PLEASE LOCK

[Don Vito Corleone]

.

 

[desy]

Well the Focus is a good car and styling is subjective.
However when he buys an econobox and you think his image is more upmarket just remember, you never dump on somebodies car if you care a whit about their feelings on the matter.
he bought it for a reason and nobody wants to hear about how they shoulda done it. .

 

[LTC8K6]

Focus is a great little car, imo.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: desy
Well the Focus is a good car and styling is subjective.
However when he buys an econobox and you think his image is more upmarket just remember, you never dump on somebodies car if you care a whit about their feelings on the matter.
he bought it for a reason and nobody wants to hear about how they shoulda done it. .

I would never speak badly of his car to him - that's water under the bridge, and I don't want to hurt his feelings. I just don't get it.

As for the Focus being a good car, I'll concede it's better than its Chrysler or GM counterparts, but it's a terrible car IMO compared to, say, a Civic. I can't understand why he wouldn't have bought, say, a Fusion, Flex, Taurus, Edge . . . hell, almost any other Ford product.

 

[Mermaidman]

Materialism is so 20th century. Frugal is the new trend.

(That being said, the Focus is an old design, so I don't know why your buddy didn't wait for the bumper crop of new small cars coming out soon.)

 

[SearchMaster]

I make over $100K but the Focus is on a (ridiculously long) list of potential replacements for my aging Maxima. I will definitely not be spending more than $20K. The reality is I need a commuter car that gets reasonable mileage and is very reliable, and that's about it. If he's planning to run for office, he may feel like that's a more appropriate allocation for his money right now than an expensive car. Too bad he's not in my state/district because he sounds like someone I might vote for

As to your original question, I never question how others spend their money unless they are close friends/relatives and are spending money they just don't have.

 

[PricklyPete]

To be honest...I applaud your friend for getting what he wanted. I would hate the car (being automatic) just like I detest my wife's automatic Civic...but he got what he wanted for whatever reason he wanted it. I totally agree that it seems like a odd choice for someone who seemed like a "car enthusiast"... but he may have realized his interest in cars was not enough to justify the clear financial hit an expensive car brings.

My brother-in-law is a VERY successful executive at a VERY large company. He has never spent more than $3000 on a car...and he is approaching 40. He could afford an Aston Martin if he wanted...and he even likes cars...but it has never been a high enough priority for him to spend the money.

 

[BlackTigers]

Why'd he get rid of the RSX? =/

 

[Arkaign]

I have an '08 Focus Coupe, but I got the 5-speed S model. It's a very good car imho, but I could see being aggravated with the 4-speed auto version. I regularly get 40+mpg on trips, I rather like the stock stereo with the ability to play 320kb mp3s with folder navigation, the handling is excellent, and it's notably quicker than the 5-speed non-SI Civics. Stock they have 140hp unless you live in a state which mandates the 136hp PZEV version. I've done some mild upgrades and am very satisfied with the performance, particularly after driving competing products.

Some highs :

Lightest car in the class
Best sound dampening in the class, '08+ has thicker glass and firewall dampening, it's easy to have a conversation with a passenger even with the A/C on and doing 80mph.
Best handling in the class (slalom / lane change tests)
Extremely affordable
It's very comfortable for me, even at 6'3" with a very large frame and ~240-250lb weight
Center console is laid out extremely well, easy to get to everything
Great A/C even in the brutal 100+ Texas summers
5-speed Manual gives low rpms at cruising, and very smooth shifting action
2.0L Mazda Duratec motor uses a lifetime-rated Timing Chain instead of a belt that needs $$ service, and has proven to be a very reliable design

Some lows :

The auto is a 4-speed slushbox that robs performance and fuel economy (yuck)
The braking is average to poor, while it works okay for me, I can't understand why they put drums on the rear in this day and age
The styling is subjective, I'm not a particular fan. They look much better without the garish side chrome fake vents
The interior has nasty easy-to-scratch hard plastic on the glove box and door panels
The carpet is fairly low quality
Resale value is lower than average, but still above the other domestic compacts and the Koreans.

