[Raine]

I find the disppointment with the Focus comes mainly from those concerned with the performance perspective, as many people, although they don't like it, would probably adapt to the new design. I don't like it, but my g/f thinks it's nice. It's going to be a split down the middle, and that's fine. The problem is with the platform and drive train. Why is the 2005 Ford Focus on the same platform it's been on since 1999 while the 2004 Mazda 3 (ProtegÃ's successor) and the Volvo S40 have "grown up" onto something new?? The fabled P-Zev is also a thing of question. At 2.3L of displacement, it's a familiar size for Ford, having thrown it in every car since the Topaz. Refined and cleaner than it's predecessors, it's output peaks at 144 HP at the crank. It's fuel economy is reduced compared to the Zetec, and with rising gas prices, this is not appealing to many buyers. In contrast with it's Mazda and Volvo cousins, 2.3L seems odd. Mazda's new engine produces 148 HP out of 2.0L, and Volvo's S40 is powered by a 1.9L 170 HP beast. As 4 cylinders go, Ford should have been looking up to companies they already own to power the car that bears the franchise name (or to Subaru who can crank 300 HP out of a 2.5l 4-banger :D) Claiming to have taken European suspension technology and incorporating it into their new car as standard equipment is a great marketing ploy by Ford. No car in the same price range handles like the Focus with N. American spec suspension, and the S2 could run circles around a stock ZX3. Nothing impressive there. What else has changed? The 150 HP ZX4 is barely faster than the Mazda, and costs more. As the Focus's top line now with the death of the SVT, Ford is obviously trying to convince drivers to slow down. Someone posted earlier that the new Focus will be like a clean slate, similar to civics, for people to start their mods from. The conservative little Focus of 2005, I think, will not be a car to mod. There will of course be a few people who want to rice it up, but compared to the tricked out wonders that came out of 99-04, I think we'll see a decline in the allure of the Focus as a custom ride.

As far as owning another Ford again? Maybe when I'm older I'll get a mustang so when I'm retired I can drive around with the top down. If I had need for a truck, I might consider an F150. As cars go, however, I would never touch another domestic. What does the future hold for N. American compacts? The 2005 Focus box, the Chevy Cobalt which is just a redesigned cavalier... the line of cars originally produced by Daewoo now being made by GM? I dunno.. just my 2 cents...