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Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NOS2Go4Me - 09-29-2011
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2012_ford_focus_se_hatchback_manual-short_take_road_test
*twitches*
Must.. not... trade in truck for '12 Focus SE hatch!
Must... not...
Wait, why not? Besides depreciation of course.
I'd have to order it because my chance of finding one with a manual transmission, used, in my colour preference with sport and cold weather packages is not likely going to happen.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Mystake - 09-29-2011
Ugh I just can't like this car because of the rear end, everything is just butt ugly, no pun intended. Awful tail light design, the hatch door itself is ugly with a severely slanted windshield and the rear bumper is terrible too. IMO Ford got it all, all wrong.
The rest of the car is pretty sick though.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - moon111 - 09-29-2011
I like the shape of the front grill openings, but not the black plastic inserts. Looks pontiac cheap.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Flofocus - 09-29-2011
(09-29-2011, 06:28 AM)Mystake Wrote: Ugh I just can't like this car because of the rear end, everything is just butt ugly, no pun intended. Awful tail light design, the hatch door itself is ugly with a severely slanted windshield and the rear bumper is terrible too. IMO Ford got it all, all wrong.
The rest of the car is pretty sick though.
we have different taste in vehicles for sure, I LOVE the design of this car, one of the....maybe thee best looking sport compact out there.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - oldeguy - 09-29-2011
I have a 2012 SEL sedan. Just a couple of points, if I may.......the SEL does come in a manual, otherwise, why did I have to pay extra for the automatic? At least in Canada it does. It doe take a bit of getting used to the automatic, as it is programmed for fuel economy, but, if you put it in "sport mode", the shifts are much better.I'm averaging 650 to 700 kms per tank, depending on how disciplined I am that week. The "power shift" is okay, but, not a manual. I have found the car to be fantastic car to drive, both highway, and local. It doesn't feel as "throwable" as my 2000 ZTS, or that could just be the fact that the 2012 is a much better chassis.In Canada, you do get heated seats, mirrors etc, when ordering the SE sports appearance package. I looked at the SE and the SEL, and with the stuff I wanted on the car, dics brakes all round, dual zone temperature control, turn signal indicators in the mirrors, heated seats, mirrors, it was just a bit more to buy the SEL ($100.00). The looks are in the eye of the beholder, I have yet to have someone say it's ugly, or plain. The car does get noticed, it stands out in the crowd. A friend of mine, ( yes, I have one, or two ) went to his local Ford store and test drove a Titanium, and loved it. However, if I was just looking at a Focus for the sheer fun of a manual, either wait for the ST or get a barebones S or and SE. With the S and SE, without the sports appearance package, the rear brakes are still drums....I don't know why though. NOS2Go4Me........go order one...
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NOS2Go4Me - 09-29-2011
oldeguy - I drove a '12 SEL hatch with the PowerShift dual-clutch. Ford's biggest failing with that trans. is that they've programmed it for the "masses", and it acts a lot like a torque converter-based auto. It's a damn quick transmission when it wants to be, and with paddle shifters and the right program it could be right at home in ANY Focus - even the ST. Sadly, Ford has let its "drivers" down on that one so far.
I found the '12 hatch to be tossable still, but the weight gain was readily apparent. After having recently driven Oscar's boosted '07 ZX5 (~2700lbs curb weight) and whipping my '00 around (~2300lbs curb weight)... the ST will be hard-pressed to be a "real" mover. This new ZX5 is over 2900lbs. OUCH.
Sadly, I'd buy one but I'd be going insane trying to strip weight out of it to get it back to its roots. The Focus doesn't need to be saddled with all that extra mass. The new engine is a gem. The suspension seems fairly willing. It's the SVT all over again to a degree - great chassis, not enough power. I'm hoping the ST goes on a diet and gets down to the 2800lb mark.
I'd love to order a new one, but for the foreseeable future (2 years or so) the Escape fits all of my other needs. Subsonic, well... it handles my hooligan needs nicely too! Plus, big things are coming for Subsonic in the spring.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NikiterZTS - 09-30-2011
So what are these like $30k fully loaded?
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Flofocus - 09-30-2011
yeah, focus titanium with a few packages added bumps it over 30k.
it will be interesting to see how they price the ST.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - oldeguy - 09-30-2011
(09-30-2011, 01:31 AM)NikiterZTS Wrote: So what are these like $30k fully loaded?
31K loaded with everything I think a FC.net member would want, except the turbo and manual transmission.......
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NikiterZTS - 09-30-2011
I can think of 10 other cars that are better in that price range (new and used).
Guys, it seems that most of you settle for a brand and not for what the car is. Very sad to be honest.
I bought my Subi for $23k out of the door when it was 2 years old. I'm not biased but it's 3 times more of a car than my Focus was. And probably 2.5 of car than this new fat ass 3000lbs Focus is.
My next car either will be 135i; 335i; Evo IX or even X; Cadillac CTS-V (all used of course).
Notice how I don't have a sertain make in my mind. Love the car for what it is not for the badge.
Not gonna lie those new Mustang 5L are bad ass from what I hear.
P.S. I never buy new cars. Just a waste of money IMO
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Flofocus - 09-30-2011
yeah, but once these cars are used and take their biggest depreciation hit, they will be good cars to buy also.
I agree though, I wouldn't pay 32k for a focus, thats NEW wrx money.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - oldeguy - 09-30-2011
(09-30-2011, 03:23 AM)NikiterZTS Wrote: I can think of 10 other cars that are better in that price range (new and used).
Guys, it seems that most of you settle for a brand and not for what the car is. Very sad to be honest.
I bought my Subi for $23k out of the door when it was 2 years old. I'm not biased but it's 3 times more of a car than my Focus was. And probably 2.5 of car than this new fat ass 3000lbs Focus is.
My next car either will be 135i; 335i; Evo IX or even X; Cadillac CTS-V (all used of course).
Notice how I don't have a sertain make in my mind. Love the car for what it is not for the badge.
Not gonna lie those new Mustang 5L are bad ass from what I hear.
P.S. I never buy new cars. Just a waste of money IMO
Although we all have preferences, at one time,I said I'd never buy a Ford again, after the my Escort...just for a joke, go drive a Focus and see. The 2012 is a very different car than your 2002 ZTS. I also looked a few other vehicles in the price range of the Focus, and preferred the Focus over all the others.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NikiterZTS - 09-30-2011
(09-30-2011, 03:42 AM)Flofocus Wrote: yeah, but once these cars are used and take their biggest depreciation hit, they will be good cars to buy also.
I agree though, I wouldn't pay 32k for a focus, thats NEW wrx money.
Agreed. In 2 years the fully loaded Focus will be probably around $20-$23K and then it will be an Ok buy.
Oldguy:
I will try to find an hour and see what these cars are all about. But then again it will be hard for me to compare coming from 180-190whp stock AWD to 140whp fwd.
I'm sure I'll like it as an econo car.
Those Chevy Cobalts turbocharged I hear are really good (drove one myself). They are under $30k.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Flofocus - 09-30-2011
(09-30-2011, 03:53 AM)NikiterZTS Wrote: Those Chevy Cobalts turbocharged I hear are really good (drove one myself). They are under $30k.
Junk. A few guys in my lapping club have them.
1 is battling it out with his dealership because his front suspension fell apart, and the other guy put a rod through his block on the factory's stage 2 tune.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - oldeguy - 09-30-2011
(09-30-2011, 04:27 AM)Flofocus Wrote:(09-30-2011, 03:53 AM)NikiterZTS Wrote: Those Chevy Cobalts turbocharged I hear are really good (drove one myself). They are under $30k.
Junk. A few guys in my lapping club have them.
1 is battling it out with his dealership because his front suspension fell apart, and the other guy put a rod through his block on the factory's stage 2 tune.
GM is junk................
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NikiterZTS - 09-30-2011
(09-30-2011, 04:27 AM)Flofocus Wrote:(09-30-2011, 03:53 AM)NikiterZTS Wrote: Those Chevy Cobalts turbocharged I hear are really good (drove one myself). They are under $30k.
Junk. A few guys in my lapping club have them.
1 is battling it out with his dealership because his front suspension fell apart, and the other guy put a rod through his block on the factory's stage 2 tune.
Odd. On factory st.2 too
Guys down here say nothing but good things. One is pushing close to 400whp (useless on FWD i know).
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - euro_zx5 - 09-30-2011
My buddy's 2011 wrx is bland in comparison to the new focus interior. Although the focus is not as exciting to drive, it's purpose was not to be a rally car for the public like subaru is trying to make theirs. Quality materials and superior drive are what make the new focus a better car imo, and it was still fun to drive... handling corners very well even without the handling package. I severely miss our rental this summer, getting back into my 05 and our 07 was a chore.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Flofocus - 09-30-2011
Superior drive? No, not at all. Better interior, for sure. Subaru's never had nice interiors, getting betterbut still not up to par for. 32k car.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - NOS2Go4Me - 09-30-2011
If it's a daily driver and you extend the warranty - and you don't care about deprec. - you're laughing. I did the math and I could get the SE hatch out the door under 23Gs. That's more than decent for what that does.
If you have no loyalty to a car, Nik... that's your option. I've driven almost every iteration of the Focus in Canada and the further it gets from the first gens, the less I like it as a driver's car.
Subaru - upkeep cost. Mitsu - same thing. Bigger car, bigger output, more toys = more repairs. 135 is a driver's car. 335 is still nice but why if you're a purist.
Honestly, I wouldn't drive much else. I don't need to drive "everything". I have coworkers and friends who have "everything" - literally. The first-gen Focus is a great, simple, even fairly frugal ride. Turbo it and it's ridiculous for the cost involved. What more do you want? "Respect" for owning a "beast" car? You'll never be happy, unless your ideal car is finally found one day.
Honestly, my "ideal" car is either a 964-era 911, an Alfetta GTV or a Caterham Super 7 with anything but the Rover motors. Nothing anyone here drives would stand up to a mid-range Super 7. But then again, who cares? Drive what makes you happy. It seems some here have forgotten that.
RE: Just read this Short Take on C+D.com - Flofocus - 09-30-2011
What are you talking about up keep costs? Subaru is one of thee most reliable vehicles out there.
Cheap to mod, $900 turbo, another $2000 for turbo back exhaust, injectors, fuel pump, tmic, and a pro tune and your sitting at 350horses! Reliable power to boot too!
My focus was in and out of the shop for warranty repairs, recalls, etc all the time and that was before I even touched it. Look at the posts on this board, people are always having some sort of issue with their cars.
You don't see that too much on the subaru forums. My subaru has had 1 warranty repair done, the horn speaker, that's it, its been the most reliable vehicle I've owned to date.
I also don't have brand loyalty when it comes to cars, I've owned/driven a lot of different makes and my ford was thee least reliable out of all of them, and I owned a vw! Lol
Ford IS getting better tho and I told myself to go test drive the ST when it comes out, I loved my boosted focus, just didn't like the aftermarket support for it. Granted, I never dealt with randy.