Subaru BRZ with $10k in mods or Ford Focus RS?

[deejaylew]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Well at least you don't have to worry about the HG issue anymore lol

Kinda glad Ford is taking care of their enthusiast base, albeit after a lot of hemming and hawing.

I do enjoy the RS but I'd be lying if I said I didn't miss my supercharged BRZ...

The HG issue kept me from buying this car earlier. The first year I was put off by the ADM the dealers were putting on the car, second year and beyond was headgasket.

Seems ridiculous to me that they wouldn't take care of the folks that would spend this kind of money on their vehicles. I'm glad they have an official fix now but it would have been nice if they extended the powertrain warranty or something as well, but I guess I'm pushing it.

I'm loving it right now, I would usually want to sing the praises of performance but at the moment I'm so blown away with Android auto. Last 3 or 4 vehicles have been either Subarus or BMWs, the tech in those cars looks archaic in comparison. Also bravo Ford for actually sending the correct amount of power to the door speakers, I don't know why other manufacturers can't get this right.

I'm off the road today.. picked up a nail in the tire on day 2 of ownership...b

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by deejaylew

The HG issue kept me from buying this car earlier. The first year I was put off by the ADM the dealers were putting on the car, second year and beyond was headgasket.

Seems ridiculous to me that they wouldn't take care of the folks that would spend this kind of money on their vehicles. I'm glad they have an official fix now but it would have been nice if they extended the powertrain warranty or something as well, but I guess I'm pushing it.

I'm loving it right now, I would usually want to sing the praises of performance but at the moment I'm so blown away with Android auto. Last 3 or 4 vehicles have been either Subarus or BMWs, the tech in those cars looks archaic in comparison. Also bravo Ford for actually sending the correct amount of power to the door speakers, I don't know why other manufacturers can't get this right.

I'm off the road today.. picked up a nail in the tire on day 2 of ownership...b

Ya, agreed about the ADM. It was actually a huge turn-off for me and got me strongly considering an STI. Luckily, I found a dealer out of state (NV, I'm in CA) who did $1k below MSRP on a 2017 that hasn't moved in months, but that also meant I had to go 300mi and cross the sierras to get it (PSSs slip around even on dry cold roads)

Definitely was blown away by android auto, first car I owned that has one and is now a requirement for the next car. We all just do so much with our smart phones nowadays that it just makes complete sense.

Bummer about the flat tire. If you look around the RS forums, there is a thread about a Jaguar spare that works with our cars. I got one and carry it along with a scissor jack for long road trips.

[deejaylew]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Ya, agreed about the ADM. It was actually a huge turn-off for me and got me strongly considering an STI. Luckily, I found a dealer out of state (NV, I'm in CA) who did $1k below MSRP on a 2017 that hasn't moved in months, but that also meant I had to go 300mi and cross the sierras to get it (PSSs slip around even on dry cold roads)

Definitely was blown away by android auto, first car I owned that has one and is now a requirement for the next car. We all just do so much with our smart phones nowadays that it just makes complete sense.

Bummer about the flat tire. If you look around the RS forums, there is a thread about a Jaguar spare that works with our cars. I got one and carry it along with a scissor jack for long road trips.

Are you affected by the FSA for the head gasket? If so have you taken yours in for the service?

I think I am going to wait a few months on mine, Of course any dealership should be able to change out a head gasket but I wouldn't mind if they had practice on someone else's RS.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by TorontoNat

Wow your right. Focus RS just got a whole lot cooler lol

I'm of the same opinion as you with regards to AWD. AWD takes so much fun out of it. I just searched for drift mode on YouTube and it looks impressive. Seems like it moves the bias 100% to the rear. Not sure I've seen any other AWD cars that can bias that far. Then again I don't follow AWD cars that closely.

[TorontoNat]

Originally Posted by ermax

I'm of the same opinion as you with regards to AWD. AWD takes so much fun out of it. I just searched for drift mode on YouTube and it looks impressive. Seems like it moves the bias 100% to the rear. Not sure I've seen any other AWD cars that can bias that far. Then again I don't follow AWD cars that closely.

MercedezAMG has the best drift mode as far as I can see. Watch Chris Harris drive one:

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gd9Njn1mfPU&t="]Mercedes-AMG E63 S - Chris Harris Drives - Top Gear - YouTube[/ame]

Really really like this tbh. Shows that manufacturers understand us. Different price range than the focus I know but.. How cool is a car that is probably more comfortable than your couch in front of the fireplace at home with a some hot coco but that can do that in a corner if you so choose... amazing. Also cool how you have to pull both paddle shifters to turn it on.

