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Ford Focus Prices Paid and Buying Experience

476 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 1:04 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Ford Focus SVT, Coupe, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

    

Messages Page 34 of 49

#325 of 476 Re: 2008 Ford Focus SE Buying Experience [cchrisman] by jfritsch

Jan 24, 2009 (9:23 pm)

Replying to: cchrisman (Jan 24, 2009 4:32 pm)
Take the vehicle to another ford dealer under warranty. Drive it with them and tell them you think the tranny won't shift into 4th gear. They will run the diagnostics on it etc and get it fixed.
 
Hating the dealership etc isn't really fruitful. So many people have complaints with Toyota,Ford,Honda dealerships etc it all cancels out. The dealers are independent franchises and not directly related to the manufacturer. Even Saturn and Scion dealerships get the same complaints.
 
Don't know what being dark when you drove means, but if so you were fortunate there were no cosmetic problems, as they aren't covered by warranty. You can get the tranny fixed at one of the dealers, get a loaner car, etc.
 
Looks like you got a decent price, its got 5yr/60000 mi power train. Enjoy the car
 
Good luck
--jjf
 
I purchased a 2008 Focus SE last week. It is a program car, with about 11,000 miles on it. It was late in the evening, nearly dark, when I test drove the vehicle. The dealer had 4 to choose from. I chose the one with the lowest mileage. It is an automatic transmission.
  
When I drove it, about 6 miles on freeway and off, it seemed to do just fine. After much discussion, we came to an agreed upon price of $10,900. All paper work completed, and late in the day by then, it was dark outside. The dealer put a dealer tag on it and told me to come back the next day to get the car detailed and have the window paper license tag put on it. So, I go back and they give me a car identical to the one I purchased to use as a loaner to get about town that day.
  
After driving the loaner car that day, it occured to me it handled differently in the way the automatic transmission shifted. It shifted smoothly and in a timely manner. The one I purchased did not, the engine was nearly screaming at 60 mph on the freeway. I do not drive over the speed limit if I can help it.
  
I called the dealership and discussed this with them. They tell me that someone will drive the car I purchased with me inside, and then the loaner vehicle (it had 15,000 miles on it). When I get back, no one has time, but I was told the car I purchased was working just fine. I was told that every car senses the driver driving habits, and it shifts like it should according to the driver????? WHAT?? Did I suddenly become an idiot? I don't drive like an idiot.
  
So I get in it to drive back home, about 30 miles, and the transmission still does not shift correctly. The engine is still screaming at 60 mph.
  
Here I sit, hating the car, the dealership, and the entire experience. Being a female of 55 years, it appears I made a bad mistake. Thanks FORD. As soon as I can get rid of this car, I will NEVER walk into a Ford dealer lot again. Nor will I ever purchase another Ford.
  
And has anyone ever heard of something this ridiculous in their life? Has anyone had an experience with the automatic transmission in the 2008 Focus acting up?

#326 of 476 Focus Coupe Purchase by big_mike1

Feb 28, 2009 (5:49 pm)

My tranny went out this week on my 185k mile '02 Subaru WRX. It's used up, and not worth putting over $2,000 into a new transmission. I wasn't ready to buy a new vehicle yet, but needed to. I called a Hyundai dealer where I purchased a Sonata for my wife last summer and asked what the cheapest car with air they had. He said he can do an Accent with power windows and door locks and air for $11k plus tax and license.
 
Yesterday morning, and again today, I saw an ad from Villa Ford in Orange CA for an '09 Focus SE Coupe for $10,988, broken down this way:
Sale Price $13,488
Fact Rebate $2,000
Ford Cred Reb $500
 
The ad said they had 2 at this price; I called them just after 9am and both were still available, in silver and dark blue. I was down there by 10, drove the silver one, and took it.
 
Final price was $12,778 out the door (sticker price was $16,875). I didn't take the $500 Ford Credit rebate, since I'm on the board of a small employee owned credit union (even though Ford Credit could beat our rate).
 
The good news is I beat our 1% sales tax increase that takes effect April 1, and I got a great value compared to even what I'd get in a Hyundai, let alone comparing it to Honda, Toyota, and Nissan.
 
Additionally, this car isn't made in Mexico as I thought, it was made at the Wayne Assembly Plant. One car won't make or break Ford or the employees of that plant, but I'm glad I could do a little bit for Ford, who I consider the best of the domestic automakers and for the people of Michigan.

