A BIG TURBO Focus RS is Hilariously Dumb 

What hot hatch do you think is underrated?

I blame dealership markups for the reason this card died, such a shame...The focus RS was such a wonderful car..

I love how the RS is basically the same price it was back when it came out

Very underrated and damn I wish ford didn’t stop producing their small car line up in the US. I think that was just stupid especially during the $6.00 gas crisis that was going on.

Yeah, I totally agree. The absurd dealership markups absolutely killed this car. I wanted one sooo badly, but there was no way in hell that I would ever pay $15K+ over sticker price for any slightly tuned up economy car. Ford created something amazing that should have competed with the likes of the Golf R, but dealerships knew they could capitalize on the unobtanium hype that had built up over the years. We Americans finally got what we wanted, and no one who actually wanted one could afford it.

I own a 16 focus rs in stealth grey, and I love it! It’s completely stock other than an exhaust, but it still rips. I came from a 2004 wrx sti making around 400 wheel ( Manley forged pistons etc) and the rs is still more fun in my opinion. The experience of taking corners faster than anyone wants to, terrifying people with launch control, the allure yet illusiveness of it. Such a great car

I was hooked on the RS when I saw the unveiling and driven by Ken Block [RIP]. Went to the dealership, saw the Stealth Grey, I was sold 2017 18K miles 2023, installed AWE Track Edition muffler delete and K&N air filter, that's it for now. Nice video, keep'm coming!

I love how my Fiesta ST drives, but as a bonus, the Recaros remind me when I need to exercise a bit more

I absolutely love my 2018 Focus RS. I’ve 45k miles on it, kept it all stock, and runs & drives pretty much as great as when I first got it new. Stock HP is 350 and also 350 torque. It’s been perfectly reliable as my daily. Still love it. I also got it at basically a non-mark up price!

Really enjoy my RS 🤙🏼 full bolt on with tune, going big turbo at some point in the future. I’ve put 30k miles on it since I bought it with 32k and no issues. Head gasket was replaced by ford prior to my ownership. Great vid like always, definitely makes me want to go big turbo now!

I always wanted an RS, I currently own a ST and have for many years now. While I understand people dislike the interior, the other half of me doesn't. It is everything you'd possible want out of a hot hatch at this price point now. Heated seats, heated steering wheel, you have a boost, oil temp and pressure gauges right there. The analog gauges are here, while everything is digital now. You don't have the infotainment just sitting on top of the dash. I think it is under appreciated. Additionally, the RS comes with a valved exhaust and headlights that move with the steering inputs. (ST3 package also has that). anyway end rant... Great car, I agree with others this car was destroyed by mark ups and the hype for this car was suppose to destroy the STI and EVO, I'm not sure it ever lived up to that hype

My friends rs had the recall done before he even got it and he still has it to this day and hasn’t had any mechanical issues but he has kept it stock

Love this video. Not that there's anything super special about it compared to your other stuff lately, but its a testament to how you've grown as a presenter and a personality. I look forward to more of your content always.

I've had 2 Fiesta ST's, second one had FBO and "stage 3" Cobb tune. Great car but it left you wanting a bit more power. You could blow the tires off first through third gear and you didn't need to rev it to redline to make power. The low end torque reminded me of old Fox-Body Mustangs. I sold the second one for a 2016 Corvette but after I did I still missed the Fiesta. For the price it is one of the best fun cars you can buy. Daily drivable, although not the most comfortable car in the world. Because of the age I doubt I will find a super clean Fiesta or RS for a decent price anymore but if I did I would buy it in a heartbeat. More power isn't always needed to have fun, there is always someone faster anyway.

Great video - thank you! Have owned my Focus RS since new and I have performance modified it pretty extensively (it’s in atm getting Piper cams to go with forged / sleeved bottom end, Precision NX2, aux fuel and full e85 tune). It is my pride and joy, and goes pretty hard 😊

Great job on this video! The RS is a great platform. We also offer bolt-on turbo for this platform and also the Mustang for those that don't want to go all the way out. We have seen very good results on it too.

Love my RS. Mines stock but I test drove a big turbo RS when I was looking to purchase and she was nuts!

such a cool build!!! Focus RS + fifteen52 Wheels + Hydro Handbrake = HOONIGAN

Dealer mark ups are the bane of every car enthusiast. It goes from hey maybe I could swing that some day to disappearing off of your dream list. Also David I totally agree with you the crackle tune is a cancer on society. I remember a time when you could actually hear exhaust notes, it was nice...lol

Little fact which might be interesting for some about these engine is they are based on Mazda L series engines. These engines have been used in Mazdaspeed 3s, 6s and Mazda CX7s between 2006 - 2013. I wouldn't know until I bought Mazdaspeed myself and joined the community. Internal parts of the engine are also interchangeable. Ford tweaked the engine little bit for modern standards, fixed some flaws they had in Mazda models but also developed some new issues. Mazda internals such as rods and bearings or VVT and timing chain were weaker point when adding HP, where Ford for example changed design of the block support lines which made them less robust than Mazda ones.

