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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 6 of 7

#48 of 67 2-tone Interior by creakid1

Oct 07, 2004 (12:54 am)

http://www.newstreet.it/home/foto.asp?img=/img/magazine/677/Ford-- - - Focus-13.jpg&Tit=Ford%20Focus%2013
Nice, eh! More cool than 3-series' 2-tone Natural Brown Leather.
 
http://www.newstreet.it/home/foto.asp?img=/img/magazine/677/Ford-- Focus-12.jpg&Tit=Ford%20Focus%2012
 
http://www.newstreet.it/home/article_id_677.html

#49 of 67 more on the blue/beige interior by creakid1

Oct 07, 2004 (10:51 pm)

This one is probably the more accurate production model, as the shifter section isn't separated from aft portion of the console:
http://www.infomotori.com/a_18_IT_3272_9.html
 
http://www.infomotori.com/a_18_IT_3272_2.html

#50 of 67 New 1.6 got weak low-end torque by creakid1

Oct 15, 2004 (1:49 pm)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/previews/previews_story.php?id=50735
"Ford's all-new 113bhp 1.6 Ti-VCT (Twin Independent Variable Camshaft Timing) petrol engine, which replaces the current 1.8. Easily the most advanced petrol unit in the range, the four-cylinder motor boasts 14bhp more than the conventional 1.6, but is claimed to return a five per cent improvement in fuel economy, resulting in 43.8mpg in the combined cycle - although we only managed 32.7mpg. Our only complaint with the new powerplant is its lacklustre performance at low revs. With the peak torque of 155Nm not arriving until 4,150rpm, the engine needs revving to get the best from it. Ford's official figures suggest 0-62mph takes 10.8 seconds, and the unit felt every bit as quick as that on a private test track."
 
"The good news is that despite the extra challenges presented by the UK's winding, potholed tarmac, Ford's high dynamic standards have been maintained. With immense front-end grip, the Focus is capable of carrying plenty of speed through corners, and has a superbly balanced chassis. Diehard fans will miss the pin-sharp steering and lively characteristics of the outgoing version, but the extra maturity and composure offered by the new model make this Focus a more complete package."

#51 of 67 No wonder the made-in-Taiwan Focus II kept the old 1.8 by creakid1

Oct 15, 2004 (2:08 pm)

http://www.myfocus.com.tw/event/presale/flash.htm
 
& being produced. That colored deep chin makes the car look Great-Wall tall:
http://220.134.86.68/focus.htm

#54 of 67 TopGear magazine by creakid1

Oct 20, 2004 (2:23 am)

http://www.topgear.com/jsp/individualRoadTest.jsp?&carType=ne- - - w&mCode=B4&rCode=B9&mDesc=Ford&rDesc=Focus&ro- - - adTestNumber=31.html
 
"There's better suspension isolation and rebound - it doesn't thump over my test route like the Mazda 3 does and that's on the same chassis - and the really stratospheric sixth means that you can cruise quite comfortably at 80mph."

#55 of 67 creakid1 by pzev

Oct 20, 2004 (9:35 am)

My computer freezes when I go to that link so could you go into more detail what it's saying? Was this official word from Ford that it would use the Focus II platform or just a random article? And even if it does wouldn't the car still be targeted to low-end economy car shoppers meaning the interior will be cheaper than the European version?
 
I find the current Focus price outrageous. Sure it'll eventually get probably $3,000 rebates but the price is pretty much the same as the Mazda3 and Ford uses so many rebates (most people aren't eligible for all of them) that you get taken to the cleaners in resale value. Resale value isn't my first priority but it's gotten completely out of hand. Getting a cheaply-made Mazda3 at Mazda3 prices isn't so appealing. And using the Focus II platform will give them an excuse to bump the price up even more.

#56 of 67 by dudleyr

Oct 20, 2004 (11:36 am)

How do rebates hurt resale value? The car may be worth less compared to sticker, but you don't pay sticker so it is a wash. It just looks bad on paper, but in actuality rebates don't hurt anything.

#57 of 67 dudleyr by pzev

Oct 20, 2004 (9:39 pm)

When there is many different kinds of rebates the potential of losing money is higher. An Accord has higher resale value than the Camry, and a lot of this is due to the Accord having little to no rebates and the Camry having rebates such as $1,000 off and military rebates. In this case it's close to being a wash since Toyota doesn't go too crazy with the rebates and you get $1,000 off upfront.
 
But when you have such rebates as $1500 off that GM and Kia did last month for only Florida residents (due to the hurricanes hurting car sales) you can bet that money will effect resale value and essentially come out of the pocket of people who bought the same cars at the same times but weren't a Florida resident. I believe these rebates were available on top of rebates that everyone was already getting so there's $1500 people in other states didn't get.
 
As with the Toyota/Honda example, I agree it's mostly a wash for the most part, but some companies go insane with the different kinds of rebates such as military, competitive bonus (trading in a car that's direct competition for the car you're buying), loyalty rebates, college grad, etc. Mazda even has rev-it-up coupons for $500 off floating around. The potential of losing thousands of dollars for not being eligible for these rebates at the time you're buying is great, and it indeed drops resale value.
 
One month a Hyundai is $1500 off. A month or two later it's only $1,000. Or vice versa. Resale value is going to be based on the $1500 price drop, those who bought it a different month at a higher price are losing money in a sense. I'm sure there's an easier way to explain it but hopefully you understand what I'm getting at.

Messages Page 6 of 7

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