Mate, I came from one. I thought it was the most fun I'd ever had in a car, and owned it from new. I traded mine in for a NB mk3 in April, and can honestly say, the new car is better in (almost) every way. You will miss the 5 pot, and, as an everyday driver, the mk2 is much easier to have fun in - you need to drive the mk3 alot harder to have similar thrills, which you simply cannot do on rush hour commutes etc. But, as an overall package, it's so much more car, and corners like nothing I've ever experienced.
I'm sure if you take the plunge, you wouldn't regret it (as long as you can live without that 5 cylinder rumble)

 

No regrets. Both great cars and both have different strenghts and therefore driver experience. Top Gear awarded the Mk2 Muscle Hatch of the year, which is a good summary. The Mk3 for me is more agile and very very stable in the wet.

 

I had a mk2 for 6 years. Great car; would I go back? No.
Mk3 is agile by comparison, amazing for a heavier car.

 

Agree with all the other posts, I had a mk2 for 7 years and thought it the best car ever..... but then came the mk3 Dance: .The mk2 probably wins on looks and might have kept it if it had a sunroof :laughing:

 

Have they got better security from factory than the MK2 has / had??

 

No

 

I don't know how you can say that. To date every Mk3 taken has either had the keys stolen or used wireless relay to steal the car. This was not the case with the Mk2. You should undrstand that Ford will not make any claims or disclose any improved measures so that the thiefs can understand what has been done. @[member="Pete"] become a full member and you can access the security information in the Technical Handbook and answer your own question correctly as well as discover further measures that can be taken.

 

Lucky enough to have both, I think the interior is poor on the MK3. Prefer the Mk2 inside. Mk2 sounds much better. I find the 2 door easier to get in and out of. Mk3 is more grown up but the idea that its a family car is a bit of a stretch with a lousy turning circle (so has the Mk2) so lots of scuffed wheels when the other half takes it in the multi storey. Also the ride is too hard for every day use personally.

Both great in their own way, I prefer the look of the MK3 and really like the blue.

 

My MR375 was a superb car, the looks the noise absolutely loved it but tbh all round the Mk3 is better particularly in M380 guise. It's been 7 weeks since my first mK3 went and really having withdrawal symptoms, roll on the RS Edition when it eventually arrives.

 

Same as most of the comments above from my own experience. The 5 pot engine on the mk2 is unbeatable however for grip and day to day driving pleasure the mk3 is fantastic.

 

I think most have summed up how I also feel, I simply like modern cars and normally changed my car every 2-3 years. To say I kept my mk2 RS for over 6 years is a testament to how good a car it really was (had mine running the MR375).

The mk3 really just feels like an everyday car and with the extra doors I use it all the time, I've had several issues with rattles and the car is actually going in again this week to try and finally get sorted (annoying rattle behind the stereo that ford are saying there is no fix for).

I'm running the M380 with a mongoose cat back and that has actually made a huge difference to how I feel about the car as before I'd have gladly sold it on and now I"m settling down and enjoying it a bit more.

Near 6k miles on mine and I feel it starting to loosen up now. Getting 22mpg running the M380 and on the mk2 MR375 I got 26mpg so not a lot in it.

 

Both great cars for different reasons some days I miss mine but no regrets.

 

Maybe I'm not as qualified to answer as some of the others as I had to part with my Mk 2 RS several years ago for financial reasons.

I loved the outright garishness of its looks especially in UG although mine was stunning frozen white.

The Mk 3 is more sophisticated and grown up but personally I wish that Ford had made it a little more "loud and proud."
However, I fully understand why they didn't. The interior on the new one is better in my opinion and I wouldn't go back now I've got the new one.

It's very good standard but excellent once you've added MP375 (or M380 / M400 if you're not too bothered about keeping your warranty intact).

As the McDonalds logo says.....I'm loving it!

 

Totally different cars. It's the old "last one is better" that happens with every new RS. The Mk3 is obviously not worse, but I still prefer the Mk2 for the fun factor and just how it looks. Mk3 definately needs a kick up the pants, hopefully will be better when I get M380 fitted shortly :nice:

 

If you haven't had a Mk2 I'd just go for the Mk3 you will be that impressed with no pre conceived ideas of comparing the two.For me there isn't a comparison because they are so different, love my Mk2 and still enjoy driving it, the looks of the Mk2 from every angle are superb. The 5 pot noise and torque is epic particular if you tune over 350 bhp, and great fun to drive.

The Mk3 handling and grip is unbelievable, never had a car feel so good in the wet as this does. The Mk3 has so much going for it in so many different departments. Get yourself a descent test drive and make your mind up, few are disappointed.

 

No regrets, but, I still own my mk2 too. The litmus test is I don't wish I'd taken my mk2 out instead when I drive the mk3.

Later build, no B pillar rattle for me so far (3K miles).

Switching between the two, the mk2 feels less cramped than sitting in a mk3 Focus but that's mostly space you don't occupy anyway, it mainly psychological, the switch gear, ICE and dash in the mk3 are obviously from a much younger / fresher car but we are talking about a 2009 RS based upon older electrical gear than that.

Boot space is smaller but I still managed a family of four holiday to Jersey (kids 2 and 4 so chunky child seats taking up most of the rear bench) without removing the foam insert and sub from the boot.

And then you get to the mk3 party trick, it does feel rear driven through the bends in some circumstances, not the FWD turn in and lift off to bring the back around, and you won't get pure RWD power oversteer but it makes a refreshing change after several FWD cars.

 

Well it could be me but Ford will have to come up with a limited edition that takes your breath away like the RS500 otherwise my MK2 stays.

 

Well it could be me but Ford will have to come up with a limited edition that takes your breath away like the RS500 otherwise my MK2 stays.

:rofl:

 

Well it could be me but Ford will have to come up with a limited edition that takes your breath away like the RS500 otherwise my MK2 stays.

Takes your breath away? How? A Matt wrap and a chip tune?

Or do you mean the Sierra RS500?

 

Takes your breath away? How? A Matt wrap and a chip tune?

Or do you mean the Sierra RS500?

Need £70k -£120k for good one of those now apparently

 

Need £70k -£120k for good one of those now apparently

Breath taking price

Plus there's a ****** Nova about to sell for £65k

 

Breath taking price

Plus there's a Nova about to sell for £65k

:laughing: ...about 5x price of my first house...mad!