SVT Focii: What to look out for

[Primalzer]

Dad's co-worker just blew the head gasket on her SVT Focus. Not sure what year it is, but i know it's one of the later years because it has 4 doors and the 6 speed, which weren't offered early. Old lady bought it thinking it was an economy car, so it is driven easily and not modded, plus a Florida car so no rust...

What other common issues do the SVTs have? Worth it to throw her a $1k offer and fix it up and have a nice winter beater?

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[bikrboy128]

$1k for a busted focus is way too much, svt or not. i'd offer a few hundred $$ to take it off her hands, because with a blown head gasket it's only worth it's weight in scrap.

 

[Primalzer]

Yeah, my dad is basically going to offer to take it away from her...offer her a couple hundred bucks...and then get it shipped up here on a hopefully empty hauler who's been taking cars down to Florida for the winter

 

[nytebyte]

If the only issue is a blown head gasket and the car is in good shape, I think it would be a steal for $1,000.

This is NOT a regular Focus and shouldn't be compared to one.
It would be like comparing a base v6 Mustang to a Cobra.

 

[P40E]

I have some very lightly scratched 6 spoke svt wheels for sale if you get the car . Practically brand new I bought during this summer.

 

[Dasfinc]

Rust, I know it's a Florida car, but First generation focii sheet metal seems to turn into dust with little provocation.

 

[jvert]

How many miles? I would see when and if they had the timing belt has been done. If it hasn't been done do it right away.

 

[Primalzer]

How many miles? I would see when and if they had the timing belt has been done. If it hasn't been done do it right away.

Well considering the heads going to be off for the head gasket, definitely would do the timing belt...

Getting a bunch of info hopefully tomorrow

 

[bikrboy128]

If the only issue is a blown head gasket and the car is in good shape, I think it would be a steal for $1,000.

This is NOT a regular Focus and shouldn't be compared to one.
It would be like comparing a base v6 Mustang to a Cobra.

the cobra/v6 stang comparison is hardly fair. you can pick up a not blown up SVT focus for well under 4k. they aren't worth a lot, and paying $1,000 for a broken pile of scrap metal that's half way across the country sight unseen would be foolish. the head might be warped/cracked, it could need an engine.....how are the tires/brakes/clutch?

buy low so when you find more wrong you aren't losing your ass. you'd also have a shot at making money when you go to sell it

 

[Primalzer]

the cobra/v6 stang comparison is hardly fair. you can pick up a not blown up SVT focus for well under 4k. they aren't worth a lot, and paying $1,000 for a broken pile of scrap metal that's half way across the country sight unseen would be foolish. the head might be warped/cracked, it could need an engine.....how are the tires/brakes/clutch?

buy low so when you find more wrong you aren't losing your ass. you'd also have a shot at making money when you go to sell it

Well it's my father's co-worker so I'm assuming we could get pretty good records for the service history...he said she just put a bunch of money into it, what and how much no idea, hopefully find out tomorrow

 

[Bob Kazamakis]

Other than stock motor mounts being shitty and failing a lot and the plastic cooling bits being junk, everything should be pretty solid.


I'm guessing the thermostat housing and/or crossover pipe was leaking. It's a terrible design but the parts are cheap. I used to do our focus every few years, usually because there would be a giant puddle of coolant under it.