FINALLY I have driven a Focus RS and it did not disappoint. If you currently own a Focus ST and are looking to get an RS this will be a great video for you.
Heres a dude from germany, own a 2016 St Wagon, love it! But when my car dealer let me drive the rs for two hours over Autobahn and backroads, man the St felt sluggish driving it home. Despite the hard ish ride (kW suspension solve it, ask matt farah), the rs is the far better choice for driving pleasure and fun! So long from germany :-)
that's what makes it fun, the voice in the back of your head saying that you might crash and/or die; and the other voice telling you not too, plus the adrenaline. Fun times!
let me edit, just don't go as fast and counter steer, with a fwd car, all you have to do is turn the wheel the other way and floor it, physics does the rest
Thanks for the video! I love my ST but really want an RS only thing stopping me is the price and my commute is long so the better MPG on the ST is another factor but the RS just seems like so much fun
You know, you always do this to me. Happy for my ST puts some mods into.Then, I see your face driving the RS. Great points so far! Interested in driving one but would like to get off the platform all together as you mentioned.
There are several advantages staying with the ST , you will get excellent gas mileage with the smaller engine , without the frictional losses from the extra transmission and all the weight associated with that .
Just saying, the 2.3 block (rs block for those who don’t know) are open deck block making it much weaker than the 2.0 block. You can have more power adding mods on stock internals and block. This is why i went st over RS, stage 3 tuned as of now and i can steadily beat stock rs’s and some slight modified ones. No doubt the RS is a great car but if you’re looking for modding and looking for mods and reliability when you get into power, IN MY OPINION, yes we all have opinions it’s okay. In my opinion the ST is a better choice
u not getting a rs to make 600 hp its about handaling its way better car then a st in everyway its a fun car to drive even at 400hp it handles amazing there are other cars to get if u wanna make over 500 if u wanna have to convince urself about ur st its not better and u saying u have to make all this hp to actually beat a stock rs shut up lmao
I put a full Boomba short throw with the short throw transmission adapter with aluminum bushing, worth every penny. I absolutely love my FoRS. It's the perfect daily driver.
I think you could get a lot of satisfaction out of customizing and adding more power mods to your ST rather than buy a different car, especially since yours is paid off. No car payment means you can put that money into your car. I would love to see more installation videos and product reviews from you. I think the channel would get a lot traffic in result. There aren't many people out there that are good for that. It would be cool to see more car reviews from you as well. As always, great video man! I love that stealth grey!
That’s a beautiful RS. I’ve tracked my Golf R against these and they can hold their own. I’ve seen a nitrous blue RS wreck at the track. Took a turn too hot and skidded off and pooped two tires and scuffed the rocker panel. . Keep the videos coming.
David Clarkson 2018 ST2 here, I actually had a buddy buy a BRAND NEW 2016 focus RS 2 in 2018 with 23 miles now that was sick find but he also ended up paying $30k I’m happy paying my $17k for my ST2 that had 12k miles sad I couldn’t get AWD but I’m happy with it
@@Wvcountrykid well it’s not junk. I have the 2.3l in my ecoboost mustang, I have upgraded turbo and intercooler , intake, down pipe, charge pipes. And on e30 tune on stock engine and stock fuel system, and I’m making 420whp I beat GTs and scat packs all day. Of course they stock or just bolt ons. So yeah it’s not crap. Before they had a hard gasket issue which would cause the block to break. So yes the 2.3 is known to be the weaker block, that’s why guys use the ST block or the twin scroll block with 2.3 internals and not use the 2.3 block. But still 2.3 is a very good engine , makes lots of power. But anything after 420whp it’s risk of failure at some point
Come to the home of rs and St here in the uk we will show you what to do with these babies and how we make 700 750 bhp you should see our sleeper cars also. Good to see you look after your st and rs some just don't appreciate good cars.
Great video Ben, I’ve owned an ST and now an RS and yes they share similar interiors but that’s about it the powertrain in the RS is what you’re paying for and it is night and day vs the ST. I say anyone considering making the jump should do it you won’t be sorry.
clarkeynjc there were way more recalls for the ST 😂 the head gasket recall was fixed and was just a simple overlook. Other than that I haven’t really seen any others that didn’t also apply to the ST
ST actually has the better engine, and the ST has major power potential over the 2.3 open deck block, and then if you put a 2.3 head on the ST block pushing well over 500whp.. RS is just awd. But the 2.0 ST closed deck block is way better block
I got My new Focus ST3 in Stealth Grey 1 year ago, still loving it every day. For me here in Belgium its more then enough power. I don't really miss the extra power of the RS. Main reason why i Chose the ST over the RS is ride quality (RS was insanely hard here on our shit quality roads) and it is my daily driver. And Fuel consomption. My friend has the 2019 RS he does 300-350km / tank I manage 580-600 km / tank of gas. And gasoline is expensive over here so yeah XD. would love the AWD though.
17:25 Its easy to tell how much you wanted to put it on Drift Mode! lol Don't blame you I would've done the same thing; try to have as much fun as possible on an RS! Good vid btw!
