to the dealership and test drove the SVTF and was totally hooked and bought it.

[ 03-23-2003, 03:37 PM: Message edited by: Virtual_Insanity ]

 

I actually couldn't test drive it since I had a broken wrist, so my dad took it out. He got on it pretty good and since I had just totalled my stang and near fatal I figured it was best I stay away from the mustang for a couple yrs.

 

I felt the same way the first time I drove it -- not quite as fast as I'd hoped...but the sales guy actually told me, "Hey, you're short changing yourself in your shifts. This thing doesn't make it's power until 5000+ and your shifing at 5!" Of course, then it was a whole new story

 

hey man thats good you had someone who had a idea about the car my salesperson was stupid about the car. i was going to get a mazdaspeed protege' luckly the svtf was in the same class as that so i did some reasearch on the focus and i'm glad i got the svtf instead that mazdaspeed cause it has had problems, but then again i guess who doesn't. but i'm happy with my choice

 

I had never been a "fan" of the Focus. But I saw the SVTs sitting at the dealership while car shopping with my Mother. I looked at a few other cars (including an F350 to replace the Bronco) before driving the SVT. I just liked the over-all package of the car. You could tell how well it handled & how powerful it was. I took it through rough roads also to test the ride. After all, New England is where they grow pot holes & frost heaves.

The salesman didn't go with me

. I hope it wasn't because I looked "responsible"

. I also didn't buy the car I test drove. The car I bought only had 7 miles on it when I left the dealer.

 

I also went to the dealer to test drive and buy a Mustang GT. I had a '93 GT and wanted another. Although the V8 power and sound was good, I was disappointed in the GT overall...sloppy shifter, not entirely nimble, useless back seat. I then considered the Cobra but would have headed to the BMW dealer before spending $34K on a Ford.

I then drove the SVTF. I was immediately impressed with the overall performance and value...it is my daily driver and I felt it was a good blend of fun, performance, and practicality.

 

I never test drove mine.

All the magazine reviews gave it high marks overall in 2001 and I liked what I read and saw so I ordered it in Sept. '01 and the first drive was when I drove it off the lot June 04 of '02 when it finally came in.

I knew within a block of leaving the dealership that it was "a keeper". Been enjoying the heck out of it every since for over 12k miles.

 

Originally posted by Virtual_Insanity:
Actually the SVTF was my second choice.I originally was going for the Mustang GT but found out it was much higher to insure then a SVTF so I went back to the dealership and test drove the SVTF and was totally hooked and bought it.

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Arial">The same thing happen with me. I found out the mustang gt insurance rate was 2x as much, as the svtf. I liked the mustang gt, but had to go with the svtf.

 

i felt ...

a) thankful i wasn't in my old 130 hp zx3
b) happy to not be in the real heavy gti 1.8 i test drove
c) safer then the rsx's i test drove
d) sportier then the protege's i test drove
e) faster, safer and sportier then the civic sir i test drove

i love my svtf

 

Like a kid in a candy store.

 

I test drove an SVTF that I think had the intake clip broken. It was gutless and did not help to have two other people in the car. When I got back in my enhanced ZX3 I thought my car was much faster. Everyone has heard the argument and I looked a little closer at the problems within this forum and took a leap of faith and did it anyways.

I am happy to say that the car that I bought had no apparent problems and was way more powerful than the test drive car. I still have not really layed into this thing yet and can tell that it was a problem car that I drove and consider the SVTF to be a jem when all is working as it should.

I can imagine no better car for the price and think that I will compare all other cars that I may drive in the future to this, that has become a reflection of my personal enthusiasm for the automobile.

 

I didn't test drive mine either. I bought it and drove away.

 

My test drive was the day of delivery as well.

 

Bought sight-unseen.

 

Day of delivery here too.

Ordered (verbal) Feb '01, officially in the system June '01, pick up... Oh wait that's another thread