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2012 Ford Focus

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

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

Messages Page 132 of 132

#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.

#1311 of 1316 Re: 2012 Focus SE update [cannon3] by sandman_6472

Feb 17, 2013 (6:47 pm)

Replying to: cannon3 (Feb 17, 2013 5:59 pm)
I really like the red hatch and would get that model if I ever do. I find the radio to be difficult to use but since I don't have the time to really learn it, I shouldn't really complain...just looks a bit complicated. I'm sure over time, the tranny would learn my driving style and not be so herky jerky like the units I've had. The rental fleets love these things but I've only driven sedans up to now. The seats do a commendable job I must say. This is the 1st Ford that I would buy...ever!
 
The Sandman

#1312 of 1316 Key setting off horn by ferris4

Feb 19, 2013 (8:16 pm)

If I use the key in the door lock to unlock the car door, then I get soft beeping sound for about 10 seconds then the horn starts blasting. I can stop or prevent this by starting the car before the 10 seconds is up.
 
Does anyone else have this problem with their 2012 Focus?

#1313 of 1316 Re: Key setting off horn [ferris4] by akirby

Feb 19, 2013 (9:56 pm)

Replying to: ferris4 (Feb 19, 2013 8:16 pm)
Page 173 of the owner's manual:
 
Disarming the system
You can disarm the system by any of the following actions:
• Unlock the doors by pressing the control on your remote entry
transmitter.
• Turn the ignition on or start the vehicle.
• If using a key in the driver’s door to unlock the vehicle, a chime will
sound when you open the door and you will have 12 seconds to
disarm the alarm system using any of the actions above, otherwise the
alarm will trigger.
Pressing the power door unlock control within the 11 second prearmed
mode will return the vehicle to a disarmed state.

#1314 of 1316 Re: 2013 Focus SE [gogogodzilla] by dandydonsatx

Feb 24, 2013 (3:34 pm)

Replying to: gogogodzilla (Feb 07, 2013 10:16 am)
I'm closing in on 5,000 miles with a 2012 SE. Other than a minor initial shudder, the DCT is smooth and runs as advertised. I bought mine rather late in the model year (July) so I believe the tweaks and fixes for the initial bugs were already in place. It was initially herky-jerky, and as I found out later, a computer adjusts for each individual's driving habits, and it began smoothing out after ~2,500 miles. If you wait apx 2 seconds +/- a few tenths, it is practically silky smooth in it's response. Hope this helps.
 
Don

#1315 of 1316 Understand Now by sandman_6472

Feb 25, 2013 (4:27 am)

Every unit I've driven has had about 6 to 10 miles and the one I drove down to Key West had about 2k on it but was still a bit herky jerky but don't know how many drivers it had had in it's rental lifetime. Still prefer the hatch version as it looks a bit sleeker. Eventually I'll learn how The Sync feature works...as it is now, if the vehicle has Sirius/XM then I listen to that. If not, I plug in my iPod or use the old fashioned cds. Sad that they got rid of the SEL version after just one year. Don't understand the logic in that.
 
The Sandman

#1316 of 1316 Re: Understand Now [sandman_6472] by joegiant

Feb 25, 2013 (4:53 am)

Replying to: sandman_6472 (Feb 25, 2013 4:27 am)
Well, with about 27k on mine right now, I love to "herky jerk" at lights, around corners, up and down hills etc. etc. as it's a 5 speed and I LOVE the thing. Fun car.

Messages Page 132 of 132

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