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#1986 of 1997 Re: Ford Focus great experience [micweb] by creakid1 Dec 13, 2008 (12:58 pm)
Replying to: micweb (Dec 09, 2008 3:49 pm) Having no sway bar just to ensure the suspension's full independence isn't necessary the best tuning for ride/handling compromise. I just did a comparison/experimentation on my MkI Jetta's tuning.   The factory tuning goes like this:   1)Soft (diesel model): soft springs w/ a small rear sway bar (no front bar)   2)Medium (gas model): medium springs w/ a small rear sway bar (no front bar)   3)Hard (GLI/GTI): hard springs w/ a medium rear sway & a front bar   I ended up choosing the soft springs w/ the full set of GLI/GTI front/rear bars!   It may ride firmer than the Soft setting (but no firmer when crossing speed bumps evenly), but corners even flatter than the Medium setting. The only thing I have to watch out for is avoiding deceleration while cornering hard, as the soft springs do make the car dive pretty badly. I think it's a fair trade off for the comfort I've been gaining. I just have to try to accelerate while cornering in order to keep the front springs lengthy.   The July '08 Consumer Reports found the new Americanized Focus's "steering isn't quite as crisp as it was on the original." That's right, even the SES model w/ Pirelli P6 205/50-16! So that leaves the most desirable Focus to be...
#1987 of 1997 Re: Ford Focus great experience [basiliskst] by creakid1 Dec 13, 2008 (3:33 pm)
Replying to: basiliskst (Dec 08, 2008 8:01 pm) I prefer my '07 ST over my '05 ST. I traded in the '05 for the '07 hoping to get rid of the nauseating low-quality plastic smell, but no luck. Too bad this piece of German-engineering w/ American quality is still flawed. I better open the windows often   At least, dynamically, the '07 is better tuned than the '05 for my taste!   The '05 had an identical suspension as the SVT (ST170 in Europe), except the lowered springs. The '07 has a less firm springs & less-abrupt-riding shocks. But I'm still looking forward to replace w/ Gabriel shocks for relaxing ride motion.   The '07's traction control (no longer std) is less intrusive, & I love it. It seems to be able to be defeated completely this time. Even with the aftermarket Quaife differential installed, it is still useful to leave it on during slippery conditions.   I do missed my '05's smother shift linkage as well as the European-ish reverse lock-out ring, though.   Now here's the best thing -- pwr steering tuning.   The '05's is always slightly too light & therefore lacks confident-inspiring resistance during high speed ramps. I tried to temper w/ the steering-pump wiring, but only able to firm up during the mid & low speeds.   The '07's may be even lighter at lower speeds. But above 40mph, it firms up nicely at high speed curves to feel confident inspiring! Tempering w/ the wiring only adds excessive self-centering action at all speeds to disrupt your natural resistance during cornering! So it's the best to just leave it alone!   This kind of reminds me (Euro) Performance Car magazine's complain about Mini Cooper S's adjustable pwr steering -- heavier setting actually dulls the road feel!   & what's so good about the Civic other than the fancy interior? The Civic Si's electric pwr steering lacks road feel so badly even the best video game can do better (see recent Car & Driver's comparison w/ Mazdaspeed3, etc.).   Dec '08 Bimmer magazine: In the comparison test they complained about the Mercedes C300 Sport's lack of steering feel, the BMW 328i's little steering feel, &, despite the mighty powertrain, the BMW 335i being less fun to drive than the 3-series from the previoius generations due to lack of feel/involvement.   I still can't imagine which sedan out there today steers better than the '07 Focus ST 2.3 Even with such quick ratio, it still tracks straight for relaxing cruising. This can not be said about the fun E36 3-series w/ or w/o the quick-ratio steering rack (from the std Z3) installed!
#1988 of 1997 2000 Focus LX 5speed 117,000 miles and going strong by tradechevy1 Feb 06, 2009 (3:43 am)
I purchased the first 2000 Focus LX sedan with 5 speed our local dealership received. The car has performed beautifully for almost 9 years. It has been a daily driver the entire time and is starting to show age. Unfortunately, due to growing kids, 11 and 7, I will need to go bigger in the next couple of years. This car was my first new car purchase and it has been the best car I have ever owned. I tell everyone who is looking for a small car to drive one first and then test the rest. I would buy another one tomorrow if I could part with this one. It is getting rusty but it is still trusty!!
