So the summer of 2007, I finally bought a car that I intend to keep until it dies, a 2004 ford focus LX sedan, with the 2.3L Duratec PZEV engine and MTX75 manual transaxle, and immediately fell in love with it, and started to personalize it. Sadly I don’t have any before pictures, but at this stage, its well on its way to becoming as close to an “SVT” model as is possible (including the “SVT” zippered owners manual case.) Anyway, the car is a joy to drive, gets pretty good gas mileage (around 25-28 city and 32-35 highway) and I think is still one of the best values in this country today.
I’d like to offer many thanks to all the members of two absolutely fantastic online discussion forums dedicated to the ford focus community, focaljet and focus fanatics. Without their collective knowledge and help, the car wouldn’t be what it is today.
Cheers everyone!
My base car:
2004 Ford Focus LX sedan, 2.3L PZEV (duratec 23E) engine, MTX-75 5-speed manual transaxle, in “CD silver”
My current modifications:
SVT focus suspension, SVT focus brakes, SVT focus Recaro interior (with heated front seats with adjustable lumbar support!), SVT leather wrapped steering wheel, SVT heated mirrors, full power windows/mirrors/door locks/keyless entry conversion, 2008 “Bullit” mustang shift knob with matching Sparco aluminum parking brake handle, custom leather shift boots, FRPP short-throw-shifter, tilt & telescoping steering column, Instrument cluster with tachometer, European “blackwood” radio surround with dash clock, factory blaupunkt radio (plays mp3s and has automatic volume control), intermittent wiper control, Xenon HID headlights, factory foglights, painted door handles and trim, SVT glossy door pillar trim, European st170 upper radiator grille, 2003 SVT 5-spoke 17″ wheels, focussport cold air intake, Borla 2.5″ stainless steel exhaust, VF engineering lower motor mount, cosworth balance shaft delete, russell stainless steel brake lines, Brisk LGS spark plugs, focussport front strut bar, custom rear strut bar, Roush 22mm rear swaybar, and more that I’m sure I’ve forgotten by now.
Coming soon:
Painted HID housings, window tint (35% front, 20% rear), st170 center console with matching “black wood” shifter surround, oil sump baffle, Torsen T2 limited slip differential, Exedy high performance clutch with lightweight aluminum flywheel, focussport CA-91 octane tune, custom black perforated leather door inserts, and maybe more someday.
