Article Comments - 2008 Ford Focus First Drive

27 messages, Last post on Nov 12, 2007 at 10:56 AM

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First Drive: 2008 Ford Focus - There are some improvements hidden beneath the revised sheet metal. The structural bar that crosses the chassis between the A-pillars has more rigidity, and there's been some improvement in the way everything fits together. Some acoustic measures dramatically reduce wind noise and others isolate road rumble. But basically everything here is familiar in function as well as form. (more)

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#15 of 27 Re: Article Comments - 2008 Ford Focus First Drive [mikon] by theman123 Oct 16, 2007 (6:57 pm)
Replying to: mikon (Oct 08, 2007 10:04 am) A quick check of the Toyota website clearly indicates that Toyota will unveil their redesigned Corolla and Matrix vehicles on Halloween with a big fanfare. Does anyone doubt that the new Corolla will leave the competition in the dust? .....I don't think so!!! I DO !!!!!!!!!!! Toyota is starting to fall from grace. They are losing top execs left and right. There's probably a good reason why. Today Toyota got some very hard news. MSN announcement Oh and Edmunds had something to say as well Edmunds (notice the Fusion and Milan are some of the most reliable cars you can buy) And from what I've seen of the 09 Corolla it's nothing more than a mild reskin. It looks like an old Camry on a current Collora body. Oh how exciting I don't want to sound like a Ford commercial. To be perfectly honest I was a little cold towards the 2008 Focus myself. I always had my heart set on the Fusion. However, the coupe is starting to grow on me. If Ford can reproduce what they have been able to do with the Fusion with the 2008 Focus they will have me. And probably a whole bunch of people. Also, from Initial reviews that I've seen of The 2008 Focus it's looking like a great little car. Allot of people like it and have very few complaints. Amongst the common complaints are the sunroof, that kills some head room. Like any sunroof will do in a car. The rear seats don't have head rest to protect rear occupancy from whip lash in a rear collision. Other than that. Other than that allot of people seem to really really like it.
#16 of 27 2008 FOCUS brochure\website error? by orbit9090 Oct 17, 2007 (3:56 am)
---------------- Hey! The 2008 Ford FOCUS brochure indicates that cruise-control is available on the Focus S, but the Ford website will not allow selection of cruise control when building a Focus S. Is the FOCUS brochure wrong, or is the Ford website broken? I want to build a 2008 FOCUS coupe with automatic and factory cruise-control, but not SYNC or ugly white-face gauges. Orbit ----------------
#17 of 27 Cruise control by mschmal Oct 17, 2007 (7:38 am)
According to the latest Order Guide, a 2008 Focus S will not be available with cruise. I have not seen a brochure. Cruise is available on the SE as part of the drivers' group which requires Sync. For Job 2 (unknown date), cruise will be a stand alone option on the SE. You can always have after market cruise installed. Mark Replies to this message: orbit9090 (Oct 18, 2007 8:25 am) markus5 (Oct 19, 2007 6:44 am) hommelion (Nov 12, 2007 10:56 am)
#18 of 27 Re: Cruise control by orbit9090 Oct 18, 2007 (8:25 am)
Replying to: mschmal (Oct 17, 2007 7:38 am) I want "factory" (steering wheel mounted) cruise. I DON'T want SYNC or white-guages. Cruise control maintains a predictable, constant speed, which optimizes fuel economy and improves traffic flow by keeping the vehicle at a constant speed, so as to not annoy other drivers by speeding-up and slowing-down while dialing a cellphone or putting in that new Chaotica CD. Cruise control should be a required safety feature on all cars. Standard cruise control would be a much more useful feature than the government mandated tire-pressure monitoring system. Replies to this message: markus5 (Oct 19, 2007 6:44 am)
#19 of 27 Re: Cruise control [orbit9090] by markus5 Oct 19, 2007 (6:44 am)
Replying to: orbit9090 (Oct 18, 2007 8:25 am) I agree that Factory units are better than add on for the reason that you cite. I have been happy with units on most modern cars, the Ford units have been particularly easy to use and precise. I don't agree that it is valuable in a safety related sense, however. I do see tire pressure monitoring as possibly nessessary. It is a good time to bring this up. I will not use cruise on slick roads or when going fast (15+ mph over limit). It may even be advisable to not use the cruise if your objective is trying to achieve max. MPG when you are driving in hilly or rolling conditions. In conditions like that, if it is prudent to do so , I may even slow up on long up hills, maintaining close to the prevailing traffic, to save fuel. The cruise does not have this priority programmed into it.
