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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 131 of 132

#1301 of 1316 Re: Consumer Reports gives Focus thumbs down [gimmestdtranny] by creakid1

Jan 27, 2013 (12:03 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 27, 2013 11:11 am)
The VW 6 sp auto Techtronic is a Toyota trans?
  
I liked it when I drove one with the 2.5 a year ago. But it is an expensive tranny/car to own maintenance-wise. It seemed to be a magnetic fiend for needing to go back to the dealer for the requisite maintenance schedule dealer stamps. And gosh, they aren't cheap. I really liked the car and still haven't replaced or added to the fleet yet, but that maintenance schedule really put me off..
Well...I shouldn't say put me off yet, but has caused me some reservations.
 
VW 2.5 5-cyl non-turbo (& even the GTI 4-cyl turbo engine in the Tiguan) uses the Aisin Japanese 6-sp auto tranny. Of course, the programming was requested by VW & not Toyota. Despite being a slush box, the lock-up mode is often. & when this big-displacement 5-cyl kicks off in manual mode through the low 1st gear off the line, it leaps forward way ahead of the traffic every time the light turns green & all I needed to do is using the "manual mode" for the first second, then shift back into "auto mode" for rest of the low-rpm torquy acceleration! So I did not regret for not having the 5-sp manual, which has an annoying long-reach clutch travel!
 
Only we lucky North Americans get to have this naturally aspirated version of the semi-"Lamborghini Gallardo 10-cyl engine", which uses timing chain (which saves timing-belt related $ for the owner).
 
Further more, unlike the DSG double-clutcher, this auto tranny requires zero factory maintenance!
 
The only thing costly, if at all, is the consumption of regular (& not premium) fuel in city driving.
 
We are talking about a low-price car that provides near limo-like cushy ride w/o a numb steering!
 
FYI, the wagon version (Golf in Canada; Jetta in U.S.) imported from Mexico is based on the "costier to build" Mk5, so therefore even more reliable. & I like the wagon's rear-seat comfort way better!

#1302 of 1316 Re: Consumer Reports gives Focus thumbs down [gimmestdtranny] by kam327

Jan 28, 2013 (7:33 am)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Jan 27, 2013 11:05 am)
Was not the reason they use the DCT in it, for the fuel mileage? From what I've been reading, they sorta failed..and that was even using the (more efficient) dry clutch as opposed to the wet in EU.
 
It does seem to be working for fuel mileage. Consider the Focus has over 10hp more than the Corolla, Elantra, Civic, etc. and that it gets to 60mph a second quicker or so than them (from several sources), but still gets within 1-2 mpg average of those slower cars.

#1303 of 1316 Re: 2013 SEL Hatch [gogogodzilla] by renegade8

Feb 06, 2013 (3:47 pm)

Replying to: gogogodzilla (Jan 23, 2013 4:57 pm)
Just bought a used 2012 Ford Focus with about 34k on it. In short, love this car! I heard all the horror stories about the trans prior to buying it. The truth is that it has a different "feel" to it. Does not feel like a traditional automatic, but also does not feel like a manual. I have owned many of each type. This is a hybrid transmission and it has its own feel. Just because it feels different does not mean it is defective. I noticed a slight shudder when I first accelerated during the test drive, which many would equate with a "missing" transmission and therefore a problem. That is not the case with Powershift, it is just the way it works.
 
You will always hear anecdotal stories from every type of car owner on the planet about whatever particular horror story they are having. The same is true with the Focus. I have read about stalling, missing gears..., but so far I have had none of that. I may eat my words if mine craps out or I get a recall notice from Ford at some point, but right now loving it.

#1304 of 1316 Re: 2013 SEL Hatch [renegade8] by jgdarling

Feb 06, 2013 (5:29 pm)

Replying to: renegade8 (Feb 06, 2013 3:47 pm)
Glad you got a good one, Mine was sooo bad I traded it in and will never own a Ford again, Got a dodge Dart and I love it! Good luck with your car!

