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Old 03-08-2003, 01:46 PM   #1
Turbobug
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Default Stock WRX vs Stock SVT Focus-AutoX

For those who have driven both, what car do you think has a better suspension, or better suited to autox? I drove a SVT Focus last night, and that thing can stick the corners! I was very very impressed by that car. It didnt have much in the way of power, but its gearing more then made up for it. The WRX has some killer suspension too, matched with the AWD, i image it to be a sweet autox machine too.

Let me know what you guys think
John
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Old 03-08-2003, 02:28 PM   #2
peepshow
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Stock WRX RE-92s (tires) suck! The SVT comes with much stickier Continentals. So, if you don't upgrade the tires, the SVT wins, no question.

- Trent
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Old 03-08-2003, 03:15 PM   #3
ConeMasher
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If you're talking stock-CLASS autox (which allows r-tires, front sway, filter, cat-back exaust, and struts), the WRX is faster. That's also why it's in D-Stock running against the Type-R, 330Ci, IS300, etc, while the SVT is in G-Stock running against Celicas, Civic Si, 2.5RS, etc.

Out of the box, yeah, a previous poster is right, the SVT _might_ get the edge due to the ContiSports vs. the RE92's. But put the equivalent tires on the WRX, (without any other mods on either car) and I believe the WRX wins on index (and definitely on raw time).

Don't get me wrong, the SVT surely has better handling "feel", especially at 300 lbs less. But it's substantially down on power, and without a limited slip differential, it has trouble with early application of the power it does have. I've also heard that it can't get enough camber legally. It is a bargain at it's price point, but then again, the WRX is a bargain at it's as well.

Please realize, neither one is "the car to have" in their respective Solo II autocross class (but the WRX is the car to have for Pro Solo).

-- Gary
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Old 03-08-2003, 04:08 PM   #4
Chris51080
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The SVT does have a LSD as standard. It will out handle the WRX as the suspension is a bit better suited to the twisties in the stock form. We get the plastic endlinks, more body roll, weight and all the other nastiness associated with it. Although we have more power and will take the SVT on the straights, if the course is twisty, the focus will take the WRX.
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Old 03-08-2003, 04:39 PM   #5
ConeMasher
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The SVT does _not_ have a front diff as standard. It's an open differential one-wheeler-peeler. A great quaife is available in the aftermarket ($995), and they put one on the SVT Competition concept that they were showing around some import drag and autox events... but you're not getting it that way from the factory.

-- Gary

Bonus later edit: here's some info about the Focus SVT Competition Package

Last edited by ConeMasher; 03-08-2003 at 04:51 PM.
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Old 03-08-2003, 04:46 PM   #6
rlly_wgn
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Default Another consideration

Another thing to consider is reliability. Auto-xing the car puts tremendous strain on any car. The Focus in any trim but especially the SVT is very UNreliable even as a daily driver. The WRX is the least reliable of the Subes but still scores average in ConsumerReports and other sources.

Personally I prefer to put my money on upgrade parts to make the car run better, not replacement parts just to keep it running.
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Old 03-08-2003, 05:07 PM   #7
ElDuderino
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Default Re: Another consideration

Quote:
Originally posted by rlly_wgn
Another thing to consider is reliability. Auto-xing the car puts tremendous strain on any car. The Focus in any trim but especially the SVT is very UNreliable even as a daily driver.


Unless you own an SVT Focus, you're not qualified to make that statement. Please stop polluting this thread with your BS.
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Old 03-08-2003, 05:52 PM   #8
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thanks for all the posts guys! Its not like im going to go out an buy a car right now, i just wanted comparisons. It would be fun to see a comparison of both.
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Old 03-08-2003, 07:03 PM   #9
dwx
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No one really races the Focus SVT in autox that I've seen so it's kind of hard to compare to other cars. At the national level, it's not the car to have in G-Stock, you are better off with the Celica GT or Mini Cooper S. The Celica GT is really the class car though.
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Old 03-08-2003, 09:23 PM   #10
ChrisW
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I have an SVT focus in autocrossing in my region. Despite the inexperianced driver behind the wheel, the SVT focus does show potential.

As the driver improves, he has shown that he can produce some fairly quick times and is in fact winning our GS novice class.
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