[colewhateva]

Hi, (obligatory its my first thread!) I don't have an RS quite yet, I'm just currently looking at them as an upgrade to my 2016ST3.

I was looking at a 2018 limited RS at a dealer yesterday and from afar it looks like a good deal. Its low mileage (47k km or about30k miles) its advertised at $47k CAD and seems to be fully optioned. ( I don't know the difference between RS option groups but its comparable to my ST3)

The problems comes when I tried to test drive it. Couldn't do it, it has full summer nittos on and there was an inch of unploughed snow on the roads. Therefore I think its been sitting for awhile. Also, tire-low warnings.
Its not stock, its got an accessport and GFG BOV or something in the boxes.
Other things noticed was the coolant was low, and there was some extra lines that led to a catch can setup.
The rotors have some heat checking. I don't know how much is too much I'd have to drive it for feel obviously.
The aftermarket wheel lugs are free of paint and surface rusted...
Also, the car's been in like three or four minor accidents with costs ranging from 4k to 2k.

So my main concern is when it was started up for me, with the hood open, it makes a terrible hissing and howling sound. Some of it seems to come from the open ended airbox (I commonly see as an aftermarket intake on ST's but I'm pretty sure its the stock setup for RS's) and some of it just seems generalized in the engine bay, Its a very unpleasant resonant sound and I couldn't really pinpoint where it was coming from as I'm deaf in one ear.
The saleman told me that it was from some aftermarket part and that it was fine but he also admitted that he has no idea what it is.
Any ideas?

I may still test drive, (I haven't made up my mind that its really for me) but its likely that i'll pass on this one if the price isn't changed.

 

[Yukon Corleone]

Ran away and find a better one if possible. Lots of these cars have been modified and also in accidents. You found one of many. Try to find one as stock as possible. They do exist but as time marches on there will be a lot less nice examples.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

I'm with Yukon! Keep looking. I don't know about Canada, but in MI/USA each accident knocks about a $1000 US of the cars value at trade or sale time. Sounds like the asking price is quite high to me.

The resonance is likely due to a poorly designed after market exhaust, and the down pipe, which contains the cat on RSs may have been swapped for catless unit making it illegal to sell for road usage.
These may or may not be issues for you, but if you're still interested in the car you should DEFINITELY verify the exhaust systems and down pipes state of repair/function and parentage (AM or OEM).
I had a '13 ST2 for 8 years that I installed a cold air intake on; that and the AM CAI my RS came with both had/have pronounced intake hiss/honk.

Good luck finding one thats stock/near stock and fits your mileage and budget parameters! Looking forward to hearing about your new RS!

 

[Barroux]

Definitely pass on that one it seems to have too much issues for the asking price.

Where are you located in Canada? Not sure if there is a trend or not but they seem to be listed for less in Eastern Canada than out West the last times I checked for fun. 47k is a lot for the condition and history of this car. There was a similar ‘18 RS listed at a local dealer (QC) recently for 42k$ I think, but still had missing foglight bezels and other small things I could notice just looking at the pictures (not looking good either if they cant be bothered to replace the missing bezels)…

Good luck with your search! If it was me given how these cars are getting older I would shop private vendors too and judge from how things go with the owner, mtce records and hints about mods/racing in the seller’s garage or discussions to try to find an unbeaten one…some mods if properly done wouldnt be an issue either if you were to do them yourself! This one though seems to have too much done improperly and you cant even talk to the owner to find out about what has been/hasnnt been done over time!

Edit: that’s the one I was referring to they seem to have dropped the asking price by more than 3k!! It does have 75k km too. Seems to also be missing the front undertray (you shouldnt see the checkered flag floor through the lower grille below the intercooler). Also has no engine pics and not sure what the badge is on top of the focus badge but could some tuner logo/badge? Either it had frontend damage or parts were lost/broken following incorrect reassembly after maintenance or intercooler replacement. Seems like another one to check for suspicious mods/revert back to stock and accident history…

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[nicklulu]

Coke can noise? Most likely the dual cone air filter and they did not change the sound suppression chamber (you can you tube it and find it).

For the price though.... might be too high?

I prefer my car unmolested...... before I do the molesting myself.

 

[320icar]

Where abouts in Canada are you?

as for the intake noise that’s common if you put an intake or air filter on. Sound suppression chamber is what’s needed to get rid of it

 

[colewhateva]

I'm in Edmonton. There is RS's on the market in the area but not many. Even fewer at dealerships which I have focused on here just because I'd like to test drive a few. I'll circle back to private sales when that particular itch is scratched.
It's hard for me to know how much I actually want it if I don't have an idea of what its like to drive compared to my ST. So that will kind of determine how much I spend on it.
There has been a lot of hype over the years and its hard to separate the hype from the reality.

