which ones best

ive been checking out the focus and all its variations as far as models go.i know im after the svt becouse of the performance parts stock.but ive come across the saleen,which i read here is just a fancy 2.3 and a couple with names for the model(forgive me im new to these and dont recall what they were).my main want is the performance parts.what am i shopping for guy's...i notice the svt is no longer available,but im not dead set on new,so that dont matter.whats a good year?is svt the only performance one?healthy motor is a plus,but i live on a 15 mile curvy as crap rode so i want the suspention and handling.


"im scrambling to finish,but forgot what i have done"

All Foci handle fine straight from the box, but the SVT handles even better. A stock Focus should be fine for good handling. I would stick with 03 or 04 and up as the earlier Foci had some reliability problems since it was a fairly new platform. The only performance versions of the Focus are the SVT, which is currently out of production, and the Salleen, it's main attraction being that it's nitrous ready.

thanks mustangman25...chuck.im assuming its a svt with the nos then.meaning im paying a lot more for a warrenty voider sounds like.

one last thing,i seen one with like 265,000 on it,so they run awhile.but alot of these things are for sale in my area with like 7-12,000 like new.any ideas on why so many are resold so quikly?is there a hid'in problem i should know befor getting one,other than the year issue mustang suggested above?

Mainly its just like any other car. When first built, it takes the manufacturer time to get all the bugs out of the system. If you can't find an SVT model, what you could always do is buy a ZX3 and get the SVT parts straight from Ford Racing Performance Parts (or FRPP for short). They carry everything from the suspension setup that the SVT comes stock with down to the body kit. I bought a 2004 Focus SVT about 4 months ago with the european appearance package, last one in pitch black in northern california, had to drive to half moon bay to buy it. What this means is that most likely a dealer won't be able to find one for you, but check anyway. Most likely you'll have to go to a private party to buy one. If that happens, get the VIN from the owner and check with DMV to see the vehicles history, if it was in any accidents. Another thing to watch out for on any car is its location. Is it in snowy weather? If so, it probably has rust issues on the undercarriage. Check this first.

Actually, the Salleen, I believe, is a ZX3 which has been modded out, but I could be wrong. The car actually comes with a warrenty, as it's called 'nitrous ready.' When you buy the car, you have to sign a paper saying that if you finish off the nitrous system (all the need to add is a full bottle, and the main nitrous line) then the warrenty is voided. If you stick with the later model cars, you shouldn't have many major problems, then again, I have a 2000 (first year of production in N. America) and I've had no problems since I bought it six months ago. Like FocusFreak said, you can buy a stock SVT and go crazy if you'd like. I know that you can buy a complete SVT suspension upgrade set for $275, something which I've been considering for a couple weeks. Be aware too, that you can mod out a ZX3 with SVT parts, but with a ZX3, you can only get a 5 speed or an auto, where the SVT has a 6 speed. HTH

The 2001 ZX3 S2 w/Zetec that I have has a stiffer suspension then the bone stock ZX3. They are identified by an S2 emblem in front of the rear wheel well, spoiler and blacked out front and side lower body mouldings. The front seats are a little different too I believe. I've had no major problems with it except for the cheap original tires and an egr valve which was replaced under warranty. You might want to try to find one of these. They were the forerunner of the SVT.