I own a Focus ST and I love it. However, I have just bought a Focus RS and get it next Friday! Test drove it yesterday and it is superb, it’s well worth the extra cash.
I really don’t understand people! Guess its lack of knowledge on the platform, only big difference why I would consider the RS is because the AWD but ad far as engine , ST has the better engine and more potential for aftermarket goals!! The 2.3 block is very limited , specially for big power cars people end up using the 2.0 ST block or the TS block with the 2.3 internals and 2.3 factory head which can handle 600whp+ reliably.
I’m really tempted to trade in my ST for a RS, seeing as I’m gonna be making a little bit more money at my new job. I just feel like I’m gonna be bent over a barrel on the resell value on my ST2 with 64k Miles.
ST has better engine for modding and has a after market potential edge over the 2.3. The ST block has a really strong block vs the 2.3 block which is open deck and weak!! With The price difference of the RS and ST I rather out the extra money into my ST and get a 2.3 stroker kit installed in my 2.0 ST block and then your smoking every RS there is plus hell cats!
I have a 13 ST3 ST in Yellow, I get looks and questions allll day long my favorite is "Is that a volvo?" -___- After that I'm hooked on the look and feel of the ST Saving money now for an RS in blue or gray
Only gripe I have against the RS is the engine design. From factory the engine is already at its limit due to the open deck design, and adding any extra power really increases your chances for failure. A lot of people are swapping the 2.0 block and stroking for the reliability. I of course would love own an RS but the ST is perfect for me as a daily.
I'm in Phoenix as well. I have a 2017 in the same color. You can drift it in track mode just fine. For the apple car play have you tried unlocking your phone when you connect it?
Such a good looking car. Would love to have one. But i'm saving for a property to rent out rather than put monthly payments into a depreciating asset.. even if it is awesome
clarkeynjc I had a St for a sec and never worried about parking it. It looks like a regular focus to most people who are just quickly looking. Now the RS, yea I would be worried.
@@iamnoah26 Thanks for letting me know, would love an RS sometime, I live in the UK more lightly will be getting the new shape ST though when it comes out. Yes I'm with you on the parking especially people opening there doors hard on to yours, so park well away from others and walk to my girlfriends annoyance!
Most people think my car is just a regular focus at 1st look but I'm rocking the stealth grey. If you swap out the struts with fords newer struts than the ride is not bad at all. The Pogo feel goes away. 2016 struts are garbage.
how so? I am in between both, I really like the st haven't tried a RS yet. AWD for winter is the main reason not power, plus the ST is cheaper to buy and fuel.
@@philipscott9117 Bigger sidewall tires, more compliant suspension (so more comfortable ride overall), cheaper oil, better MPG and both the FWD and 2.0L are cheaper to own and fuel. Oil is a good bit cheaper for the ST as well. I went from the ST to the RS. If you're just looking for a fun and practical daily, ST is the ticket IMO. The RS is better if you're planning to do autocross and/or track or drive a ton of twisty roads for fun, but the ST is decent for those as well. The RS just has the extra edge, but it comes with some compromises (as any car does really).
I went from fist to rs back to fist. The fist was just way more fun to me. I think its mainly the shorter gears of the fist that made it more fun to daily.
I just ended up trading in my 2016 ST3 for a Certified Pre-Owned 2017 RS2 Saturday. I got a great deal on it and warranty (5.5 year/70k from now bumper to bumper and powertrain warranty). Totally worth it. You guys are 100% correct the car encourages you to drive like an ass, lmao. I want to drive it way harder more often than my ST, even with a tune on my ST. I also ordered the carbon shifter for the RS.
There's another reason not to buy an RS over an ST, because some people don't want to pay 40k for a Focus. If you're talking used RS vs used ST the RS used is still more than double that of an ST. The ST in my opinion is a better buy but if you don't mind spending gobs of money on a Focus by all means get the RS.
Hey man i know its been a few years now but if you manage to reply to this i have a question for your buddy about living with the car in the heat of AZ and if any problems have presented itself with charge temps or coolant. Thanks.
Fbo fully customized st3 strat tune test drove the rs and honestly not worth upgrading unless you dont owe on your st but even then this far in id rather just gn big turbo than buy awd
Track Mode with suspension in normal mode is the ONLY way to drive the car. Owned an RS since 2016 when they were brand new, put more than 70,000 miles on one. Confidence level high.
Inlove both of these cars. Rs is top notch but st is such a close second. They did such a good job making the st feel worth buying even with fwd and 250 hp. Honestly I never double take at a sti. But if I see an evolution im gawking until it passes.😅 please dont bring that rs to mexico..
Just FYI, CarPlay blows too. It turn a your phone into an iPhone from 2007 with extremely limited features. Check out an exhaust vid I made of mine on my channel. I put a pic back by the exhaust with a dead cat on it to kill wind noise, sounded great, very nasty. I was very surprised.
