GR Corolla vs Focus RS vs Kona N – Waking the Dead | Everyday Driver TV
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Finished the comparo. The stiffness of my RS never bothered me. It’s fine in the softer suspension mode. I was perplexed at selling it but it wasn’t for that. And it’s the vest chassis/AWD system I have ever owned or driven.
The problem with the RS is the engine. You throw power at it, or extra power via aftermarket, it’s all going to the front wheels only. And the motor is a let down. You basically need to pull the motor to add decent HP and weld gussets onto the back of the block because the block is weak. Compared to the G16 where you can add power and the block is muy bueno.
The RS from a handling perspective was phenomenal. I would drop 6 figure cars at the track In the tight stuff, all day. From the sound of it since I haven’t driven the GRC yet, I get most of that RS with a better overall engine, and best of all Japanese and Japanese built. I think I made the right choice selling the RS. Was none too pleased with Ford. And they are incorrect, all of the 2016 and 2017’s needed new HQ’s, not some. Only the 2018 LE was spared of that fate so most had to deal with it not just a few. And mine after I had the head and hg replaced, ended up having a leaky oil supply line, then a bad transmission seal and I had enough of going to the dealer. While I was dealing with all of that we figured out the engine just really didn’t have any aftermarket capability compared to say the EVO, the STI, the Golf R, etc and I didn’t buy it to keep it stock.
Bring on the GRC. Can’t wait. But I do doubt it can match the GKN Twinster. Cornering in drift mode was spectacular so I hope via the aftermarket we can dial in some oversteer on the GRC.
The problem with the RS is the engine. You throw power at it, or extra power via aftermarket, it’s all going to the front wheels only. And the motor is a let down. You basically need to pull the motor to add decent HP and weld gussets onto the back of the block because the block is weak. Compared to the G16 where you can add power and the block is muy bueno.
The RS from a handling perspective was phenomenal. I would drop 6 figure cars at the track In the tight stuff, all day. From the sound of it since I haven’t driven the GRC yet, I get most of that RS with a better overall engine, and best of all Japanese and Japanese built. I think I made the right choice selling the RS. Was none too pleased with Ford. And they are incorrect, all of the 2016 and 2017’s needed new HQ’s, not some. Only the 2018 LE was spared of that fate so most had to deal with it not just a few. And mine after I had the head and hg replaced, ended up having a leaky oil supply line, then a bad transmission seal and I had enough of going to the dealer. While I was dealing with all of that we figured out the engine just really didn’t have any aftermarket capability compared to say the EVO, the STI, the Golf R, etc and I didn’t buy it to keep it stock.
Bring on the GRC. Can’t wait. But I do doubt it can match the GKN Twinster. Cornering in drift mode was spectacular so I hope via the aftermarket we can dial in some oversteer on the GRC.
2023 Onyx Black GRC (PP, CWP, TP) the original GRanola Armrest
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That’s one of the things that I always come back to on getting an RS. the block just runs out of oomph at around 400ish correct? That open deck doesn’t help.
my buddy windowed the f out of his 2.3 RS and dropped a 2.0out of the ST and built the bottom and added a xona and it’s a fucking monster but that’s a lot of investment
Stiffness bothered me so much I went with Ohlin's R&T and 17" wheels for comfort which worked well lol. To each his own I guess. I'm interested in what you mean by extra power only going to front as I don't think I've come across this in any of the RS builds I've followed. Are you saying that the rear clutchpack only accepts a specific amount of power?
Yeah I think 400 is the safe limit but I mean honestly the car is plenty powerful even at that, at least for me. If I blow my 2.3 out of warranty, a speed perf6manc3 2.0 long block is at the top of the list.
Assuming of course I don't get my hands on a GRC first...and convincing the wife that I can retrofit dual climate control later
I owned my Focus RS for only 9 months as I couldn't take its abusive, extremely HARSH ride, even in the most comfortable suspension setting.
I'm crossing my fingers 🤞 that the ride quality of the GRC is significantly better than the RS, or I will have to take a pass.
All the reviews of the RS comment on how harsh the ride is, I should have listened, lesson learned.
I'm crossing my fingers 🤞 that the ride quality of the GRC is significantly better than the RS, or I will have to take a pass.
All the reviews of the RS comment on how harsh the ride is, I should have listened, lesson learned.
I went with the DSC controller. Didn’t need it but a friend from the RS forum gave it to me so I ran it for a while before I sold the car. It definitely helped. Had I kept it, yes on the Ohlins. I‘m not a fanboi of any auto mfr. but I sure am a fanboi of Ohlins and Brembo.
And yeah, regarding the Twinster. I know a guy who works for GKN, and actually did all the US testing on the car here. According to him, yup, added power goes to the front wheels only. I found that out, limitations of the 2.3L, etc, and I had post HG problems while minor, an oil supply line leak and a transmission seal going within 30 days with 6000 miles on it was enough for me. I’m too used to Japanese built cars where I don’t have those sorts of issues. A local friend has a RS, post HG he’s had zero issues with the car much like this review video. The RS is a great, great car.
Yeah he did it the right way. Funny that 2.0L block is stronger. And yes, it cost a lost of money to do it too. That’s where I drew the line with my STI and RS, pulling the motor. On the EJ it’s best to pull it out, forge it, new turbo, no more ringland worries. The RS it’s the block itself. I was unwilling to do either. If something ends up happening on the G16 requiring me to pull the motor out of it to modify, it’s a compact inline 3 and my musical chairs have ended really, I’ll just finally cough up the dough.
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Still in Utah... I'm thinking they went with reported time on this one.
Great video, apart from the Kona N 😂 honestly tho it was great seeing the RS used in comparison, I view it as the zestier version of the GRC and I'll probably pick up another one as I wait for the Corolla. They're still holding value well.
Ha - Have a white 17 RS with 97k
This is perfect!!
Like what I heard about the Corolla. Tall dude couldn’t be more wrong about the “seated deep in the car feel” owner dropped the seat for sure. One of the common knocks on the car actually. You sit on it not in it.
This is perfect!!
Like what I heard about the Corolla. Tall dude couldn’t be more wrong about the “seated deep in the car feel” owner dropped the seat for sure. One of the common knocks on the car actually. You sit on it not in it.
Many European journalist compared the seat height of the RS to feeling like you're driving a Transit van, you sit up so high.
Also, the seat angle is pretty funky as well, not to mention the horrible ride quality.
it's really enjoyable, I've been hopping back and forth between this forum and the RS forum. The Everyday Driver video was shared on both forums and the RS guys are talking shit on the GRC, meanwhile ppl here are talking shit on the RS 😂
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That’s pretty common. I like seeing the differences in forum stuff.
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