My Week with the Focus RS!

I discuss the pros and cons of daily driving a Focus RS. Which of the hot hatches would you pick? Big thanks to Ford for providing me with this press car to drive for a week!
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[@nickc.4651]

Picked up mine for 34k with all options, certified used with only 6k miles a few months ago. Absolutely no regrets and have received nothing but compliments. Love this beast.

[@deantotheizzo]

I paid 36k for mine with 2200 miles fully loaded and a 7 year cpo warranty

[@konawolv]

Do you mind if i ask your salary range? I may be getting a raise soon and am curious as to what buyers this car attracts

[@Sir......]

what does the warranty cover? till what mileage? cost? im curious as i got a 5 yr warranty on an explorer sport.

[@Comeswoopfam]

Should I be concerned about the blown head gasket allegations before I buy?

[@casave9682]

Joshua Ortiz from what I’ve read just to be safe buy 2018 models they say late 2017 and up but just to be safe 18

[@timberlinecline3667]

Love this guy the look on his face on the beginning of the video is priceless keep up the good work

[@TeddyPatrickS]

Always my favorite Matt. You're just so informative and enjoyable to watch.

[@iandrives5588]

Why is everyone hating on Start-Stop? You put it in neutral, release the clutch, it shuts off. When you push in your clutch the engine started before you're in 1st gear. I like it.

[@DenonDJTony]

There are seat brackets that can be purchased to lower the seats, and if you purchase a Cobb Tune or Hennessy Tune, both disable the auto shut off feature.. Just FYI.

[@thenumber1bobo]

Rewatching this, I absolutely agree about the feeling of how the RS handles. It handles crazy well but you do feel like its going to let go any second and its just fighting the corner and surprisingly winning.

[@drewh9044]

Matt another great video. You've really been upping your game!

[@ryancarlson178]

Matt this was one of your more critical car reviews. We're used to you only putting in a couple of negatives and writing them off. Nice to see the new format. I'm surprised you were okay with the ride as other long termers are first to point out that it's too stiff in any setting.

[@ethangee96]

I'm gonna have to explain to my boss why I took a 15 minute toilet break....

[@dillonhughes1417]

Ethan Gee you had taco bell and coffee for lunch, problem solved

[@ryanfoster6514]

Boss makes a dollar, I make a dime.. that’s why I poop on company time.

[@gladtal]

Great review, again, I appreciate you actually voicing complaints unlike a lot of reviewers out there.

[@patrickcorrigan591]

Great video Matt!

[@fliaquat]

This is a real fun car out of the box. But I hear the mountune upgrade package does wonders. I believe it's exhaust , intake, intercooler, shirt shifter kit and a tune.

[@RookieRay]

Farhad Liaquat you do not need a short throw in this car... it’s so short I forget what gear I’m going into

[@GETUPANDGO]

Would definitely love this for winter

[@BRIANBOBCHAPMAN]

COOL Week with the Focus RS!

[@kingevanek]

Guess I'll be using the bathroom at work now

[@NynjaStryker]

Evan's Garage same bro lmao

[@buildmorefarms1007]

Drove the RS, it is fun.

[@fadedgarage6423]

My cars always sqeaked but the seats do have mods to lower but ive drove mine daily for a year and 2 months 17k miles and i love it so much great fun every where.

[@TheStig43and199]

It may be good to note that the auto stop start thing is also for emissions as well, and with a mass amount of cars having it, it does help with that although I could see that being a little awkward on a manual (I've never driven a car with auto stop start.).

[@ND-mn1rb]

Really nice interior for a hatchback

[@DevPack]

All Brembos eventually start squeaking. It is a pretty common issue.

[@totowolf9716]

DevPack change the pads to ceramic and use copper and break grease on the correct points...problem solved

[@60viking]

I told my customers it great their at 100%. :)

[@k9jsb224]

I wonder how many people complain about the seat height purely because they've heard it else where. I've never sat in my RS an thought in too high up. Although I do have the upgraded Shell seats

[@SuperEvo1990]

hey matt really nice one request, please try to show front view as much as possible, especially when speeding.

