Looking at buying a used SVT, help!

[vdubdoug]

Try to get an autocheck plus instead of Carfax. Carfax misses to much stuff (Auction data, accidents, etc...). And like tunedfocuzx3 said, I would offer no more that 4500. It all depends what you think modifications are worth. To me, most mods on an svt like magnaflow exhaust, aem short ram with a K&N filter, cfm 67mm throttle body are worthless. They offer little performance for too much money.

But the call is yours, if you feel you are getting a good deal that is all that matters.

[S p y d e r]

Originally Posted by blackoutSVT

yea 20 sound high to me... if it has been in a wreck you might want to move on.. if it was repaired incorrectly it could be a rolling death trap...

That's what I thought too, I am going to get a CarFax and check it out.

Originally Posted by 03OrangeSVT

I've never seen a stage 2 motor before..........................

Lol, I was thinking the same thing

Originally Posted by ajp

hes got so many mods on it... you KNOW its been driven hard.

I also had this on my mind. That is what I was thinking too, I just want it to be reliable. Is there a way I could check to see damage to the engine if I went and checked it out?

[JeepXJ]

no way that car's worth over $4,000. Factors leading to this decision: 1. Kid owned, 2. HIGH miles, and 3. kid owned.
I'd bet a reasonable amount that the car has been beat up, ragged out, and put up wet.
I found my 03 SVT on carmax's website with 23k for 10 grand, that 02 seems like they're trying to turn a profit on a turd.

Can you run a compression test on it? If you're really into the car I'd take it to a good SVT guy and have him take a look at it through a microscope.

[S p y d e r]

Thanks, this reply actually helped. I want to do a compression test on it, but I'm not exactly sure how to do so. I am also hoping to bring a fellow Focus Fanatic along with me, and he knows a pretty decent amount about SVT's.

[dndudley]

Well the clutch is not the original so that’s a +++ and it’s upgraded, that's a nice list of mod’s!!! The main thing is you want to get a car fax, check everything for leaks and take test drive for sure. I love my SVT Focus and I recommend it to anyone who wants one.

[S p y d e r]

I thought I should try posting this here so I can get more of a overall opinion. I've been wanting to get an SVT for some while now. 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:

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 it's worth, and what I should look out for/ask when I check it out, thanks!

[mlbbaseball]

depending on overall condition, 5k ish?? i dunno if its a bit high, but he's done a lot of work to it

[LongDucDong]

5K sounds about right. Go take a look at it, pour over it with a fine-toothed comb, then drive it and see whatcha think.

[BLRich1]

the only thing I would question/do is timing belt, ASAP

[S p y d e r]

Thanks so far guys, I'm going to ask him tonite if he's done the timing belt.

Anything else from anyone?

[smellyrubber]

Around 5K sounds reasonable. 100K miles is not inconsiderable but it's also not a huge amount for cars these days. If you want an SVT this could be a great way to get into one, the cars are worth repairing and putting money into should it come to it. Drive it and see how it feels. Although I have never done this, try to locate a professional vehicle evaluator to look it over with you, they will know things to look for you might not and help you make a sound decision. I have a feeling though, that if you drive it and it does not blow up, you will want to buy it regardless. The mods on the car are worthwhile and probably things you might have put money into later anyway, so consider that also. Where in WI are you? I live south of LaCrosse

[S p y d e r]

Thanks smellyrubby, that's a pretty good way of putting things. I'm in the Appleton area by the way!