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2008 Ford Focus future vehicle

79 messages, Last post on Dec 03, 2007 at 1:44 PM

You are in the Future Vehicles Forum. Your Host is kirstie_h

What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Future Vehicle, Hatchback, Sedan, Wagon

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#47 of 79 Re: 4/5 Starts for the new focus [jmiller1984] by comp386 Jan 19, 2007 (9:14 am)
Replying to: jmiller1984 (Jan 19, 2007 8:38 am) It's interesting because I was watching an old episode of Top Gear the other day and they were discussing the Mazda 3 hatch and the VW Golf. When asked which vehicle they would buy the guy said Ford Focus (old one). They said the Focus was more fun to drive and while the Mazda is more refined, it was too boring. They recommended that people run out and buy the old Focus before Ford ruins it with a re-engineering. I try not to take anything from Top Gear too seriously, but I really think the old Focus was a strong offering. I own one and it's a blast to drive. To me Ford should have upgraded the powertrains. A 4 speed tranny just isn't enough and there's no reason why the Focus 2.0L should get fewer than Mazda's when it's the same engine. Also getting rid of the 2.3L was a poor decision. The interior looks amazing though and that's my biggest complaint about the Focus. I'll have to get a closer look before I make any final judgements though. Replies to this message: creakid1 (Jan 19, 2007 11:48 pm)
#48 of 79 Re: 4/5 Starts for the new focus [jmiller1984] by w9cw Jan 19, 2007 (9:31 am)
Replying to: jmiller1984 (Jan 19, 2007 8:38 am) If your able, travel to Europe some time. The Europeans seem to get all of the good/neat cars, and the variety to choose from is substantial. Every time I'm there, I envy the European consumer. Yes, they pay more for a given vehicle perhaps, but they are not boring cars, plus all seem to be very well made.
#49 of 79 Re: 4/5 Starts for the new focus [comp386] by creakid1 Jan 19, 2007 (11:48 pm)
Replying to: comp386 (Jan 19, 2007 9:14 am) “It's interesting because I was watching an old episode of Top Gear the other day and they were discussing the Mazda 3 hatch and the VW Golf. When asked which vehicle they would buy the guy said Ford Focus (old one). They said the Focus was more fun to drive and while the Mazda is more refined, it was too boring. They recommended that people run out and buy the old Focus before Ford ruins it with a re-engineering” There you have it. Why whine about not getting the new C-1? 'cause the old one's more fun! Lately, a new feature for the C-1 Focus is a 3-setting pwr-steering adjustment, but... Skidding the high-tech rear predictably is what the original Focus was about. & the C-1 Focus had it "engineered" out. While the C-1 Mazda3 has the oversteer dialed in, it does more than what you ask for. So don't switch its optional DSC off too often. The Focus SVT (mechanically identical to the Euro-spec Focus ST170) was so good it beated the Mini Cooper in both ride and handling, plus better steering, room, price & reliability (per Consumer Reports comparison test a few years back). Lately, the Focus & the Mini are no longer very unreliable. Mini sells well at high price b/c girls find it about the only cute & innocent looking car around. & Ford forgot about the cuteness when copying the old Prius this time on the new '08 Focus coupe -- oops!
#50 of 79 2010 for Focus 2009 for B-Class Ford by basiliskst Jan 23, 2007 (7:36 am)
The US will not get the current European Focus. The American and European versions come back together with an all new model for 2010, now in development. What should that new Focus accomplish? Face it, the 2008 is a stop gap measure. Farther along in the development process and therefore closer to market is the 2009 B-Class car for the US referenced at the Detroit show, but as yet unnamed and of unknown styling or configuration. Could this be the car aimed at Ford FWD enthusiasts? It's too late to change the 2007-08 plan given development cycles. If there's time to influence Ford choices it is on these '09 and '10 models still in the pipeline. What should Ford be trying to achieve with each? Replies to this message: creakid1 (Jan 23, 2007 6:53 pm) shiatt (Feb 06, 2007 5:29 pm)