[@skip741x3]

seats tall "Feels like ur in a delivery truck" that was hilarious bro! had me laughing big time!

[@ElKingFresh]

I love driving the RS very fun car ☺️👌🏻

[@raw_pc]

If you are looking for better seat than look around for EU version of shell Recaros. It’s a second option here in Europe and for me those are light years ahead in every aspect. They are not heated so it’s the only one downside for someone living in colder climate other than that they are amazing. Plus you can get lowering rails for them too so you can seat way lower.

[@scorpsallday33]

my RS has the Sport Cup 2s and within a month I curbed both my front and back left tire/wheel so hard I actually needed to to buy another set. I was debating whether to buy them or to just drive myself off of a bridge.

[@apexjeep8861]

Talking about the handling and stuff the golf r may be smother but on a track this thing is beast

[@josephg9245]

As an owner of a rs, having stop start is not unnerving at all, because you know how it feels if it stalls its not like if you just turned off the car

[@Baymore8]

I'm daily driving a 2013 ST and I love it. Couldn't be happier. I want to one day upgrade to an RS

[@seriouslydont402]

ST's are awesome cars. I have poor mans fiesta ST 150 (mk6) lol but still love the lil beasty

[@poker_18rs92]

I'm debating on an RS right now. How's the MPG on the ST? The ST1 is obviously much cheaper, however I love the look of the 2017 White RS.

[@damienf01]

The thigh bolstering in Fords is interesing. My 02 Gti has bucket seats but they’re the leather seats and they’re comfortably snug, vs my dad’s new fiesta st has recaros and the bolstering makes it annoying to get out sometimes. And having seen the newer gtis, jetta glis and stuff of that matter I wouldn’t be surprised they’re easier. VW knows how to really bring sporty but comfortable at a decent price.

[@dannyreilly9319]

As an RS owner for the last 8 months, the breaks have squeaked from day one. It will stop for a day or 2 after cleaning but then start again. It is a bit of a pain but I just started to ignore it as it only does it at slow speeds with gentle breaking like in traffic.

[@allnewpauly]

Open the back windows. Drive around. Instant rally-feeling. Smile broadly.

[@mustanlab302]

Aw yes I such a Ford fan boy reely like this car

[@7viewerlogic670]

Stop/start story is funny!

[@60viking]

I sure want a RS not afraid of used. I want to smile like everyone seems to do when they drive one.

[@smilebro100]

i like the week videos

[@jdmteggy2388]

also with stage 1 tune u can have the stop/start off all the time

[@timberlinecline3667]

You should get one you look good in it

[@emiliomorales3413]

Is it true that the parking movements and u turns are a little bit dificult?

[@robbryniak9409]

There's one that runs at our local autox and does decently.

[@losmosquitos1108]

The seat position is quite okay for a rallye car, and that's what it is. You want that bit of overwiew driving on gravel roads or snow...

[@jrzez]

You sit up high in this and the newest gen WRX/STI so it gives you better visibility, especially since they know people will track these cars. Some people love this, some hate it. And no, no headgasket issue for me to date. I forgot how muted this car sounds and how puny the pops sound like when stock.

[@totowolf9716]

How does the clutch and gearbox feel compared to the gt350?

[@malkionx]

In the Khans!!!

[@Sonicaceman]

Love this car and would love to own one but the price is the killer for me, I could get a 1-2 year old 5.0 with every option for what this costs.... and btw the weird clutch position you're talking about sounds like the 14' Focus ST I have, I'm more used to it now but it doesn't feel like the mustang or most cars I've driven and feels like you said you're pushing down on it... love my Fords but they are falling behind on the interiors as of late and a base 17' ST with rebates where I live is $21400 almost half the RS, not worth it, too bad Ford couldn't integrate the awd in the ST with the 2.0 and sell an ST-R for under $30k as a base.... just a thought, as usual a great unbiased review Matt

[@daltonv5206]

Sonicaceman if my ST was awesome it would be everything I need. My 14' has been great! Just cracked 60k miles. No issues other than a flat tire(pothole)

[@Dx-qg9jm]

Imagine if they were smart and put the 5.0 in the RS. Awd hatch with 500 hp stock and manual transmission.