I have a 2018 ST and one of the best things I like about it is I can play with it and get awesome gas mileage I get 25 daily and I step on it every drive
if you have not already, Get a 245+ wide tire with some rly nice rubber like pilot sport 4s and take the ST out for a spin after. My st has every part on it i could throw at it and it was never good enough, you always just kinda want more from it. but those tires rly made a massive difference over the 235 goodyears. with launching/ handing and braking
@@skiatheshade yea if you have new tires i wouldnt do it either, i took me 3 pairs of tires before i really decided to invest in some good ones. idk why but i normally take the cheapest route i can with tires lol and this time i dropped 1300$ and honestly think it was worth every dollar. crazy to think im super happy spending 1300$ on big chunks of rubber but i am lol
Yeah get a st. Power and stability isn't for everybody. You do know the head gasket is totally fixed. The only other problem I can think of is getting tickets.:)
Problem with that rs focus, more maint costs, issues, and that small ass differential for all wheel drive burns itself up before 30,000 miles since it gets so hot and holds barely any fluid inside to keep it cool down. Race it around all the time, you need to switch out fluid very frequently. All wheel drive is not faster than two wheel drive in same class for track racing. All wheel drive is for off-road rally to keep grip and stay planted. More grip less speed. As ugly as Honda civics type r are, they do have the perf mods already installed and ready to go for ok price... I’m not sure your buddy’s rs has automatic dampening because no matter what setting you used in video, the suspension was rough as crap or he had way too much air in tires. That thing would not bounce and appears to just shake and vibrate from every bump.. Honda auto dampening actually works and softens ride. Too each his own. Your focus st is probably better! Since ford is done with focus and sending them to USA to sell, I guess u guys got antiques now.. enjoy it while you can!!
@@Gjeebs I think you just made one of the best RS review vids on you tube... The way you mounted the camera really shows the sense the suspension is giving you.
Let's see AWD or Front wheel shouldn't even be a question.. all wheel all better plus resale value is gonna hugely better many more modes too..even stock they're great
Owned a 17 RS for 1.5 years and this car was the worst ownership experience ever. Multiple head gasket repairs, poor ride quality and multiple interior rattles. The fit, finish and overall quality of car I got for 43K was not worth it. Thankfully, Ford repurchased my RS under the California Lemon Law. Daily driving the RS was brutal. You feel every bump and Sport Suspension is useless. Save your cash and get an ST or Fiesta ST. My previous car was a 2015 Fiesta ST and an RS is not twice the car. The resell value is brutal and the car depreciates quicker than its burns fuel.
its a 2016 and his ST is already paid off? Must have made double payments..nearly all finance options are 60 or 72 months. I got my '16 ST in August of 2016, with maintenance warranty, financed was $29.5k or so. I pay $415/mo, and still owe $17k. I've wanted to trade mine in for an '18 Limited Edition RS (I have RaceRed, I'd want a RR RS or the color of this one is nice too)...but I'd be upside down and my payments while more than affordable, I cant justify $550-600/mo for the same car with 100 more hp and AWD. In South Texas an AWD isn't necessary, and I kind of like my tires spinning abit..requires more driver mod to control vs a planted AWD set up... so I'm torn on the upgrade :/
also...damn you AZ guys and your no 'front plate' law... cops harass you here for not having one (and sticking it in your window isn't legal, but most do it that way, plus its a great way to get decapitated lol). Granted we have no emissions and can modify our cars to almost no extent, suspension, wheels, exhaust, etc....so its not like we're in CA where the auto-Nazi's pull you over for having a bug on your windshield lol
One of your senators is trying to change that law haha I would vote for him. Search for the story on CarBuzz. Also yea I paid mine off in under 3 years. I would suggest you do not go under water in your car financing. Just keep it and pay it off. There will always be cool cars you can get and having full equity in a car is where you want to be
You can finance for 12, 24, 36, 48, 60 or 72 months, what are you talking about lol? What did you do, put like $1 down on the car? Lol, put like 50-60% down at least, dude. Why tf would you finance so much and for so long? That's why you don't buy a new car. I just bought a 2018 Ford Focus ST3 with 2,000 miles for $19K. I financed $3K. I own the car now. Paid it off in 3 months lol.
The Man42 You’re joking right 😂 STI’S and EVO’S are the OG, don’t disrespect them like that. No heritage whatsoever when it comes to either of these fords.Those center consoles are full of empty juul pods hehehe
On a track it does better 100% of the time just because it’s lighter and more track focused. Look up some videos of them going head to head. It’s crazy how fast the type R is
I just could not justify the cost...for me. 252hp in a little hatch is pretty good. I would love the AWD. I also went with the ST1...so I was obviously looking to keep my cost down. I got the upgraded wheels but nothing else. I needed something cheap (by todays standards) but needed it to be fun or I would not have any fun with it. The ST fit pretty much everything I needed. I wouldn't mind a bit more room in the back seat area but such as it is. I never sit back there anyways, lol. I would prefer at least RWD over FWD but I guess that must cost more to make because everyone is all into this FWD stuff these days.
@@Gjeebs great vid Ben!!! Love that review.............didn't know you had different trim levels on the RS..........looks like you had a blast! Can't wait for part 2!!! Thanks to Jacob.
