Ford Focus SVT as replacement for Miata: your thoughts

After so much enjoyment, I have to consider another vehicle. I'm
almost sick thinking that my Miata-ing is either limited or over now.
I can't even count the good times I've had with it.

My '90 first-month-of-production is at that point. The tranny failed
on me and it's in storage until I can pop another in.

That said, I need a daily driver of at least equal pep and at least
equal or greater handling capability. I will not compromise on that.

Small size, but with seating for 4 and cargo space, not necessarily
simultaneous, is my desire. I'm feeling the pinch of increased age
and responsibility requiring me to have a car that can carry more.

The Focus SVT 2 door seems to fit the bill. I was considering Subaru
at first, then a VW Golf, possibly turbo, possibly diesel. But then I
was told to check the SVT Focus, honestly never having heard of it
before.

It looks very impressive on paper. Those opinions I trust tell me the
handling is superb, even breathtaking. The drive train looks awfully
good, the braking sounds awesome, etc etc. Magazine write-ups have
been nearly universally exclamatory. Price is low. It is overpowered
for me, 170@7000, when, based on the 2700 lb. weight, I'd be happy
with 135. But I won't complain.

Does this sound like the painful rationalization of someone who
realizes the glory days of carefree youth and Miata-ing are nearing an
end?

What other cars should I consider in my early search? Needless to say
test drives will be in order, but I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to
narrow the list before embarking on a test regime.

I've found loads of sites and enthusiasts devoted to the Focus and its
variants. That is a good thing. I end up buying things partly based
on having the resource of other committed users and owners like me.

Thanks, Doug

In article >,
Doug > wrote:

> That said, I need a daily driver of at least equal pep and at least
> equal or greater handling capability. I will not compromise on that.

Then I doh't think you'll be getting a Focus. It reportedly handles
quite well...for a FWD sedan. But it's no Miata.

> Small size, but with seating for 4 and cargo space, not necessarily
> simultaneous, is my desire. I'm feeling the pinch of increased age
> and responsibility requiring me to have a car that can carry more.

RX-8 is probably the least expensive 4-seater that handles as well as a
Miata. Its cargo space is modest, though, since the rear seats don't
fold flat. A used BMW might work for you, if you enjoy expensive
maintenance. Maybe a WRX--the power would make up for most of the
shortfall in handling.

You know you're gonna keep the Miata, and add a sedan or wagon to your
collection. A beater '90 isn't worth trading or selling, considering how
much you'll miss it.

--
Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Doug wrote:
> After so much enjoyment, I have to consider another vehicle. I'm
> almost sick thinking that my Miata-ing is either limited or over now.
> I can't even count the good times I've had with it.
>
> My '90 first-month-of-production is at that point. The tranny failed
> on me and it's in storage until I can pop another in.
>
> That said, I need a daily driver of at least equal pep and at least
> equal or greater handling capability. I will not compromise on that.

Sure.

New Miata tranny... $2k if you go high-ticket.

New Focus... $20k easily.

but why choose? Get the cheapest 4-door transpo you
can, $15k.

Fix the Miata when you can...

and then you don't compromise and try to make one tool do
two jobs...

The two previous posters had good suggestions. If you equate
good-handling with RWD (I don't necessarily subscribe), you might
not be satisfied with the Focus. But by all I hear, it is a
terrific ride. I assume you are looking used as it is
discontinued?

In the small, somewhat utilitarian, FWD camp, I'd certainly also
look at the MINI. And you can get Civic Si's pretty cheap now
(the styling and strut suspension turned off the former faithful).
Being a Mazda-centric forum, perhaps a used Protege5 or Mazdaspeed
MP3 (hard to find)?

Otherwise, I'd give the RX8 a long hard look. But fixing the
Miata and adding one of the above would be my thinking.

05 Mustang GT.

Cheaper than an RX8, no stoopid rotary engine, More Hp, looks better, RWD,
more room in back seat (still not a lot, but.)
WAY fun to drive!!!

I've never driven a Focus, but I just never really cared much for them
*shrug*.


"Dave" > wrote in message
...
> The two previous posters had good suggestions. If you equate
> good-handling with RWD (I don't necessarily subscribe), you might
> not be satisfied with the Focus. But by all I hear, it is a
> terrific ride. I assume you are looking used as it is
> discontinued?
>
> In the small, somewhat utilitarian, FWD camp, I'd certainly also
> look at the MINI. And you can get Civic Si's pretty cheap now
> (the styling and strut suspension turned off the former faithful).
> Being a Mazda-centric forum, perhaps a used Protege5 or Mazdaspeed
> MP3 (hard to find)?
>
> Otherwise, I'd give the RX8 a long hard look. But fixing the
> Miata and adding one of the above would be my thinking.

>> My '90 first-month-of-production is at that point. The tranny failed
>> on me and it's in storage until I can pop another in.
>>
>
>New Miata tranny... $2k if you go high-ticket.

I was thinking more along the "$100 '91 drop in" route.

>New Focus... $20k easily.

$10k used if I can swing it.

>but why choose? Get the cheapest 4-door transpo you
>can, $15k.

Anathema! I'm sure I'm not the only Miata driver who gags when
driving other pathetic handling cars.

>Fix the Miata when you can...
>
>and then you don't compromise and try to make one tool do
>two jobs...

That's for certain. The Miata will stay and get fixed in the future.
I just have no time to touch it till next spring and need more space
anyway. But I just can't bring myself to have a utilitarian car that
doesn't perform in Miata ways. I'm looking used and want to keep
outlay around 10k.

Sure there are lots of cars that are more powerful, handle as well,
have more space, etc. But where's a car with the Miata's fun factor
and sublime balance of attributes? Plus I'm not into power and
couldn't care less about smoky wheel spins and straight line
acceleration. Give me steering and braking and cornering.

The comments so far are great! Even though the possibilities are
non-Miata in a Miata forum, I want Miata-enthusiast thinking on this
subject.

I've never driven a sport FWD car, so that is a major unknown to me.

Doug

In article >,
Doug > wrote:

> Sure there are lots of cars that are more powerful, handle as well...

That's your sticking point, Doug. Very few cars handle as well as a
Miata; most of them are Porsches and other high-end 2-seat sports cars,
and none of them are cheap. You've been spoiled by your Miata, and I'm
guessing you haven't driven anything else for awhile. It's really
depressing how dull most other cars are. The RX-8 may be the only true
4-seat car that outhandles a Miata and costs less than $60k. Maybe the
only one under 4000 pounds, period.

My other autom...er...transportation appliance is an '85 Accord beater.
I don't expect much of it except that it always start, haul my stuff,
keep the Miata in the garage in bad weather, and bring me or my wife
back home reliably. It does all those things, and costs almost nothing
to keep on the road. Whenever I'm tempted to grumble at how numbly it
handles, I shift my thoughts to the little red car in the garage...mmmm,
Miata...what a lucky guy I am to own one!

--
Lanny Chambers, St. Louis, USA
'94C
the alignment page:
http://www.hummingbirds.net/alignment.html

Age and responsibility? You've been puttering around in a two seater
convertible for the last 15 years, dude. Ok, you're 15 years older, but
your life sounds like a party based on the responsibilities you listed
(basically, none).

;-)

Ignore all that. Keep the car, you know you can't give it up. Why buy
another car, though? My winter car is a 4x4 S10 Crew Cab -- hauls kids,
groceries, top soil, mulch and the occasional rusted junk I pull off the
Miata (like the old exhaust system). Granted you have to have a truck
mind-set to own one of these, but trucks ARE fun. It's just a different
kind of fun, and you'll have no idea until you've tried it.

The S10 is very powerful and gets out on the highway with no trouble.
Mileage sucks at 20mpg, but for comparison, my friend's Protege5 gets 24.
He can't haul what I can, though, and deep snow is out of the question.

I don't know why, but I'm getting the impression snow might not be a factor
for you?

My two cents...

ps: keep the car!

"Doug" > wrote in message
...
> After so much enjoyment, I have to consider another vehicle. I'm
> almost sick thinking that my Miata-ing is either limited or over now.
> I can't even count the good times I've had with it.
>
> My '90 first-month-of-production is at that point. The tranny failed
> on me and it's in storage until I can pop another in.
>
> That said, I need a daily driver of at least equal pep and at least
> equal or greater handling capability. I will not compromise on that.
>
> Small size, but with seating for 4 and cargo space, not necessarily
> simultaneous, is my desire. I'm feeling the pinch of increased age
> and responsibility requiring me to have a car that can carry more.
>
> The Focus SVT 2 door seems to fit the bill. I was considering Subaru
> at first, then a VW Golf, possibly turbo, possibly diesel. But then I
> was told to check the SVT Focus, honestly never having heard of it
> before.
>
> It looks very impressive on paper. Those opinions I trust tell me the
> handling is superb, even breathtaking. The drive train looks awfully
> good, the braking sounds awesome, etc etc. Magazine write-ups have
> been nearly universally exclamatory. Price is low. It is overpowered
> for me, 170@7000, when, based on the 2700 lb. weight, I'd be happy
> with 135. But I won't complain.
>
> Does this sound like the painful rationalization of someone who
> realizes the glory days of carefree youth and Miata-ing are nearing an
> end?
>
> What other cars should I consider in my early search? Needless to say
> test drives will be in order, but I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to
> narrow the list before embarking on a test regime.
>
> I've found loads of sites and enthusiasts devoted to the Focus and its
> variants. That is a good thing. I end up buying things partly based
> on having the resource of other committed users and owners like me.
>
> Thanks, Doug

Doug wrote:
> After so much enjoyment, I have to consider another vehicle. I'm
> almost sick thinking that my Miata-ing is either limited or over now.
> I can't even count the good times I've had with it.

Frankly, I'd stay away from American cars, period. I've never had anything
but trouble from American cars, the sole exception being my 1967 Chevelle
SS. I'd definitely stay away from them if I had a choice. (Although, they
seem to be getting better I must grudgingly admit.)

If you were going to replace the Miata altogether, about the only cars I can
think of that are anywhere near as much fun to drive would be either the
Mini S or the WRX. But, it doesn't make sense to me to get rid of your '90
now, mainly because it's not really worth anything, money-wise. I'd keep it
and mod the heck out of it, since it won't be your daily driver you can
relax and do whatever you want to it, and not have to worry about getting to
work on Monday morning, or having a decent car in bad weather.

Buy a nice used sporty sedan (Civic, Accord, Protege, Maxima, etc.) for
comfortable basic transportation, and save the Miata for weekends and nice
days.

Regards,
H.

>> Sure there are lots of cars that are more powerful, handle as well...
>
>That's your sticking point, Doug. Very few cars handle as well as a
>Miata; most of them are Porsches and other high-end 2-seat sports cars,
>and none of them are cheap. You've been spoiled by your Miata, and I'm
>guessing you haven't driven anything else for awhile.

Now you're scaring me Lanny. You've correctly diagnosed that I've
driven nothing but the Miata in a good while. I am spoiled. I am in
for a world of hurt without Miata-like handling. I'm coming to
appreciate the Miata even more now.

Doug