[@brandondannys-menary3678]

I do like this car but I much prefer the golf r with a tune. Mainly because the interior and the simple exterior stylish styling

[@No.Shutter]

I detail at a ford dealership cleaning rs's from bumper to bumper and own a '13 st with the recaros and imo the seats are positioned exactly the same. Although I haven't sat in a st with out recaros and those could be lower. I also find that at the lowest setting on the seat it sinks your ass pretty low.

[@travissellers729]

I'm a big focus fan. I've owned 3 of them, but I gotta be honest in saying that I would never take an RS over a Golf R. The Golf R is just so much more refined, sophisticated, and elegant while packing one hell of a punch.

[@1970borntorun]

Good point man. They are both excellent, but the Golf avoids the Boy-Racer look ( not as bad as the Civic Type-R of course! ) for those of us over 24 lol

[@slash11lipo]

That thing must have awfully short gearing because it seems like you hit 3rd at about 30 mph, but I have a friend that drives like a grandpa too. Love your reviews and your delivery keeps getting better.

[@daltonv5206]

Eric N my ST has short gears. 30mph is like 2750-3krpm in 3rd

[@rocknropes]

I don't understand when people complain about the seat height. Just adjust it, on the RS2 there's a button on the left side. Just push it and the seat will go down.

[@tomdubois3062]

My Focus has start stop and almost every time it turns on It jerks a bit. It used to not do that.

[@iTzxNooBs]

Seems like you're getting back to your roots. I re-subscribed

[@Stainlessautospa]

Trying to buy one of these would be a circular argument with myself. Well I want the rs but the golf r is more comfortable and nicer, but the gti is cheaper and nearly the same but the focus rs is more fun and so on.

[@nickdebone6744]

My 2016 golf R has 16000 and my breaks don't squeak, and I beat the piss out of it :) oh and it doesn't have stop start

[@mattiasandersson3444]

Have you got any problems yet ?? Cracked block ? or the headgasket ? or the rear diff ? or the ecu ? repeat repeat......

[@Thomas-lx8bc]

If you sit any lower how could you see over the dashboard? A lighter set of seats and rear seat delete kit would be better then a lower set of seat rails.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

You sit lower in a regular Focus and Focus ST and I see out of those just fine.

[@Thekillerfudge]

my brother has a nitrous blue rs stage 1 that he bought yesterday with 2k miles

[@quilmesf.157]

A question: I also know your Review of the Fiesta ST200. Now as you have also driven the Focus RS - which car brought you more "fun" to drive? Acutally I do have a ST200 and I'll also - probably - buy the RS (in the "Black & Blue" special edition, with the mechanical differential). What I don't know is: Should I keep the ST200, which means having ST200 and Focus RS or give it away/sell it and only keep the RS? To me both cars really bring a lot of fun, the ST200 because of ist less weight and smaller size, the Focus because of its 4WD and more power. What's your opinion? Would be interesting because I really love your reviews and think we love the same type of cars! :-) Greetings from Bavaria.

[@josefgriveas7113]

Dodge Dakota with a manual is dope man

[@sapientbudgie5652]

Just purchased a 2018 Audi RS3. You need to review this car.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I'd love to if someone within a reasonable driving distance from Pittsburgh offers one. Congrats on your purchase!