The drift stick is extremely fun in the winter time

A future classic for sure

So my only critique about the head gasket issue, is the part numbers should be and are different, which if properly sourced and properly checked and QC'd should never have happened. Mistakes happen but this one should have been avoided by good record keeping.

I have had the privilege of driving 4 Focus RS’s. 2 stock, 2 tuned. I loved all of them. I got to really play with the 2 tuned ones and absolutely loved the road feel, the quickness of the whole drivetrain, the darkness and responsiveness of the steering. One of my favorite cars I’ve ever driven hands down. I would love to own one in Nitro Blue someday. I’ve driven other fun stuff, Charger Hellcat, 2020 GT500, 700hp Supercharged Camaro, a Gallardo, R35 GTR, boosted Golf’s, so I feel like I’ve got some cool stuff under my belt. And this car still managed to impress me and really leave a lasting impression. I give it massive props for that. I’ve also seen them in the mid $40,000 range with 20,000-40,000 miles on them around me. So that pricing seems more than fair in my mind as long as it’s been maintained well. Loved the video, the car sounds amazing! That owner did it right!

I went to the Utah Motorsports Campus in 2018 for the RS Adrenaline Academy. They had about 15 Focus RS there and they all had about 5000 miles on them, all from track driving! The instructors really pushed this car to it's limits, and I was truly amazed on how this car handled. I could never drive that well, but it's nice to know how capable your car is. What an amazing time!

Another good video! The RS badge is legendary and so is this modern day hothatch, well spoken on the difference of AWD hooning/drifting vs RWD. Throttle down from Chicago and I have a good friend who's car you might be interested on exploring but I'm not sure if he is willing to let you drive it... lol

Love the video, any idea who tuned the car?

We just bought a 2017 focus rs. Fully bolted and the same precision nx2 turbo that this one has. We have a methonol kit instead of an e30 blend since the car came from Vermont. We made 450/417 whp /wtq. They are fun cars!

Great video. Next time your in Michigan you’ll have to review my 630 whp race red RS.

I have 21 eco mustang manual high performance package. I have a one-off bov setup on it. It’s ngrs reproduction greddy type s. Think Brian’s eclipse from F&F lol. But I originally wanted a focus rs but I couldn’t find one anywhere so I got a mustang

Car is crazier in person all hail 757 focus rs/st fearless leader Gabe good job we are proud of you and trying to follow your example

I am so happy that gabe got featured. I hope one day I’ll get my RS featured.

I miss my Focus ST so much but my STI (MY07) is a different animal all together… Still I hope to one day own a Focus RS because I loved owning a hatchback!

Thx for another good review of the RS. Got a mod list for it?

I wish I could have grabbed one of these while they were still being produced. But the high price with dealer markups definitely didn't help keep it alive. RIP

I’m confused. Why would you go big turbo for 410whp when you can achieve that with the stock turbo?

The cul-de-sac where you were drifting it around at 6:10 is literally 5 minutes from my house, it was an even better place before they started building new houses. I plan on getting an rs soon and if your even back around that way I’d love to meet up and let you drive it

I loved the RS been in one and a modified ST they are a riot to drive. The 2.3 RS is perfect in my opinion🙌🏽. I wish he would drive Kevin’s Old explorer ST think he would love it

I have a NB 2018 RS and love it. That NX2 will go a LOT higher with a built bottom end and better fueling. The stock turbo can easily do 400WHP with 3 bolt-ons, so I'm betting the owner hasn't built the motor yet. I'm at 400 right now in mine, aiming for 520-530 in the next year or two.

i currently own a focus st with a built engine, big turbo, and built transmission. Its such a fun car to drive but its not the fastest in a straight line but I've out ran some very well built and good stock cars on track. I love the RS and one day i will get one and i plan to keep my ST too. I want to build a RS just how i built mine and make it something that when you drive it, it just puts a huge smile on your face. I think its a car you don't see a lot but when you do, something about it just makes you go wow that thing is cool.

Really unique sound with this, usually ecoboost is a very grumbly lazy sound. Sounds almost like my svt even!

That looks like a complete blast to drive! Great video!

We should play a game and keep a tally of how many times David puts "this doesn't make sense" in the thumbnail of each new video 😂😂😂

Sold my 15' Focus St for a Bronco Sport Badlands. And I really do miss the focus it was so fun to drive. The Bronco Sport is great and I love that it has a similar 2.0 ecoboost and the steering feel is pretty much the same too. I just miss the sound of the intake and the 6 speed a lot!

Love this little hatch. Would love to have one

love to see this vid as im finally putting a big turbo on my ST wednesday!

