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2008 Ford Focus - READ ONLY

100 messages,  Last post on Oct 23, 2011 at 9:08 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Ford Focus SVT, Ford, Sedan

Messages Page 3 of 11

#15 of 100 Re: 2008 Ford Focus [starryknight] by aladdinsane

Nov 25, 2007 (2:55 pm)

Replying to: starryknight (Nov 24, 2007 9:34 pm)
Better to ask what planet Ford is on, mate. At a time when hatchbacks and wagons are making a comeback of sorts, Ford decided to kill the 3 and 5 door Focus models. The wagon? Out too! Telescoping steering wheel? Old news...let's eliminate that also. Wow! Then the suits at Ford wonder why the company is going south in the U.S...
 
I considered purchasing the '08 Focus too, but not anymore. I'm sure many out there lost interest in this vehicle line too, for whatever reason.
 
Peace!<-AladdinSane-<- -

#16 of 100 Re: 2008 Ford Focus [aladdinsane] by pf_flyer HOST

Nov 25, 2007 (7:34 pm)

Replying to: aladdinsane (Nov 25, 2007 2:55 pm)
By an odd coincidence, the Alternate Route entry today was about the comeback of hatchbacks.
Hatchback Comeback

#17 of 100 Re: 2008 Ford Focus [aladdinsane] by shiatt

Nov 27, 2007 (4:38 pm)

Replying to: aladdinsane (Nov 25, 2007 2:55 pm)
Well, pretty bluntly--Ford couldn't afford to refresh the hatchbacks and wagon as well as the sedan. They said that the steering wheel adjustment was nixed to help increase rigidity, but one suspects it was to save money.
 
I looked at the 2008 4-door sedan yesterday. We own a 2003 ZX5, which has been incredibly reliable and good to drive (if only the front seats weren't so un-ergonomic/orthopedic--did Ford patent anti-lumbar-support with these?). The new interior is a great improvement (except for the lack of an adjustable steering column); I hope to drive one soon.

#18 of 100 Nixed Hatchbacks.... by mschmal

Nov 27, 2007 (7:12 pm)

1. 4 door sedans accounted for way over 90% of Focus sales.
2. The US version of the Fiesta will most likely be a small 4dr and a 5dr Hatch, stay tuned for the 09 model year.
3. Wayne Assembly refused to adopt a competitive operating agreement prior to the new UAW contract which pretty much destroyed the business case for the hatches and wagon.
 
I'm not Anti-Union or anything but 2 tier wages makes sense to me. Why should Ford have to pay the guy who sweeps the floors and scrubs the toilets the same as a skilled tradesman who actually builds cars?
 
Mark.

#19 of 100 Re: Nixed Hatchbacks.... [mschmal] by zombietom3

Nov 27, 2007 (10:33 pm)

Replying to: mschmal (Nov 27, 2007 7:12 pm)
I went looking for Fiesta info when I saw it mentioned here once before. It looks like a case of automotive anorexia to me and could hardly grab much of the lost Escort/Focus wagon/hatchback demand in my opinion. If people want a lightweight the Fit is already well ensconced in that niche, and I think the Fiesta comes in lighter and leaner than that. Who knows whether they will put it on steroids before a US release, but I will not buy what I saw and I can't imagine many others will either.

#20 of 100 Ford Fiesta by netranger4

Nov 28, 2007 (2:13 am)

Here in the Phoenix area, we see Mexican-built Fiestas. Spotted at least five in the last few months. Very nice looking car....much more pleasing to the eye than the now discontinued Focus hatchbacks and wagon. I'd been hoping that Ford would bring them in to the US instead of the Mazda2. Guess not. Believe that they have a 1.8 engine. Am in the Albuquerque area on occasion and see them there too.

#21 of 100 2009 Ford Fiesta by mschmal

Nov 30, 2007 (5:43 am)

Think Verve:
 




 
Those are show car photos, here is the spy photo:
 

 
Notice the dramatic grill remains?

#22 of 100 What I don't like about current B cars by mschmal

Nov 30, 2007 (5:46 am)

IMHO the proportions of the current crop of B cars is all WRONG. They look squished from front to back and stretched from roof to road.
 
The Fit for instances looks like a toy with little tiny wheel. The Nissan Versa sedan looks like a clown car. ETC.
 
Mark Fields killed the Brazilian designed Ford B car because he felt it wasn't compelling enough to be a hit.
 
I think the Verve, sold as a Fiesta in Europe but possibly the Verve here could be a HIT on looks alone.

#23 of 100 Just had to test drive one! by scape2

Dec 02, 2007 (5:43 pm)

I own an 06 Fusion SEL V6 and just had to test drive a new 08 Focus SES with every option available. Motor Trend ripped on the new 08 Focus like usual, so I had to go see for myself. Styling is a personal choice, for me it was ok, I thought it was middle of the road. Inside was a different story, HUGE improvements. Quality/fit/finish were very, very good for a car in this class. Motor Trend also pounded on Ford for "power" yet Ford boosted the power to match the Civic/Nissan/ or Toyota?? So what gives?? The car had plenty of pep for a car of this class. The car is very quiet and feels solid on the road. Ford did improve the Focus. For those that bother to go for a test drive and compare they will see this hands down. Focus screams value/quality. The pictures don't do this car justice. Go see for yourself.

#24 of 100 What were they thinking??? by isseyvoo

Dec 15, 2007 (1:43 pm)

I wanted to buy an '06 Focus 5dr. a couple of Springs ago, but the dealer couldn't find me one with side airbags and manual transmission. He told me I couldn't order it, and I didn't want it any other way. I ended up buying a Mazda.
 
At any rate, I was in a parking lot yesterday and saw the "new" Focus in person for the first time. At first, I thought that (in addition to being ugly) some sort of trim piece had broken off behind the front wheel. Then, on closer inspection, I realized that it was a faux brake vent made of plastic and was INTENDED to look as out of place as it did. That alone was enough to turn me against the redesign. Didn't the stylists learn anything from Pontiac's flirtation with (and eventual abandonment of) pointless, glue-on, plastic trim pieces??? Very off-putting to say the least. At least the inside is a vast improvement.
 
Why the Europeans get to enjoy the Focus that shares the platform with the Mazda3 and Volvo S40 (not to mention such great cars as the Mondeo) and we are stuck with leftovers is beyond my comprehension. I WANT to like Fords. In Europe I could. But they're just hopeless in the US.

Messages Page 3 of 11

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