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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 98 of 133

#965 of 1316 Re: the Focus isn't even remotely competitive with the GTI [shipo] by creakid1

Dec 10, 2011 (12:10 am)

Replying to: shipo (Nov 25, 2011 6:32 am)
Last year, I had a chance to compare my '00 Civic (w/ "double wishbones front & back" & 1.6 4-sp auto) w/ a Z3 (w/ "struts front & trailing arms rear", & 1.9 5-sp manual) side by side for quite a few days.
 
The roomier & less costly Civic w/ slushbox actually feels torquier & gets way better mpg. Its longer-travel suspension (along w/ only T-speed 185/65-14 tires) also corners better along w/ higher road-holding limit, not to mention better at absorbing bumps & especially during bumpy corners (this car is like a mini TSX). Even when cornering hard at the limit, the suspension geometry made the car remaining completely neutral & breaking away evenly front-&-back w/ no surprises.
 
So, with the exception of the "quick & lively steering rack," the Z3 isn't even remotely competitive with the double-wishbone Civic in any way shape or form, either. But I actually had more fun driving the Z3, b/c I can tackle the limit all the time w/ "on demand" understeer & oversteer. During this period, I left the "much more competent" Civic in the garage & never bothered with it, while the Z3 made me drive more often than necessary.
 
"If I get to rent a car for a day just to blast off & skid around, then the new Focus SE stick will be the choice over the Golf/GTI. But to own one? I'm not sure -- The Focus has cheap/toxic plastic smell when exposed to sun heat, noisier A/C fan, shallower ride comfort than the Golf 2.5..."
  
 You really do need to get out more; for pure driving enjoyment the Focus SE is a very poor second to a GTI.
 
The new Focus SE manual is just awarded, along w/ Golf/GTI, 3-Series, etc., as "10 Best Car" by Jan 2012 Car & Driver.
 
That's what the "Focus" is all about -- a well focused rear suspension for you to drift in a controlled manner. No wonder it replaced the old-name "Escort". Have you driven the new Focus SE w/ 16"s? Did you notice its oversteer is available on tap? I have also driven the Mazda3 2.3 w/ 16"s, but it seems to oversteer a little too nervously such as during "abruptly induced lane change" at fwy speeds.
 
Some Euro-Ford designs w/ rear multi-links really know how to have "pure driving enjoyment".
 
I doubt the GTI's tuning allows this kind of stunt, even though it may excel in track time.

#966 of 1316 Re: This entire discussion..... [akirby] by kirstie_h HOST

Dec 10, 2011 (7:13 am)

Replying to: akirby (Dec 09, 2011 2:21 pm)
Thanks - I was just about to say the same. It's not like we don't have a manual transmission discussion, so please head over there to continue this conversation. People stopping in here have a reasonable expectation that the majority of conversation will be about the 2012 Focus, specifically.

#967 of 1316 Re: the Focus isn't even remotely competitive with the GTI [creakid1] by shipo

Dec 10, 2011 (10:21 am)

Replying to: creakid1 (Dec 10, 2011 12:10 am)
It seems quite clear to me based upon your writings that you've never driven either car and as such are simply parroting what others have written. That and your personal biases in favor of the old Escort and the new Focus color virtually every post you make. As for your continued reliance on what others think, who cares?
 
Now, if you go out for an extensive test-drive of a Focus SE 5-Speed and a GTI 6-Speed and actually have some original thoughts of your own, then I'm all ears; until then pretty much everything you post is irrelevant to this discussion.

#968 of 1316 Re: the Focus isn't even remotely competitive with the GTI [shipo] by creakid1

Dec 10, 2011 (11:07 am)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 10, 2011 10:21 am)
Yes, I test drove both cars but on different days. The GTI's road holding is too "perfect" to have fun. How are you gonna enjoy rear rotation on a GTI on regular bases? Of course the Mazdaspeed Miata w/ LSD does it the best.
 
