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 112 of 133

#1104 of 1316 Press request by Karen@Edmunds HOST

Mar 06, 2012 (11:42 am)

A reporter is looking to hear from a driver of a Ford Focus, Ford Fiesta, Chevy Cruze or Chevy Sonic who previously drove a compact from a Japanese automaker, such as the Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic. If you currently drive a Focus, Fiesta, Cruze or Sonic, and are willing to share your story with a reporter, please email PRedmunds.com no later than the end of business Tuesday, March 6, 2012 with your daytime contact information.

#1105 of 1316 slightly empty-feeling electric power steering by creakid1

Mar 08, 2012 (4:57 pm)

EVO's opinion:
"As with the petrol version, the TDCI Zetec S suffers from slightly empty-feeling electric power steering. You get used to it over time, but it still takes the edge off the driving experience."
 
But then, does the Focus have to worry these days?
 
The king of steering feel -- Mazda3 -- is also ruined in the Skyactiv form...
Winding Road's opinion:
"To be fair, I’ve driven some great EHPAS systems, and in general prefer them over full electric units. For some reason it just hasn’t worked for me in the Mazda. It’s a fast steering rack to be sure, but in becoming so quick to turn, it’s sacrificed any real heft from the rack. Feedback is also hurt, as I just couldn’t get a great idea of what’s going on through the wheel. To be fair, suspension feedback is still quite good, but I’ve always appreciated Mazda’s ability to instill its steering systems with a very rich communicative experience.
 
Pros
  
Skyactiv powertrain is a huge win for the 3, with better power and econ
Communicative suspension makes for confident driving
Very little body roll and good stiffness (without harshness) from the suspension
  
Cons
  
Super-light steering is distracting
Automatic transmission isn’t the best choice for enthusiast drivers
Competition from the Focus is stiff indeed"

#1106 of 1316 Flat-folding rear seat... NOT by backy

Mar 10, 2012 (6:14 pm)

I was told by a Ford sales rep awhile back that the hatch has a flat-folding rear seat--vs. the not-at-all-flat folding rear seat in the sedan. Great, I thought. Until I checked out a Focus hatch at my local auto show today. Nowhere near "flat", in fact it sticks up much more than on most other compact hatches. So that moves the Focus SE way down my shopping list for my next car, since it doesn't have any major advantages over the Mazda3i Touring, and several disadvantages.

#1107 of 1316 Re: Flat-folding rear seat... NOT [backy] by tim156

Mar 10, 2012 (8:24 pm)

Replying to: backy (Mar 10, 2012 6:14 pm)
Were the rear seat bottoms pulled up? If the seat bottoms are in place the seat back will not be close to flat. Stick your hand between the back of the seat bottom and the bottom of the seat back and pull up on the seat. The seat will pull forward and sit vertically behind the front seat back, then remove the headrests and lay the seat back down. I took my headrests out and leave them out to improve visibility and I fold the seat down often. A lot of salesman still don't know how to do this and it's very sad.

#1108 of 1316 Re: Flat-folding rear seat... NOT [tim156] by backy

Mar 10, 2012 (9:32 pm)

Replying to: tim156 (Mar 10, 2012 8:24 pm)
Thanks, someone else mentioned this on another discussion. I did look for some way to lift the seat bottom, because my Elantra GT has this feature as does my 2010 Sentra. But those cars' back seat works differently than the Focus'; on those cars, you pull up on the FRONT of the seat bottom to unlatch it, then swing it forward. So I looked on the bottom front edge of the rear seat for some way to pull it out, and finding nothing, I gave up. (Also I couldn't see any Ford representative around to ask about it.)
 
I prefer a seat that folds flat in one operation, ala the Impreza or Mazda3, but at least the Focus' seat DOES fold flat.

#1109 of 1316 Re: Flat-folding rear seat... NOT [tim156] by markus5

Mar 10, 2012 (9:35 pm)

Replying to: tim156 (Mar 10, 2012 8:24 pm)
The sedan also has this split flip up seat bottom feature, but it is only found on the SEL and higher trim level models. All Hatchbacks have this feature, perhaps partially accounting for the higher price on the hatchback.

#1110 of 1316 Loving my 2012 Focus!! by cannon3

Mar 12, 2012 (8:31 pm)

Well, its been about a month with my Focus. I bought a 2012 Focus SE hatchback with sunroof. I also have the sport package and the winter package along with Sync and Sirrus Package 203A. I just had the windows all tinted, I put all 4 splash guards on also. I ordered some painted to match body side moulding. Car handles great and is fun to drive. I only have abou 800 miles so I have not pushed the car hard. I am going to wait until after my first oil change to see how quick the car really is. I am seeing more and more Focus around each day. I believe the Focus will take number 2 spot in hot sellers in this segment by the end of this year. As more and more people drive one and see the quality/fit/finish of this vehicle.

#1111 of 1316 Some things by cannon3

Mar 17, 2012 (9:32 am)

A few details with my Focus. The first one is the an asthetic item. I think Ford could have spent the extrat $20 bucks to put on a chrome tip exhaust on all Focus models.
Also, when the car is shut off the windows lock and I cannot roll them down! There has to be a fix for this.

#1112 of 1316 Re: Some things [cannon3] by backy

Mar 17, 2012 (3:39 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Mar 17, 2012 9:32 am)
I don't understand your last comment. Are you saying there is no retained power in the electrical system so you can move a window up or down for awhile after the engine is off? Not all cars have that feature, although it's pretty common nowadays. Or are you saying that if you turn the key to the "on" position (not "accessory", but "on" such that all the idiot lights on the dash light up), you can't move the windows then? THAT would be unusual.

#1113 of 1316 Re: Some things [cannon3] by ivan_99

Mar 17, 2012 (8:53 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Mar 17, 2012 9:32 am)
Are you sure it's $20? I know on my car I paid $180ish (two of them)...plus the installation.
 
I agree...it would look better.

Messages Page 112 of 133

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