Value of Golf R Compared to others

[Danny]

Hey all,

I just went to check out the new RS Focus which was at a Ford dealer here in Doncaster. They had a white and a blue one here to check out, and I have to say that they present dubious value for money when compared to the GTI or the R.

Now Exclusivity (315 coming here) and power (220kW+, a redundant figure if owners of the R plan to upgrade) aside, I reckon that the price they are asking is a little bewildering.

I was told that Ford dealers Aus wide have a non negotiable price of $67,990 for the RS, with reports that a few dealers had garnered cheques for $70-75k!!!

Now, this is a car (as I said, power and exclusivity and std recaro's aside) that has no knee or side airbags (due to the 'caros), no AWD, DSG, no sunroof or satnav, or RVC option, no Adaptive Chassis or electric seats. It has a Sony Stereo with a normal stacker (no HDD etc) and the recaros are bolted to the floor on a steel box frame that i'm sure Ford thought looked cool, but reminds me of the cockpit of a stripped out race car.

The interior is quickly dating (as the new gen Focus is due soon), lots of grey and black plastic, some soft touch stuff here and there, and mish mashes of imitation carbon fibre and painted silver plastic. It certainly doesnt exude much class (admittedly it probably isn't meant to). And although it looks appealing from the outside, the rear apron is a little overdone with truck exhausts (even the salesman didn't like), and a rear diffuser with slats you could hide a small Fiat in.

When you can pick up an AWD Golf R with Nav, Roof, DSG RVC, Leather, Bluetooth and MDI, and get it chipped by APR for 239kW for under $67k IMO you're ahead of the focus, and in a VW with great build quality, arguably better cornering ability, and a very nice interior.

Admittedly some people are one eyed Ford who will choose it just bcause it is a Ford, and because it looks like Darth Vader's helmet, but for $68k is it worth it even if it is rare and powerful? I don't reckon so. You just miss out on too much, and at the end of the day, it is still a humble Ford, not really a brand that garners a premium price...

Opinions?

[HPSOV]

Opinions?

Agreed

Admittedly some people are one eyed Ford who will choose it just bcause it is a Ford

Bingo.

[Corey_R]

Yeah - I agree too Danny. The Focus RS doesn't represent good value vs the Golf R.

But then again, if you're looking for something more "lairy" than the Golf R and you are looking for something a bit more unique, then the Focus RS is a good buy.

[Danny]

HPSOV - Short but sweet. Nice. Good to hear I'm not the only one.

if you're looking for something more "lairy" than the Golf R

Therein lies the attraction.. It ain't worth a $15k premium over VW's Halo hatch. Hell for that price you could park your arse in an Audi S3, and that would make me loose sleep.

EDIT: Just spied this on FordForums.au


That makes my head spin...

[hooba]

You've attempted to rationalise what is an irrational decision.

$65K+ on a hatch back (with a cheap ass interior) is never going to be a rational decision, however people will pay for the exclusivity, reputation, blue oval badge(!), etc..

[Corey_R]

Therein lies the attraction.. It ain't worth a $15k premium over VW's Halo hatch. Hell for that price you could park your arse in an Audi S3, and that would make me loose sleep.

Hehe, yeah, but the S3 is also too refined for someone who's seriously considering a Ford RS.
I feel that the competition is more going to be the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X than the German hatches

[Tim]

You guys are barking up the wrong tree.

You would buy the focus because its everything that the Golf R/S3 is not.
Its hardcore, Adventurous, exciting and generally just bonkers. Along side it, the Golfs in standard trim are just plain boring.

If youre looking for luxury, comfort, prestige youre really barking up the wrong tree though. People dont buy these cars because theyre luxurious shopping trolleys.

If i was offered the keys to either a Golf or a Focus RS for the day i know id be chosing the Focus every time.

VW really dont have any product to compete with it. Renault and Ford really are the only companies that come to mind with the balls to release focused hot hatches like this onto the local market.

[Danny]

Hehe, yeah, but the S3 is also too refined for someone who's seriously considering a Ford RS.
I feel that the competition is more going to be the Subaru WRX STI and Mitsubishi Lancer EVO X than the German hatches

True true,

But if TGA knock the Golf R for its lack of turn in and lack of focussed-ness compared to the STI and EVO, then I cant see the Heavy, overpowered front wheeler RS impressing the panties off em.

Hooba. Dead right there mate. Imagine listening to the RS owners justifying their purchase on the forums.. ohhh Ell Oh Elle.

[Danny]

You guys are barking up the wrong tree.

You would buy the focus because its everything that the Golf R/S3 is not.
Its hardcore, Adventurous, exciting and generally just bonkers. Along side it, the Golfs in standard trim are just plain boring.

If youre looking for luxury, comfort, prestige youre really barking up the wrong tree though. People dont buy these cars because theyre luxurious shopping trolleys.

