GRM Review: New Ford Focus

Javelin wrote:

SilverFleet wrote: i looked at these before I bought my 3. The only way to get a stick is to get the strippo SE, as far as I know. I wanted a few creature comforts (moon roof, nice stereo, etc) and alloy wheels, and that wasn't happening if I wanted to row my own. Also, those tail lights are HUGE and I think they look dumb.

What you need is what was pictured by Failboat above, the SE Sport version.

Ahh... I see. I didn't see any of those back when I was car shopping. I did see an option to get alloy wheels, but that was it. The price turned me off from getting one anyway. Looks-wise, I still prefer the revised 2012 Mazda GoofJaw front end over the 1/4 panel-sized tail lights of the Focus.

I've been keeping up to date on the release of the Focus ST through FordSTNation.com and the official Ford ST facebook page. Dealer prep/training info was released just yesterday (not public) and lists specs and details on option packages (but no mpg data or pricing). Should be a heckuva car if they keep it competitively priced with WRX, GTI, etc. There's video of the SVT team after their 1500 mile r&d test and they specifically mention that they had a GTI on the drive to compare to, so I'm guessing that's their metric.

In any case, I'm excited that we'll finally be getting a(nother) performance Focus model to lust after.

According to Ford's website you can get the manual transmission with the S, SE and Titanium trim levels, but not the SEL, which slots in between the SE and Titanium.

What did you guys think of the auto? I assume it was the dual clutch? I've heard from some people who love it and others who hate it.

darkbuddha wrote: they specifically mention that they had a GTI on the drive to compare to, so I'm guessing that's their metric.

Boy, I sure hope not. The newest GTI is a total POS for enthusiasts. Undefeatable traction control, stupid gearbox, numb steering, floppy suspension, and slow to boot.

just an FYI for those wondering, there are 3 available suspension packages on the Focus (non ST models). The base suspension, the Sport suspension (which is standard on the Titanium trim level, and I think the SEL as well, cant rememeber), and the Handling package suspension, which comes with the 5 spoke 18" alloys with summer tires.

In SE trim, the Sport pkg comes standard with 16" silver alloys, optional gunmetal painted 16"s, and 2 different optional 17" alloys, The black ones we have on ours, and some silver ones of the same design. The yellow paint is only available with the Sport Package SE, or Titanium.

We have the DCT, I like it, even if it does seem pretty eager to upshift and keep the rpms low. My wife probably trained it to do that (It supposedly learns your driving habits and behaves accordingly) Easily defeated by shifting out of Drive and into Sport, and can select the gears yourself.

Behaves more like a manual when starting from a dead stop, you feel it engage when you start to move. Kind of acts awkward in stop and go stuff since you aren't in full control, Seems its really just a matter of learning how to drive it a little differently than just any other automatic.

Bobzilla wrote:

Alan Cesar wrote: To clarify: The base price we list is for the Titanium trim line. The base Focus starts at $16,500. Our tester stickered 10 grand above that thanks to its huge swath of options.

Bare bones hatch with the sync system was $22,400 at our local dealer with a manual transmission. Small wheels/hubcapped sedan, with no syn was 20,930.

you must be in Hawaii. Not to be an advertising canoe, but just checking ford.com/cars/focus has the MSRP $2000 below what you claim. The odd part of the web page- if you start at ford.com, it has the base price at $16.5k, but once you click on Focus, that changes to $18.3k for some reason.

the good news for me, regardless of the cost, they are selling a lot. Just over 28k were sold in March. Just as many as the volume leader Fusion. For the year, Focus is ahead of the fusion by ~2000 cars.

Me, personally, as in not official... I'm not sold on the auto, yet. Buyers, thankfully, think otherwise.

failboat wrote: We have the DCT, I like it, even if it does seem pretty eager to upshift and keep the rpms low. My wife probably trained it to do that (It supposedly learns your driving habits and behaves accordingly) Easily defeated by shifting out of Drive and into Sport, and can select the gears yourself. Behaves more like a manual when starting from a dead stop, you feel it engage when you start to move. Kind of acts awkward in stop and go stuff since you aren't in full control, Seems its really just a matter of learning how to drive it a little differently than just any other automatic.

