Buying a Ford Focus RS Mk3 in Scotland and driving it back to Cornwall! Hot Hatch or Hyper Hatch?

Since Ford announced the all-wheel-drive, 350bhp Ford Focus RS, well… I’ve wanted one! To me, it is the spiritual successor of the Escort RS Cosworth and, from the look of it, the final RS (for the moment anyway) to be produced by Ford.
This year, I spotted the right car… problem is, the car was in Scotland and I live in Cornwall! In this video I share my collection, first thoughts and long drive home in my Ford Focus RS Mk3.
Lots more content to come with my RS Mk3 as I share my ownership experience. Also, subscribe to be notified of our videos on my Mk1 Focus RS and various other Fords.
I hope you enjoyed the video (sorry for filming a short section in timelapse!!).
Thanks for watching.
--------- Video Content ---------
00:00 - Made it to Scotland!
01:47 - Less than a mile driven - FIRST THOUGHTS.
03:29 - Driving the Focus RS home.
10:23 - 6hrs Driving and visiting Caffeine & Machine.
14:56 - Made it! My thoughts on my Focus RS Mk3.
17:44 - The spec of my Focus RS.
18:48 - Wrapping up video 1 on my RS.

[@myktodd7387]

I have a 68 plate Nitrous Blue RS and use it as a daily driver. Great car and always puts a smile on my face.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment and I hope you enjoyed the video. I look forward to every journey in mine; there is nothing else like it on the road - keep enjoying yours and thanks for getting in touch, and for watching.

[@michaelpercival8968]

Always wanted an RS, and a fortunate turn of events I purchased a 2018 RS edition (sometimes referred to as the blue edition). I absolutely love the car, it’s got something for all drivers. Mine is a keeper, and is without doubt a future classic. Yours will certainly compliment your collection. 👍🏻

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. I love the RS Edition - nice choice and great to know you continue to enjoy it. No doubt for me either that these final RSs are destined to become classics... but for now, let's enjoy (and preserve) them. Thanks for watching - do stay tuned as lots more Ford content to come and another RS joining the collection very soon (never thoughts I'd have one!).

[@davidheller3998]

Just been looking at 2018 models on auto trader, there’s a beautiful blue edition on there for about 30k, you’re right, definite classic

[@stephenhankey9684]

I have one in magnetic grey and I absolutely agree with everything you say. It’s a completely jackal and Hyde sort of a car. There’s no car on the road really I look back at twice other than the mk3, I just love them! 💙

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Stephen; good to hear from a fellow Mk3 owner. Ford just got the RS Mk3 spot on - if it is to be the swansong of the RS range then what a car to finish on! Thanks for watching, do stay tuned as more content coming with my RS.

[@craigferns209]

Brilliantly car in every way ! Sold my Mk3 RS 2 years ago and bought a BMW 118 Msport but after 18 months of ownership I’m back in the market to buy another RS 😮 but this time I wanted one with a sunroof managed to find one eventually and pick it up next Saturday can’t wait!! 💙

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Craig and well done for getting back into an RS; good luck with the collection and enjoy the car. Thanks for watching. 👍

[@trevorgilbert7284]

I've got an ecoboost its been a great car trouble free i would love to upgrade to an rs especially in that colour enjoy the car and good luck.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Trevor, I hope you enjoyed the video. I had an Ecoboost as a hire car when they were first released... I thought it was fantastic! Thanks for watching.

[@davidheller3998]

New subscriber; Just watched your video on buying your Ford Focus RS MK3 (I want one!) Brilliant vlog by the way, really enjoyed it and you kept me engaged throughout, you are a natural presenter, hence subscribing. Take care and drive safe, Dave 👍

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Wow, thanks for the kind feedback Dave and for taking the time to comment, I really appreciate it. Thanks also for the sub and hope you enjoy my other and future videos. Look forward to hearing from you again. Andy

[@Mickyrst43]

This video could'nt have come at a better time.I own a Mk 1 Focus RS and I was half looking at a Mk 3 Focus RS,seeing this has prompted me to go test drive the Mk 3 tomorrow!!

