SVT drive...long

[davester]

Had the car for two days now. Business has limited amount of time in the driver's seat but moments spent there have been great. A few observations. Car seems extremely well put together. Not a single rattle or buzz. Asked dealer not to do the detail, so did it myself. After covering every inch of the vehicle I found NO defects or signs of poor workmanship. On the contrary, panel fit is excellent, perfect gaps on all doors, seams, etc. Could not find a single paint flaw in my silver car. This is one impressive little car. My last car was an 01 Boxster S and it had more paint problems and minor glitches than this car has. Gearbox is a joy. Short and sure throws in all gears. Clutch probably could be a little bit more direct (stiff) but has not caused any missed shifts, etc. Going pretty gentle on break in. Spoke to SVT and following their suggestion of the standard procedure. No redline till around 1000 miles, but gradually working up to it. Vary speeds, no cruise control, etc. Oil change at 1000 miles. First 300 or so miles very gentle to settle pads, discs, suspension, gears, etc in. Just gently rowing the car around shifting at 3-4,000 rpm indicates the broad power band this engine offers. Lots of low end grunt and flexibility. Six to seven thousand will definitely be a gas. Love the exhaust note. Engine a little lumpy at idle but will probably smooth out after a few miles. You can tell SVT has built a hot rod here. Fender edges already rolled under to accomodate wide rubber. Be careful cleaning those rear wheels. Reaching thru spokes will expose your hand to a sharp metal edge on the backing plate behind the disc. Sorry for the long post, but know everyone is hungry for info.

[smogguy]

Thanks for the info. davester. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[SlickShoes]

Yeah, thanks!!! Any first impressions good or bad are welcome. Hopefully more good than bad show up... [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] Of course everyone will have their opinions...

[ZX3Rally]

Thank you, good the hear impressions of owners. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[OTTOMATIC]

davester,
have you read the tread titled,...svt's on hold..? We're all wondering if you heard anything from your dealer?
let us know

[FocusRacer]

I was just wondering how you went from a boxster S to an SVT?

[Lil playa]

I kinda thought the shifter was too tall for my tastes, but i'm used to my short shifter in my zx3 so i'm kinda biased. I don't own one but just putting $.02 in here too. [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[davester]

Didn't find shifter to be too tall so much as a bit too close to the driver. Very minor complaint, but your hand doesn't drop from the wheel to the knob. You do have to reach to rear of console to shift. Definitely something you get used to after a few shifts.

Have not heard anything RE throttle linkage. Mine is fine, so far at least. However I haven't floored it yet due to break in.

Owned a 98 Boxster and immediately placed an order for an S when announced by Porsche. Was fortunate to have a good friend who co/owns a Nissan dealership that was also a Porsche fan. I was able to drive on a Dealer tag since I was working with him in high line car sales. We brought in 3 S cars over a 1 year period. I drove one for about a year and then sold it for just enough over MSRP to cover my insurance costs. This was during the great economy of 01 and those days are past for a while at least. Have not had the heart to tell my friend about the new Focus SVT however. Actually he'll get a kick out of it.

[Mike-SVT]

Davester, nice report and thanks. I was really glad to hear the shifter and shifting was short and not "notchy" as the Mustang shifter are usually described. A short throw shifter makes "rowing" all that much more fun.

Glad to hear the build quality is good also and sounds like you are happy so far. Keep up the reports.
MGM - Sonic Blue and built on 4/11/02

[svtfocuspower]

your review just makes me want mine all the more [img]graemlins/thumbup.gif[/img]

[roll-splat]

I've had my Silver SVT a few days now and have also done an inch by inch detail on it. I concur completely with this report. I’ve never seen perfect paint before! Getting ready to Zaino Brothers the finish tomorrow....Very nicely construction. A few pleasant surprises for me were; 1) Power sun roof (no manual), 2) Radio controls on steering column, 3) switch to turn off traction control! Glad I ordered the winter package now! Cheers - Roll-splat.

PS. One other surprise. No ZX3 logo - just SVT!?!

[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: roll-splat ]</p>

[JC_focus_ZX3]

Roll-Splat!
Please visit www.svttexas.com, it is a group of SVT owners in a "Hot Rod" club. Regular meetings, events, and the like, lots of fun.
Heck they let anyone with a Ford join, I would love to see your SVT at a meeting!

[Haste]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by roll-splat:
I've had my Silver SVT a few days now <hr></blockquote>

When exactly did you get your car?

[PhocusZX3]

Reading reviews like this almost makes me want to attempt a trade-in. I'm going to stop by my dealership and see if there is one there from me to check out. If I were to ever get an SVT, I'd definately be special ordering the car. I really don't want to grab one off the lot that has been ragged on a test drive.

[roll-splat]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Haste:


When exactly did you get your car?<hr></blockquote>

I ordered my SVT on 02/09/02, it was built on 3/15/02, shipped 3/27/02 and was ready for pick-up 4/10/02. Cheers, Roll-splat.

[roll-splat]

<blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><hr>Originally posted by Mike-SVT:
Davester and others who have the car in hand - what is the noise, vibration and harshness level in the new SVT? One thing I don't like about my '96 Mustang GT is how much road noise I get in the cabin. Thanks,
MGM<hr></blockquote>

My SVT is unbelievably quiet at a stop light and at idle speed. You’d think you were in an electric vehicle or something… But give it a little gas and it roars and comes alive! [img]graemlins/lol.gif[/img] The car is tight and flat in the curves and can stop on a dime – but I would not characterize it as "harsh". It’s think Ford SVT got this one just right. Cheers, Roll-splat.

[Mike-SVT]

Davester and others who have the car in hand - what is the noise, vibration and harshness level in the new SVT? One thing I don't like about my '96 Mustang GT is how much road noise I get in the cabin. Thanks,
MGM