Ask the Car People.SM


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 109 of 132

#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.

#1079 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus S sedan [igozoomzoom] by ivan_99

Jan 21, 2012 (7:21 pm)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 21, 2012 6:52 am)
Not sure if this "extra" rebate is included in your numbers...
 
but when I requested a mailed brochure I received an additional "personal" $500 rebate that could be applied to any other rebates...it Excluded the Focus S though.

#1080 of 1316 Re: Problematic Focus Launch [markus5] by creakid1

Jan 22, 2012 (2:40 pm)

Replying to: markus5 (Jan 21, 2012 9:31 am)
Replacing your '04 Focus ZTS? The Focus III's rear leg room's not gonna cut it. No wonder you have to consider the new Fusion/Mondeo instead.
 
& your '04 Focus ZTS most likely has the reliable Mazda drivetrain (2.3 w/ slushbox automatic) to begin with.
 
This new Euro-designed Focus III built in the US seems to warp more & more as it ages under the sunlight?
 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUXNNe1C9i0
 
& I am not even talking about the DCT tranny or MyFordTouch...
 
Forget it! I just placed an order on the "end of cycle" Mk6 Golf 2.5 made-in-Germany w/ "the unique-for-2012 luxury option like extendable front center armrest & rear adjustable A/C vents" & the (now "rare & precious") slushbox (but w/ frequent lock up) made by Aisin/Toyota. I call this car "proven technology" similar to Toyota/Honda (i.e., no turbo/supercharger, no direct injection, & no dual-clutch automatic) but w/o being boring-to-drive or bumpy riding Peace of mind...(beats 40mpg lemons)

#1081 of 1316 Focus vs Golf & (Euro) Civic by creakid1

Jan 24, 2012 (10:32 am)

Civic: (Note: Euro Civic's these days don't come w/ multi-link rear suspension)
 
"Road noise is better isolated from the cabin than before, but Honda claims the biggest improvements have been made to the driving experience, and to the ride comfort in particular. Here, at least, the company has been successful.
 
It’s instantly obvious that the rigid set-up of the old car has been banished and there’s now far more give in the suspension. Nasty potholes still upset the Civic a fraction more than the other cars and the suspension doesn’t cope with expansion joints as well as the Ford or VW, but the newcomer rides well.
 
There is a price to pay, though, as the changes have blunted the old car’s sharp responses. Make no mistake, the Honda still handles well, but the chassis and its reactions feel a fraction softer. Grip remains strong but there is less front-end bite than in the Focus and Golf.
 
The steering has also lost some of its precision and, compared to the Focus in particular, there’s less feedback, leaving you with little sense of what the front end is doing. Yet there’s no faulting the light but snappy gearshift action, and the Honda recorded the shortest stopping distances in our brake tests."
 
Focus:
 
"Driving the Focus is a different story, as the beautifully weighted controls soon help you feel at one with the car. The steering is accurate and delivers plenty of feedback, while the slick gearshift, progressive brakes and positive throttle response also impress.
 
The Ford has the most responsive turn-in of the trio, plus plenty of front-end grip, and its balance through a corner makes it fun and reassuring in equal measure. Plus, on the standard 16-inch wheels fitted to our test car, the ride is supple and comfortable."
 
Golf:
 
"Road noise is well isolated from the cabin, while the composed chassis and taut suspension set-up deliver a comfortable ride and excellent body control. In corners there’s plenty of grip, and vice-free handling makes the Golf reassuring and relaxing to drive. Plus, all the controls are well weighted and help the car communicate feedback better than the Civic."
 
  
This comparison test by Autoexpress are on diesel models only.

#1082 of 1316 Need your advice on focus titanium 2012 by cimetiere101

Jan 27, 2012 (7:20 am)

Hi all! I am a newbee here!! I would like to get your honest opinion in order to help me make a decision. For financial reasons, I will have to quite downgrade my lifestyle in the near future. This means going from my Infiniti G37x techonology package to a less expensive one, such as Focus 2012, Elantra or something like that. As of the last few weeks, the focus seemed to be the best choice, i.e. I was looking for technology close to the one I have with infiniti like rear camera, leather, automatic parking, nav, xmradio, etc. and also, I wanted to get the one that has the most punch in acceleration (considering that it is indeed a 4 cylinders and the focus seems to have more power punch than the Elantra?).
 