If the one I was looking at was a one owner, unmodified car with no accidents, then I think the price would theoretically be fair. There is an identical red 2018 in Red Deer with 77k km that has some comparable mods and the private seller is asking $42k. Prices are probably higher then they should be with interest rates climbing and covid behind us. This might be a long process

When I looked up the sound suppression chamber, the before videos were exactly the sound. The videos don't really do it justice on how obnoxious it is but maybe it was louder then normal because the car was started with the hood open while on the showroom floor. Looks like its an easy fix.

This reminds me, is there common RS specific redflags I should be looking for?

 

[Jdcs336]

Avoid that vehicle. 4 accidents ?? just continue your search til you find the right one. But definitely this a pass.

 

[nicklulu]

Most common one to look for the the head gasket, google (youtube) the RS head gasket so you can determine if its already been replaced.

Oil leak by the turbo oil line.

Shift tower leak.

exhaust valve sticking.....

Those are the most common issues (might not be red flags) that I can think of.

 

[Wiley Marmot]

@colewhateva take my word for it; if you find an RS that's in good shape for a price that fits your budget; you won't regret it. My ST was a very good car, I enjoyed it tremendously, and have no regrets about owning/driving it. The RS is simply MORE/BETTER ! The only thing I miss about my ST is it rode better that my RS, but keep in mind the RS is a much more performance orientated compared to the sport touring "focus" of the ST. Also, my RS is a '16 (I have added the Rev 2 rear shocks from the mid '17 and up RSs) which had documented first model year suspension issues. By all accounts; the '17s and '18s have a better ride than the '16s.

In short: Harder core. Fun factor and driving experience (even in bone stock trim) WWAAYY up. Amenities and features = same same.

BTW: MY RS was originally sold in Edmonton! It's had a long, adventurous, and somewhat harrowing journey to get to the middle of the mitten.

 

[colewhateva]

Seems like my leads dried up locally

No one is biting on the original one though lol.

 

[colewhateva]

an Update: I test drove a black '17 with 100k km(60k miles). Body and paint seemed to be in good shape no accident history. But it was loaded up with bolt-ons, an accessport, and a (stratified sticker on hatch) tune. The stock downpipe was in the hatch as was the forged wheels with mismatched rubber (two pilot super sports and two unknown chinesium).
The winters were on, four more unknowns, and the dash was giving pressure warnings. I'm guessing that either the tps needed to be reset or they lacked sensors altogether.
The car had no inspection yet so who knows.
It made the same whistling/honking sound as the first car I posted about with the addition of PSH PSH a BOV, not a big deal those are easy things to get rid of.
The clutch felt overall numb with an abrupt engagement point and though the shift knob was stock, the shifter seemed taller and throw was quite minimal.
My choice of test rides was through mostly stoplight traffic in 60kph zones with a quick jaunt on a 80kph thoroughfare. Its not the most fun but it is pretty representative of the kind of commutes I have.

I found it to be overall pretty unpleasant to drive compared to my ST. I don't know how much the tune and parts are contributing to the feeling that its heavy and ponderous so I'll keep looking for a stock or more stock car to compare.

Have you ever had a test drive end with the feeling that the car you drove in is better than the one you tested ?

 

[Pezzar]

Sounds like a track day car and the odd knocks and debts likely resulted from that.
So many go to the track and when they ding the car tow it outside somewhere then claim the insurance

 

[colewhateva]

It did have a towhook installed. I don't know about trackday car as there isn't close by tracks and as far as I know the closest ones aren't open during winter.
But it definitely has enough parts on it to make me pass on the purchase lol

 

[Iafrate]

It did have a towhook installed. I don't know about trackday car as there isn't close by tracks and as far as I know the closest ones aren't open during winter.
But it definitely has enough parts on it to make me pass on the purchase lol

I would try to buy from a private seller if possible so you can ask about the car more. Dealers almost never know what’s been done

 

[Pezzar]

It did have a towhook installed. I don't know about trackday car as there isn't close by tracks and as far as I know the closest ones aren't open during winter.
But it definitely has enough parts on it to make me pass on the purchase lol

Check the fitment of the tow bar too, they have specific dimensions for fitment and need to be installed by a reputable installer