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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 2 of 132

#8 of 1316 "Early 2011" availability... by igozoomzoom

Jan 01, 2011 (12:26 am)

Everything I can find online just says the 2012 Focus will be available in early 2011....
 
A more specific launch date would really be helpful to prospective buyers! =) I was planning to buy a 2011 Mazda3 5-door (to replace my 2006 Mazda3 s 5-door) but I'm holding off until I see/drive the 2012 Focus 5-door.
 
If the Focus Titanium 5-door drives half as good as it looks, I'll be buying my first Ford instead of another Mazda! I want mine in Kona Blue with the Titanium Handling Package and Winter Package and that's it...so I'll probably have to order one. I'm sure most will come with the Titanium Premium Package, Navigation, and/or Moonroof, none of which interest me.
 
As a side note, I'm glad to see that Ford is offering heated seats with cloth interior and not just on the optional leather!

#9 of 1316 Re: "Early 2011" availability... [igozoomzoom] by markus5

Jan 01, 2011 (11:16 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 01, 2011 12:26 am)
I'm waiting too. However, not looking to go as high on option packages as you do. I have found that the larger wheels & tires usually result in more NVH and become quite expensive.. BTW, my 2004 ZTS Focus has heated cloth seats. they worked out pretty well. I was never big on leather.

#10 of 1316 Re: "Early 2011" availability... [igozoomzoom] by 4ref1

Jan 01, 2011 (11:51 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 01, 2011 12:26 am)
All the Ford website says is 5 door available srping 2011.

#11 of 1316 Re: "Early 2011" availability... [markus5] by igozoomzoom

Jan 01, 2011 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: markus5 (Jan 01, 2011 11:16 am)
I'm waiting too. However, not looking to go as high on option packages as you do. I have found that the larger wheels & tires usually result in more NVH and become quite expensive.. BTW, my 2004 ZTS Focus has heated cloth seats. they worked out pretty well. I was never big on leather.
 
When I was car shopping in Dec. 2005, I remember test driving a 2006 Focus ZX4 ST, which was the 'performance' version of the sedan. It had the 2.3L 151hp Duratec 23 and was only available with the 5-speed manual. I remember that heated cloth seats were available on it, too. Up until the 'face-lift' in 2008, I'm pretty sure that the upper-trim-level Focuses (Foci?) had the heated cloth option.
 
I ended up buying a 2006 Mazda3 s 5-door Touring instead. Actually, it has the same 2.3L engine as your ZTS and the ZX4 ST, except the version used in the Focus didn't have VVT (variable valve timing). The Mazda version makes 160hp vs. Ford's 151hp, big woop! =) I got the cloth interior, but leather was actually an option...but even the leather ones weren't heated! The only way to get heated leather in the 2006 was to spring for the Grand Touring model, which had a base price just over the $20k mark...no thanks! =/
 
I also understand what you're saying about increased NVH with larger wheels (and the corresponding lower profile, performance-oriented tires). The 4-door version of my car had 16" wheels standard and 17" optional, but Mazda made the 17" standard on all 5-doors. I was willing to live with a little less comfort and quite a bit more road noise for the looks. But the OEM Goodyear Eagle GTs were bald at 28k miles and I got the shock of my life when they quoted me a price to replace them at the Goodyear dealer- for four identical OEM tires it would cost over $1100 out-the-door!!! I refused and went to leave (on my bald tires), not sure what I should do. One of the mechanics was kind enough to pull me aside in the parking lot and recommend Dunlop SP Sport Signature tires instead. I paid about $650 for them, they were quieter and improved ride quality a lot without any noticeable loss in handling. They have 52k miles on them now....
 
The 18" wheel/tire package looks amazing, but looking at the tire specs, it's not worth it. It has P215/40VR18 performance (summer) tires. The Titanium's standard tire size is P215/45VR17. That's an even lower profile sidewall than the 50-series I have on my Mazda. And Dunlop makes that size and they're around $150 each...so I can live with that. The 18" 40-series tires combined with a firmer suspension is probably more than late 30-something butt could handle! =)

#12 of 1316 Re: "Early 2011" availability... [igozoomzoom] by gambit293

Jan 03, 2011 (9:23 am)

Replying to: igozoomzoom (Jan 01, 2011 6:16 pm)
Hey igo,
 
Did you find the equipped tire info on the Ford website? I can't seem to find anything other than generic wheel size and type info. Thanks.