Theyre very fun cars to drive, gets alot of attention in them as well. I myself drive an st but your rs sounds beautiful. I got the same wheels comin for mine but in bronze

Same car dynod at 404hp and 448lbft yesterday ❤

thinking about spray painting my wing mirrors white like this one. i have a white tow hook and the ppf on the mirrors are peeling anyways. should i go for it?

There a few out there now with 700whp, you need to try to get in one of those to drive for a video! Tuneplus, speedperformace, and rst speed haus are making some monster cars

I actually did know about the e-brake! LOL. But I worked at a ford dealership for years when the RS was big. I owned a 2017 ST, but always wanted, and still want an RS.

The RS is an amazing car and dies everything so well! I love mine, and it is my daily, and I travel for work. Its awesome!

Man I LOVE my RS. I have owned A LOT of fast cars and I have never owned anything that does every car thing as well. I own an old resto mod F100 and those two are all I need because my RS is my daily, my road trip car, and something fun to rip up a back road. It's even comfortable with several people inside it on long trips, and the Ford tech makes for great comfort. It's going to be hard to ever find anything that can take it's place for my next car, especially because I'm 12k deep on a brand new mountune long block that I want to get some miles out of 😂 I don't think there is much out there that can do the every car thing as well as the RS, maybe some AMG four-door stuff but that's kind of in a different price range.

When I bought my s550 GT there was a focus RS in the same color next to it. They threw me the keys and said have fun on the S550, they told me I couldn’t even sit in the RS unless I we get financing figured out.

The turbo spool makes it feel like the engine can keep going. Looks like a need for speed heat car.

I love my ‘16 ST but of course all us ST owners really want the RS. I’ve always heard the 2.0 is more robust but after decades of steering clear of ford i just replaced the water pump on mine at 62k. I thought that was a little strange but who knows, shite happens. Regardless this is a really fun platform, it’s great to drive, has 4 doors, and gets decent mileage. It’s been a blast so far. I can only imagine what it would be like with all wheel drive and over 100 hp more!

Who did the tuning and worl on his RS. I have a 2.3 Explorer and want a similar setup

Them Intro transitions had me saying got damn David out loud

Cant wait till mine is done. Close to 600 hp in a focus st. Insane

Let's just be honest dude, the dealers killed this car.....the markups were insane and choked off supply....

I’ve just been watching the recent terminator review. They don’t get old

It’s a shame I don’t see these much on the road

Bought my for 36k new put 70k miles sold for 30k and what a great car to drive man. I sadly dealt with the hg issue being one of the first to own one but if the car didn't have its issues I'd still own one 😢

Hey david sold my mazdaspeed 6 and built my focus when you gonna review my fully built focus st built by speed performance with 2.3 stroker built head precision 6266 freektune?

I miss my Ford Focus RS so much. It really was such a fun car to drive.

lol i love knowing where every clip of this video was filmed

My buddy had a ford focus rs with a built motor from Australia and a big single turbo it made 800whp and it sounded like a fighter jet rolling by me in my chaser.

If you were local I would have let you take mine out lol. 450whp on 91 octane 550whp on E50. that being said, the "crab walk" you experienced is a Ford factory PCM setting called "Pulse Drift Compensation" and it makes the car walk at speed especially when doing highway pulls.

Great video

I had an RS for 5 years. Did literally everything you could. Built trans, axels, FBO, meth injected, NX2 turbo, 1000hp rated motor, and so much more. Made 540whp at 32 PSI, i miss that car

Gabe's car is F'N awesome. Love the build.

I wish I had one. They were big big money here in Canada when they were around, and even without dealer markups (They were $60,000 to $65,000 CDN with markups). I ended up finding and bought a used 2014 ST about 3-4 years ago for about $19,000 with barely 60,000kms on it, and almost stock (finding stock ST's and RS' in Ontario is hella hard). Ford totally made a mistake to cancel the Focus and other passenger cars...there are legions of KIA's, Hyundai's, and other imports on the roads than ever before, and I think a lot of that has to do with there being no USDM compact cars anymore (well, guess there is the upcoming Dodge Hornet/Alfa coming). My little old ST still gets street cred from car people, and I find they are becoming progressively more rare to see out on the roads. I like having something that isnt what everyone else has (Golf GTi's and Subaru WRX's are as common as a Corolla compared to my car). Ford is going to take too long to realize that not everyone wants or can afford a SUV, Crossover, full-sized truck or EV. Anyways, great video as always David! Perhaps tou can start doing some more retro car reviews that include some of the slab and low-rider and street truck segments of automotive culture?

I love ny stock ST and I cant wait to either get some basic power mods or go all in with an RS.

As a Ford dealership tech I did three recall head gasket replacements on RSs, one before it was even sold. None showed any sign of failure. They were nice cars but I didn't run them that hard as they weren't my car.