The early upshift is programmed in for emissions and mileage purposes. My 2001 Focus has a shift light that if I paid attention to it would have me shifting the same way.

An interesting point: On one of the Focus forums I frequent there is a very lengthy thread about the DCT. The interesting point is that the people who are complaining about it have only driven automatic transmission cars while the manual transmission people seem to have no problems with it

I drive manuals. I drive autos. I've driven automatics with manual valvebodies, switch-pitch convertors, and other such crazy. I've driven many manu-matic boxes including the Audi/VW, PDK, and many CVT's. I've driven the DCT Focus and I wanted to light it on fire.

Supposedly the latest TSB software update helps, but it's still a POS in anything but open-road driving. Forget cities, stop-and-go, or sporty drives for the rest of your life. The only one stupider is the VW/Audi unit.

alfadriver wrote:

Bobzilla wrote:

Alan Cesar wrote: To clarify: The base price we list is for the Titanium trim line. The base Focus starts at $16,500. Our tester stickered 10 grand above that thanks to its huge swath of options.

Bare bones hatch with the sync system was $22,400 at our local dealer with a manual transmission. Small wheels/hubcapped sedan, with no syn was 20,930.

you must be in Hawaii. Not to be an advertising canoe, but just checking ford.com/cars/focus has the MSRP $2000 below what you claim. The odd part of the web page- if you start at ford.com, it has the base price at $16.5k, but once you click on Focus, that changes to $18.3k for some reason. the good news for me, regardless of the cost, they are selling a lot. Just over 28k were sold in March. Just as many as the volume leader Fusion. For the year, Focus is ahead of the fusion by ~2000 cars. Me, personally, as in not official... I'm not sold on the auto, yet. Buyers, thankfully, think otherwise.

Wish I was in Hawaii. But sadly, no I'm not. I might have been able to tolerate the interior if the were $16-17k. But at $22k, no way Jose.

In reply to Bobzilla:

Sedan is $16,500, the hatch is $18,300. Using Ford.com and your ZIP of 46052 I built a $17,045 base Sedan S w/manual and no options.

Javelin wrote: In reply to Bobzilla: Sedan is $16,500, the hatch is $18,300. Using Ford.com and your ZIP of 46052 I built a $17,045 base Sedan S w/manual and no options.

I didn't see ANY on eiher of the 2 ford lots we were on under $21k. They may exist somewhere, but they're not on the lots where people can find them.

I think the idea is that you can order one how you want it. Not all dealers will do that regardless of manufacturer, but the 2 Ford dealers we went to would do it. Some certain Korean dealers refused to order a car to our specs, no matter which dealer we asked, said they could not do it. I think its more that they would not do it but I dunno..

I bought a 2012 SEL with most of the options minus the touch screen and sat radio.

About the intrusive center console: I had the same issue with the Fusion, didn't notice it as much in the Focus, and now that I have had it for awhile, I don't notice it at all. I think it was just an adjustment of my learned leg position when driving.

About the DCT: My recent comparisons would be against my 5 speed 99 Miata, my 2004 Dodge Ram auto, and the recently gone (thank goodness) 2003 Sentra SER Spec-V 6 speed. The DCT is different but not bad. Just different. It tries to be economical but can easily be convinced otherwise.

I'm sold on the hatch! With the rear seats down I can fit my road bike in there with the front wheel still mounted. This is the first hatch I've ever owned and it's extremely useful.

My combined mileage has been around 33 measured off the computer and by mileage/gallons at fill up. The surface street part of my Atlanta commute will take it down some but I can manage around 35-36 at 65 mph.

37 MPG? That's great...

failboat wrote: I think the idea is that you can order one how you want it. Not all dealers will do that regardless of manufacturer, but the 2 Ford dealers we went to would do it. Some certain Korean dealers refused to order a car to our specs, no matter which dealer we asked, said they could not do it. I think its more that they would not do it but I dunno..

I don't believe they can special order (the Koreans that is). They get an alotment of cars, and they have to trade amongst one another to get one. At least that's how it used to be.