[@sapientbudgie5652]

Matt Maran Motoring just did my first track day. RS3 was incredible on the track and super comfortable daily driver. I did 12 second flat 1/4 mile at 117.8 trap speed. If my reaction time was better I could get an 11.9. I raced a Z06 that did 11.8 at 122 trap speed that could not believe my car was stock. Hopefully you can drive one with the staggered wheels (larger in the front). I'm in Toronto if you are visiting!:)

[@slickmet]

Does everyone forget you can adjust the seat downward??? Or does he have it in low and its just not enough for him?

[@jdeasel]

What the heck did you drive over at 3:31???

[@michaelhernandez5229]

So what car would you get the rs of the type r????

[@freezor80]

I heard a reviewer say that driving a Fiat 500 Abarth is like riding a bar stool or driving a delivery van. Is that how you feel in the RS?

[@OzzyR90]

Did he run over a pothole at 3:31?

[@Cm-cz9nh]

So how does the compare to the focus st? Is it worth the upgrade?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I dunno if it's 10k+ better. Depends how easily you can afford a 40k car I guess.

[@Nizm0350z]

Time to trade in the Mustang

[@AugieRomero]

For seat position scale, how tall are you?

[@snoopergnar3719]

Almost bought an RS until I sat in the seats. If they had the Recaros from the Mustang it would have been a done deal.

[@ricardovega2797]

My local dealership has 3 of them sitting their lot for 6 months lol no one in my town thinks they're worth it, personally I wouldn't mind one but I love my wrx too much

[@GETBENTNERD]

In my personal opinion, I think the car Focus RS is a great looking car and I'm sure it would drive amazing. I just don't agree with the pricing that Ford has come up with. If I'm paying $35,000-$40,000 I could get a lightly used C7 Stingray Corvette with low miles. If Ford wants to charge that much for the car, they should give you more incentives to buy it. Ford can get away with charging that much because they have the most horsepower in that class however, it's not just horsepower that everyone looks for. The interior is the exact same minus a few minor details of a Focus ST. I would love to have the Ford Focus RS, but I will definitely have to wait for the used market. Great video Matt!

[@Wolfpack9able]

Orshoski I totally agree. The base model should start at $30,000 at the very least. The premium model should max out at $35,000 in my opinion I would say that's fair. But another issue is the dealers are overpricing them.

[@jrzez]

Yeah, but you're buying a Vette, which is a GM, with it's garbage interior. And GM's resale value which plummets doesn't help the equation.

[@jrzez]

It's nice to want to pay for things what you want to pay for them huh? I'd imagine a STI should start at $25k then?

[@GETBENTNERD]

I don't think the interior is that Garbage in the C7 Corvettes. I can understand the resale value.

[@GETBENTNERD]

I'm willing to pay for a car that doesn't share the almost exact same trim level as the car that's below it. Yes, people can argue that "you're paying for the performance." I'll wait to see how the price will drop on the used market though.

[@Aku112811]

For all of you saying it's to expensive.... all of the cars it competes with in that class go for the same amount if not more. Golf r also wrx sti. Even though it ain't really in the same class. Also why in the hell would you compare this car to muscle cars? If you wanted to get something similar for less you buy used golf r. Also all you need is a tune and your already making more power.

[@1970borntorun]

Yeah, I never understood Reviewers and car fans comparing this car with Muscle cars. A Les Paul is vastly different than a Telecaster even though they produce the same notes lol

[@ballzack10]

Just buy one matt

[@brandondannys-menary3678]

Zack Taylor no, a golf r fits him much better

[@6speedsti241]

over the STi?

[@tegdarkblade]

Can u find a caliber srt4 to review

[@_Mario_PL_]

With the bluetooth pairing, might be since it was used so much that other phones were never erased and the system didn't allow to add more devices. Just my guess.

[@disneyfan9099]

MarioPL That's usually what happens with rentals

[@MattMaranMotoring]

No other stored phones, sometimes that's a problem with press cars but not this one. Just wouldn't work.

[@brawnymystic2745]

I wanna meet you someday, Matt

[@jdmteggy2388]

so what is better a gulf r or RS?

