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Hatchbacks Ford Focus Ford Focus Sedan
1997 messages, Last post on Aug 02, 2009 at 5:57 PM
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Replying to: basiliskst (Oct 21, 2007 10:31 pm) http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/211321/bmw_1series_coup.html- "To cope with the performance, the flagship Coupé gets M Sport suspension as standard. This sees the car lowered by 15mm, and so it serves up sharp steering and bags of grip. But while body roll is limited, the ride can become crashy over bumpy surfaces, and the electro-mechanical steering doesn’t provide consistent weight and feel." If you can afford to buy the best driver's car, then why bother ruining the fun w/ electro steering? The Focus 2.3 ST should fear no rival, 'cause there is none. 
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Please, there is no such thing as high-tech Control Blade multi-link rear suspension all wrapped up in a tall narrow compact exterior the way the original Focus is. Not the newer Mazda3/S40/Focus-II w/ bulky exterior width. Here's a new challenger from Europe compact enough to match, but trying to get away w/ low-tech rear suspension, plus electric steering? http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/firstdrives/211788/vauxhall_corsa.html "To provide poise in the corners, the suspension has been lowered by 18mm at the front, and 15mm at the rear. The electrically assisted steering has also been reprogrammed, and is claimed to give greater weighting and more feedback. Sadly, the SRi fails to live up to its promise. Turn into a bend and you’ll discover an artificial feel to the steering and a chassis that’s too easily upset by mid-corner bumps and the torque of the turbo powerplant. The stiff suspension set-up also means that the Corsa crashes and thumps over even the smoothest surfaces, making motorway journeys a pain. A springy action to the six-speed gearbox and a jerky throttle compound the dynamic deficiencies." Does the new line of "fun" compact Saturns coming up from Europe have any future? |
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Oh no, we need to be competitive in the fuel-economy area, especially when most Focus buyers here are bunch of cheapskates. So instead of having efficient engines like Honda's, let's just pull out the belt-driven hydraulic power-steering pump. This original Euro classic now doesn't just look domestic. It's as boring to steer as well! http://www.carpages.ca/go/roadtest/2008_ford_focus_coupe_road_test.aspx "Moving to the new design, some of the ingredients have changed, such as the conversion to electrical power steering... Though much is the same, the new Focus has a different character than the old one, a more sober, mature character. The steering maintains the effortless, light feeling of the old car, but it's less hyperactive. While still precise it feels slightly dulled when going straight ahead, something I'd chalk up to the setup of the electrical power steering to require less inputs when driven at high speeds on the highway and fewer kickbacks from the wheel. The conversion to an electric rack also leaves the wheel mostly devoid of feedback, an area which the old Focus was very strong. The Focus' handling has also been tweaked fairly substantially to increase its stability. The new model now reacts neutrally to input, safely understeering its way out of problem situations, which is in sharp contrast to the current car's desire to oversteer upon throttle lift-off or when trail braking. Our Sport Package equipped Coupe tester featured a rear stabilizer bar for a slightly flatter ride, but there's still a fair deal of body roll." So you don't get to play oversteer w/ this high-tech Control Blade rear suspension anymore? Our fun playful puppy has died 
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Please refrain from making comments based on biased fiction instead of Facts. The 2.0L in the Focus has a combined EPA of 28 mpg. The 1.8L in the Civic has a combined EPA of 29 mpg. Hardly much of a difference when you consider that the Focus has a 4 speed auto vs the 5 speed auto in the Civic. Focus has a bigger engine (more torque) and has 2 cubic feet more in the passanger compartment and in the truck. www.fueleconomy.gov Mark
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Replying to: mschmal (Nov 06, 2007 2:34 pm) Consumer Reports' real-world testing has been consistently complaining about Focus' low mpg, even after switching to Mazda-ized engines. While these Mazda-ized engines used in the Focus are tuned to have stronger low-end torque & weaker high-end hp than the ones used in the Mazda3, CR's real-world testing praised the 2.0 Mazda3 for having the best mpg! My torquiest Focus engine -- the ST 2.3 -- feels weaker than my '98 Corolla 1.8 at low rpm. I get 40mpg cruising my 5-sp Corolla LE on the fwy, while my 5-sp Focus ST can't even come close. Despite all that, I still hated my Corolla due to the poor steering, handling, ride & driving position. That's why I got rid of it & bought the Focus ST. How many people in (the "badge snob") S. California do that? 
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I really wish Ford would dump 4 speed autos. It doesn't hurt so much in the Focus as in other vehicles. The new 08 Escape actually gets lower MPG than the bigger Edge! I know Ford is retooling a plant in Mich to make more 6F trans and they already have excess 3.5L capacity so that is coming to the Escape. But by then the competition will have moved on also. FORD LETS GET THE STUFF TO MARKET! Mark
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Replying to: mschmal (Nov 07, 2007 4:37 am) http://newsletter.autoexpress.co.uk/c/11YilAnl46M46Jh Ford thinks that Focus buyers in America are bunch of cheapskates that don't deserve the best transmission. So only people overseas get it. But heck, I don't care 'cause I drive stick. "Following in the footsteps of the hatchback range, this is the first picture of the new Focus saloon (below left). Getting the same Mondeo-style looks as the three and five-door cars, the booted car features a revised tail with a fresh bumper and LED lights. Unlike the hatches, it will only be available with 1.6, 1.8 and 2.0-litre diesel engines, as well as 1.6 and 2.0 petrols." http://newsletter.autoexpress.co.uk/c/11YilAnl46M46Jh Click the lower right picture to see the sedan. I still think my 2.3 "classic" Focus ST rules, in terms of looks, normally aspirated power & handling fun! http://www.gulfcoastnews.com/RT2005FordFocus.htm Having the old Mondeo nose http://www.wheels24.co.za/Wheels24/Galleries/w24_GalleriesModelPicDisplay/0,,675- - - - -13649,00.html looks more cool than having the new Mondeo nose, IMO. http://carscoop.blogspot.com/2007/02/geneva-preview-2008-ford-mondeo-full.html |
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The Firestone mechanic who tried to correct premature rear tire wear said that he can not adjust the rear camber because Ford didn't create a way. I like this car otherwise, but the ride is killing me. Are there any reasonable solutions?
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It continues to surprise me how many people never learned to rotate their tires. I suspect though that you might have something else going on. Usually its the front tires that take the beating, especially on a front drive car. Incidently, the Focus and the Civic have a 4 wheel independant suspension. the Corolla and the Sentra/Versa do not have independant rear suspension. You want a better ride, you need to get a car with a longer wheel base. Mark. |
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Replying to: jacksoncat (Dec 01, 2007 5:06 pm) Proper tire rotation is essential as well, but that will not effect the ride. Also, you can buy a camber kit so as to be able to adjust the rear camber, but that will not effect ride either. One of the reason I love the Focus is the supple ride combined with great handling. |
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