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Hatchbacks Ford Focus 2008 Ford Focus
93 messages, Last post on May 25, 2009 at 6:09 AM
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our Focus still feels like a German-design car riding on a German platform. The Mazda3 feels like a Japanese-design car riding on a German platform. The S40/V50 feels like a Swedish-design car riding on a German platform. I just had a chance sitting in the '08 American Focus sedan when I went to p/u my '07 Focus ST after some warranty work. The exterior & interior styling issues of the '08 didn't bother me much, but the difference in the quality of the interior is quite dramatic... Front seating: The interior door handle, located ahead of the pwr window switches, is too far away. The center armrest is too low. Combining w/ the lack of telescopic steering column, the driving position doesn't even fit me! The inside rearview mirror shows a more restrictive rear vision. The looks & tactile feel of the crudely designed & styled plastic buttons feel very low rent & "un-German". & "Ouch!" as I exited the driver seat, my left knee cap was hit by the plastic protrusion from the lower left part of the dash. Rear seating: The outer parts of the headliner force the outer 2 passengers to tilt the head toward the center of the car. The foot space underneath the front chair was restrictively narrow. & the front seat back's extra knee clearance extended so far above the real knee level that it looked stupid. The whole interior engineering is as unsophisticated as the original Dodge Neon. Starting '08, our Focus feels like a American-design car riding on a German platform. |
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Replying to: wenhead (Sep 17, 2007 6:46 pm) Im hoping I will have just as good luck with a new one. |
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With all due respect to the Focus detractors on this forum.... You can bash the car all you like. HOWEVER, I offer this fact: I see FAR more Focuses (Foci?) on the road than any other small car. This is especially true of the redesigned version. And don't tell me it's just Ford discounting the car. Every other manufacturer is unloading their small cars at fire-sale prices. |
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My 2 cents is that many people who have problems with their Focus failed to follow the complete scheduled maintenance routine. Ford Focus has some of the lowest maintenance requirements in its class including a lifetime air filter. Still, it takes more than just oil changes to keep a car functioning properly. Mark
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Replying to: mschmal (Mar 07, 2008 9:29 am) "the current Focus has been rated the most reliable vehicle in its segment in Germany, outdoing all Jap and German brands" aviboy97, "Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si" #1239, 26 Jun 2007 7:23 am
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Replying to: creakid1 (Feb 22, 2008 10:33 pm) |
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Replying to: creakid1 (Mar 07, 2008 5:51 pm) A decently comfy ride & controllable rear drift from the Control Blade rear suspension, along w/ great steering feedback is what makes the Focus so great. Even after switching to electro-hydraulic power steering on the C-1 Euro Focus w/ engine larger than 1.6, competitors just can't match its steering feel: (post #1347) creakid1, "Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si" #1347, 9 Mar 2008 5:10 pm But I'm not sure about the '08 American Focus' electric power steering: (post #1944) creakid1, "Ford Focus Sedan" #1944, 6 Nov 2007 2:43 am '...While still precise it feels slightly dulled when going straight ahead, something I'd chalk up to the setup of the electrical power steering to require less inputs when driven at high speeds on the highway and fewer kickbacks from the wheel. The conversion to an electric rack also leaves the wheel mostly devoid of feedback, an area which the old Focus was very strong." |
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I'm looking at many cars and wanted to ask if the lack of head rests in the backseat is an issue? I'm concerned for the safety of my passengers and not sure how this effect them in an accident. It has rear drum brakes, ugh. I had a car w/those and had brake fade on hills from the heat buildup. Anyone experience issues with this? Thank you
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On a small light weight car, you should not neccessarily thing rear drum brakes are bad. Look to actual brake tests before you make up you mind. Remember drum brakes cost lest to service and reduce cost of ownership which is important in a car in this catagory. |
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At 664 miles I got a check engine light. Dealer said it was a "transmission range sensor out of range" (Code P1702-00-68) and performed " PCM recalibration with new level software". Since then my gas mileage has dropped about 10%. My computer had been quite consistent. I reset it with each trip. Outings with consistent 32-34mpg are now 27-29mpg. Dealer tells me it takes 10K miles to get reliable computer estimates of fuel economy. My readings were quite consistent...and still are, just 10% lower, since the software adjustment. Dealer further states the adjustment could have nothing to do with gas mileage...is this just an unfortunate concidence? That Corolla I passed over to buy American is looking better and better, Disgusted
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