#327 of 476 Re: Focus Coupe Purchase [big_mike1] by micweb

Mar 04, 2009 (2:20 pm)

Replying to: big_mike1 (Feb 28, 2009 5:49 pm)
Congrats, great attitude, I love the handling on my SE 4 door and I think the handling on the coupe is even better.
 
Stick shift?

#328 of 476 07 focus by chetj

Mar 29, 2009 (1:41 pm)

i bought a new basic focus for 9500$ in nov 2006...my wife qualified for the first time buyer discount...it is very roomy and 39k miles later it still runs great...i also work at a place that makes transmission parts for the focus and f-150

#329 of 476 SEL for $17,271.09. What do you think? by alexinmiami

May 02, 2009 (1:41 pm)

I'm looking at a 2009 4 door SEL automatic.
The car is maxed out with heated seats, moon roof, sync, etc.
The email from the dealer has
 
list price = $21,020.00
internet price = $15,400.00
 
OTD = $16,771.09
with ford credit 8.9% including $500 rebate.
 
I've been approved by chase for $15K at 5.6%
OTD = $17,271.09
 
According to this http://www.bankrate.com/brm/calc/rebatecalc.asp
I save $974 over the life of the loan by taking the lower interest rate.
 
Questions:
 
What do you think about the $17,271.09 OTD price? I think it's too high.
 
I want to buy this weekend; should I tell him?
Will telling him "if he gives it to me for $16K OTD I'll go get it right now" help?
 
I haven't told the dealer how much I've been approved by or the rate.
Should I? Could it help me get a lower OTD price?
 
FYI: the local mazda dealers offered me Mazda 3's for 2K less but with only auto and ac - nothing else! One guy offered me one with no ac! I live in Miami!

#330 of 476 Re: SEL for $17,271.09. What do you think? [alexinmiami] by capella

May 12, 2009 (5:08 pm)

Replying to: alexinmiami (May 02, 2009 1:41 pm)
Where's the dealer's profit at $16K out the door? I don't know what the incentives are in your area, but wouldn't that be about $7K off of a MSRP of $21K?
 
Try it out, maybe it would work, but that would sound like a heck of a deal.

#331 of 476 Re: SEL for $17,271.09. What do you think? [capella] by alexinmiami

May 13, 2009 (7:10 pm)

Replying to: capella (May 12, 2009 5:08 pm)
I tried it and the dealer said:
"Wish I could help but I'm giving it to you with no dealer fees"
 
That was from a small town dealer in central fl where my mother lives.
I tried a local dealer and got an OTD price of $299 more.
 
So now I'm pretty comfortable that the price is fair.

#332 of 476 Re: SEL for $17,271.09. What do you think? [alexinmiami] by jfritsch

May 14, 2009 (7:33 am)

Replying to: alexinmiami (May 13, 2009 7:10 pm)
You want about 4500-5000 off a 09 Focus this time of year. Not much more than previous years. So no rip roaring bad economy deals unless you exceed this by much.
 
Anything less than that and you are better off getting 5-10 bids on a 09 M3. Bigger interior dimensions and a much better auto all around, even if a thousand or so more. That said may be worth it even if $5000 off the Focus. The M3 sells for about 3k off msrp, putting a nice i touring value edition with alloys and auto in the 15k range or less.
 
Also the 09 Hyundai Elantra gls auto for 13-14k-ish before the Focus but still behind the M3.
 
Good luck
-jjf

#333 of 476 Re: How much should i pay for this certified 2007 Ford Focus S… [russman187] by carolr94

Jun 02, 2009 (8:16 am)

Replying to: russman187 (Jan 20, 2009 10:46 am)
Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY A FORD FOCUS.....................they have trouble with the TRANSMISSIONS...............I had 38 thousand miles and took it to a Dealer as the engine light came on and the car was jerking they said it was a selenoid replaced it to the tuneof $500.00+ and it did the same thing now they say it is the transmission.........................Just don't do it.........................

#334 of 476 Re: SEL for $17,271.09. What do you think? [alexinmiami] by explorerx4

Jun 02, 2009 (3:48 pm)

Replying to: alexinmiami (May 02, 2009 1:41 pm)
you could look into refinancing the ford credit loan after a few months.
many banks/credit unions will refinance at new car rates.

Messages Page 34 of 49

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