#1989 of 1997 Yep, the manny tranny in my '09 isn't as good as before.... by micweb Feb 25, 2009 (11:43 am)
I don't know what Ford changed, but the manual transmission in '09 isn't as smooth, or as easy to drop into 1st, as the ones in my prior Focii. It's fine, but the earlier ones were exceptionally good, close to Honda standards. Anyone know if they change vendors?   Also I have a buzz which I have isolated at the plastic sleeve that covers the seatbelt in the "b" pillar of the door. When the car is cold (cold morning) on certain rough roads there is a little buzz as the sleeve vibrates around the seatbelt channel. Easy to stop it by touching it, may insert a matchbook or something in the sleeve to dampen it, but want to check with the dealer first since, after all, it's the seat belt mechanism and I want to make sure it can do it's job.   The engine is incredibly smooth and feels stronger than the 2.2 Ecotec in my '09 Cobalt, but that one has an automatic transmission, which may sap too much power from that larger, higher rated engine.   The suspension and NVH in the Focus blow away the Cobalt though. This is the best small car I've ever owned, and I've owned a lot, included VW's and Japanese. Replies to this message: creakid1 (Feb 28, 2009 3:22 pm)
#1990 of 1997 Did you see this yet? by thefordguru Feb 26, 2009 (9:55 pm)
Focus RS. 2011 Should be the best year for the focus yet.   ">link titlehttp://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/25/video-fifth-gear-wrings-out-fords-new-300-hp-- focus-rs/
#1991 of 1997 Re: Yep, the manny tranny in my '09 isn't as good as before.... [micweb] by creakid1 Feb 28, 2009 (3:22 pm)
Replying to: micweb (Feb 25, 2009 11:43 am) What year was your previous manny tranny?   Compare to the '05 Focus ST I used to own, my '07 Focus ST does not slip b/t gears as easily/quickly. & I hate it!   & the '07's shifter simply looks stupid (& nerdy) w/ its dummy reverse lock out. Where's its European heritage?   I still prefer the '07 over the '05 due to the pwr steering's stronger centering & more heft at higher speeds -- more confident inspiring.   Maybe the '06 has the best of both...
#1992 of 1997 Dangerous inside component. by yogitech1 Jun 19, 2009 (4:44 pm)
I recently had an accident where I was forced out of my lane and lost control of the car hitting the gaurd rail. Upon hitting the gaurd rail the drivers side grab handle procceded to put a gash in my head down to the bone and knocking me out for a short time (long enough that the next thing I saw was the EMT. I have since removed the handle after getting the car repaired. It looks like new, and the insurance wanted to total it? lol.
#1993 of 1997 body parts removal. by yogitech1 Jun 19, 2009 (4:46 pm)
Does anyone know how to remove the rocker panels on the 2000 Ford focus 2 dr.? What holds them onto the car?
#1994 of 1997 2006 Ford Focus by jweir Jun 25, 2009 (2:58 pm)
Does anyone know how to change a valve cover in a 2006 Ford focus Zx4... Can't even find a chilton's or a aynes manual for it in a parts store...also I need a diagram of the engine compartment, so I can figure out how hard it will be to replace it...   Trying to sell it and I found out that the valve cover has a small hole in it..
#1995 of 1997 Re: 2007 Ford Focus SES sedan [robfla] by robfla Jun 26, 2009 (7:00 am)
Replying to: robfla (Jan 02, 2008 6:10 pm) Update on my Focus.Still enjoy driving the car, but im extremely disappointed with the problems that have occured. I will list the dealer stated repairs and you judge for yourself. In addition to the problems stated in the previous post, this is what has happend. The grunting/squeaking noise is the normal result of a parking brake engaged when entering or exiting the car, loading groceries,etc. Dealer says this is normal and it persist to this day.At 3900 miles, the turn signals and hazard lights stopped working. Dealer replaced bulbs and shorted fuse. Dealer replaces bumper and rear brackets at 4000 miles. Rear lug cap falls off and is replaced at 5500 miles. Replaced right side cowl panel,discolored at 8000 miles.All dashboard guages and lights quit working,wiring assembly replaced at 9300 miles.Dealer replaced all valve stems under warranty recall at 10000 miles,one month after i had a flat tire due to a cracked valve stem. Squealing noise begins in engine at idle or driving at 10400 miles, dealer replaces tensioner assembly,drive belt. The car currently has under 11000 miles on it. Buyer beware, unless you enjoy visiting the ford repair shops and taking courtesy shuttles alot. Gas mileage improved dramaticaly after 5000 miles. I now average about 28 mpg in town. Will never buy another Ford again.

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