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Thinking Of Retirement
#1
So, eventually my 9 year olde Focus will need to be put out to pasture.
My question is, which series of North American Focus has a "softer ride" so my olde bones won't break when I'm rallying around Ontario in my spare time?
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#2
softer compared to what? lol id go for the newest model if you want a nice ride.
Little bit of show, little bit of go.
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#3
If you wanted the softest ride Focus and could afford to go new. The '09 Focus SEL has the most compliant suspension out of the entire model lineup.

Otherwise in the previous gen (05-07) you'd be angling for an SES model (which I had) The SES setup was competent, but definately was softer compared to the SVT setup I had in it later.

NefCanuck
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#4
NefCanuck,Jun 9 2009, 12:08 PM Wrote:If you wanted the softest ride Focus and could afford to go new.  The '09 Focus SEL has the most compliant suspension out of the entire model lineup.

Otherwise in the previous gen (05-07) you'd be angling for an SES model (which I had) The SES setup was competent, but definately was softer compared to the SVT setup I had in it later.

NefCanuck
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Any sedan would probably give you the most compliant ride but especially if it had the higher-profile 15" rims vs. 16's.
2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P

2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway


New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come

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#5
I find my 08 to have a fairly soft suspension compared to previous years.
At first it was nice but now it seems so borring.
The differance in trim levels in 08-09 models is just swaybar thickness,
s,se 18mm front no rear bar.
ses,sel 22mm front and 20mm rear.
Just so you know if you add abs and traction control to a se its cheaper to get the SES.

Ken is on the mark when he said 15 rims will be softer compared to 16rims
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#6
Nothing says old man faster than a Taurus (SHO versions excluded). My dad loves them and he's 69 this year.
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#7
Just get an SES and swap the springs for Eibach pro kit springs. They are really nice progressive springs and give a caddy ride with stock shocks.
Sold:2001 SE 2.0L SPI w/60mm TB, Steeda Shorty Intake.

Active: 2007 SES Hatch, Motegi MR7 Rims with 215/45ZR17 Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires, debadged, black painted calipers and drums, RS Knob, CFM Short Throw, Billet E-Brake, CFM Focus pedals, MBRP Exhaust, XCal2, FS Front and Rear Strut Tower Bars, Diamond Plate Floor Mats and Sills, Alpine MP3 Deck, Alpine V-Power 300w Amp, Pioneer IMPP Sub, AlpineType-S door speakers, VF Engineering Rear Motor Mount, F2 RS Spoiler, Tokico D-spec shocks, HTP Cross Brace, EBC Rotors, Hawk HPS Pads, Russell SS Brake Lines, RS Wheel, SVT Blue Seats, Vibrant 2.5" Race Highflow Cat, CFM UDP. Rear SVT bumper to come.

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#8
would the stock shocks even last?
Little bit of show, little bit of go.
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#9
Spinal,Jun 9 2009, 05:52 PM Wrote:would the stock shocks even last?
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On the 07 wagon I had my stock shocks with Pro-Kit for almost 15,000 km and they showed no signs of giving up - I replaced them only because I wanted firmer damping than the stock ever provided.

Full disclosure: the wagon shock is "heavy duty" compared to the sedan or hatch.
2008 Fusion SEL MTX - DD1 * 2009 Fusion SEL - DD2 * 2007 Focus ZXW - R*I*P * 2004 Focus ZTW CD Silver - sold * 2004 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2003 Focus ZTW Black - sold * 2001 Focus ZTW Gold - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Black - sold * 2000 Focus SE Wagon (ZTW option) - Gold R*I*P

2003 Focus ZX5 infra-red Track Rat - R*I*P
2003 ZX5 CD Silver Track Rat - retired, but still in the driveway


New track rat: 2000 ZX3, Atlantic Blue * JRSC with lots more to come

* New Zetec crate motor - NFG - thanks Topspeed *
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#10
Spinal,Jun 9 2009, 04:52 PM Wrote:would the stock shocks even last?
[right][snapback]289194[/snapback][/right]
Over 5 years with Eibach ProKit and stock shocks. So far so good.

But this setup is more bone jarring than stock with less suspension travel. Try S2 setup, seem to have an even higher suspension travel than stock (although they claim to be 'european tuned' they appear to be 'american tuned')

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