Looking at buying a used SVT, help! - The Ford Focus Forum

**Spyder** · 11-02-2009, 11:42 PM

I am in the market for a new car. I am trying to sell my ZX3, and then take out a loan for the difference to get an SVT. I found one semi-local, and I want to know what you guys think it is worth. I also want to know common problems on this year SVT, and what I should all look for.

He is not the first owner of this car, but he said he has taken care of it.

Here is the ad:

Quote:

Selling a 2002 Ford Focus SVT. Our Son has left for the Marines boot camp.

The engine is a 2.0L stage 2 high compression with wrapped SVT header, magnaflow exhaust, aem short ram with a K&N filter, cfm 67mm throttle body. 2 new oxygen sensors, new mass air flow sensor, new stage 2 clutch with lightened flywheel, 6 speed trans and new shift cables, and a new alternator. New sway bar end links, energy trans mount, racing sway bars, SVT flat black 5 spoke 17in rims, tinted windows, shorty antenna, tinted corners, newer bfg g force low pro tires, slotted and drilled rotors front and rear.

The interior is black leather seats with blue cloth inserts, 6 disc cd player, 10in sub built into back hatch, sun roof, oil temp and pressure gauge, 5 point harness mounts.

The car has a little over 100,000 miles, the oil has been changed every 3000 miles with mobil 1 synthetic 10w 30 and a motorcraft filter.

Let me know what you think guys, thanks!

**tgnorman** · 11-03-2009, 12:15 AM

Can't tell w/o pics, but it sounds like a well taken care of SVT. To my understanding, there weren't any major problems specific to the '02, the only thing I would've been concerned about is the clutch, but it sounds like that's already been addressed.

If the price is right, jump on it. You shouldn't regret it, they're fun little cars.

Just make *absolutely* sure that the timing belt has been replaced or do that the instant you get it home.

**6spd_RS** · 11-03-2009, 12:51 AM

Sounds ok. Though I do hope they just goofed on the 10w30 oil. The svt requires 5w30.

**WRCwannabe** · 11-03-2009, 12:55 AM

10w30 isnt going to hurt anything, it just a little thicker

im going to switch to 10w30 in the summer here cause it just gets too hot

**Spyder** · 11-03-2009, 07:20 AM

Thanks guys, anything else I should know?

**carlingskie** · 11-03-2009, 12:07 PM

water pump, timing belt and tension pulley needs service as soon as possible (no svts have belts and not chains). the thermostat housing usually starts to leak at around 90K. axles usually goes bad after you pass the 100K mark. other than these, it sounds like a great car.

**JimRogers** · 11-03-2009, 05:26 PM

I have an 02 with about 134k miles. Based on my experience, other than what has already been mentioned, I would check the following: window regulators(one of mine went, the other is going), and especially the rear control arms, which can crack and break at the point where the anti-roll bar is attached. These were reinforced after the 02's so the replacement parts are the reinforced ones. They are not expensive so were it me I would replace these with the new part. Don't wait for the control arms to break--it happened to me and was no fun.

**BlkThunder** · 11-03-2009, 05:44 PM

Buy mine!!!

**zetec-j** · 11-07-2009, 03:28 AM

How much are they asking.

**smitty** · 11-09-2009, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 6spd_RS

Sounds ok. Though I do hope they just goofed on the 10w30 oil. The svt requires 5w30.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WRCwannabe

10w30 isnt going to hurt anything, it just a little thicker

im going to switch to 10w30 in the summer here cause it just gets too hot

There is little difference in 5w30 and 10w30 except at initial startup. They are both the same viscosity. When I owned my svt, I asked about using 40 weight oil because I thought it might give better protection for the high revving engine. I was told that the vct relies on the oil viscosity to accurately vary the cam timing. Therefore you should only use 30 weight. Here is an article that talks about vct. Pretty cool:

http://myfordfocus.com/svt/

11-03-2009, 12:15 AM	#2 (permalink)
tgnorman TEAM Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: rockin' the mnfocus.... Posts: 141	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! Can't tell w/o pics, but it sounds like a well taken care of SVT. To my understanding, there weren't any major problems specific to the '02, the only thing I would've been concerned about is the clutch, but it sounds like that's already been addressed. If the price is right, jump on it. You shouldn't regret it, they're fun little cars. Just make absolutely sure that the timing belt has been replaced or do that the instant you get it home. __________________ 2004 Sonic Blue SVT ZX3, #1593 of 1978 Born 4/8/04 Stage 2 ported TB, Semi-custom Borla center exit, FSWerks Cool-Flo

11-03-2009, 12:51 AM	#3 (permalink)
6spd_RS Senior TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Kettering, Ohio Posts: 1,131	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! Sounds ok. Though I do hope they just goofed on the 10w30 oil. The svt requires 5w30. __________________ Sonic Blue SVT - #85 Build-day: 03-06-02- "MOST cars are really nothing special, as a matter of fact, which is why many people buy them." -OmniFocus "The other problem is, the average person is just **ing stupid."-Duckman Flickr Gallery [Defend Net Neutrality Click Here][Fight the RIAA]**

11-03-2009, 12:55 AM	#4 (permalink)
WRCwannabe TEAM Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 924	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! 10w30 isnt going to hurt anything, it just a little thicker im going to switch to 10w30 in the summer here cause it just gets too hot __________________ Wings & Teeth ™ ("I'm U.S. with a little bit of U.K. swagger" ™ )

11-03-2009, 07:20 AM	#5 (permalink)
Spyder TEAM Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: WI Posts: 316	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! Thanks guys, anything else I should know? __________________ My 2002 ZX3 with tasteful mods is for sale! PM me if interested!

11-03-2009, 12:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
carlingskie TEAM Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Austin, Tx Posts: 860	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! water pump, timing belt and tension pulley needs service as soon as possible (no svts have belts and not chains). the thermostat housing usually starts to leak at around 90K. axles usually goes bad after you pass the 100K mark. other than these, it sounds like a great car. __________________ 2002 RED SVT Focus: *#3279 of 4288* "Race Track ready, girlfriend friendly."

11-03-2009, 05:26 PM	#7 (permalink)
JimRogers Rookie Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 6	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! I have an 02 with about 134k miles. Based on my experience, other than what has already been mentioned, I would check the following: window regulators(one of mine went, the other is going), and especially the rear control arms, which can crack and break at the point where the anti-roll bar is attached. These were reinforced after the 02's so the replacement parts are the reinforced ones. They are not expensive so were it me I would replace these with the new part. Don't wait for the control arms to break--it happened to me and was no fun.

11-07-2009, 03:28 AM	#9 (permalink)
zetec-j TEAM Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: washington Posts: 187	Re: Looking at buying a used SVT, help! How much are they asking. __________________ 2002 focus svt. build# 3611/4788 purchased october 2008. Fun things fixed: sunroof alignment, hatch button, fuel gauge, headlight seal, wiper relay, alternator/regulator harness wire repair, horns waterlogged again (currently replaced with OOGA horn)

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