Value of Golf R Compared to others

**Danny** · 16-10-2010, 01:00 PM

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:05 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

Opinions?

Agreed

Originally Posted by Danny

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

Bingo.

**Corey_R** · 16-10-2010, 01:09 PM

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:15 PM

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

Originally Posted by Corey_R

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:16 PM

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:18 PM

Originally Posted by Danny

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:34 PM

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Corey_R

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** · 16-10-2010, 01:38 PM

Originally Posted by 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.

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

Originally Posted by Tim

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.