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment; great to know you enjoyed the video. I am such a big fan of the Mk1 RS and the Mk3 is very different, which I enjoy in a completely different way. Good luck with your test drive - I hope you like the car. Thanks for watching.

[@ianmitchell9102]

Lovely car, never really been a massive ford fan, but would 100% consider this

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Ian, I am glad you like the Focus RS (they are brilliant). Thanks for taking the time to watch, I really appreciate it.

[@mv8897]

Congrats!!!!!

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment - I continue to enjoy the RS and will put some more videos out about it (and my other Fords) soon. Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed the video.

[@scottstrails9369]

Great video ..thanks

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment and kind feedback. Appreciate you taking the time to watch. 👍🏻

[@eliesto]

I’ve got a pfl mk3 ST Focus and always wanted a nitrous blue mk3 RS ever since they’ve come out. Remember watching the teasers with Ken Block. Hopefully one day I’ll be fortunate enough to own one!

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. I too can remember the Ken Block launch, it was brilliant. The Mk3 ST is a really good car, keep enjoying that for now as I believe the RSs will drop a little. Thanks for watching.

[@GRfourfun]

Still catching up on your videos. I loved these when they came out, especially in your colour, I considered buying one too but then all the head gasket drama came out and to top it off I saw one blow it’s head gasket on track at Anglesey.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment and for working through all of my videos... albeit maybe avoid the first few as I struggle to watch them back without cringing! 🤣 Hopefully, the content has improved! The head gasket recall certainly is a blot on the Mk3 RS history, but the vast majority are done now and I hope they will prove good survivors as I have no plans to sell this one. Thanks for the support. 👍

[@jayanders1485]

That mustve been an amazing drive

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Jay. I had a fantastic time driving the RS home, it is a brilliant car - hope you stay tuned to see more on this and my other Fords. Thanks for watching.

[@x58evo2puma7]

I’ve got Rs mk3 love mine mine running 500hp and it’s a weapon and u need to tune it up love it 😍

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. 500hp is impressive; your RS must be insanely fast as they are quick with standard power! I do have a Mk1 RS which has been extensively tuned so plan to keep my Mk3 standard for now. Keep enjoying your RS, it sounds an interesting one! Thanks for watching.

[@bshah4831]

I added the warranty friendly LSD to my RS, makes a big difference.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the interesting comment, I have not considered it... I'll do a bit of research. Thanks for watching.

[@Ayerighr]

A dream car indeed.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment; great to know you like the car. I appreciate you watching the video.

[@dotnetdevni]

Im thinking of doing the same thing i had for sts a few time didnt do it for me I have an electric car for work under sallary sacrifice. Which thinking of keeping and using the rs for longer drives.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment - if you are thinking of buying an RS and can do it then do, you will not be disappointed. Thanks for watching.

[@CharlySayz]

Brilliant :)

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment - great to know you enjoyed the video. Will feature my RS again in the near future so do please stay tuned.

[@perthwhiteswesternaustrali4477]

Had a frozen white RS, kept for a year & sold to a dealer for more than it I paid for it. Wish I can afforded to have kept it. Prices are crazy for these down under.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment - the RS looks good in Frozen White, nice car! Difficult decision when you are offered more than you pay… I do understand your dilemma. Maybe one day you’ll get another, for now though thanks for taking the time to watch my video.

[@ronburg6914]

do the recaro shell seats come heated

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. The standard Recaro Seats in a Mk3 RS are heated, but these Recaro Sports 'Shell' seats are not and cannot be optioned as heated. Thanks for watching.

[@poker_18rs92]

That’s a really long drive and a big commitment to make on a car that you had never driven….. hopefully it’s working out in the car has been reliable for you.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. You are quite correct, when travelling so far for a car you are pretty much committed. I do lots of checks before I travel, including decent communication with the seller and a video walk around. The Focus is fantastic and I continue to drive and enjoy it. Thanks for watching.