The GTI should win the race on the track, but that's not necessarily the "pure driving enjoyment" for many drivers.
 
By the way, the hydraulic steering of Mk1,2,3 Jetta/Golf/GTI is my favorite steering, not the ones on the Focus'!

#969 of 1316 Re: the Focus isn't even remotely competitive with the GTI [creakid1] by shipo

Dec 10, 2011 (10:43 am)

Replying to: creakid1 (Dec 10, 2011 11:07 am)
Ahhh, so the GTI is bad because it's too good.

#970 of 1316 Re: the Focus isn't even remotely competitive with the GTI [shipo] by creakid1

Dec 10, 2011 (10:52 am)

Replying to: shipo (Dec 10, 2011 10:43 am)
Exactly! The GTI is too perfect, therefore more boring to drive in the real world.
 
& because of it, I plan to get the Golf 2.5 in order to lower the road-holding limit. That way, it'll also surpass any Focus in ride comfort, especially over deep bumps.

#971 of 1316 2012 Ford Focus Transmission Problem by polter12

Dec 19, 2011 (11:10 am)

Anyone else experiencing issue with your 2012 Ford Focus? I have been to the dealer 4 times already about issue. The 2nd time they were going to replace transmission but Ford HDQTRs told them to reset the computer with new shifting strategy. NO FIX. The problem is the engine sputters a pit when coming off a stop, very minor but heck its a new car. The 2nd problem is grinding noise while accelerating. If you accelerate normally you might not feel it but if you come off the gas and back on or if you go up a hill and hesitate for a moment and put foot on gas then it Grinds (like metal on metal). The Dealer techs tell me that sometimes the computer controlled transmission causes the gears to shift all of a sudden like a big ker plunk, but that's ok, just ignore the Grinding ker plunk noise. If I knew after owning honda's Toyota and Hyundai all my life(including helping family members purchase cars) then now I have to settle for a sub par performance with this crappy ford focus I would have never made the purchase. Be fore warned! I got hooked in by the 40 mpg and renewed Ford company and thought I would give it a shot. Well its not worth the time and frustration dealing with poorly made vehicle. Yes your right, my bad I should have stuck with the proven winners (Honda, Toyota, Hyundia). Anyway now I have to spend more time pursuing the CT lemon law in attempt to settled this thing. I wish they would just take back their sucky car. Anyway I was wondering if any one else noticed this issue in their transmission. BTW I already have 16,000 miles on it.

#972 of 1316 Re: 2012 Ford Focus Transmission Problem [polter12] by creakid1

Dec 22, 2011 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: polter12 (Dec 19, 2011 11:10 am)
Looks like VW's & Focus/Fiesta's only belong to stick drivers these days!

#973 of 1316 Re: 2012 Ford Focus Transmission Problem [polter12] by tim156

Dec 23, 2011 (6:08 am)

Replying to: polter12 (Dec 19, 2011 11:10 am)
Whoa, slow down there polter12. There is a transmission programming update that has been out for a few months, so there is a fix. If the dealership you use is not aware of, or won't perform the update, go somewhere else. If their first solution was to swap the transmission, my guess is they aren't up to date on TSB's.

#974 of 1316 Re: 2012 Ford Focus Transmission Problem [tim156] by puffin1

Dec 23, 2011 (6:16 pm)

Replying to: tim156 (Dec 23, 2011 6:08 am)
Does the Focus have a 6spd or a 5spd. manual tranny. I know the Ford has a timing chain. Also, looking for a car like the Focus or golf that has blind spot mirrors.The Golf will be a 6 spd manual with a1.8 turbo.I need lumbar support and Ford makes you jump up to a SEL for lumbar. I can't believe the VW cost less,with bluetooth,sunroof and alloys and a standard lumbar.Maybe it's the Skyactive Mazda that has the blinkiing blind spot mirrors. Shippo ever on here?
  Hey Merry Christmas, if you can still say that on here.
          Puffin

Messages Page 98 of 133

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