#13 of 1316 Ford Tech by gambit293

Jan 03, 2011 (10:17 am)

Am I the only one a bit confused by the Ford stable of technology? The offerings seem a bit redundant. Ford Sync (without Touch) offers navigation and traffic, right? But Touch provides "better" navigation, but only if you purchase the Sirius navigation application?
 
For those of you who have had an opportunity to play with Ford Touch (ie, in an Edge), what are your thoughts? To be perfectly honest, most of it doesn't look like stuff I'd be particularly interested in. A lot of it consists of car controls redone to interface through the screen; I myself would probably find ordinary knobs and controls to be much more intuitive and therefore safer. And a lot of it strikes me as gimmicky stuff that I wouldn't want to do in a car that I'm driving anyway.
 
The only technology that I normally use right now is navigation. I'm willing to concede that my next car should have voiceless phone integration, but that is already available with Sync. Using a smartphone link to create a wifi hotspot seems kind of neat, but then again, why wouldn't you just use the smartphone?
 
A top of the line, stand alone nav system would cost $300-$500. The Touch nav application costs $700, not including Touch itself. This just isn't adding up for me.
 
Can someone explain why I'm not seeing the light here? I should add that I've become technologically stilted over the years. I have an ipod but never use it, and my current cellphone is about as dumb of a phone as you could get these days.
 
One last random question: what does the console look like for those who do not opt for Touch? Are there noteable expanses of blank space on the console?

#14 of 1316 Re: Ford Tech [gambit293] by m6user

Jan 03, 2011 (11:09 am)

Replying to: gambit293 (Jan 03, 2011 10:17 am)
I posted a couple of months ago regarding the same topic after looking at the new Edge. Consumer Reports made similar comments in it's latest magazine when reviewing the Edge/MKX. Too much techno. Too much redundancy. I don't need to push a button, say a word that is hopefully understood the first time and wait to see if is verified to change the fan speed, thank you. I would rather just reach and turn a dial. Done, quickly and no electronics to repair 5 years down the road. The slide, touch function of the new Mytouch stuff seems to be very difficult to get used to and with gloves on almost impossible but hey, you got the voice control routine to fill in when it's cold. I really was considering the Edge but I want the Limited model but don't want the mytouch junk. No can do so am looking elselwhere.

#15 of 1316 Re: Ford Tech [m6user] by gambit293

Jan 03, 2011 (6:50 pm)

Replying to: m6user (Jan 03, 2011 11:09 am)
Well, after surfing about and scanning a number of different Ford Edge forums, I think I can safely shift from probably-won't-get-Touch to definitely-won't-get-Touch. Seems like many users are suffering from all sorts of bugs and problems. I was pretty hesitant when I heard that Microsoft was developing , Touch, and the latest user experiences seem to confirm my fears. I've been pretty unsatisfied with Microsoft on my PC lately, so I certainly wouldn't trust them with a car.

#16 of 1316 Re: "Early 2011" availability... [gambit293] by igozoomzoom

Jan 04, 2011 (12:55 am)

Replying to: gambit293 (Jan 03, 2011 9:23 am)
Did you find the equipped tire info on the Ford website? I can't seem to find anything other than generic wheel size and type info. Thanks.
 
You'd think tire size information would be on the manufacturer's web site, right? =) I tried to find it on Ford's site also, but to no avail. When all else fails, go to cars.com-
 
http://www.cars.com/ford/focus/2012/specs/?acode=USC20FOC123C0

#17 of 1316 Re: "Early 2011" availability... [4ref1] by gambit293

Jan 07, 2011 (6:53 pm)

Replying to: 4ref1 (Jan 01, 2011 11:51 am)
I just found a Ford link that reports arrival at dealerships in mid February.
 
http://www.fordinsidenews.com/forums/showthread.php?6770-Last-Focus-Rolls-Down-W- ayne-Assembly-Line

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