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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 194 of 202

#1924 of 2013 Re: Still Lovin' my Focus ST [waynebengston] by creakid1

Jul 14, 2007 (10:19 pm)

Replying to: waynebengston (Jul 14, 2007 12:19 pm)
If you don't care about ride comfort, then go ahead w/ the other multi-link compacts like the 1-series or Mini Cooper.
 
One reason I traded in my '05 Focus ST for an '07 Focus ST is b/c the Focus ST has the suspension retuned for more comfort after the '05 first-year model, as the '05 setting was taken directly from the SVT/ST170 (except the lowered springs). Consumer Reports is about the only source that ever tested the '06 ST. They praised its ride comfort, which is rare for a car w/ sporty handling.
 
Also, when the weather is hot, my '05's dashboard/interior has a nauseating rubber smell Ford don't bother to take care of. Otherwise, this Mazda-engine Focus has been a reliable car. You may wonder whey didn't I trade my '05 for a different kind of car. I almost did, but after test driving the numb-steering '07 Rabbit, I say...
 
Even if $ is no object, I can't think of a better car than the North America 2.3 '06-07 Focus ST, especially after I altered its pwr steering to a heavier setting. My sport-package (w/ the factory "M" decals all over the the car inside & out) E36 '99 BMW 328is ("the best/most-balanced 3-series through out the history" per Euro magazines) still can't compare dynamically. The steering of the Focus is sharper, quicker (therefore more nimble), more precise, yet still more steady than 328is' heavy & slow-ratio steering when cruising straight at high speeds. While the 328is' heavier RWD platform needs 6 cylinders in order to propell w/ sufficient power, that heavy engine can actually make the car plow forward & understeer badly on some abrupt low-speed corners.
 
& here's the beauty of our light-weight 2.3 Focus ST. It's a 4-cyl car, unlike it's "big Euro bro" Mondeo ST220's heavy 6-cyl nose over the FWD platform. The styling of our '05-07 Focus ST was purposely trying to duplicate it's big bro from Europe:
 
http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/Galleries/w24_GalleriesModelPicDisplay/0,,675-13649,00.html
 
http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/Galleries/w24_GalleriesModelPicDisplay/0,8100,675-13657,00.html
 
http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/Galleries/w24_GalleriesModelCompNavIndex/0,,675,00.html
 
So now we have a car that looks Euro cool w/o Mondeo ST220's heavy nose & bulky length. Neither does it have the foreign-market MkII Focus's full-size width. & the MkII doesn't steer as well as the older-design the MkI, either:
 
creakid1, "Ford Focus 2005 release date" #67, 25 Dec 2004 12:39 pm
 
By the way, the maximum-size 4-cyl or normally aspirated engine for the heavier MkII is only 2.0!

#1925 of 2013 Some background by waynebengston

Jul 15, 2007 (3:02 am)

My first car was a '73 Corolla, which was RWD, which I modified into the best handling practical car I've ever owned. I had a string of front drivers that got me from point A to Point B, but were not much fun.
 
 I bought a '96 Impala SS, which has been fun, but I started missing having a small car. I then got the Festiva, which I modified into the best handling FWD car I've owned. Yes, it handled better than the Focus ST. That's what light weight gets you. I then got a '00 Miata, which is certainly the best handling car I've owned, hands down, but it did not have enough room for 400 mile trips.
 
If the Focus ST were RWD, it would be the car I'd keep for the next 200k. I really wish someone would build a truly lightweight, practical RWD Sport Coupe/Sedan, inspired by the Datsun 510. The closest thing to that will be the upcoming 1-series. If the handling balance is too nose-heavy, I can fix that, just like I did with the Focus, and every other car I've owned...

#1926 of 2013 Re: Some background [waynebengston] by creakid1

Jul 15, 2007 (3:17 am)

Replying to: waynebengston (Jul 15, 2007 3:02 am)
"If the Focus ST were RWD, it would be the car I'd keep for the next 200k."
 
I'd keep the car for more than 200k even if it stays FWD.
 
But if you insist RWD, here's an example:
http://www.kugelkomponents.com/focus/focus.html
Sorry, solid axle only. Do you only want to power drift w/ LSD?
 
I guess you can even forgo the V8 to keep the nose from being too heavy.
 
Since the 510 w/ 4-wheel independent suspension is a Nissan/Datsun, I really think Ford should quickly create the rebirth of the Cortina compact RWD sedan by using the RX-8 platform w/ 2.3 4-cyl.