[@Mr7O5]

I totally agree with the seating position, I find the wrx/sti a bit high too, I currently drive a 16 civic coupe manual and I think it has the perfect seating position ( in my opinion ) if this was offered in awd I believe it would be a real hit.

[@travissellers729]

Mr 705 ....it is AWD.

[@xxxliqu1dxxx]

Travis Sellers he's talking about his civic.

[@travissellers729]

That makes more sense lol I misread what he wrote.

[@rudytaneloruxy9491]

Looks like an aggressibe suppository, in a good way.

[@apexjeep8861]

There sporty and they veel fairy cool like if I’m not the only one that heard it

[@heikkiremes5661]

Try WD-40 on the pads, usually works.

[@DeFreshS10]

please dont

[@errorerror3133]

My onion is that this car is at the top of the line in hatchbacks!

[@xd5345]

Roland Bat it's decent, better options out there but still a great car none the less!

[@keysersoze2313]

Intel Mac Like what?

[@xd5345]

Keyser Soze m140i?

[@MrSemi009]

Civic type R

[@keysersoze2313]

MKL I'd say it's definitely another option, but a better one? I personally disagree. Just my opinion of course 👍

[@tsav6952]

Overdue for a major interior upgrade Mr Ford.

[@thenumber1bobo]

FINALLY

[@REDEEL16]

I own one in Australia. about 5000km so far, daily driver, had a track day and moderately quick in a straight line.. take it to some backgrounds with corners and long bends and this car is a beast. I love it

[@dillonhughes1417]

Its just the ride quality is rather harsh off the track, and if youre abit on the bigger size then the seats are uncomfortable as all hell.

[@DrTopLiftDPT]

I was in Mustang GT with the recaro seats and my lats were too wide for the seat. It made me round my back and I didnt fit. I was surprised as I am only 200lbs. I would say the average customer would be a 50 year old man and quite fat.

[@darksideemt]

Brake squeak happens in a bunch of brembo factory cars after a few thousand miles. Dodge one are extremely bad for it. That and the excessive amount of dust. I know a bunch of people that change out the pads with only a couple thousand miles on them.

[@rudytaneloruxy9491]

The ecoboost mustang shouod be rated at 350 350 as well.

[@Toyota4Life]

I hate the constant popping in every freaking car today it was cool now it's freaking annoying.. Anyway love the RS love that color too.

[@ChristianLopez-lm9zn]

How is the sound system?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Average, didn't listen to it a lot.

[@ChristianLopez-lm9zn]

Matt Maran Motoring I didn't use a popular sound system brand?

[@thenumber1bobo]

Motor is not the same as the EB mustang. Has a different turbo, and a completely different cylinder head.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I just meant the same size block and basic design. The parts are interchangeable.

[@traceyhughes6424]

I want a Ford Focus but I do not drive stick shift.

[@gregblack8550]

Learn Tracy. Gotta learn. Next car you buy tell them as part of the deal they teach you. Me and the wife bought a new stick car on Sunday afternoon. She never drove stick. She drove it to work on Monday morn.

[@reeisessit]

Damn it's already six years old even almost seven.. love mine RS 🫶🏾

[@officialsticky5884]

The breaks squeak...not sure why..they just do. Might be the stock pads

[@molo1706]

Great video Matt , Could you please review the new Lexus LC 500 ?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I will be soon!

[@Twisty290]

I have a RS. It's not an ST2 package. RS2!!!! TRIGGERED!!!!! X|

[@supervillain8868]

Do a Toyota Supra review

[@phatt180]

You can disable Stop/Start in the vehicle settings. Agree it's annoying but have never had any real issues with it. Also in my RS I collected in June the optional Recaros have been lowered more from the factory. I'm very happy with the position and feel like I'm sitting low and is very comfortable.

[@jacobmoreno6339]

Can auto start/stop be permanently shut off? Or does it reset every time you restart the car? Thanks

[@tonygee3284]

Great job David Its time mari business paid tax