Overall it's a mixed bag, but this works very well for me. I can't honestly recommend any 4spd auto though. I can say with absolute confidence that it's a lot snappier and more nimble than the heavier and lower-powered options out there such as the Civic (not the Si of course), the Sentra, the Corolla S, and so on.

 

[BoberFett]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone
I am a car buff but not, I think, a car snob. I currently drive a BMW 330i

...

I know it's none of my business, but I am at a loss to understand why any self-respecting 29-year-old man with a good income (particularly one coming from an enthusiast-oriented car like his RSX) would buy such a drab car.

...

I kind of feel bad for him . . .

Let's see, you drive a BMW and feel bad because he bought a practical car instead of something on your list of approved vehicles.

I'd say you're the very definition of a car snob.

Hell, we're in the top 10% household income bracket and I just bought *gasp* a $4500 used car.

<MrHowell>How ghastly! Pass another stack of hundreds lovey, I want to get this fire roaring.</MrHowell>

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: PricklyPete
To be honest...I applaud your friend for getting what he wanted. I would hate the car (being automatic) just like I detest my wife's automatic Civic...but he got what he wanted for whatever reason he wanted it. I totally agree that it seems like a odd choice for someone who seemed like a "car enthusiast"... but he may have realized his interest in cars was not enough to justify the clear financial hit an expensive car brings.

My brother-in-law is a VERY successful executive at a VERY large company. He has never spent more than $3000 on a car...and he is approaching 40. He could afford an Aston Martin if he wanted...and he even likes cars...but it has never been a high enough priority for him to spend the money.

I would (maybe) agree if I thought it really was what he wanted. He says he just went into the dealer and asked for a car with a Bluetooth speaker phone (he was always commenting on how much he liked my car's BT setup), with no other criteria.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Let's see, you drive a BMW and feel bad because he bought a practical car instead of something on your list of approved vehicles.

I'd say you're the very definition of a car snob.

Hell, we're in the top 10% household income bracket and I just bought *gasp* a $4500 used car.

<MrHowell>How ghastly! Pass another stack of hundreds lovey, I want to get this fire roaring.</MrHowell>

I don't think so, though you are free to disagree. One of my favorite cars I've owned was a 14-year-old Accord with more than 200K miles, and another was a ratty old Toyota SR5 wagon. I don't have any problem with humble cars and would cheerfully drive a Civic or a GTI. I just don't get why he would choose this car in particular. I can certainly understand that I may come off badly in commenting on this, but I am perplexed by it. If he'd never had the RSX and simply didn't care about cars I would never even comment on his Focus - it just seems like a bizarre choice given everything else I know about him.

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: BoberFett

Let's see, you drive a BMW and feel bad because he bought a practical car instead of something on your list of approved vehicles.

I'd say you're the very definition of a car snob.

Hell, we're in the top 10% household income bracket and I just bought *gasp* a $4500 used car.

<MrHowell>How ghastly! Pass another stack of hundreds lovey, I want to get this fire roaring.</MrHowell>

I don't think so, though you are free to disagree. One of my favorite cars I've owned was a 14-year-old Accord with more than 200K miles, and another was a ratty old Toyota SR5 wagon. I don't have any problem with humble cars and would cheerfully drive a Civic or a GTI. I just don't get why he would choose this car in particular. I can certainly understand that I may come off badly in commenting on this, but I am perplexed by it. If he'd never had the RSX and simply didn't care about cars I would never even comment on his Focus - it just seems like a bizarre choice given everything else I know about him.

Well, in the case of the Civic, the Focus is lighter, handles better, has more power, and is more affordable Unless you're talking about the Si, that's a whole other ballgame. The GTI is $$$$ in comparison.

