Test drove a Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback this morning.

[the DRIZZLE]

Depending on my work/living situation the Focus ST might be my next car when in launches here.

 

[Demo24]

Is direct injection the magic they use to get these cars up to such amazing mileage numbers?

Direct injection certainly helps along with drag coefficient and appropriate gearing. These foci have vents in the front grill opening that close at hwy speeds reducing the drag from air being forced into the engine compartment head on.

What engine was in it? 2.0L Ecoboost?

That engine is not in the Focus yet, although it will see usage with the ST. I'm not sure if it's going to appear as a lower power variant or an even smaller, perhaps 1.8l engine. Europe gets a nice 1.6l ecoboost. Currently the only engine is that 2.0l na for the US market.



I'm really looking forward to the ST model, and if finances allow may consider one. Also there is talk that Ford is considering allowing the manual on the higher end Focus trims. I wish they would put a 6spd in there though, would probably allow it to get closer to the autos mpg numbers.

 

[Doppel]

Our '08 Focus was $7900 when we purchased it in November. Depreciated 50% in 2 years.

Well, I just looked at over 50 focuses in my local area this second online. One was for $10k. Absolutely every single other one was between $12-16k.

I'm thinking about getting another car now and with used car prices seemingly seriously high on damn near everything I am not really sure why I'd bother getting used. Except for a few models it just really makes sense to buy new in a lot of cases. I would say that the majority of the vehicles I've looked at (many models) on average it's just better to buy new, save the hassle with almost out of warranty and all that crap. The incentives on some new are still very good.

Just searched 2007 altimas. All are $14k within $500. Why bother? I can get a 2011 for well under $20k and it has standard items like push button start and stability control (a major safety boon), which the 2007 doesn't. Used car market seems totally fvcked right now. 2008s are going all day long for $15-18k. Three years old, totally insane. Truecar shows a 2011 2.5s selling for under $17k. Heck the MSRP is only $23k and nobody need pay that right now.

Well here's the thing... people who buy a Ford will buy it because it meets their needs for transportation. People who buy an Audi will buy it because it meets their needs for branding.

I won't argue that.

 

[Arkaign]

Well, I just looked at over 50 focuses in my local area this second online. One was for $10k. Absolutely every single other one was between $12-16k.

I'm thinking about getting another car now and with used car prices seemingly seriously high on damn near everything I am not really sure why I'd bother getting used. Except for a few models it just really makes sense to buy new in a lot of cases. I would say that the majority of the vehicles I've looked at (many models) on average it's just better to buy new, save the hassle with almost out of warranty and all that crap. The incentives on some new are still very good.

Just searched 2007 altimas. All are $14k within $500. Why bother? I can get a 2011 for well under $20k and it has standard items like push button start and stability control (a major safety boon), which the 2007 doesn't. Used car market seems totally fvcked right now. 2008s are going all day long for $15-18k. Three years old, totally insane. Truecar shows a 2011 2.5s selling for under $17k. Heck the MSRP is only $23k and nobody need pay that right now.

I won't argue that.

Yeah, I actually listened to a local car-talk radio show over the weekend, and the host said that used car prices have hit insane highs lately. In particular demand are used 4-cyl compacts and midsize cars with good fuel economy for trade. Dealers are overstocked on trucks/suvs.

There's something to be said about getting a new car w/warranty and no abuse, particularly when you consider that you can often qualify for incentives and lower interest loans than with used. When the market is more normal, it's a harder decision, but when prices are as close as you describe in your area, it'd be silly to get the used ones with a few years and some mileage already racked up for almost the same price.

 

[Mossimo142]

Actually, let's cover the most recent for goofs.

The new convertible T-bird. What were they thinking?
The Probe. 'nuff said.
The 'new' small 2 seat Cougar. OMG ugly.
The Lincoln Blackwood.