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by deejaylew

Are you affected by the FSA for the head gasket? If so have you taken yours in for the service?

I think I am going to wait a few months on mine, Of course any dealership should be able to change out a head gasket but I wouldn't mind if they had practice on someone else's RS.

Ya, got the FSA letter a few weeks ago (MY '17, build date of Oct 2016). I spoke to a Ford Service tech I know and he said there is a huge backorder on the headgaskets right now (for obvious reasons). I went ahead and scheduled the leak test to "get on the list" since they have to do the check first before they can order the parts, but won't be taking the car back until they give me a call that the part is ready, then I'll take my rental while they do the swap.

But ya, I don't blame ya. My car has been doing "ok" lately, has what I think might be a slow trans leak, but was assured was just "weeping" and burning coolant VERY slowly (I'm talking going from MAX to MIN on the coolant reservoir in 6 mos which may be normal). Not bad considering I've been taking the car to 1-2 track days a month over the last 6 mos and semi-regular canyon runs in the foothills on top of daily driving.

[guybo]

Yeah the HG will be covered by warranty as long as you do no mods. As soon as you do as much as a full exhaust forget it. And do you really want the hassle of bringing your car in and leaving it for weeks? Even if they pay for the fix and a rental, you have to deal with the headache. I wouldn't touch any Focus or even a Fiesta right now if you gave it to me. So many issues

[BigFatFlip]

They are actually covering even modified cars since it's a known issue (mine is moderately modified). They technically can't deny anybody unless the dealer is just inept.

So far, Ford has done me right and I've had an easier time dealing with them than with Subaru with my DI issue and both rear axles going bad on my 2013 BRZ.

[BigFatFlip]

Originally Posted by TorontoNat

Wow your right. Focus RS just got a whole lot cooler lol

Originally Posted by ermax

I'm of the same opinion as you with regards to AWD. AWD takes so much fun out of it. I just searched for drift mode on YouTube and it looks impressive. Seems like it moves the bias 100% to the rear. Not sure I've seen any other AWD cars that can bias that far. Then again I don't follow AWD cars that closely.

Well, I've only used "drift mode" a handful of times and it's fun, but you can definitely tell that it's "artificial". The car actually not only sends most of the power to the rear (I believe up to 70%), but can shift most of that to the outside rear to induce more oversteer. I found it a little hard to modulate and it took some getting used to just mashing on the gas and trusting the car to "sort itself" and do the drift.

Here's me sending off my PSSs at the drift pad with some 86 buddies.

I did find that putting the car on drift mode helped it pivot a lot easier during autoX.

[ermax]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

Well, I've only used "drift mode" a handful of times and it's fun, but you can definitely tell that it's "artificial". The car actually not only sends most of the power to the rear (I believe up to 70%), but can shift most of that to the outside rear to induce more oversteer. I found it a little hard to modulate and it took some getting used to just mashing on the gas and trusting the car to "sort itself" and do the drift.

Here's me sending off my PSSs at the drift pad with some 86 buddies.

I did find that putting the car on drift mode helped it pivot a lot easier during autoX.

That is kind of a bummer. It would be cool if you could just push the bias 100% to the rear and not do anything else with electronics. Just let the driver do all the work.

[TorontoNat]

Originally Posted by BigFatFlip

I did find that putting the car on drift mode helped it pivot a lot easier during autoX.

Great feedback, makes sense. I can see the RS being an absolute AutoX monster.

[imped4now]

If anyone has any questions about this particular comparison, feel free to ask. I now own them both (just picked up a '17 BRZ Limited PP). I've been DD'ing my '17 RS (updated headgasket) for 21 months and 23k miles.

[alphasaur]

Originally Posted by imped4now

If anyone has any questions about this particular comparison, feel free to ask. I now own them both (just picked up a '17 BRZ Limited PP). I've been DD'ing my '17 RS (updated headgasket) for 21 months and 23k miles.

Interesting.

Do you feel like the RS was lacking in any area and that's why you picked up a brz?

[imped4now]

Originally Posted by alphasaur

Interesting.

Do you feel like the RS was lacking in any area and that's why you picked up a brz?

I wanted a lightweight, RWD, NA sports car.....basically the opposite of the RS. It was between a BRZ and ND Miata and at the end of the day, the BRZ won me over. The RS is a supremely fun, capable car...the handling, steering/braking and power makes it a blast. The seating position isn't my favorite, although the seats are excellent. The BRZ is not nearly as fast, but it feels so nice and fits me like a glove. It's a very fun car in its own right and I'm pumped to own both. I couldn't ask for a better pairing.