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

He got rid of the RSX because it had developed an ever-worsening transmission problem. He actually told the Ford dealer about the problem when he traded it in, which I have a hard time understanding - he had no legal (or, IMO, moral) obligation whatsoever to disclose a problem like that.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

He got rid of the RSX because it had developed an ever-worsening transmission problem. He actually told the Ford dealer about the problem when he traded it in, which I have a hard time understanding - he had no legal (or, IMO, moral) obligation whatsoever to disclose a problem like that.

lol

 

[CrimsonWolf]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

He got rid of the RSX because it had developed an ever-worsening transmission problem. He actually told the Ford dealer about the problem when he traded it in, which I have a hard time understanding - he had no legal (or, IMO, moral) obligation whatsoever to disclose a problem like that.

Doh, that sucks. Nevermind then. At least you know he's honest. :laugh:

 

[PClark99]

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

He got rid of the RSX because it had developed an ever-worsening transmission problem. He actually told the Ford dealer about the problem when he traded it in, which I have a hard time understanding - he had no legal (or, IMO, moral) obligation whatsoever to disclose a problem like that.

An honest lawyer..........who'd have thought that was possible.

 

[Arkaign]

Originally posted by: PClark99

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

He got rid of the RSX because it had developed an ever-worsening transmission problem. He actually told the Ford dealer about the problem when he traded it in, which I have a hard time understanding - he had no legal (or, IMO, moral) obligation whatsoever to disclose a problem like that.

An honest lawyer..........who'd have thought that was possible.

Well at least he's a little less likely to get screwed by that dealer in case he needs anything done. I can only imagine dumping a vehicle that needs thousands in drivetrain repairs onto them as a trade-in, not telling them about it, and then coming in for a routine service call. They'd probably disconnect your brake lines or something.

 

[SearchMaster]

Originally posted by: PClark99

Originally posted by: Don Vito Corleone

Originally posted by: CrimsonWolf
Maybe he's using the Focus to help go for the "guy next door" look.

One of the local city council candidates owned a nice pretty car but always drove her POS hooptie to campaign events when up she was up for election.

Obama ditched his HEMI-tastic 300C in 2007. Most of the primary presidential candidates were jumping on the politically-correct hybrid train and grabbing Ford Escape Hybrids.

It's not financial virtue. If so, why would he have ditched the RSX? Given it was still in good shape, keeping the RSX would have been the better call. And if he was hell-bent on a Ford, a Taurus or a Fusion would have been a better choice. It's a stretch but maybe he had a political angle in his decision.

He got rid of the RSX because it had developed an ever-worsening transmission problem. He actually told the Ford dealer about the problem when he traded it in, which I have a hard time understanding - he had no legal (or, IMO, moral) obligation whatsoever to disclose a problem like that.

An honest lawyer..........who'd have thought that was possible.

And he's a politician with fiscal responsibility.

*head asplodes*

 

[Hellotalkie]

he bought a focus, good for him! You should worry about yourself, rather than sulk about his purchase. The focus is a great little car, the reliability is above average, the interior is acceptable for what you pay for. If I wanted a little econobox that gets good mpg, but still looks nice, a focus would be on my list. Maybe he's saving for a nice car in the future, weekend car. Don't try to justify that you make as much as him and have to buy the nicest things. Your stuck on bmw quality, you cannot compare that to fords, they are both in different categories!

 

[zerocool84]

A guy with money buys a great economical car.....................WHAT IS THIS WORLD COMING TO?!?!?!?!

 

[Don Vito Corleone]

All right, I am man enough to admit that you have shamed me into withdrawing my sentiment. My colleague's car is none of my business. I will say that I would have had no issue with him buying a first-gen Focus, which was an appealing car IMO (particularly in SVT trim). I just don't care for the current one (though I would love to have a European RS model).

 

[c3p0]

Is this some kind of joke??? OP, I sure hope you made this all up.

c3p0
:beer:

 

[EightySix Four]

I have to say I have been in the past. My best friend (since 4th grade actually) sold his mint Porsche 914 with 212 N/A whp and bought a late model Celica GT... His 914 could demolish that Celica any day of the week. He was pretty down about it afterwards. Now he has an MR2 and is a bit happier but he still wants his Porsche back.