#1305 of 1316 Re: 2013 SEL Hatch [jgdarling] by gimmestdtranny

Feb 06, 2013 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: jgdarling (Feb 06, 2013 5:29 pm)
That's interesting..Dart, eh? Is it a the dual clutch auto? I sat in one and was impressed with how much seat bottom length they gave it. So many seat bottoms lately are just too short to provide support under your lower thighs unless you're a slight build.

#1306 of 1316 Re: 2013 SEL Hatch [gimmestdtranny] by sandman_6472

Feb 06, 2013 (7:16 pm)

Replying to: gimmestdtranny (Feb 06, 2013 6:15 pm)
Drove a Dart at my job today and did enjoy the comfortable seat...nicely bolstered and nice cloth. Got a bit thrashy as I moved up the power band but the sound was distasteful one bit. Hope to get more seat time in the near future. Dodge did a commendable job here folks!
 
The Sandman

#1307 of 1316 2013 Focus SE by sandman_6472

Feb 06, 2013 (7:25 pm)

Drove about 10 of these puppies today at work for about 5 miles each from the overflow area back to the rental facility at the airport...most had mileage at 3 or slightly higher...brand new units right off the truck! They had a dark greenish color which was a real looker but red is the only color that really gives this car any justice and in the hatch iteration, it's just plain stunning! Can't really comment on how good/wonky the auto tranny is and will get one within the next few weeks to drive across Alligator Alley here in southern Florida. I think a 4 hour road trip will give me the necessary seat time to form an articulate opinion about how well it works. So far, dare I admit this, but Ford, ya did good with the new Focus folks...real good. Drove a couple of brand new Fusions also and the jury is still out on it. Again, I'm gonna need some quality seat time behind the wheel to formulate an honest opinion here. The exterior looks a bit Jaguarish, but that should surprise no one who knows anything automotive. Not sure how well it's gonna stack up when compared with the Mazda6, the Jetta or the new benchmark in this class, the Honda Accord, probably the best midsize family car on the planet, bar none!
 
The Sandman

#1308 of 1316 Re: 2013 Focus SE [sandman_6472] by maniac4

Feb 07, 2013 (7:30 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Feb 06, 2013 7:25 pm)
Oh yea the alley. I was raised out there. Its a good ride now since it was widened. But id have to test one on The palmetto in heavy traffic. I think thats where the dual clutchers suffer the most. There is trade offs in most everything made right?.Whats great on a hyway may not be so great in traffic. Hey is auto nation still around? I was a body shop qc inspector at the now defuncted re-conditioning facility in miramar. I bet I know you.
 
joe

#1309 of 1316 Re: 2013 Focus SE [maniac4] by gogogodzilla

Feb 07, 2013 (10:16 am)

Replying to: maniac4 (Feb 07, 2013 7:30 am)
My previous car, prior to the new Focus, was a VW GTI... which had a dual-clutch.
 
One of the things I learned was that, for the best response, you need to treat the clutch as a clutch (ie: a manual). So for heavy traffic, you can't simply pull your foot off the brake and immediately slam onto the gas.
 
Instead, give it the time you'd normally take if you had to press a clutch and move the stick into first... and then press the gas.
 
Do that, and you'll not experience the herky-jerky start many have complained about in regards to the DCT.
 
(I mean, if you tried driving a stick like that, you'd get a herky-jerky start as well.)

#1310 of 1316 2012 Focus SE update by cannon3

Feb 17, 2013 (5:59 pm)

I am just over 12,000 miles on my Focus. I own an SE Hatch in white. 6spd auto shift. It has the sport pkg, sunroof, winter pkg and convience package. I am averaging 33.7 MPG between city and hwy driving. I have just one complaint. the fuel door is flimsy and does not fit
  totally flush with the body of the car. I am however a perfectionist and most people would probably not notice or even care. Other than that the car is solid, no squeaks, rattles or wind noise. I have not had any problems with my transmission. I took it in at about 2,000 miles and it was "re programmed". The car is fun to drive. Took me a bit to figure out how to really use the auto shift (sport mode) in this car. Once you really know how to use it this car will move pretty well and does have some scoot. If I had to do it all over again, I would probably go dark silver or red for color. White is hard to keep clean. I am washing my car once a week on average, weather permitting of course.

Messages Page 131 of 132

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