#20 of 27 Don't want Sync? by mschmal Oct 19, 2007 (7:48 am)
If you are concerned with safety, why would you not want sync? Mark Replies to this message: drive571 (Oct 29, 2007 2:46 pm) markus5 (Oct 30, 2007 6:04 am)
#21 of 27 Re: Don't want Sync? [mschmal] by drive571 Oct 29, 2007 (2:46 pm)
Replying to: mschmal (Oct 19, 2007 7:48 am) Because they probably don't intend to futz around with cell phones and MP3 players when they're operating a moving vehicle. If only more drivers were like that... Regarding the Corolla "mild re-skin," again, we're talking about all-new engines, transmissions, and a new suspension, in addition to the exterior and interior restyle. I don't even like Corollas, but calling it a "mild re-skin" is just not accurate. Replies to this message: markus5 (Oct 30, 2007 6:04 am)
#22 of 27 Re: Don't want Sync? [drive571] by markus5 Oct 30, 2007 (6:04 am)
Replying to: drive571 (Oct 29, 2007 2:46 pm) Thank-you for bringing this discussion back to reality. These High Tech entertainment devices no matter how well integrated they are will more likely be a distraction to a driver.
#23 of 27 A few years down the road.... by mschmal Oct 30, 2007 (6:26 am)
Sync will be performing all of the functions that GMs OnStar now performs. This will get into safety. IE calling 911 on your phone in the event of an airbag deployment. Unlocking your doors if you keys are locked in. Sending you an email if you have a maintenance issue. Syncs bought now can be upgraded in the future. You can't add sync though to a car you buy now. Mark.
#24 of 27 You guys forgot what the purpose of the original Focus is by creakid1 Nov 06, 2007 (2:14 am)
It's about the excellent feel/feedback of its quick (but steady) steering, plus the predictability of the oversteer only high-tech multi-link rear suspension such as this Control Blade set up can provide. But now... creakid1, "Ford Focus Sedan" #1944, 6 Nov 2007 1:43 am (see post#1944) creakid1, "Mazdaspeed3 vs. VW V GTI vs. Civic Si" #1300, 15 Aug 2007 9:18 am (new Euro Focus) http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/204822/ford_focus.html "The suspension is so well oiled, gliding over surfaces where its rivals, even the Auris (new Corolla), fidget and fight. It takes the sting out of rough roads, is never caught off-balance and carves through corners cleanly and effortlessly. In terms of driver appeal, the Focus is by far the most polished and involving car in this test – and that’s true of every single model in the 61-strong hatchback range." Dynamically, the Corolla is still a loser, no matter how updated its low-tech platform can evolve into! Auris (new Corolla) "Redesigned but still behind in "driving technology": http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/204820/toyota_auris.html "The stiff bodyshell has enabled the company to make the most of the new suspension set-up. Initially, it seems firm – roll is minimal through corners and the whole car is tightly controlled. As a result, the Auris is rarely caught out, and that means it’s reassuring to drive. It can’t match the Focus’s sparkling chassis and soothing road manners, despite being equipped with Toyota’s most positive gearshift since the Celica and offering very well weighted steering. But the new hatch is a big step forward nevertheless. Yet although the Auris will be welcomed by undemanding drivers, it’s flawed. The steering is uninformative, the A-pillars are intrusive and it weaves under hard braking, with the pedal soon becoming mushy underfoot." Looks like this Brit magazine thinks that buyers of econo boxes are cheapskates & should pick the Civic as 1st place due to the biggest engine's max pwr but w/ best fuel economy & interior/trunk room. Since we care about driving experience more, you should do your own ranking: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/204819/family_hatchbacks.html- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Each rival here tested the newcomer in a particular area – the Honda Civic has unrivalled design and packaging, the Ford Focus the best ride and handling, while no other hatch is as well built or classy as the VW Golf. The Auris was found wanting in each department."