New Ford Focus

[HopJokey]

After ordering the 2012 Ford Focus in September it finally arrived at the dealership and I picked it up last Friday. It is the Titanium trim with premium and parking package. I didn't want the Navigation (save $600 bucks plus I heard that most of the MFT bugs are related to the Nav), heated seats, or sunroof - thus I had it factory ordered.

I paid $23,200 for it before taxes/reg/fees ($25,530 total [CA tax]) using x-plan and the $1,000 rebate. Check it out:

https://picasaweb.google.com/105012...authkey=Gv1sRgCJzGx-_gjOT_7QE&feat=directlink

 

[foghorn67]

That is a good looking car. Congrats.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Congrats! I test drove one just like that about 6 months ago but it had the NAV and sunroof option.

I was really impressed with the car and might buy one in a couple years after my car gets a little older.

Please keep us updated on how you like it over the next 6-12 months. I'd really like to hear some long term impressions from an actual owner.

 

[satyajitmenon]

Looks nice. Congrats.

 

[boomhower]

Sounds like a nice car but $23k for a Focus so sounds like to damn much. Definately a good looking car and I've been hearing very nice things about them.

 

[MacLeod1592]

The Focus is a very cool car. Ive looked at them once or twice. They have gone up quite a bit in price though. A lot of the ones on my local Ford dealers lot are higher than the Fusion! I guess its selling well so demand drives it up. Plus 40 mpg is hard not to love with this $3+ gallon gas.

 

[mmntech]

I've only driven one once, and just around a parking lot. Bit like a big Fiesta inside. Love the styling though, and it seems to have loads of power for its size. It's on my short list of future cars.

 

[Sid59]

They are extremely nice. I drove a Titanium a few months ago. Was silver your choice?

 

[IcePickFreak]

I had a 2012 SEL trimmed one for a few days as a rental a couple weeks ago. Wasn't a bad little car, was surprisingly roomy even for me at 6'6" 230lbs. I thought it was a zippy little car for what it is, although when driving "normally" I thought the trans shifted a bit too early.

 

[Arkaign]

I had a 2012 SEL trimmed one for a few days as a rental a couple weeks ago. Wasn't a bad little car, was surprisingly roomy even for me at 6'6" 230lbs. I thought it was a zippy little car for what it is, although when driving "normally" I thought the trans shifted a bit too early.

I think we can thank stricter CAFE standards and the chase for fuel economy for that one I'd bet dollars to doughnuts that we'll have some nice aftermarket flashes for the Ford DCTs fairly soon if not already that give them a nice boost in response.

 

[HopJokey]

They are extremely nice. I drove a Titanium a few months ago. Was silver your choice?

Yes silver was my choice. I thought the color went well with the design of the car.

 

[Bignate603]

Sounds like a nice car but $23k for a Focus so sounds like to damn much. Definately a good looking car and I've been hearing very nice things about them.

Go price out how much it takes to get a comparable car with all the stuff that comes in the Titanium. You won't really find one any cheaper.

 

[Throckmorton]

Go price out how much it takes to get a comparable car with all the stuff that comes in the Titanium. You won't really find one any cheaper.

How much of that stuff is worthwhile?

 

[Sid59]

How much of that stuff is worthwhile?

I haven't spent too much on this tool (http://www.truedelta.com/prices.php) but it let's you compare cars, options and see what the value difference between similarly optioned trims.

 

[SparkyJJO]

First thing that comes to mind when I see a new focus is "fish." Not a fan of fishy cars

 

[Bignate603]

How much of that stuff is worthwhile?

It's as worthwhile in the focus as it is in any of the other cars it comes in. Personally, I wouldn't pay for that stuff but if that's the kind of vehicle you want it's not really over priced. The titanium is at the top end of the trim levels but if you don't want it there are plenty of trim levels available that have less stuff.

 

[mb]

Nice car! I think the silver hatch is the best look for the Focus!

 

[HopJokey]

It's as worthwhile in the focus as it is in any of the other cars it comes in. Personally, I wouldn't pay for that stuff but if that's the kind of vehicle you want it's not really over priced. The titanium is at the top end of the trim levels but if you don't want it there are plenty of trim levels available that have less stuff.

I believe if you don't want/need the extra stuff the SE trim based Focus HB would be around $19.5K. The sedan would be around $18K. A manual is available on the SE trim (it goes S, SE, SEL, Titanium).

 

[SandEagle]

23K?! too much

 

[Anubis]

I believe if you don't want/need the extra stuff the SE trim based Focus HB would be around $19.5K. The sedan would be around $18K. A manual is available on the SE trim (it goes S, SE, SEL, Titanium).

i would strongly consider a Focus for my next car but the fact that i cant get a MT on the Titanium basically eliminates it as a choice for me

as for the price, its not bad for what the car has, if you could get/add all the SYNC stuff to other cars they are not any cheaper

 

[Born2bwire]

How much of that stuff is worthwhile?

Who cares? You can go down to the more basic trims and options if you want. For those that are interested though, you can get a very loaded compact car now. For me, I am interested in the Focus for the same reason. If I price out the options and packages that I am interested in, the price is still competitive for comparable mid-sized sedans. However, I still get the benefits that I am looking for in a compact.

 

[roguerower]

Good looking car. I've been really impressed with Ford over the past couple of years. The rest of Detroit, not so much.

 

[ichy]

The new Focus looks pretty nice. If my current car dies in the near future my top two replacement choices are the Focus and Mazda3.

 

[JulesMaximus]

How much of that stuff is worthwhile?

NAV only adds $800 to the price of the car. I'd get it.

Sirius satellite radio is a must for me, as is bluetooth. Moonroof is nice too, makes the car feel more open and airy. I have it in my current car and I'll get it in my next one.

Rapid Spec 401 package includes the satellite radio, MFT, leather seats and a few other options. I'd get it with that, NAV, and moonroof.

 

[mpo]

I had a 2012 SEL trimmed one for a few days as a rental a couple weeks ago. Wasn't a bad little car, was surprisingly roomy even for me at 6'6" 230lbs. I thought it was a zippy little car for what it is, although when driving "normally" I thought the trans shifted a bit too early.

I purchased a hatchback with the sport package for a few weeks.

Some of my impressions:

The auto transmission does shift pretty early. But, I knew that going in. I'm on the more mellow end (I got 5 pedals right off the bat for the 'EcoMode' ratings). In the 700 miles I have driven, I have averaged ~34.3 mpg for mixed driving. For an 180 mile trip that was mostly highway, I averaged 36.8 mpg. That included ~15 miles of rush hour stop-and-go driving.

As a comparison, my 2001 Focus wagon got ~31 mpg for the summer, and ~29 mpg for winter for my mixed commute. The best tank I got over 10.5 years of ownership was 36 mpg.

Another thing about the auto transmission--it does act like a manual on hills. From a few times I have found myself rolling back if I don't press on the gas quickly when trying to start up.