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Ford Fiesta

636 messages,  Last post on Mar 06, 2012 at 11:43 AM

You are in the Ford Fiesta Forum.

What is this discussion about? Ford Fiesta, Hatchback, Sedan

Messages Page 41 of 65

#393 of 636 Re: Ford just hit another home run [audreyality] by lilengineerboy

May 05, 2010 (5:32 pm)

Replying to: audreyality (Dec 04, 2009 8:23 am)
I'm 25 and very interested in the 2011 Fiesta. I never had a PS2, but I did have an original Nintendo and currently own a PS3. Also, I drive a 5-speed manual and learned to drive on a manual clutch. Many of my friends that are around my age also know how to drive a stick and enjoy video games, so please don't make assumptions.
 
I didn't mean to slight you in the least. I also don't think you are in the majority; looking in aggregate, I don't think there is a lot of demand for the manual and a younger, technology driven demographic seems to like the DSG.
 
Also, why is the auto a6-speed but the manual is only a 5-speed? and why isn't the top gear deep enough to support the type of fuel economy people are looking for? If i need to pass a Ferrari going up a hill, I am okay downshifting; I like to shift, that's why I want a manual.
 
I am excited to give this thing a test drive this summer. I am interested in it for it's body styling, American company origins (despite the fact they'll come from Mexico), technology features, pricing, and estimated MPG. Overall this car has a lot of nice qualities. Bundled with federal safety upgrades I think it has a lot of potential.
 
I think its great Ford has a competitive package.

#394 of 636 Where`s the front seat armrest? by phill1

May 06, 2010 (7:34 am)

So far, the only serious gripes that the auto pundits have complained about is the obvious (missing) front seat armrest! Stop the assembly lines and add this important comfort accessory. At the very least, make it available as an aftermarket bolt on that can be ordered through the dealers Parts Dept. Also, Ford should replace the HVAC knobs from the hard plastic to rubber covered knobs. Why go to the time and expense of making all the other surfaces (soft-touch) and have cheap hard plastic on the control knobs? That switch can be done as soon as the new knobs arrive.

#395 of 636 Re: Where`s the front seat armrest? [phill1] by akirby

May 06, 2010 (8:17 am)

Replying to: phill1 (May 06, 2010 7:34 am)
I saw something that referenced an armrest but I don't remember where. I do remember thinking that this would resolve those complaints.

#396 of 636 Re: Where`s the front seat armrest? [phill1] by alltorque

May 06, 2010 (8:26 am)

Replying to: phill1 (May 06, 2010 7:34 am)
So far, the only serious gripes that the auto pundits have complained about is the obvious (missing) front seat armrest!
 
Sorry, but the word "serious" in this context is, in my opinion, rather over the top. It's a potential comfort accessory, i.e. could be a "nice to have" not a becessity on a car of this size/class. Not covering the HVAC controls in soft-touch material is a silly oversight but hardly a deal breaker (?). They have to keep some things back for 2012, along with the 6-spd manual. Be thankful they've kept it fairly true to it's European design origins and not "Americanised" it to within an inch of its life.
 
On the other hand, if you're being ironic - that's fine.

#397 of 636 Soft Touch, Hard Touch, Whatever. ;-) by iamz

May 06, 2010 (9:41 am)

Actually, the whole "soft touch" dashboard has me laughing. I can't figure out why a dashboard being soft is desirable. It's not safety related because that's why we have seatbelts and air bags. The only time I ever touch my dash is when I'm cleaning it. My P5 has a "hard touch" dash and it looks great. No need to touch it.
 
I'm going to make a center armrest for my Fiesta. Just enough to rest my elbow on. That's where "soft touch" is nice - on the armrests.

#398 of 636 Re: Soft Touch, Hard Touch, Whatever. ;-) [iamz] by backy

May 06, 2010 (10:31 am)

Replying to: iamz (May 06, 2010 9:41 am)
It's probably for: 1) appearance (soft touch plastic usually looks better than hard, although carmakers are getting better on that), and 2) soft touch tends to scratch less easily (some hard-touch plastics in cars are notorious for showing scratches).

#399 of 636 Re: Ford just hit another home run [lilengineerboy] by audreyality

May 06, 2010 (10:48 am)

"I didn't mean to slight you in the least. I also don't think you are in the majority; looking in aggregate, I don't think there is a lot of demand for the manual and a younger, technology driven demographic seems to like the DSG."
 
A majority of people I know in the 23-30 age group know how to drive a manual transmission. This group of people represents many lifestyles of friends, family, co-workers, and acquaintances. Knowing how to drive a manual is still regarded as an important driving skill. However, only a small percentage prefer a manual. Not everyone cares about that flexibility it offers. This regard or disregard to a manual transmission is true across many age groups, looking in aggregate. Enjoying convenience is not the same as being lazy or inept (which you implied by the "PS2 generation" reference previously). I do not feel slighted at all since you don't personally know me, but I do feel that you're making untrue assumptions. I hope my testimony and clarifications here help rectify the issue.
 
As for arm rests and soft touch dashboards: I've never had a car with front seat arm rests, but I've only had cars in the below $20,000 range. For me it's not really a selling point. I think that lower priced cars don't bother with that sort of thing and it could be a space saver. The soft touch dash is a little pointless, but backy makes a good point about the scratch tolerance.

#400 of 636 Re: Where`s the front seat armrest? [alltorque] by phill1

May 06, 2010 (11:27 am)

Replying to: alltorque (May 06, 2010 8:26 am)
I agree, I did`nt claim either of those issue I commented on were "deal breakers". I have ordered my Fiesta 5 door hatchback SE back in Mar and await its arrival. Needless to say, both of those items could be addressed quickly and rather painlessly without making it a 2012 model year upgrade.

#402 of 636 Re: Where`s the front seat armrest? [phill1] by audreyality

May 19, 2010 (10:01 am)

Replying to: phill1 (May 06, 2010 11:27 am)
OEM QUALITY ARMREST ACCESSORY FOR 2011 FORD FIESTA
 
"Specialty automotive accessory manufacturer Boomerang Enterprises, Inc, has developed and launched a premium armrest accessory for the North American version of the Ford Fiesta that seamlessly integrates to the vehicle’s interior."
 
I am not interested in this, but I've seen the demand for it here.

Messages Page 41 of 65

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