[Drivesthebeast]

darkpuppet,Jan 21 2007, 02:26 PM Wrote:^^-- I would have almost said the opposite...

I find the mustang takes a lot more effort to drive than the focus did, and in the GT, the automatic was easier to drive.  Or maybe it just brought me back to my highschool memories...

that GT gearbox is one stiff mofo, coupled with a long throw clutch, the 4-5 test drives I took, I just couldn't come to terms with it.

Of course, the v6 isn't that much better, for what it makes up in easier shifts, it totally blows with lack of power...

and yet, for all it's faults, the car is hella fun to drive..
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I only find the gearbox in both Stangs to feel stiffer when they are cold, and once they warm up, they really aren't that bad. Also, I have come to realize that a shifter that is remote from the transmission itself (like the one in the Focus) feels a LOT different than one that's between the engine and the driveshaft. I think the Shifters feel chunky/clunky because they are connected directly to the driveline, and that those of us used to FWD cars find them to be not as smooth as the Foci or others, at least from the start.

The only gripe I have with the clutch is that it's rake/stroke to the floor is as long as it is. I like knowing that the GT has a 32-spline 8.8" rear end, which is able to sustain a lot more power than the ones in the SN95's...

I also agree with what Reldrige said about rethinking the idea to s***can the H/B's (which if memory serves me correctly, were the highest selling models in Canada at least...?). Dumb dumb dumb idea. Hopefully Ford will smarten up with the 2010 Focus, and if it IS the MK II, it will be a homerun...in which case, leave it the HELL alone!!! :lol: