Focus RS... looking for feedback

[DiabloStinger]

Here is my quandary... I leased my Stinger on a 10K mile lease per year. Since then I've moved to a different state and I now drive quite a bit more than expected for work (outside sales). I looked into buying out the lease, but its still about 35K. Now, the car is worth that (GT2 AWD @9K miles), but buying it out just would add interest and bump my monthly expenses for no reason other than to offset the extra miles I'm driving. Looking at values as they are, I would not be in a break even position for another 3-4 years MAYBE if I go this route. I just don't want to be in a position to have to buy the miles at the end, or trade at a huge negative equity due to miles just before the lease is up. Let's be honest, the residuals aren't great and the depreciation rate is fairly steep.

My idea was another used car, maybe 30-32K that is still fun to drive and AWD. I've seen some Genesis G70s used as well as some Focus RS. I do miss a manual transmission, and the RS does have the support of the Cobb community for accessports and such. The Genesis just really isn't an option because the only ones I've seen are 2.0.

I know a few RS owners have made the switch to the Stinger, but I'd love to know if the RS is a realistic vehicle to drive 15K miles a year or more. Most of my drives are highway at 70-85MPH. Since those weren't necessarily a huge production vehicle, their depreciation isn't significant, which could work in my favor here.

The Stinger is an amazing car to drive, but the structure of my lease doesn't really fit too much anymore.

Thoughts?

 

[HerbieTheCar]

I mean, if you're planning to keep the Stinger after the lease, why not just let the lease run its course and purchase it after? They won't charge you for miles over the lease allotment if you're buying it out. And from what I've seen and heard, the RS rides like a rock on 4 wheels. Not sure how nice your roads are but it'd be much less more comfortable than the Stinger, especially the GT2. Sure it has more upgrade options but it's established whereas the Stinger is only almost 3 years old.

It's ultimately up to you but I don't think there's a better and more comfortable used car for 30-32K, unless you're looking at WRX STIs, Focus RS, and the Type R. But they are more track/rally cars, not GT cars.

 

[MerlintheMad]

How many extra miles would it take to equal the cost of a second car!? So, unless you are confident that the cost of your total miles above 30K (over three years) is going to exceed the cost of buying and maintaining a second car, just run the Stinger and enjoy yourself.

 

[DiabloStinger]

I mean, if you're planning to keep the Stinger after the lease, why not just let the lease run its course and purchase it after? They won't charge you for miles over the lease allotment if you're buying it out. And from what I've seen and heard, the RS rides like a rock on 4 wheels. Not sure how nice your roads are but it'd be much less more comfortable than the Stinger, especially the GT2. Sure it has more upgrade options but it's established whereas the Stinger is only almost 3 years old.

It's ultimately up to you but I don't think there's a better and more comfortable used car for 30-32K, unless you're looking at WRX STIs, Focus RS, and the Type R. But they are more track/rally cars, not GT cars.

I do not plan on keeping the Stinger after the lease. My normal turnover is about 3 years on cars.. i'm sure i'll be ready for something new at that point. However, if I had 40K miles at 3 years, the value might not match what the buyout is at that point.

 

[DiabloStinger]

How many extra miles would it take to equal the cost of a second car!? So, unless you are confident that the cost of your total miles above 30K (over three years) is going to exceed the cost of buying and maintaining a second car, just run the Stinger and enjoy yourself.

Always an option to keep the Stinger... but in this scenario, I would sell mine and replace it. It is more of a long view approach to avoid a messy situation at lease end. If I attack it soon, i'm in a good spot with its value. Later on it might not be the case.

 

[HerbieTheCar]

I do not plan on keeping the Stinger after the lease. My normal turnover is about 3 years on cars.. i'm sure i'll be ready for something new at that point. However, if I had 40K miles at 3 years, the value might not match what the buyout is at that point.

