When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So I need a commuter car but not a boring one. Wound up with a cherry Ford Focus STI - lightly modded with 78k on the clock. I have never owned a turbo car and what a hoot this thing is. Anyone gone up against one in a C5?
Last edited by jjc508520; Aug 27, 2021 at 03:29 PM.
On track in the dry a stock C5 is the faster car. I can’t think of time where I can say one of those cars out performed mine. Definitely pulled them on the straights though not greatly. Wet track or autocross is a different deal
Not with my Corvette but I did have one try me at a light in my ZL1 Camaro with the biggest turbo stickers I have ever seen. Was kinda funny, great confidence booster.
To get serious, you need the Focus RS, sadly no longer available. Very similar numbers to a C5 - 350 bhp, 350 lb ft torque, 3400 lbs weight. 0-60 around 4.6/4.7 secs. Since it is AWD, complete with vectoring diff., it is apparently very quick and very sure footed in the wet also.
From: In a parallel universe. Currently own 2014 Stingray Coupe.
C7 of the Year - Modified Finalist 2021
MO Events Coordinator
St. Jude Co-Organizer
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '25
NCM Sinkhole Donor
CI 5, 8 & 11 Veteran
Originally Posted by jackthelad
To get serious, you need the Focus RS, sadly no longer available. Very similar numbers to a C5 - 350 bhp, 350 lb ft torque, 3400 lbs weight. 0-60 around 4.6/4.7 secs. Since it is AWD, complete with vectoring diff., it is apparently very quick and very sure footed in the wet also.
Too bad it is no longer available - sounds like a real fun car.
How often if ever is someone on a road course
In real life...lots of these turbo cars awd will smoke the average sports car light to light.
Yeah Id rather be driving a vette but dont discount some of these rice rockets. Tin cans that move out
To get serious, you need the Focus RS, sadly no longer available. Very similar numbers to a C5 - 350 bhp, 350 lb ft torque, 3400 lbs weight. 0-60 around 4.6/4.7 secs. Since it is AWD, complete with vectoring diff., it is apparently very quick and very sure footed in the wet also.
incredibly I saw an white RS on the road yesterday! Very subdued - just an RS logo stamped into the side of the rear spoiler. Mine is Tangerine with these red ST emblems that just fires the kids up
When these came out Ford hosted an event to let you take one out on an Auto-X track. They're a blast to drive as despite being a FWD car they rotate well. I ran the entire course in second gear and it had plenty of torque to spare. A co-worker bought one and cranked the boost and it's holding up well.
Haha funny you mentioned about this car,
a friend of mine has a Gray color nicely fixed up, we drive on the canyons Sunday’s.
i have driven the car.
we have played on the freeway,
C5 is much faster on the freeway.
On the canyons he is definitely having hard time keeping up as well, granted I have 2003 ZO6 suspension ( which is still terrible soft ) and 2013 grand sport sway bars.
if my corvette had proper coil over suspension
I would probably loose him on the first switch backs.
is the focus fun? HELL YES . It’s a go cart, on the streets it’s definitely more fun than the c5.
How often if ever is someone on a road course
In real life...lots of these turbo cars awd will smoke the average sports car light to light.
Yeah Id rather be driving a vette but dont discount some of these rice rockets. Tin cans that move out
Having owned a Subie Turbo AWD for years, the only issue is that to really make it get away from a light, you have to rev it way up and dump the clutch - not enough power to spin 4 wide tires, so basically you are killing the clutch. Or the flywheel, and in the earlier cars, not unknown to bust a drive axle. Once rolling however, they are very quick, and a lot of fun on ordinary roads. And infinitely modifiable - bigger turbo and intercooler, plus a reprogram adds an easy 100hp.
Having owned a Subie Turbo AWD for years, the only issue is that to really make it get away from a light, you have to rev it way up and dump the clutch - not enough power to spin 4 wide tires, so basically you are killing the clutch. Or the flywheel, and in the earlier cars, not unknown to bust a drive axle. Once rolling however, they are very quick, and a lot of fun on ordinary roads. And infinitely modifiable - bigger turbo and intercooler, plus a reprogram adds an easy 100hp.
I added about 70 whp on my STi with just a turbo back exhaust and a dyno tune on a heartbreaker dyno.
It would have eaten my C5 for lunch. As more time passes, I miss it more and more. It’s value is increasing unlike the C5.
Mine is still "in the family" and modded with turbo/intercooler upgrades, and various other stuff. Probably somewhere round 350-375 bhp.
Wow - that's a lot from the base 250! What I like about this car is that its not been messed with too much - and I want to take the same approach as with my FRC - tastefully mod it and as much as possible keep it looking stock. Will take delivery on Friday
C5 vs STI