#51 of 79 Re: 2010 for Focus 2009 for B-Class Ford [basiliskst] by creakid1 Jan 23, 2007 (6:53 pm)
Replying to: basiliskst (Jan 23, 2007 7:36 am) Why bother w/ B-Class? 'cause in crowded cities, you need small cars even if $ is no object. & newer C-Class cars are growing fatter. The B-Class will not have the high-tech multilink rear suspension for good ride/handling compromise. That includes the VW Polo, Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, etc. Eventhough the Mini Cooper & BMW 1-series do have rear multilink, the set up is too firm for comfort. The new C-1 Focus, like the new Lexus IS "compact" sport sedan, has an extremely wide body, therefore not for me. So the current C-170 Focus is the best "B-Class". Grab'em while you can! I even collected a 2000 Civic hatch, which has an all-around Double Wishbone suspension system packaged w/in a smallish exterior. Since the turn of the century, the smallest Honda w/ such high-tech suspension is a heavy-weight TSX!
#52 of 79 2008 Focus Availability?? by damianinpa Feb 04, 2007 (6:44 am)
When do they hit the lots?? Spring or end of 2007??? Replies to this message: aladdinsane (Feb 04, 2007 10:07 am) jpmccormac (Feb 05, 2007 6:42 pm) aladdinsane (Feb 05, 2007 7:59 pm) creakid1 (Feb 10, 2007 10:42 am) and 4 more...
#53 of 79 Re: 2008 Focus Availability?? [damianinpa] by aladdinsane Feb 04, 2007 (10:07 am)
Replying to: damianinpa (Feb 04, 2007 6:44 am) Damian... I asked that very same question to a Ford cutomer rep. She mentioned the 2008 Focus hitting showrooms at the very end of summer, towards late September...probably early October. Peace! Replies to this message: jpmccormac (Feb 05, 2007 6:42 pm) aladdinsane (Feb 05, 2007 7:59 pm) creakid1 (Feb 10, 2007 10:42 am) creakid1 (Apr 12, 2007 6:50 pm) and 3 more...
#54 of 79 Re: 2008 Focus Availability?? [aladdinsane] by jpmccormac Feb 05, 2007 (6:42 pm)
Replying to: aladdinsane (Feb 04, 2007 10:07 am) "...2008 Focus hitting showrooms at the very end of summer, towards late September...probably early October." Well, I thought the Focus looked sort of interesting until I saw the preview of the new Saturn Astra, which will debut at the Chicago Auto show this week. The Astra (from Opel) makes the Focus look like a Yugo in comparison - at least from what I've seen and read so far. And it will come in three and five door hatch models. Keep your C1 Focus, Mr. Ford. If you're not familiar with the Opel Astra, you should be. Google is your friend. Replies to this message: aladdinsane (Feb 05, 2007 7:59 pm) creakid1 (Feb 10, 2007 10:42 am) creakid1 (Apr 12, 2007 6:50 pm) scape2 (May 17, 2007 6:07 pm) and 1 more...
#55 of 79 Re: 2008 Focus Availability?? [jpmccormac] by aladdinsane Feb 05, 2007 (7:59 pm)
Replying to: jpmccormac (Feb 05, 2007 6:42 pm) I absoulutely agree with you, jpmccormac! They're both nice, but I'd go with the Astra coupe (speaking for myself). Ford = one blunder after another, IMHO. Cheers... Peace!
#56 of 79 Re: 2010 for Focus 2009 for B-Class Ford [basiliskst] by shiatt Feb 06, 2007 (5:29 pm)
Replying to: basiliskst (Jan 23, 2007 7:36 am) Accepting that the 2008 model is a stop-gap measure, I see the dumbing down of the Focus line as a very foolish move. Dropping the popular (at least here in California) ZX3/5 seems like giving up, no matter how much Ford uses hip, "I'm a Mac" actors in its ads. At least they say that they've improved the interior (we'll see), given that complaints about the seats were so widespread and that they did nothing about it for several years (rather like GM's neglect of Cavalier and Saturn).

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