If i was offered the keys to either a Golf or a Focus RS for the day i know id be chosing the Focus every time.

VW really dont have any product to compete with it. Renault and Ford really are the only companies that come to mind with the balls to release focused hot hatches like this onto the local market.

Nope, not close Tim. As an Ex Renaultsport owner and fan, Ford have never produced a hatch that steers like a Renaultsport. Renaultsport is all about the drive and the handling. This RS seems to be a lot about power and look at me (as you have identified yourself). Renault produce a more focussed hot hatch, and most of the time use less power and smaller engines to do it, and they still are seen as the benchmark for great handling hatches.



-Dan

If youre looking for luxury, comfort, prestige youre really barking up the wrong tree though. People dont buy these cars because theyre luxurious shopping trolleys.

Thats fine dude, and I already made the connection that some would buy it just based on its power and crazyness alone (and they are entitled to), my point is that the thing presents dubious value when sold for $67-75-80k. You missed my point.

[Corey_R]

If i was offered the keys to either a Golf or a Focus RS for the day i know id be chosing the Focus every time.

Yep, I agree Tim. It'd take the Focus RS as well.
Borrow the RS for a day of fun,but buy the Golf R for my every day car

[Tim]

Nope, not close Tim. As an Ex Renaultsport owner and fan, Ford have never produced a hatch that steers like a Renaultsport. Renaultsport is all about the drive and the handling. This RS seems to be a lot about power and look at me (as you have identified yourself). Renault produce a more focussed hot hatch, and most of the time use less power and smaller engines to do it, and they still are seen as the benchmark for great handling hatches.
-Dan

There is no doubting renaults are awesome handlers. Having said that the Focus chassis is continually praised in the media.
My comparison with renault is more in relation to the hard core track day versions that renault have done moreso than the standard garden variety renaultsports. Its an ethos that will see both companies pushing the limits.
Renault Megane has always been up there as far as power output and the wild body kits and paint jobs they get arent really anything you could consider dull either!

Personally I think the focus is a pretty cool looking car. If only VW would respond by bringing in a shipment of Sciroccos Rs. Id put my deposit down in a second.

Yep, I agree Tim. It'd take the Focus RS as well.
Borrow the RS for a day of fun,but buy the Golf R for my every day car

Dont get me wrong. Im a VW man. Have been for many years. I wouldnt buy the ford either.
If I bought a Golf R it would be far from standard though. Theyre just not focused enough for my liking.

[Danny]

Agree on all points. I assume Tim you're referring to the R26R. Although the R26 was a gun of a vehicle as well, the only Renault hatch that most journo's said was as great as the 182 cup (which is what I had).

Also right on the Renault Kits too, although arguably Renault make a much more tasty coherent kit on the RS vehicles

I would take the keys to an RS for the day too, but I could not live with it. Ever, I would be constantly marred by the sound of the numbers 6 7 9 9 0 in my head(spoken in the voice of count dracula with the ah ah ah ahha haaa! laugh on the end). Not sure how its value would hold up too. Like Alfas rusting, you get kept awake by the screams that Fords make as they depreciate lol.

[Mountainman]

Admittedly some people are one eyed Ford who will choose it just bcause it is a Ford,
Opinions?

But the GTI and R owners on here aren't one eyed VW?

I'd pick the R every time as the one to own but I would sure like to have that RS for an exciting drive every now and then. And also just to stand and look and look and look.......

[Danny]

But the GTI and R owners on here aren't one eyed VW?

I can pay that absolutely, however someone like myself always goes for the hard value Equation. I've been from Fords, to Renaults, to VW, I generally don't stay loyal and will go for the best value for money thing on the market. If you think my way, Its a compelling argument for the R, where the Ford has an astonishing sticker price, considering what it lacks over what it does offer in spades.

[kaanage]

Nope, not close Tim. As an Ex Renaultsport owner and fan, Ford have never produced a hatch that steers like a Renaultsport. Renaultsport is all about the drive and the handling. This RS seems to be a lot about power and look at me (as you have identified yourself). Renault produce a more focussed hot hatch, and most of the time use less power and smaller engines to do it, and they still are seen as the benchmark for great handling hatches.

A large reason that Renault was able to make FWDs that handled so much power so well was due to the offset hub assembly they used mounted to the front struts for these cars. The reduced KPI allowed by this greatly reduced the scrub radius and it also meant that struts themselves could be mounted more steeply. Ford have basically copied this layout (with a stronger lower arm connection) with the RevoKnuckle used in the Focus RS which is why, by all accounts, it handles/steers just as well as the Renaultsport hatches.

To complete the Renaultsport style hard edge, you could just rip out half the interior of a Focus RS and fit a rear cage.

And remember that the RS can be chipped just as easily as the Golf R.

I agree that the Focus won't be as well made as the Golf but as hooba said, neither of these cars is a rational purchase.