Ford Mustang GT 5.0 vs Ford Focus RS500

@wOoOdy once again I stand corrected. The RS500 has the same lap time at Hockenheim as the Mustang GT with the RTR (Ready To Rock) dealer option. So it must be a lot of fun to drive with such great handling. Worth the money if you don't mind front drives and like hatchback versatility. I like the rear drive Mustang a lot, but I wouldn't mind a test drive of the RS500.

I just read an article in Sportauto where they compared the Shelby GT 500 to a dealer varient of the standard Mustang GT called the Mustang RTR. In the US the RTR varient adds about 6k to the price thus making it close to 40k dollars. Sportauto listed the price in Germany as 40k Euro. I don't know the exchange rates that well anymore, but I think the Mustang is still cheaper than the Focus RS500. I didn't try to look up the Euro price of the RS500 in Sportauto.

@Viking: mind you, the Mustang GT 5.0 would cost about 70k in Euro's (thats 100k in dollars) in NL where the RS500 would have cost 61K... The normal RS "only" 50k (still 71k in dollars).

I have not gotten to my computer yet, but am anxious to check out the videos. It seems to me on second thought, I am being a bit harsh and hasty in my appraisal of the RS500. After all I haven't driven one, and we don't have any lap times to compare betwween th two cars yet. I actually was more successful when I was competing in a front wheel drive car (Neon ACR) than when I started running a rear wheel drive car (Corvette). So maybe if I had a chance to drive the Focus RS500 it would win me over. On the other hand it does seem to cost a lot more than the Mustang GT 5.0.

Thanks for the links wOoOdy. I will check them out when I get to my computer. I am typing from my phone. Is it true that the RS500 costs 35k in pounds? That would be about 10k more than my loaded Mustang (36k dollars) if my exchange rate is close to being current. That would pay for a lot of petrol lol. Maintenance is usually higher with forced induction cars. Hatchbacks are more versatile however, I will grant that. I still think the Mustang is the better bargain. I will have to check out those links, they might. Enlighten me.

Thanks for the links wOoOdy. I will check them out when I get to my computer. I am typing from my phone. Is it true that the RS500 costs 35k in pounds? That would be about 10k more than my loaded Mustang (36k dollars) if my exchange rate is close to being current. That would pay for a lot of petrol lol. Maintenance is usually higher with forced induction cars. Hatchbacks are more versatile however, I will grant that. I still think the Mustang is the better bargain. I will have to check out those links, they might. Enlighten me.

@Viking: but also... check this: Focus RS vs Nissan GT-R.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZL8uPemi3k

@Viking: I am guessing the difference in price is one, and that extends to the running costs. The RS500 is also a reasonably practical hatchback. On top of that there is the power of the turbo engine in a very light car... don't let the numbers from 0-60 fool you... the RS500 is seriously quick, just lacks a little traction (and the extra torque over the Focus RS doesn't kick in until 3rd...).

But, check this... a humble 2.0 without turbo in a slightly smaller Renault Clio RS vs the RS500.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYXMKdZvi-c

I was curious, is there any advantage to getting the Focus RS500 rather than the much faster Mustang GT 5.0? If there is could someone point it out, I certainly can't see it. The Mustang is clearly better. Any other opinions out there?