Well, I don't think the value will be your biggest worry. If you go over your miles on the lease; such as 10k over like you are estimating, it's going to be a pretty hefty fee ($2,000 or so depending on your contract) so the car will go from something you used to love to something you dread turning in. Since you have the highest trim in a decent color, you should be able to keep the value of the car near the lease buyout price; so long as there are no mechanical issues, accidents, or big dents.

My advice is: estimate how many miles you're going to be over, talk with your dealership on the potential fees, and save some money on the side for those excess mileage fees. If you're low, use the remaining on the next car and if you're high, you won't eat too much out of your monthly budget.

 

[DiabloStinger]

Well, I don't think the value will be your biggest worry. If you go over your miles on the lease; such as 10k over like you are estimating, it's going to be a pretty hefty fee ($2,000 or so depending on your contract) so the car will go from something you used to love to something you dread turning in. Since you have the highest trim in a decent color, you should be able to keep the value of the car near the lease buyout price; so long as there are no mechanical issues, accidents, or big dents.

My advice is: estimate how many miles you're going to be over, talk with your dealership on the potential fees, and save some money on the side for those excess mileage fees. If you're low, use the remaining on the next car and if you're high, you won't eat too much out of your monthly budget.

I appreciate your advice. realistically, if I go 10-15K over it might cost me 3K or so. Over the remaining lease that is not a huge amount.

 

[soulvengeace]

I haven't driven a RS myself, but if it rides anything like my Speed 3 did, you're going to be very uncomfortable after a while.

 

[bpang1]

In it's final model year, they made a big improvement in the suspension tuning. I would only buy that one. The rest of the MYs were way too rough riding to drive it as a daily unless you like that kind of thing (some do). Some motor concerns when you read the forums and such but that is with a grain of salt since we all know how forums can be about that stuff.

 

[antne]

FWIW, Savage Geese on YouTube reviewed the Focus RS and his thoughts might change you mind about purchasing one

 

[jabs]

And from what I've seen and heard, the RS rides like a rock on 4 wheels.

From what I've read, the hard suspension is what kills the car for anything other than track day. For RS money, I'd rather buy a used STI.

 

[westcoastGT]

I've heard great things about the Hyundai N
carsN | Hyundai N

 

[Skraight]

I traded mine in due to a bunch of issues with the head gasket fiasco. Once they replaced the top end I had nothing but problems. Car was literally in the shop half the time I owned it.

As for dailying, it was a lot of fun in the winter. Stock radio sucked, every passenger complained about the ride but it didn't bother me,

 

[Chark]

A Golf R is a much more livable daily driver with AWD than those others you listed.

 

[Devo9er]

You might as well eat any over mileage fees because I dont see you switching going through the buying/selling process without incurring significantly more costs. Just taxes and extra BS will be several thousand right out the gate.

 

[bpang1]

A Golf R is a much more livable daily driver with AWD than those others you listed.

Agreed...Golf R is far better to own. I would consider the Civic Type R too if it wasn't so riced out. I'd also check out the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG.

 

[DiabloStinger]

I haven't driven a RS myself, but if it rides anything like my Speed 3 did, you're going to be very uncomfortable after a while.

I owned a speed 3. Ride was good enough to be comfortable. Haha

 

[DiabloStinger]

I traded mine in due to a bunch of issues with the head gasket fiasco. Once they replaced the top end I had nothing but problems. Car was literally in the shop half the time I owned it.

As for dailying, it was a lot of fun in the winter. Stock radio sucked, every passenger complained about the ride but it didn't bother me,

Exactly what I was looking for in feedback. I've seen a few reports on the head gasket... It's like a TSB or something for dealers to look for I guess. Golf R.. nope. I owned an R32 and it was a maintenance nightmare.

 

[HerbieTheCar]

Agreed...Golf R is far better to own. I would consider the Civic Type R too if it wasn't so riced out. I'd also check out the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG.

A Merc would be awesome to own if their upkeep didn't cost a kidney and a liver. Similar in power in comparison to the Stinger so it'd come down to what you like and want in a car.

 

[GenesisG70]

There are focuses parked everywhere in the hood.