Dear California: a PSA

[Mr. Pedantic]

Driving a big SUV doesn't make you a better driver.
Tailgating doesn't make you a good driver.
Being able to go fast in a straight line doesn't make you a good driver.
Being able to cut people off doesn't make you a good driver.
Knowing how to use the horn doesn't make you a good driver.
Being unforgiving and impatient doesn't make you a good driver.
Being arrogant and annoying doesn't make you a good driver.

Also a big shoutout to Ford, who made the Focus SEL that I've been driving for the past month. My experience with it is complicated, but my whole time with it can probably be summed up with the following words:

If you don't know how or don't want to put a reasonable automatic transmission in your cars, maybe you shouldn't be putting automatic transmissions in your cars.

/r

 

[NutBucket]

Another Powershit convert! LOL

 

[uclabachelor]

Being able to drive around other California drivers makes you a good driver.

/end thread.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

Another Powershit convert! LOL

Is it supposed to be better than other automatic transmissions in some way? I've never driven an auto before, if this is the best that's commercially available then holy shit. I'm glad I bought a manual car.

 

[NutBucket]

It's suppose to be more efficient I guess? It's a dual clutch setup like the VAG DSG. Good in theory but I wasn't impressed when I test drove it. But I, like you, am biased against automatics.

 

[Brian Stirling]

Driving a big SUV doesn't make you a better driver.
Tailgating doesn't make you a good driver.
Being able to go fast in a straight line doesn't make you a good driver.
Being able to cut people off doesn't make you a good driver.
Knowing how to use the horn doesn't make you a good driver.
Being unforgiving and impatient doesn't make you a good driver.
Being arrogant and annoying doesn't make you a good driver.

Also a big shoutout to Ford, who made the Focus SEL that I've been driving for the past month. My experience with it is complicated, but my whole time with it can probably be summed up with the following words:

If you don't know how or don't want to put a reasonable automatic transmission in your cars, maybe you shouldn't be putting automatic transmissions in your cars.

/r

I have the 2012 Focus Titanium with DCT and have had no problems with it at all. It's a fact that many have had problems and the dry clutch design is marginal for the Focus but, again, I've had no issues in nearly 32K miles and am averaging 38.5mpg over that distance. I've had some issues with the MFT system but not terrible problems.

For less than $24K I got: upgraded suspension, parking assist with sonar front and rear and backup camera with auto parking, MFT with GPS NAV, full auto AC, auto dimming mirror. To get another car with features like that you'd be closer to $30K to start.

The first 6 months of production were pretty bad, particularly with the DCT as they had process issues that had not been worked out until about 6 months. My car was built in early May 2012 -- more than a year after start of production so the process issues were largely resolved though the design is still marginal.

I have the extended warranty just in case...


Brian

 

[NutBucket]

Like the Focus, don't like the DCT. Had the combination existed in 2011 I would have considered a Titanium with a 5-speed.

 

[Mr. Pedantic]

I have the 2012 Focus Titanium with DCT and have had no problems with it at all. It's a fact that many have had problems and the dry clutch design is marginal for the Focus but, again, I've had no issues in nearly 32K miles and am averaging 38.5mpg over that distance. I've had some issues with the MFT system but not terrible problems.

For less than $24K I got: upgraded suspension, parking assist with sonar front and rear and backup camera with auto parking, MFT with GPS NAV, full auto AC, auto dimming mirror. To get another car with features like that you'd be closer to $30K to start.

The first 6 months of production were pretty bad, particularly with the DCT as they had process issues that had not been worked out until about 6 months. My car was built in early May 2012 -- more than a year after start of production so the process issues were largely resolved though the design is still marginal.

I have the extended warranty just in case...


Brian

There are some good things about the car, like there are some "good" things about the transmission. I've never properly driven an automatic before so I don't know if I'm supposed to take those things for granted or whether they're "good", but the whole experience regarding the transmission has been one of inconsistency.

Sometimes when it changes up it'll be where I want it and it'll be smooth, sometimes the jerking will almost propel my head into the sunshade. Sometimes when I press the accelerator the response will be immediate and it'll be appropriate to how far I've pressed, and other times I'll have to wait 2 seconds before the gear changes up (not necessarily something I wanted) and the power goes on.

It's not just annoying, it's sometimes dangerous. 2 seconds is a long time, and usually I leave quite a wide margin when overtaking or changing lanes, but this makes it really close sometimes and I've had to cut people off because of it.

 

[phreaqe]

There are some good things about the car, like there are some "good" things about the transmission. I've never properly driven an automatic before so I don't know if I'm supposed to take those things for granted or whether they're "good", but the whole experience regarding the transmission has been one of inconsistency.

Sometimes when it changes up it'll be where I want it and it'll be smooth, sometimes the jerking will almost propel my head into the sunshade. Sometimes when I press the accelerator the response will be immediate and it'll be appropriate to how far I've pressed, and other times I'll have to wait 2 seconds before the gear changes up (not necessarily something I wanted) and the power goes on.