In reply to Bobzilla:

Honestly, I've seen the same thing. Near as I can figure it people are buying them up really quick and/or the dealers are only ordering loaded-up ones.

Personally, I'd order a damn car. If I'm buying something that expensive new, I want it exactly how I want it.

How are you going to get your instant gratification though? Are you even American?

Javelin wrote:

darkbuddha wrote: they specifically mention that they had a GTI on the drive to compare to, so I'm guessing that's their metric.

Boy, I sure hope not. The newest GTI is a total POS for enthusiasts. Undefeatable traction control, stupid gearbox, numb steering, floppy suspension, and slow to boot.

No worries... supposedly the ST will have the ability to change the "drive" setting to something that turns off the stability and traction controls. Also, the ST only comes with a proper manual 6 speed (no flappy paddle/DSG/dual clutch bs). Suspension should be tauter than regular Focus (which so many people seem to like). And I'm not sure I'd call the new GTI "slow" with 0-60 under 6.5 and quarter around 14.0. With a tune, apparently some are seeing 12s in the quarter. But then again, ST is 3300 lbs, 247hp, so it should be competitive, if not exactly world beating. And they've already got development being done on Ford Motorsports catalog stuff as upgrades... NEED MOAR BOOOOOST!!!!

I'm a huge fan of hatches, and I love the overall shape of the 5dr Focus, but man, I don't know what they were doing with that front bumper. I just don't get it, it doesn't flow with the car at all, and feels "fussy", like they just threw a bunch of angles at it arbitrarily.

I'm seeing a lot of these around. They're very handsome in person. Ford nailed the styling!

Javelin wrote: I drive manuals. I drive autos. I've driven automatics with manual valvebodies, switch-pitch convertors, and other such crazy. I've driven many manu-matic boxes including the Audi/VW, PDK, and many CVT's. I've driven the DCT Focus and I wanted to light it on fire. Supposedly the latest TSB software update helps, but it's still a POS in anything but open-road driving. Forget cities, stop-and-go, or sporty drives for the rest of your life. The only one stupider is the VW/Audi unit.

That i your opinion. Have you driven a well broken in unit ? I have tge DCT in my 2011 Fiesta. Works just fine in raffic and in parking lots as well as on the highway. And it does have some sporty capabilities, you just have to know where to look (shift).

iceracer wrote:

Javelin wrote: I drive manuals. I drive autos. I've driven automatics with manual valvebodies, switch-pitch convertors, and other such crazy. I've driven many manu-matic boxes including the Audi/VW, PDK, and many CVT's. I've driven the DCT Focus and I wanted to light it on fire. Supposedly the latest TSB software update helps, but it's still a POS in anything but open-road driving. Forget cities, stop-and-go, or sporty drives for the rest of your life. The only one stupider is the VW/Audi unit.

That i your opinion. Have you driven a well broken in unit ? I have the DCT in my 2011 Fiesta. Works just fine in raffic and in parking lots as well as on the highway. And it does have some sporty capabilities, you just have to know where to look (shift).

iceracer wrote:

Javelin wrote: I drive manuals. I drive autos. I've driven automatics with manual valvebodies, switch-pitch convertors, and other such crazy. I've driven many manu-matic boxes including the Audi/VW, PDK, and many CVT's. I've driven the DCT Focus and I wanted to light it on fire. Supposedly the latest TSB software update helps, but it's still a POS in anything but open-road driving. Forget cities, stop-and-go, or sporty drives for the rest of your life. The only one stupider is the VW/Audi unit.

That i your opinion. Have you driven a well broken in unit ? I have tge DCT in my 2011 Fiesta. Works just fine in raffic and in parking lots as well as on the highway. And it does have some sporty capabilities, you just have to know where to look (shift).

I have driven well broken in ones, re-flashed/TSB updated ones, and ones that have "learned" the lead-footed drivers, and they are still crap. There is nothing remotely sporty about the Ford DCT at all. They suck in city traffic, hills, parking garages, and at shifting when they are told to shift. Couple that behavior with the electronic throttle's refusal to operate as told (for emissions and gas mileage purposes) and you end up with an infuriating car that sucks all of the joy out of driving.