Hi, Guest
Unless things really go south (which I doubt), I find it likely that we'll just snag the 07 ZX5 they have on the lot. I've been trying to find an 06 because of the crazy incentives, but I haven't had much luck.
The only real downside is that the only Focus you can get 4-wheel disc brakes on is the ST. That's good for ST owners, but bad for the rest of us. Although, since they increased the diameter of the front brakes on the Focus, it definitely feels "grabbier" compared to our sedan.
I like the Fusion, I do... but the nosedive under braking and the amount of squat under acceleration is just too much for me now that I'm used to the stiff suspension of the S2. The stock SES suspension is much closer than that of the Fusion to what I have now.
Both the 2.0 and the 2.3 engines have great modding capacity. Plus, after having driven the Focus equivalent of a diesel for 3 years (5900 RPM redline anyways and revving over 5K gets really strained), the willingness of the 2.0L Duratec is a welcome addition. Plus, the 2.0L Duratec really lives up to the sounds I've heard on the Net (FJ, FF). The 2.3L in the Fusion pulls nice too, but the sounds coming out of that engine bay... ick. I've driven a 4-cyl several times and I just can't bring myself to like it.
Now, the lease / finance rates on the Focus are lower... the lease is for sure. However, the lack of incentives means the cost difference to pay off the lien isn't hidden. In any case, they cost the same per month. Hence, that's why I was trying to find an 06 or 06 with GFX.
I'm not getting the total amount I initially wanted for the Focus, but really at this point... I'm fine with that. As I think I noted earlier, at least Ford is willing to finance everything in either scenario, unlike VW. The guys at VW are great to deal with, but Ford's willingness to "play ball" scores them some major points with me.
More to come tomorrow. Keep those evaluations of the 2005-07 coming guys!
EDIT - Frost, it does have the AVC in the headunit (Sara kept playing with it!)... maybe the fact I forgot to bring some serious tunes was the reason I figured it sucked. When we check it out again this week, I'll throw some serious music at it.
I just checked the MSRP for the 07 GFX ZX5 SES with Auto... it's 21,400 after their e-Bonus. I figure we'll try to get one of those, and failing that we'll get the red 07 ZX5 SES they have on the lot. I know the 07 colour is Vermillion, but it looks closer to Infra-Red. I just love the GFX look, tho. Plus, the DRF mod is the first thing that would be done to the damn thing, lease or not :D
The only real downside is that the only Focus you can get 4-wheel disc brakes on is the ST. That's good for ST owners, but bad for the rest of us. Although, since they increased the diameter of the front brakes on the Focus, it definitely feels "grabbier" compared to our sedan.
I like the Fusion, I do... but the nosedive under braking and the amount of squat under acceleration is just too much for me now that I'm used to the stiff suspension of the S2. The stock SES suspension is much closer than that of the Fusion to what I have now.
Both the 2.0 and the 2.3 engines have great modding capacity. Plus, after having driven the Focus equivalent of a diesel for 3 years (5900 RPM redline anyways and revving over 5K gets really strained), the willingness of the 2.0L Duratec is a welcome addition. Plus, the 2.0L Duratec really lives up to the sounds I've heard on the Net (FJ, FF). The 2.3L in the Fusion pulls nice too, but the sounds coming out of that engine bay... ick. I've driven a 4-cyl several times and I just can't bring myself to like it.
Now, the lease / finance rates on the Focus are lower... the lease is for sure. However, the lack of incentives means the cost difference to pay off the lien isn't hidden. In any case, they cost the same per month. Hence, that's why I was trying to find an 06 or 06 with GFX.
I'm not getting the total amount I initially wanted for the Focus, but really at this point... I'm fine with that. As I think I noted earlier, at least Ford is willing to finance everything in either scenario, unlike VW. The guys at VW are great to deal with, but Ford's willingness to "play ball" scores them some major points with me.
More to come tomorrow. Keep those evaluations of the 2005-07 coming guys!
EDIT - Frost, it does have the AVC in the headunit (Sara kept playing with it!)... maybe the fact I forgot to bring some serious tunes was the reason I figured it sucked. When we check it out again this week, I'll throw some serious music at it.
I just checked the MSRP for the 07 GFX ZX5 SES with Auto... it's 21,400 after their e-Bonus. I figure we'll try to get one of those, and failing that we'll get the red 07 ZX5 SES they have on the lot. I know the 07 colour is Vermillion, but it looks closer to Infra-Red. I just love the GFX look, tho. Plus, the DRF mod is the first thing that would be done to the damn thing, lease or not :D
Daily driver 1: 2007 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sport "S"
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.
33" BFG Mud-Terrain KM2s, lots of Rough Country gear - bumper, 2.5" lift, swaybar disconnects, Superwinch 10,000lb winch, Detroit Locker in rear D44 axle, custom exhaust, K+N filtercharger, Superchips-tuned.
Daily driver 2: 2006 Subaru Legacy GT
COBB Stage 1+ package - AccessPort tuner, COBB intake and airbox. Stage 2 coming shortly - COBB 3" AT stainless DP and race cat, custom 3" Magnaflow-based exhaust and Stage 2 COBB tune.