It's not just annoying, it's sometimes dangerous. 2 seconds is a long time, and usually I leave quite a wide margin when overtaking or changing lanes, but this makes it really close sometimes and I've had to cut people off because of it.

The jerking of the head thing is not right, but everything else is just normal for an automatic. They are not going to be quite as responsive and they are generally geared for fuel economy so they require upshifts for acceleration.

We have a 2013 fusion and its buttery smooth so far. I have no clue if it has one of the new fangled transmissions but I have 0 issues with it so far.

 

[CrackRabbit]

As a Californian, I apologize for the numerous asshole drivers in this state.

 

[JulesMaximus]

You do not need a 4WD SUV to drive in the rain. In fact, this will not really benefit you at all despite what the marketing tells you to believe.

 

[GoodRevrnd]

As a Californian, I apologize for the numerous asshole drivers in this state.

As a born and raised Californian, I can easily say they're all predictably assholes though, so it's pretty easy to navigate through them. Try living in Nevada. The drivers here are just downright stricken with stupid. People trying to merge directly into me with no signal and without looking is a regular occurrence. In CA, they just cut you off and it's usually pretty easy to anticipate when that's going to happen. Like the earlier poster said, being able to drive around other CA drivers makes you a good driver.

 

[NutBucket]

You do not need a 4WD SUV to drive in the rain. In fact, this will not really benefit you at all despite what the marketing tells you to believe.

That's right. What you really need is a WRX!

 

[yhelothar]

As a Californian, I apologize for the numerous asshole drivers in this state.

As a Californian, I was surprised how much of an asshole drivers were in NYC when I visited.

NYC will not stop to wait for pedestrians. For pedestrians crossing the crosswalk, cars will often inch up and press against them as the light is ready to turn.

Californians normally show courtesy in that regard.

 

[Midwayman]

As a Californian, I was surprised how much of an asshole drivers were in NYC when I visited.

NYC will not stop to wait for pedestrians. For pedestrians crossing the crosswalk, cars will often inch up and press against them as the light is ready to turn.

Californians normally show courtesy in that regard.

FWIW if you live in an area with a lot of pedestrians, they are complete assholes about ever letting cars go. The leave the curb early and keep walking after the lights change. You practically have to push they out of the way to get through sometimes. Downtown Chicago is like this and I hate going through with all the pedestrians. I'll go around if possible.

 

[Kadarin]

In California, unfortunately tailgating is the only effective way to convince the asshole in front of you going 60mph in the left lane to pull to the right.

 

[marvdmartian]

Being able to drive around other California drivers makes you a good driver.

/end thread.

Unless, of course, they're ALL equally shitty drivers. :hmm:

I used to tell people that the old TV show, CHiPs, never staged any of the accidents they showed. They just set up movie cameras along the highways, and waited for one to happen. I have honestly never, before or after the time I lived in California, seen anyplace with as many WEIRD accidents as I did there!

 

[SSSnail]

From your post, I'm going to guess that you hung out in the left lane while enjoying the awesome California scenery and weather?

 

[mmntech]

In California, unfortunately tailgating is the only effective way to convince the asshole in front of you going 60mph in the left lane to pull to the right.

Does that ever actually work? It sure doesn't in Toronto. Just convinces the slow asshole to start tapping their brakes. It's why accidents always seem to be in the left lane.

 

[KeithP]

From your post, I'm going to guess that you hung out in the left lane while enjoying the awesome California scenery and weather?

I was thinking something similar. This is like the rock in the stream complaining the water is moving too fast.

-KeithP

 

[Midwayman]

Does that ever actually work? It sure doesn't in Toronto. Just convinces the slow asshole to start tapping their brakes. It's why accidents always seem to be in the left lane.

Can confirm in Chicago. Riding the ass of someone who thinks they are entitled to it only seems to intensify their righteous fury.

 

[Murloc]

Does that ever actually work? It sure doesn't in Toronto. Just convinces the slow asshole to start tapping their brakes. It's why accidents always seem to be in the left lane.

I think it's better to just flash your headlights when you're approaching a slow car on the left and get close but not tailgate.
Usually they move over.
If they don't, they're irrational crazy drivers and so it's useless and dangerous to tailgate.

 

[ElFenix]

You do not need a 4WD SUV to drive in the rain. In fact, this will not really benefit you at all despite what the marketing tells you to believe.

A man. A man and his SUV. A man and his SUV and 4WD. A Man and his SUV and 4WD and a 405 rush hour. A man and his SUV and 4WD and a 405 rush hour and a rainstorm. An asshole.

 

[RockinZ28]

Sounds like if you experienced all that, you need to learn how to drive in CA, or stay out of the way.

 

[Kadarin]

Does that ever actually work? It sure doesn't in Toronto. Just convinces the slow asshole to start tapping their brakes. It's why accidents always seem to be in the left lane.

It actually works for me most of the time. I find that these drivers usually aren't deliberately being assholes to be assholes, but are assholes nonetheless because they're clueless about everything around them.