Tom Suddard wrote: Hmm, I think I'm sold on a Focus SVT EAP. But I can't find the classifieds on SVT Performance or FocalJet. Thoughts?
Bah, I'm dumb. SVTP named their classified section "The Market", but anyone can view it. Focaljet, I think you have to be registered to view the cars for sale section, and maybe even have a certain number of posts to weed out spam.
SVTP: http://www.svtperformance.com/forums/svt-foci-svt-contours-buy-sell-261/
Feedyurhed wrote:vwcorvette wrote:Ya they are hatches. More like a three door. It's all a matter of opinion, like what is a sports car? I have a RX7 with a large glass hatch that flips up but it's not a hatchback. It's all just a fine line and subject to debate. I think the GTI is the definitive hatchback, after all they basically created that category. That's what I think of when I think hatchback. I vote for the VW also.Looks like a hatch to me. Older Mini's are expensive BMWs underneath the two-tone. I vote VW. Ignore the "reliability" haters. Besides you could turn it into an ITB car down the road.
not really understanding your definition ... does it have to do with the shape of the hatch ... my past Civics were defiantly hatchbacks ... ( fairly upright rear lift) as far as I'm concerned my Integra is a hatch ( though you'd call it a 3 door ) ...this isn't an argument, I'm just curious what your definition is
wbjones wrote: ....as far as I'm concerned my Integra is a hatch ( though you'd call it a 3 door ) ...this isn't an argument, I'm just curious what your definition is
Oh please no... not this discussion again...
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/rwd-hatchbacks/59935/page1/
Four pages that read like a Seinfeld episode...
How many of these cars really get 30mpg on the hwy and do 0-60 in under 7seconds? This list covers the hatches/wagons that will make the MPG epa's power search of cars that make the mpg
MX-3/Ford Escort/probe will clear that gas mileage but are too slow
NX2000/NX1600 they could make it if you modded them 
The quick versions of the following might make both factory but it would be close if they did Swift Celica Mirage Eclipse/Talon 318ti beetle
the 318ti should do better than 30mpg......I have the window sticker for mine claiming 32mpg rating, but the trip computer(before it was removed), and doing the math yielded upper 30's. Amazing how E36 M3ty a bmw catalyst can be....
The SVT Focus must have one amazing motor, because those era Focuses are some of the biggest pieces of E36 M3 that I have ever driven. The interior feels like they let a preschool class put it together with Elmer's, and I'm amazed they don't just fall apart over speed bumps and pot holes.
My vote is for the 318ti, an NX2000, an MX-3 (with 2.5 V6 swap), or the ugly Civic Si hatch. After all, isn't GRM all about making slow cars go fast?
I'll even post this here... http://fredericksburg.craigslist.org/cto/3726099414.html
MX-3/Ford Escort/probe will clear that gas mileage but are too slow
I think a Probe GT is actually near the top of the speed range of cars that are being considered here.
Vigo wrote:MX-3/Ford Escort/probe will clear that gas mileage but are too slowI think a Probe GT is actually near the top of the speed range of cars that are being considered here.
I can personally guarantee that they're faster than an SVT Focus.
In reply to Swank Force One:
Plus there is no way they aren't built better. 
I didn't read the entire thread, but if I were planning on a little hatch that could provide good magazine articles, I would look for a high mileage 1st gen Fit. I see then around $5k.
Then document swapping in a K20. Hasport makes a great kit, and this is exactly the type of technical detail the magazine needs.
We don't really need another series of articles where you bolt on parts to a Mini.
subrew wrote: We don't really need another series of articles where you bolt on parts to a Mini.
This is what I agree upon.
yamaha wrote:subrew wrote: We don't really need another series of articles where you bolt on parts to a Mini.This is what I agree upon.
Also agree. A swap would be great-this forum is full of guys who are doing/have done/want to do a swap, so coverage of a common one would be great. And since this is GRASSROOTS, I think the $7k should cover the entire build! 
Say what you want about the focus from that time period but my SVT was the first Ford I sat in that actually felt nice and like they had moved on from the horrid SN95 mustang interiors etc.
I cross shopped it in 2002 when I bought new with the Sentra SER Spec V, the Civic SI, and the VW Golf GTI. Superb handling, interior felt nice mine was not loud on the highway I drove it to Texas and back from San Diego and to Oregon twice
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/cto/3746865405.html
This is the Euro wheels with recaros and HIDs
In terms of value now I think they are really hard to beat. And locally in SD we have some national level drivers and the SVTF has actually become a top contender in the street tire stock classes
My vote goee to a 332ti
Just a note to some of the people who don't like the Focus interior, what year were you in? I test drove a new ZX3 in 2001 (second year model), it was pleasant, if a little noisy on the highway. A few years ago, I was looking at used cars, and checked out a 2007 Focus. It looked like they had seriously cheapened the interior by then. Haven't sat in one, but I'd assume the SVT is a step or two above a ZX3.
Protege 5 w/KL-ZE?
2002maniac wrote: My vote goee to a 332ti
I'd rather see a S54 + SMGII swap into a ti than a "This is how to install a pulley and airbox" on a mini. I doubt that would be possible on the budget though.
In reply to eastsidemav:
The svt's seem to have a better fit and finish over the normal zx3.....my beater/dd is a '01 zx3 se, and I don't see everyones problem......everything is logicly placed, its not that "weird"(I am coming from an Ion Redline), and no squeaks/rattles/excessive wind noise.
An S54 swap yes. A SMG swap, hell no! No good reason to put that POS into an otherwise good ti.
docwyte wrote: An S54 swap yes. A SMG swap, hell no! No good reason to put that POS into an otherwise good ti.
I could not possibly disagree more.
I LOVED my SMG E46 M3. If it wasn't for the SMG, I would have bought a 996C2 instead. I was not impressed with the shift myself E46, but the SMG completely changed the car into one of my very favorite, in the top 2% of my cars, car. I would re-up my subscription to read about a ti S54/SMG swap.
In reply to Vigo:
The GT is from what I can find at the 7sec mark but under the 30MPG HWY mark
In reply to yamaha:
Looks like the 318ti will make 0-60 in 8.8 seconds so if we are talking factory stock cars it's off the list too.
To the OP are we talking about modded cars or factory stock cars?
jere wrote: In reply to Vigo: The GT is from what I can find at the 7sec mark but under the 30MPG HWY mark
They're geared to hell and back.
A 1st gen Probe GT will do both of those things quite easily, but not something i'd consider in a $7k budget.
Neither is the 2nd gen, though. So it's just mental masturbation.
I'd rather look at a 2nd gen Probe interior than an SVT Focus interior, though. Take that how you will.
Either/or, but I think Focus SVT is going to be the answer.
The GT is from what I can find at the 7sec mark but under the 30MPG HWY mark
That is kind of surprising, but if we're going by EPA numbers for simplicity's sake than i accept defeat!
Either/or, but I think Focus SVT is going to be the answer.
Seems reasonable. Just dont go around picking on SOHC neons for street races and i'm sure you'll really like it!
Ian F wrote:wbjones wrote: ....as far as I'm concerned my Integra is a hatch ( though you'd call it a 3 door ) ...this isn't an argument, I'm just curious what your definition isOh please no... not this discussion again... http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/rwd-hatchbacks/59935/page1/ Four pages that read like a Seinfeld episode...
I missed that thread ... I wasn't going to argue with him ... just wanted to know what his definition of a hatch was
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