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2012 Ford Focus

1316 messages,  Last post on Feb 25, 2013 at 4:53 AM

You are in the Ford Focus Forum.

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

Messages Page 108 of 132

#1069 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [ivan_99] by uga91

Jan 18, 2012 (11:55 am)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Jan 17, 2012 7:51 am)
The back seat is cramped and the S sedan has manual rear windows. That just looks like an effort to be cheap. How much could 2 power window motors have cost? What else was done in an effort to be cheap?
 
I am also worried because it's brand new and they don't seem to be selling very quickly (where I live). If you want a 2012 Elantra, you have to search the web for an area dealership who even has any Elantras on hand and then they sell them for above sticker as quickly as they can. I went to a Chevy dealer and asked about the current incentives on the Cruze and he pointed to the total price on the bottom of the sticker and said "That's the price they are. No rebates or discounts." When I said I was just looking around, he told me to have a nice day and walked off to find the next person to sell to. The Ford guy calls me every other day wondering if I'm going to come buy the car today. They marked it down $3k when even edmunds says they should cost more than that. That makes me nervous.

#1070 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [backy] by uga91

Jan 18, 2012 (11:56 am)

Replying to: backy (Jan 17, 2012 1:59 pm)
I was talking about the IIHS test scores.

#1071 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [uga91] by backy

Jan 18, 2012 (12:57 pm)

Replying to: uga91 (Jan 18, 2012 11:56 am)
I know you were. I was replying to robr2's comment about a change in the methodology for 2011. I don't think IIHS changed, but the government did toughen their crash tests starting in 2011.

#1072 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [uga91] by ivan_99

Jan 18, 2012 (1:42 pm)

Replying to: uga91 (Jan 18, 2012 11:55 am)
You 'could' move up to an SE for more options and with rebates be close to the other prices.
 
Not like I'm trying to persuade you into a Focus...but didn't the Sentra you mention also have a huge discount on MSRP?
 
I wouldn't necessarily come to the conclusion that a vehicle is inferior because they offer rebates...maybe they were too aggressive with the MSRP or underestimated the competition.
 
I really liked the Focus SE Hatch with sport package and 17" wheels. It was approx 22.5k MSRP but with TMV and rebates I could have had it for around 19K; but then I drove a new VW beetle (the man beetle...) and I liked it better even though on paper the Focus was a better vehicle.
 
I suppose you need to drive all in that price range (with rebates) to discover the best for you; with your criteria for IIHS, etc.
 
I don't see a dud in this category; they are are competitive and compelling for their own reasons.
 
For the salesman that walked away from you...many years ago I was at a Porsche dealer and the salesman didn't give me the time of day (I was in my 20's)...I left and the next day drove in with my new Audi...I told him too bad he didn't want to sell me a car and then drove off...his loss

#1073 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [ivan_99] by akirby

Jan 18, 2012 (2:16 pm)

Replying to: ivan_99 (Jan 18, 2012 1:42 pm)
Part of the problem is that more people seem to be opting for Focus SEL and Titanium Hatchbacks rather than S/SEs or sedans. There are plenty of SEs around here but not that many SELs or Titaniums. I think the dealers were used to selling the Focus as a cheap car so that's what they ordered. The incentives are temporary to move the current excess inventory. If necessary Ford will just cut back on production.
 
The average price of a new Focus was $20K compared to $16K for a Civic. I expect the Cruze is closer to $16K as well. Ford may not sell quite as many Focii but they're sure making a lot more money on them than they used to.

#1074 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [akirby] by backy

Jan 18, 2012 (3:29 pm)

Replying to: akirby (Jan 18, 2012 2:16 pm)
There are plenty of SEs around here but not that many SELs or Titaniums.

All the better for folks like me who want an SE (hatch, please)!
 
I see quite a few SEs on lots but NOT with the 5-speed... despite reviews like those from C/D which recommends the SE 5-speed as the best choice in the Focus lineup (no MySync, no automatic).
 
Or maybe it's just that all the SE 5-speeds are already in the hands of happy owners? I pulled up alongside an SE sedan 5-speed in a parking lot the other day. So they DO exist.

#1075 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [backy] by shipo

Jan 18, 2012 (4:04 pm)

Replying to: backy (Jan 18, 2012 3:29 pm)
"Or maybe it's just that all the SE 5-speeds are already in the hands of happy owners? I pulled up alongside an SE sedan 5-speed in a parking lot the other day. So they DO exist."
 
When my wife and I were car shopping for her new ride a couple of months back, the Sales Associate we were talking with told us his dealership has a hard time keeping the manual SEs on the lot; this in spite of the fact that they order nearly 40% of their SE models with a stick. He also said they've lost quite a few sales to folks who wanted a manual transmission (preferrably a 6-Speed manual) and lots of goodies, and that his dealership is constantly recommending to momma Ford that they start offering manual versions of the Titanium.
 
Long story short, yes, they do exist.

#1076 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [uga91] by gogogodzilla

Jan 18, 2012 (5:11 pm)

Replying to: uga91 (Jan 18, 2012 11:55 am)
Well, it's true that everything is regional. Here in my neck of the woods, the Chevy dealer is selling the Cruze at $1,000 below invoice, as they aren't selling too well.
 
And the Elantra is flying off the shelves here, too.
 
Though, Ford seems to be selling their Focus at above invoice, but below MSRP.

#1077 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [uga91] by igozoomzoom

Jan 21, 2012 (6:52 am)

Replying to: uga91 (Jan 18, 2012 11:55 am)
The 2012 Focus SE's MSRP is just $1000 more than the S. There is also a cash incentive of $2000 for the SE vs. $1500 for the S, narrowing the gap to less than $500 OTD. You get a lot of nice extras for those relatively few bucks-

Steering wheel radio controls
Compass
Carpet Mats
Power rear windows
Trip Computer
Seatback pocket
Front center armrest
Automatic exterior lights w/ Delay-off
Illuminated entry
Fog lights
P215/55HR16 vs. P195/65TR15 tires
 
My other suggestion would be to take a look at the 2012 Mazda3 i Sport 4-door. MSRP is $18,490 but it is selling for $15,950 locally (Atlanta) after $750 Cash Rebate. It has almost every feature included on the Focus SE...just a thought! =)

#1078 of 1316 Re: Problematic Focus Launch by markus5

Jan 21, 2012 (9:31 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 21, 2012 6:52 am)
Although 2012 Focus has not had as many problems as the original Model of over a decade ago, (no recalls) I'm sure that Ford had hoped for better results, specifically, the incentives would not have been necessary.
About 2 years ago, as information became available of the 2012 design and upgrade to world Focus, I anticipated being one of the first out the door with this new model to replace my '04 Focus ZTS which currently has 115 k and is still is fun to drive and feels substantially new.
When I took a Test drive of an automatic SE model some months ago, It was probably unrepresentitive. I drove it in traffic and the sales rep was just to much in my ear and it was a bad experience. These sales people should know better, throw me a key, stay out of the way and let me drive the car. That is how I bought the last Focus.
Long story short, although there are certainly other considerations, I am now looking forward towards the launch of the 2013 Fusion 2 liter eco-boost with the paddle shifters.

Messages Page 108 of 132

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