[Mystake]

I strongly disliked the 2012 focus when I had it as a rental for a day.

I couldn'tve been any happier to get back into my focus when it was ready. Maybe I would've felt different if I had gotten a manual to drive around but over all the whole experience sucked. I had more fun driving my old Durango than I did at any point while driving the Focus.


edit: Test drives don't really show what the car is really like, btw. At least, not for me. I got to test drive an '11 and rented a '12. Wish I had gotten the '11 for a day instead...

[NikiterZTS]

(09-30-2011, 09:20 AM)NOS2Go4Me Wrote: If you have no loyalty to a car, Nik... that's your option.

You're right, I'm not a hardcore Ford guy. I do like a couple of their cars in a line up but I won't buy just about anything whenever Ford throughs at me with Ford badge on it.

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.

So for what reason do you want to buy it then? If you want to just cruise buy yourself a nice midsize seadan. Plus you already have first gen. Focus.

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.

Not sure who told you those things but since 2008 when I bought the car with 61k, I have only replaced the original battery and alternator. $120 battery + $60 STi alternator= I'm laughing.
That's a car when it had around 130k on it. That's a car that seen aggressive driving + track days. All I do is change oil in it every 5-6K with Motul and keep up on fluids. Sure there are lemons out there. I've met the guys who had issues. But really not many.
More toys=more repairs? Well, I guess you're right in a way. When you start to mod already F/I vehicle you better be prepared to shell out, just in case. "If you wanna play, you gotta pay." But then again it all depends how good your tuner is. That's why I drive across the boarder to get a nice tune on my car. Done that 3 times (the mods kept changing in these 3 years).
Have you ever driven 335i (like '06-'07)? I've got nothing but good things to say about them. Buddy owns one. Reaaaally easy to make one run 12.5's



Honestly, I wouldn't drive much else. I don't need to drive "everything". I have coworkers and friends who have "everything" - literally.

I take it you can just come and borrow their car whenver you wanna go joy riding. Like come on, really? I'm not buying it. I never had fun seating in the passenger seat.


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?

Sure, I guess they can be fun. Drove a couple. Hello torque steer!
Don't forget that in the cost of turbo set up you also need to add that LSD, mounts, good tires and then ofcourse a good tune.I'm sure I'm forgeting something. It just takes more to make the car that was origionaly N/A and much less power. I'm not hating on the car just saying.


"Respect" for owning a "beast" car?

"For some people respect is more important" ~ F&F lol
If you would look at my car all it is, lowered with rims and exhaust. Can't even see that stealth front mount (black in color). It looks low-pro until I punch it and open dump external waste gate scares everyone. It is a little beast of a car in a way. It's got all the power I need for DD and to do lapping. I decided that I will not upgrade for more power any more.
Go to the track and get respect there.


You'll never be happy, unless your ideal car is finally found one day.

Pretty happy at this point. Not even sure what REAL sports car I'd drive that would be in my price range. I would have to think about it.

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.

All those cars are pretty do-able. Would be hard to find parts for that Alfetta I bet.
Saw Caterham Super 7 two days ago. Pulled up to me at the lights, I thought it was some kit car at the start.

All I'm trying to say is for $20K you can buy 2006 BMW 335i (inline 6, twin turbo) with under 100km.
I've seen '04 STi's 140km go for $15.
2006 STi's are now like $25
Evo IX's are still around $30 range I believe

^^^^With all those cars you would have a blast. Just trying to give you better options for your money.

