Yesterday, in another post, I stated that the 2008 focus is not very appealing to the eye, which seemed to get OAC Sparky's blood pressure up, just a little. I've seen a few of the 08's ( living in GM country, there aren't too many) parked, and from a distance. My main concern is that Ford will see how well the 08 is selling ,and won't change the looks for future years. It's odd, and actually a bit weird, but yesterday, on the way home I was passed ( saving money) by not one, not two, but three black 08's. Two CDan's and a Coupe. The look of them is starting to grow on me............ B)
...same here actually. Not to the point where I'd buy one of course. And every time I see one all I can imagine is the street tuner challenge focus, which looks awesome!
oldeguy,Apr 16 2008, 07:40 AM Wrote:...which seemed to get OAC Sparky's blood pressure up, just a little...[right][snapback]262149[/snapback][/right]
Not at all. I said "that was your opinion".
If memory serves, you have the '05-07 bodystyle. I was one of the first people here with an '05 ST and I was also one of the first here who had to endure the "I hate the '05 because it's too square/hate the dash/hate the headlights/hate the taillights/too heavy/can't mod blah blah blah" bitchfest.
And sure enough, nearly 3 years later, everyone's used to it, few hate it, others converted to it, other new members came in with them.
But the final proof is in the pudding. Focus sales are up. Way up. Gas prices have been up for at least a year now, long before the '08 came out. So why the sudden increase in Focus sales?
Because it's not as bad as people here would have you believe.
Because we're the exception, not the rule. 9/10 Focus drivers don't care if you can do a 13 second quarter mile, or can fit 19" rims on it. They just want a car to drive.
Sorry man, still no love for it. We saw one last night while out shopping... blech. It looks like someone did a bad plastic surgery job on an early 90s Escort on the rear and the front looks like part Tiburon (the vents) and part Ion.
It's decidedly not Ford. See the latest C+D comparo on 8 subcompacts? "What were they thinking?" indeed.
OAC_Sparky,Apr 16 2008, 08:25 AM Wrote:oldeguy,Apr 16 2008, 07:40 AM Wrote:...which seemed to get OAC Sparky's blood pressure up, just a little...[right][snapback]262149[/snapback][/right]
Not at all. I said "that was your opinion".
If memory serves, you have the '05-07 bodystyle. I was one of the first people here with an '05 ST and I was also one of the first here who had to endure the "I hate the '05 because it's too square/hate the dash/hate the headlights/hate the taillights/too heavy/can't mod blah blah blah" bitchfest.
And sure enough, nearly 3 years later, everyone's used to it, few hate it, others converted to it, other new members came in with them.
But the final proof is in the pudding. Focus sales are up. Way up. Gas prices have been up for at least a year now, long before the '08 came out. So why the sudden increase in Focus sales?
Because it's not as bad as people here would have you believe.
Because we're the exception, not the rule. 9/10 Focus drivers don't care if you can do a 13 second quarter mile, or can fit 19" rims on it. They just want a car to drive.
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I have a 00 ZTS. Given a choice between a 00-04, 05-07 and an 08, if I was concerned about just looks, it would be a 05-07, although I think the 08 is a better piece of mechanics. I wasn't here to "complain" about the change back in 05.
I think everyone here was more disappointed in getting a redone North American Focus and not getting the same as the Europeans.
Yes, when it comes to vehicle sales, it's what the average consumer wants, not those "crazed kids" who like moddin' their rides. Part of the fun is taking Granma's or Mom's little car and making it into a "pocket rocket"
One more thing, unless I win a million or six, my butt will always be in a Focus!
I still don't like them. If you ever see me driving the 08 Focus, better get a cop to pull me over cause I'm probably drunk.
I can honestly say my current black hatch will be the last Focus I buy.
I can't say that I hate it. I don't really like it though. What I do have to point out is this though, I have an 01 ZX3, the HATCHBACK. There is a reason I bought the HATCHBACK. There is a reason a lot of people I know who own HATCHBACKS bought their HATCHBACK. In case you haven't caught on, we like the HATCHBACK.
I personally wouldn't buy the coupe, I don't like them and I can't emphasize how much I hate 4 door econoboxes in polite terms.
I really hope that Ford N.A. will bring out the current everywhere else in the world design here, including a hatchback version.
I'd argue that the only reason why sales of the focus is up in previous years because of the price of gas, and there is proof that the two are related. It just happens to be that Ford NA makes one of the best quality compact here, and beats GM and Chrysler in that category.
those are the reasons why the Focus has had increased sales over the past years.
guys how are those metal looking things on the fender attached? are they an integrated part of the fender or an add on piece?
i could see a matte black metal with black mesh side thingy looking really trick on a lowered '08 focus
Thing is that the '08's like the '05 refresh that came before it got some things right, got some things wrong, but is still a viable alternative to what's out there (at least in relation to Chrysler/GM) to those who won't buy from a non-domestic based manufacturer.
In my case the '08 made several design screw ups that made me believe that I could not live with them over the long haul because of the impact they would have had on my ability to operate the car safely (Not that the previous gen was perfect for me either but I could live with that car's issues)
NefCanuck
naz,Apr 16 2008, 01:42 PM Wrote:guys how are those metal looking things on the fender attached? are they an integrated part of the fender or an add on piece?
i could see a matte black metal with black mesh side thingy looking really trick on a lowered '08 focus
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They are riveted, So if I took them off I would have to get the holes filled. I dont hate them that much. The handeling in the 08's is sharper then the 07's, they did do a good job with the suspension.
Canadian ST,Apr 17 2008, 12:12 AM Wrote:They are riveted,
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that's awesome. i bet you there will be a ton of aftermarket pieces that will come out for that piece. that's one thing that could really set the '08 apart from other cars cosmetically