#1927 of 2013 Cortina by waynebengston

Jul 15, 2007 (5:28 am)

"I really think Ford should quickly create the rebirth of the Cortina compact RWD sedan by using the RX-8 platform w/ 2.3 4-cyl."
 
That's actually a great idea, and a car I'd buy in a heartbeat.
 
Here is what I like most about RWD;
1. Zero torque steer
2. Ability to add power in corner without reducing traction in front.
3. Ability to enter 4-wheel drift(not the lurid power slide people call drifting) with power on, rather than braking.
4. Better weight transfer on acceleration.
 
I know that FWD and RWD can both be driven quickly, and I know how to drive both quickly, but I get more satisfaction out of driving a RWD car quickly.

#1928 of 2013 Re: Cortina [waynebengston] by creakid1

Jul 15, 2007 (7:34 am)

Replying to: waynebengston (Jul 15, 2007 5:28 am)
Since only non-FWD (RWD & AWD) platforms can allocate the weight distribution aft of the front axle w/o losing the accelerating traction especially on uphills, the light-nose base RX-8 auto I test drove, w/ just 16"s & soft-riding suspension, was still exceptionally nimble. Auto Motor und Sport TV described the RX-8 as "unbelievably comfortable ride" when comparing it to the E46 330ci.
 
The base RX-8 auto felt like a light-weight car eventhough it isn't, as I could not reach the tire-adhesion limit during the test drive. Actually, one reason I picked the Focus ST over the RX-8 was b/c the RX-8 was too good! A car is no fun if I won't be able to reach the limit on the street, despite that the RX-8 rides smoother than the Focus ST & the steering, while only electric powered, was confident-inspiring enough.
 
So such competent platform can afford to waste a little bit like increasing the engine weight/volume from a rotary to a 4-cyl for a much meatier low-end torque, plus raising the center of gravity w/ a taller roof & seat height for more room & comfort. That way, I can even reach the limit on street driving.
 
In the old days, people think that only the cramped Scirocco can handle, but the taller-roof Rabbit GTI does pretty much the same.

#1929 of 2013 RX-8 by waynebengston

Jul 15, 2007 (8:43 am)

I gave serious consideration to the RX-8, but simply could not get past the fuel economy.
 
I had no problems pushing it to its limits, and it really reminded me of the NC Miata, which makes sense. I know that the chassis would do fine under a traditional sedan. It would certainly give up some sharpness, but it would still be a cut above anything in its class.

#1930 of 2013 Re: RX-8 [waynebengston] by creakid1

Jul 15, 2007 (9:24 am)

Replying to: waynebengston (Jul 15, 2007 8:43 am)
"I gave serious consideration to the RX-8, but simply could not get past the fuel economy."
 
Investing another $20k or more can make an RX-8 a frugal car that can also do jack-rabbit start while not making its light nose any heavier. RX-8's high CO2 level can be eliminated, too, while each dollar of energy can run almost 100 miles.
 
It's called electrification w/ lithium batteries & a silent reliable electric motor w/ max torque available from 0 rpm. You can leave your manual transmission in gear even at dead stop. So stop-&-go traffic becomes even more effortless than driving an auto!
 
There are at least a couple places in S California that do electric conversions. But making the car even heavier is inevitable. I'm looking forward to do my light-weight MkI '84 Wolfsburg Jetta coupe sometime in the future.

#1931 of 2013 07 focus by chetj

Jul 15, 2007 (9:25 am)

i like mine a lot...a very good car and inexpensive...shoved a dryer in back amazingly enough...very roomy...that euro focus looks better though

#1932 of 2013 Re: 07 focus [chetj] by creakid1

Jul 15, 2007 (9:02 pm)

Replying to: chetj (Jul 15, 2007 9:25 am)
"...that euro focus looks better though"
 
At least for the sedan version, I think the MkII is more bland. I prefer our '05-07 MkI ST sedan w/ Mondeo's nose:
 
creakid1, "2008 Ford Focus future vehicle" #70, 4 Jul 2007 9:10 pm

#1933 of 2013 I went to Orlando WOW it was a mpg deal!!! by dj2big

Jul 24, 2007 (8:25 pm)

Drove from 60110 to Orlando I got a wopping 35 mpg round trip using cruise control 65 all the way there and back.
 
Now orlando in town driving I only got 25 mpg
 
Still a huge saveings over my traded in SUV!!!
 
Has anyone have inside info on the 2009 Chevy Volt 100 mpg?

Messages Page 194 of 202

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