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Ford Focus Sedan

2013 messages,  Last post on Jan 23, 2012 at 7:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Sedan

Messages Page 190 of 202

#1886 of 2013 Re: European Focus for 2010. [basiliskst] by creakid1

Dec 16, 2006 (9:42 pm)

Replying to: basiliskst (Dec 13, 2006 8:00 pm)
"The refresh in 2005 still looks like the original Focus. People pay for fresh styling."
 
But the new C-1 wide-body (That's right, over 6-ft wide, it's even wider than the Lexus LS430!) Focus MkII is actually less handsome looking than our unique '05-07 face-lift Focus MkI.
 
The MkII may be quieter & have slightly better ride & handling, but not the steering feel or the light-weight nimbleness of the MkI. The MkI has a lively & predictable rear-wheel drift. The MkII rear can't even break loose.
 
"And the 2005-2007 dash styling is actually worse than the original in my opinion, speaking as an owner of 2005 ST. At best the current dash is uninspired and at worst clunky."
 
It may be ugly, but the new dash has more airflow w/ less noise than the old dash. Unfortunately, my early-production '05 ST has some nauseating rubber smell at warmer conditions such as after parking under the sun or if the heater has been turned on. So far, my Ford dealer said it's just "normal new-car smell" & refused to fix it. Do you have this problem if you breath the ventilation air for more than 30 minutes?
 
Anyway, I hate to get rid of this car. It's a great toss mobile at the limit. Dynamically, no fwd car beats the Focus SVT. Consumer Reports' comparison test found the Focus SVT beating the Mini Cooper in BOTH ride & handling. So I test drove an used SVT after I bought my new ST, & found out that only the SVT has a nice meaty heavy power steering. Plus, the std SVT front seats (not the Euro-package Recaro) are more supportive & comfy than the smallish sport seats found in the ZX3 hatch & my ST sedan. Ford only need to add these 2 SVT features to the ST, along w/ better sound insulation & just a smidge softer dampers.

#1887 of 2013 Re: Moving up Focus vs Jetta [basiliskst] by gypsy_tech

Dec 19, 2006 (11:16 am)

Replying to: basiliskst (Dec 11, 2006 5:29 pm)
I wanted to say that I am a happy 49+ year old driving an 06 SES 5sp 4 door. The three biggest complaints are the factory stereo, seats and no rear headrest. My older son is growing fast and he still has enough leg room but no head rest is a dump cost cutting measure. Another is the seats in general could be more comfortable. I don't want to get a bigger car, I want to get good fuel economy without giving up comfort. Why is it that most if not all the fuel efficient car makers feel that only gas hogs can have nice seats?
P.S. My previous car was a 96 Audi A4. I ditched that because it was a gas hog.

#1888 of 2013 Nice seats + Fuel Economy. by mschmal

Dec 20, 2006 (12:10 pm)

Check out the Nissan Versa.
 
These seats are amazing for a $15,000 car.
 
Mark.

#1889 of 2013 Ford by bobt46

Dec 21, 2006 (8:42 am)

#1890 of 2013 Ford Focus Rebates by bobt46

Dec 21, 2006 (8:49 am)

Does anyone know if the Focus rebate will be increasing from $2500.00 at Christmas or soon thereafter. Am seriously considering purchasing one now but wonder if I should wait to see if the rebate amount goes up. Would appreciate a reply soon if someone knows the answer. Thanks a lot.

#1891 of 2013 Re: Moving up Focus vs Jetta [gypsy_tech] by creakid1

Dec 22, 2006 (4:19 pm)

Replying to: gypsy_tech (Dec 19, 2006 11:16 am)
"The three biggest complaints are the factory stereo, seats and no rear headrest."
 
The '05-&-later stereo in my ST doesn't just look ugly. It sounds ugly, even w/ the optional Sony speakers & the trunk-space-robbing subwoofer. I found the prettier unit in the older SVT nicer sounding.
 
The less-flat front seats w/ more lateral support from the ZX3 & my ST sedan are finally available in all the '07 (including the SES) Focus' except the wagon, but only w/ the optional leather/sway leather.
 
Again, the old SVT's large supportive std cloth/leather seats are the best. They even got power seat-height adjustment, just like the new Jetta & some Mercedes std seats.
 
But are you complaining about the comfort of the rear seat? The U.S.-spec Corolla also purposely kept the roomy rear seat uncomfortably shaped. I found that out when I traveled over seas riding their Corolla taxis.
 
I can't stand most cars' rear headrests blocking my rear view, especially the lower-right corner. But some earlier ZTS Focus' did have them. Maybe you can retrofit.
 
Focus engines, even the recent ones developed by Mazda, still can't match the fuel economy of Honda & Toyota engines w/ similar output.

#1892 of 2013 Re: Moving up Focus vs Jetta [creakid1] by explorerx4

Dec 22, 2006 (6:37 pm)

Replying to: creakid1 (Dec 22, 2006 4:19 pm)
which honda/toyota engines have similar ouput? i have an '04 zts with 2.3. very torquey engine. have never tested the true highway mileage.

#1893 of 2013 Re: Moving up Focus vs Jetta [explorerx4] by creakid1

Dec 23, 2006 (1:07 pm)

Replying to: explorerx4 (Dec 22, 2006 6:37 pm)
It's a good thing that you mentioned "very torquey". B/c those amateurs only look at the peak hp.
 
Despite w/ the noisy factory exhaust for extra output, my '05 Focus ST 2.3 stick still can't match my '98 Corolla 1.8 stick around 2000rpm, not to mention the real-world 40mpg on the hwy. But I had to get rid of the Corolla due to poor steering & suspension.
 
Honda 2.4 is quieter, no less powerful & saves more fuel than my Focus ST 2.3.
 
Nevertheless, people around the world still envy when I mentioned the naturally aspirated 2.3 in my Focus ST. B/c no other countries got anything non-turbo larger than a 2.0. in Focus! & this Mazda-developed naturally aspirated 2.3 in the U.S. Focus ST is still torquier than the ones used in the Mazda3/6.

#1894 of 2013 Re: Ford Focus Rebates [bobt46] by mschmal

Dec 26, 2006 (9:21 am)

Replying to: bobt46 (Dec 21, 2006 8:49 am)
This is the biggest rebate Focus ever has during the model year. Please keep in mind that because the 08 will be a spring launch, January is more like July in terms of how close we are to considering the 07 Focus a left over and interest rates are likely to go up in January.
 
If you can find an X-plan pin somewhere, thats worth and extra $500 rebate!
 
There are websites that hook people up with pins but I don't think I can post them here.
 
Mark.

#1895 of 2013 Prices are going up. by mschmal

Dec 26, 2006 (9:22 am)

Just about all Fords are getting a 50 to 100 price increase and some option prices are going up.
 
This is effective on cars invoiced after 12/26/06
 
Mark.

Messages Page 190 of 202

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