[oldeguy]

I have to agree that the 2012 Focus is far removed from the 2000-2011 Focus. The 2012 is quieter, safer, more economical, and far better in regards to "creature comforts" and technological gadgets. It is a completely different creature than the 2000-2011. If you want, a track car, Ford will sell you a Focus ST-R. Most people, aka, the general public, don't care if you can put a turbo in it, or if you can mod it up to your ying-yang. What the 2012 Focus is, is a new, up to date car that the general public a looking for in a new car that they buy from Ford. It isn't a Subaru, it isn't a BMW, it isn't an Audi, it's a Ford. Before you write it off, drive one, for more than 20 minutes. In 2000, I had to rent a car, and rented a Focus, while my beloved Escort was in for another repair, and I hated the Focus, told my wife that we won't be getting that car, ever. A few months later, I had to rent a car again, for another repair to my beloved Escort, and again got a Focus. I took a bit of time to get more comfortable in the Focus, and drove it for a day or two, and drove it like I drove my Escort, and loved the Focus. I've only had two, a 2000 ZTS, and now a 2012 SEL Sedan. I miss my 2000, because it felt like and sounded like, a driver's car, with all the noise and rattles you could want. The 2012, when driven like it can be, is better, despite being heavier, more economical and quieter. The 160 hp engine when pushed, is as much, or more responsive than the 2000. Remember, I'm talking stock vehicles, not modded. If you guys wait, go drive the ST when it comes out, and compare it to a 2012 Subaru, Audi, BMW, etc. including price and content.

[Flofocus]

Good post oldeguy! I will be doing exactly that when the ST comes out! I'm actually really looking forward to it hitting our dealerships.

[oldeguy]

(09-30-2011, 10:33 PM)Flofocus Wrote: Good post oldeguy! I will be doing exactly that when the ST comes out! I'm actually really looking forward to it hitting our dealerships.

Thanks,
It looks like OAC_Sparky is a prophetic person. Afterall, he was always reminding us that people would be complaining about the price of a european ST if it came over. Now that it's coming, I can hear everyone say " I'm not paying that for a Focus"

[NikiterZTS]

When is ST hitting dealerships?

[Flofocus]

(09-30-2011, 11:01 PM)oldeguy Wrote:

(09-30-2011, 10:33 PM)Flofocus Wrote: Good post oldeguy! I will be doing exactly that when the ST comes out! I'm actually really looking forward to it hitting our dealerships.

Thanks,
It looks like OAC_Sparky is a prophetic person. Afterall, he was always reminding us that people would be complaining about the price of a european ST if it came over. Now that it's coming, I can hear everyone say " I'm not paying that for a Focus"

The pricing will be important, if this starts at 32k, it will have tough competition with Subaru's WRX. It will come down to whether you are deadset on the AWD, or want a more refined interior. Another thing that will be key to paying attention to is the aftermarket for it. Subaru has a huge following, like I said above, its very easy to get serious horses out of the WRX and STI platforms. A 250 horse focus hatch will be fun for most, but I want 350-400. Will it be able to be tuned to that level without touching internals, and be reliable at the same time? Thats something I'm interested in knowing and will have to wait a couple of years after it is here to find out.

Another car I have my eye on is the new Subaru, Toyota RWD coupe that should be coming out. I wouldn't say its direct competition to the focus ST, but the 2 will be compared by me.

Nik - I heard it will be coming spring 2012.

[reldridge]

In my opinion, Ford isn't really going after the STI or Evo, they're going after the Mazdaspeed3 and GTI. If that's the case, you'll see it starting in the high 20's (GTI starts at $29,375, MS3 starts at $29,695). They'll need to undercut the GTI by a little to get the VW buyer into the Ford dealer.

If they are going after the STI and Evo, they'll need to go all-in with an RS. Rumors are there are 350-380hp fwd test mules running around Europe currently, and they're hinging it on the success of the ST. Read here for more rumors... http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoex...n_way.html

[sweetg]

Hey guys long time that i have been absent, well I got rid of my 2010 escape limited V6 4x4 due to fuel consumption and lots of problems with it. Soo afther a 4 month wait I finally got my 2012 focus 5dr titanium fully loaded with the 18" rims. I must say compare to my 2000 zx3 with coilover suspension and 17" rims the new focus takes corners really good. Fuel economy is excellent and the car in itself is amazing for me. The interior is one of a kind and thats what would make the difference between the other cars. Power wise wish it had more then again if u want power u cant have fuel economy. There are a lot of post for and against the new focus but thats a given as every one has a different opinion no one can make a car that everyone likes. But at the end I love my new focus and I think i will be a focus buyer forever (had 3 still own 2).