However, having read the issue with the transmission hesitation and the confusing usage of the center console technology, I am quite hesitating now!
 
What would be your suggestion? Also, is the focus as reliable as infiniti? (I barely had any issue whatsover with my infiniti in the past)
 
Many thanks to all of you!
 
Daniel

#1083 of 1316 Re: Need your advice on focus titanium 2012 [cimetiere101] by ivan_99

Jan 27, 2012 (8:31 am)

Replying to: cimetiere101 (Jan 27, 2012 7:20 am)
yes you are
 
it's not "new...bee" but "newbie"
 
Have you driven one yet? (pun in there...)
 
I like the tech interface...you need to spend some time with it to see if you can live with it. It's not that unfamiliar to your Infiniti interface...
 
I don't own one but for the test drive I didn't mind the auto transmission...I liked the manual better though (only a 5spd ).
 
I didn't drive the Elantra but did drive the veloster (same engine)...it is really...really weak. NOTHING under 4k rpm...literally...you hit the gas and the tach swings up to 4 and you slowly creep ahead. I wouldn't buy it just for this reason.
 
If you have to downgrade for financial reasons I'd go really cheap. I don't see a huge monthly difference between a G37 and Titanium Focus. So if your safety margins are that tight I'd just go get a used Nissan Versa for 10K to give the finances the ole college try...
 
Obviously you know the numbers so if you go for the Focus make sure you get all the rebates...there's a number you may qualify for.

#1084 of 1316 Re: Need your advice on focus titanium 2012 [cimetiere101] by akirby

Jan 27, 2012 (9:49 am)

Replying to: cimetiere101 (Jan 27, 2012 7:20 am)
There have been some minor issues with myfordtouch on the focus but a rewritten version is right around the corner so no worries there.
 
For 2013 you'll be able to order a Titanium with a manual trans if that matters to you.
 
The trans issues have been overblown to a degree. The latest software seems to have resolved 90% of the reported issues. My daughter has a 2012 SEL hatch and the only thing I've noticed with the trans is that it feels different at low speeds and when reversing, but it's not "bad" different, just feels more like a manual (which is what it really is).
 
You'd really need to drive one to be sure since some people are more sensitive about it than others, but I wouldn't hesitate to buy one personally. They're great cars.

#1085 of 1316 2011 Focus sales by m6user

Jan 27, 2012 (3:51 pm)

Just read that 45% of 2011 Focus sales were to fleet buyers. Wow, that can hurt resale values. Who would have thought that possible?. Was it end of year sales of the 2011 that went into fleet or is it also the 2012 ongoing? Either way that's a lot and the Forbes article also said that Ford topped all automakers in fleet sales last year.

#1086 of 1316 Questions about ordering a Focus... by maxamillion85

Jan 27, 2012 (6:08 pm)

since the Titanium model is adding a manual transmission in the spring and Ford has rebates of up to 2K in my area, would it be possible to take advantage of the rebate if I had to order a Focus? I ask this because I'm sure it will be hard to find a Focus Titanium the way I'd want it on the lot (RS401 pkg, sunroof, winter pkg, navigation, kick plates)
 
Thanks in advance folks!

#1087 of 1316 Re: 2011 Focus sales [m6user] by gambit293

Jan 27, 2012 (8:25 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Jan 27, 2012 3:51 pm)
Wow, I was going to post both about the fleet sales and the manual availability. I got scooped on both points!
 
Anyway: 45%! That's astounding to me. Ford couldn't have wanted that. Is this because people are fleeing from mytouch, which Ford delivered in too many vehicles? Or is it because Americans are not ready to pay for a premium small car?
 
I sure hope it's the former.

Messages Page 109 of 132

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement