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Ford Focus 2005 release date - READ ONLY

67 messages,  Last post on Dec 25, 2004 at 12:39 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Acura RSX, Sedan

Messages Page 1 of 7

#1 of 67 Ford Focus 2005 release date by curious

Mar 25, 2004 (9:09 pm)

Have just seen the new Ford Focus 2005 preview at http://www.Fordvehicles.com/2005focus and it looks amazing... completely different from the old Sedan SE or ZX3 or ZX5. It looks like an Acura Integra or Acura RSX.
 
Does anyone know what date it will be released? All the site says is a vague "Spring 2004"... I was planning on buying a car in the next 2 weeks, but will wait if it's just a matter of a month to 6 weeks. Any ideas based on Ford's track record?
 
Also, any sneak previews on financial incentives for this new car?

#2 of 67 curious by badgerfan

Mar 26, 2004 (6:55 am)

Completely different? Your definition of completely different is sure a lot "different" than mine. All they have done is given the front end some tweaking and from the early pictures released, a new dash (not an improvement in my opinion) and I assume they have tweaked the rear end a bit too, though I have seen no pictures of the rear end, sedan or hatch. This categorizes as a "freshening", not a new design.
 
Not that that is all bad. The Focus is a good solid platform, generally regarded as best in its class, and now that its initial teething pains are taken care of, even Consumer Reports rates it best in class, since reliability has now improved to average. Makes sense for Ford not to mess with a good thing.
 
Unless you think this freshening is a must have for you, I doubt you will be unhappy with a 2004, and if you wait till the 2005's are introduced, you might even get a better bargain on a 2004.

#3 of 67 Redo... by bretaa

Mar 26, 2004 (7:41 am)

The rear design, oddly, looks somewhat like a Lincoln LS now, with narrow, truncated taillights.
 
Of course, we in Ford's home market apparently aren't sophisticated enough to appreciate the real, completely redone Focus that will be in Europe on the same platform that underpins the Mazda 3 and Volvo S40.
 
- Bret

#4 of 67 to badgerfan by nedc2

Mar 26, 2004 (8:17 am)

The big difference for 2005 is in the base engine, they've dropped the old SPFI 2.0 l Escort holdover, and the 2.0 l Zetec and replaced them with a new Mazda designed Duratec 2.0 l, fuel economy should be better with the new engine than with either of those. Now the bad news, the 2.3 l version is only available on the ZX4 ST however, I don't need the bigger engine myself, but it would be nice to have it as an option across the line. However, traction control is back as an option, and bigger front discs are standard. The new dash is less interesting but seems to 'feel' better and more substantial, should be less prone to rattles and squeaks. Overall the styling of the new sedan strikes me as looking like a mini Five Hundred, much more formal then the original version, maybe they were following demographics, because though Ford's advertising was trying to sell the Focus to twentysomethings, the car has been extremely popular with older people and retirees.

#5 of 67 nedc2 by badgerfan

Mar 26, 2004 (10:54 am)

Yes, I think Ford is sharing some styling cues among their new models. Even the very slight freshening they did to the 2004 Taurus (which will see little more development as Futura and 500 take its place) has the grille shape and the layout below the bumper similar to the front end of the 2005 Focus. Sharing styling across models is a good thing for corporate identity, but could lead to too much homegeneity as well and get a bit boring.

#6 of 67 New US style Focus by seminole_kev

Mar 26, 2004 (11:26 am)

I like the new front clip, not wild about the rear (curious if there is any change to the hatches) and absolutely hate the interior. I really wish they had kept the orginal interior and just made it with nicer materials. This new interior just screams "rental car" to me despite the nicer materials. One of the things that I really liked about the Focus was the interior style.
 
New front clip looks nice though. Looks sharp. I'm not sure I understands Ford's decision to only offer the sport package on the sedan. Seems like the sporty segment would really prefer the hatches. (of course the car lover in me says that the sport package should be available on all the Focus models including the wagon, but what do I know?)

#7 of 67 schedule??? by curious

Mar 26, 2004 (11:34 am)

Love all the feedback re-the changes but what I really want to know is approximately when it will be available?
 
Does Spring mean April/May? Or June?

#8 of 67 Re: schedule??? by nedc2

Mar 26, 2004 (12:13 pm)

I've heard May. Just a rumour though. They have plenty of 2005s now in the lot at Wayne Assembly, but I think those are test builds.

#9 of 67 schedule??? by curious

Mar 26, 2004 (12:25 pm)

Love all the feedback re-the changes but what I really want to know is approximately when it will be available?
 
Does Spring mean April/May? Or June?

#10 of 67 ST's Euro-tuned suspension? by creakid1

Mar 27, 2004 (2:36 am)

So this feature really took care of post-'04 change? How about the SVT steering? Is that already std across the board?
 
The newer "Focus" -- Focus II, Mazda3 & S40 -- don't got no belt-driven hydraulic steering assist, so the old SVT steering is still the best.
 
Only the Beemer...
creakid1 "BMW 1-Series - 2005" Mar 27, 2004 2:33am
 
The last Euro-tuned-suspension Focus I drove was the Street Edition sedan/wagon in tacky yellow/blue/red choices. & its steering assist sucks -- just like the ordinary American Focus.
 
The new taillights make the shape of the whole car looking kind of awkward. Besides, it's so Tercel/Accent/Accord from the mid '90's.
 
Today, I was in Mexico & saw the Mondeo w/ nearly identical front end as this '05 American Focus. I can probably own one here in S. California & be as unique as can be, but do have to cross the border for service though.

Messages Page 1 of 7

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