I have a 2017 Frozen White RS and I bought it brand new in August of 2017. Daily driven and the only car I've had to drive, stock with an exhaust until earlier this year. I had the early head gasket problem and ford completely rebuilt my motor at 10k miles and the car hasn't had a motor issue since. My head gasket was replaced 2 times after the rebuild (at 30 and then again at 45k) as "preventative maintenance" by the dealer and all work was done under warranty I never paid a dollar. I've been out of warranty since early last year and doing small upgrades like RMM, Downpipe, Intake, Tune, etc. has really really brought the car to life. Just last week I turned 90k and I'm not gonna lie I'm a little worried for what could happen over the next couple of years but regardless I wouldn't trade it for the world. I love this car so much and really hope to keep it for a very long time and do some crazy stuff down the road. The car is amazing, its planted, its quick (not fast lol), its makes you feel like the best driver in the world and its so much fun. It is truly the whole package. Yes it has it's problems but all cars that make any sort of power have issues at some point. The car feels raw but very modern at the same time and it feels good to drive no matter how you're driving it. Regardless all I can say is go buy one or find a friend who has one and ask them nicely to drive it because cars like these aren't gonna be around for much longer and they need to be appreciated. Thanks for reading friends :D

@ThatDude the 19" wheels that ET and canal have?

What song did you play during the intro?

Yeah gabe! I know that guy he holds onto my fiesta ST when I go on deployment or underway ❤ u gabe and thank you thatdudeinblue for reviewing his car

I've been a fan of this RS ever since it first came to the US. I always wanted one, but couldn't afford them. I still would love to drive one at least! It's sad Ford decided that all Americans don't buy cars. Maybe Jim Farley needs to go take notes from Toyota and see why their cars currently selling like crazy! At least we got to enjoy the RS for a couple of years, and the engine lived all the way to 2023 in the Mustang ecoboost HPP. Maybe we'll get another before everything is electric 😂

Taking that cover off is really not that hard it’s cutout so u do not have to take off the oil cap and it’s just little push tabs holding it on just pull up gently

The problem I've heard about the head gasket issues on the RS engine is when you try to push a bunch of boost, since the cylinder bores are floating sleeves and not a closed deck, the cylinders tend to walk around under huge loads and high boost

Europe got the MK4 Focus ST with factory KW coil overs, 2.3 motor and anti lag….and of course we don’t get it in the states. Fun little fact. Haha

The RS and ST were works of art.... Just saying.

I’ve owned my gr corolla for a year now but I always wanted an RS when I was in highschool. I’m trying to get my girl in an RS pretty soon

Love that nitrous blue

God I want one. It’s like the perfect practical daily

had a Focus ST in high school and always wanted one of these. It was sad when ford stopped making a lot of their passenger cars around 2018/2019. The biggest reasons for its failure was the head gasket but also the markups! When it comes down to a Focus RS, Type R, or Golf R people don’t see a point of buying a near $60k car with markups when you can buy a new/used/CPO foreign car that is just a step above.

Keep the turbo spooling and the smiles rolling!

Full ken spec with the blue and the 52s

i’m not gonna lie, i watched about 25 of your old videos to find the intro soundbyte haha. when i found out it was an old accord i was so stoked because i just bought a 97’ accord sir-t from japan and it has the same f20b engine! can’t wait to make it sound just like your into

It’s wild no one says anything about vw vr6 with bad head studs

Is the 2.3 in the RS and the 2.3 in the Mazdaspeed3 similar at all? (i own a ms3)

Just bought a 2018 racer red with 16k miles. And I still have my srt4 Neon 04 with 90k miles that I've owned for 18 years. Yep, living the dream. :)

You need to get in touch with Adam at Tune Plus and see if he will let you review a 600hp+ one

I love my st but I really want the rs where I’m from it’s limited what I can do to it because of fueling I have done everything other then a big turbo.. but AWD sounds better and that 2.3 can handle more power

Always wanted one and still do. But the price tag is tough cause it’s such a small car and I’m such a large fellow. Awesome little Ford tho ❤

Driven one from a dealer and had lots of fun but it had too big of tyres that ruin it but I was looking for a 2 door . Looked at the gt mustang but than bought a gr4 Yaris and never looked back . The ford rs would be a better track day where suspension tuning would come closer to perfection than gr4yaris . But on a mountain road the lightness and willingness of the gr4 Yaris is hard to top.

My RS was totaled a month ago and this inspired me to drop my deposit on an Elantra N and get another one. Cannot power through corners in the N like you can in this car.

Love mine everyday, maybe one day I'll go big turbo and upgrade the fueling to get more power out of my moutune motor and bolt-ons. 🙏🏼

Loved my st would beat hard on it every day and never any issues makes me want an rs now