[@richardhawley7726]

Now the question is to I keep my mk2 Focus ST and buy a mk3 Focus RS!! Its just a question of when for me!

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. The only real answer is... keep the Mk2 ST, because it's a wicked car, and buy yourself an RS. They have dropped a little in price these past few months, there are some deals to be had! Thank you for watching and good luck with your purchase, when you are ready.

[@420somewhereG]

👍🏼👍🏼👍🏼

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for watching.

[@laurahunt5146]

just wait until you go to MSD to get it mapped

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Laura. Not sure if I am going to have it tuned; it is fast enough standard albeit I have been in an MSD tuned car and it was QUICK! Thank you for watching, I appreciate it.

[@RedEyedJedi]

The video last 20 minutes 33 seconds and you had 10 hours of driving to do. This must be a super fast focus 😆

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Ha! Thanks for the comment Steve and for watching all 20mins 33secs. Focus certainly is fast, but not quite that fast and driven within the speed limits all of the way! 😉 Thanks for watching, I really appreciate it.

[@RedEyedJedi]

@@cornishcarcollectors It was a good video to watch. Not only do you live in the most beautiful place in England, a place that looks like it doesn't belong in England. You also now own a nitrous blue mk3 focus rs. You're living my dream life. More power to you.

[@deanclark828]

My not the mk2 rs ??

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. Reason for going for the Mk3 is because I wanted to own an RS when fairly new as all my previous and other current RSs are more modern classics. I really like the Mk2 and would love one in Frozen White, but for now I shall enjoy the Mk1 and Mk3 RSs, and my modified Mk2 ST. Check out the Channel for features on these cars and do stay tuned. Thanks for watching.

[@jayp5169]

I love the outside of the RS but inside it could be a Fiesta base model, my Golf Gti Mk7.5 knocks spots off the RS & I’ve had Fords all my life, in my opinion Ford have taken their finger off the pulse “very sad”

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment Jason and your thoughts on the Focus. The exterior does look wicked, particularly in Nitrous Blue (IMO), and I think the interior is pretty good... but it is a Focus at the end of the day, so design and finish are not to the more premium manufacturers. I do love the Recaro shell seats though! Thanks for watching.

[@x58evo2puma7]

I come down in mine not surprise u haven’t seen it do u have fb accounts

[@cornishcarcollectors]

I have an Instagram and Facebook account... give them a search as you'll see more of the cars there. Thanks for the interest.

[@aggie3344]

Love the mk3 but I prefer the mk2

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. Similar to you, I love the Mk3 and Mk2 (and the Mk1)... hard pushed to choose a favourite as they are all so different. I've always wanted a Mk1 because I think they are iconic and the best looking, and I wanted the Mk3 because it is the 'ultimate hot hatch', but a Mk2 in Frozen White is on the list because they are stunning and have the best engine! Thanks for watching.

[@kristianspencer1978]

Mk2 rs has it for me, Volvo 5 cylinder, best hot hatch ever made imo.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. The Mk2 Focus RS is amazing - the engine is great and the more aggressive design make it really stand out. If I ever get one then I'd want one in Frozen White with the silver wheels... I think they look great! Thanks for watching.

[@joesmith4331]

You dishing money, clever

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment and for watching.

[@garymorris801]

Veering steering they all suffer from it

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment. I used to the steering now, the video really was my first experience of the car. Thanks for watching, I hope you enjoyed the video. Do stay tuned to the Channel.

[@StephenH-ms9og]

They sound terrible. The mk2 was much better looking and sounding.

[@cornishcarcollectors]

Thanks for the comment and for sharing your thoughts. I do agree the Mk2 Focus RS sounds great and is the most aggressive looking, but I cannot agree the Mk3 sounds "terrible"... just different, but still cool. 😎 Thanks for watching.