Thank god we appear to have left those type of decisions behind us (for now). I still want an AWD 3.5 Twin Turbo Fusion, and the Focus ST still doesn't really have the balls I'd prefer, but Ford's never really been a small sports car company. The last 'good' one was the Focus SVT, and even that wasn't on part with a WRX.

I saw a new Eclipse in Burnt Metallic Orange yesterday and wished we built a car like that.

What "new" 2 seat Cougar are you talking about?

 

[alkemyst]

The Focus Titanium is a highly rated car. It's expensive in it's segment.

I want my wife to drive one first (she's looking for hatchbacks)...optioned the way she wants is about $28k though....a big jump from a base model at $18k...it was comparable in price to the GTI Autobahn 4 door.

However, now she's found out about the Audi A3 and really wants one of those. That's about $10k higher.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

The Focus Titanium is a highly rated car. It's expensive in it's segment.

I want my wife to drive one first (she's looking for hatchbacks)...optioned the way she wants is about $28k though....a big jump from a base model at $18k...it was comparable in price to the GTI Autobahn 4 door.

However, now she's found out about the Audi A3 and really wants one of those. That's about $10k higher.

The A3 is not worth it unless you really want the badge, its just a stretched GTI anyway.

 

[alkemyst]

The A3 is not worth it unless you really want the badge, its just a stretched GTI anyway.

Interior quality was a lot nicer, plus you can pick other than plaid ...

visibility is also better. they have some extra windows at the rear that eliminate the GTI blindspots.

However, $10k more (almost 50%)...has me cringing a bit. Although to be fair I am spending $35k or more on my car...it's like an extra $180 or so for 5 years to make her happy...

 

[PhoKingGuy]

Interior quality was a lot nicer, plus you can pick other than plaid ...

visibility is also better. they have some extra windows at the rear that eliminate the GTI blindspots.

However, $10k more (almost 50%)...has me cringing a bit. Although to be fair I am spending $35k or more on my car...it's like an extra $180 or so for 5 years to make her happy...

TBH I thought the interior quality was about the same when I looked at them, the plaid is a plus for me though, lol.

To each his own, for 10k more I would rather have a different car than a tarted up GTI though.

 

[alkemyst]

TBH I thought the interior quality was about the same when I looked at them, the plaid is a plus for me though, lol.

To each his own, for 10k more I would rather have a different car than a tarted up GTI though.

Lol as someone from the VW fanclub...

It's really nothing like a GTI though. It's a totally different car.

 

[Doppel]

Yeah, I actually listened to a local car-talk radio show over the weekend, and the host said that used car prices have hit insane highs lately. In particular demand are used 4-cyl compacts and midsize cars with good fuel economy for trade. Dealers are overstocked on trucks/suvs.

There's something to be said about getting a new car w/warranty and no abuse, particularly when you consider that you can often qualify for incentives and lower interest loans than with used. When the market is more normal, it's a harder decision, but when prices are as close as you describe in your area, it'd be silly to get the used ones with a few years and some mileage already racked up for almost the same price.

recent article on foxnews

http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/05/09/cheaper-buy-new-car-used/

I was looking at fusions and I swear a year back a 2008 fusion cost less than the same car today--with the year less of miles.

http://video.foxbusiness.com/v/4685857/report-used-car-prices-soar-to-record-highs-in-april

 

[JulesMaximus]

The Focus Titanium is a highly rated car. It's expensive in it's segment.

I want my wife to drive one first (she's looking for hatchbacks)...optioned the way she wants is about $28k though....a big jump from a base model at $18k...it was comparable in price to the GTI Autobahn 4 door.

However, now she's found out about the Audi A3 and really wants one of those. That's about $10k higher.

Mileage is much better with the Focus though and if you option the A3 to the level of the Focus Titanium it is almost $8k more expensive.

 

[vi edit]

Interior quality was a lot nicer, plus you can pick other than plaid ...

visibility is also better. they have some extra windows at the rear that eliminate the GTI blindspots.

However, $10k more (almost 50%)...has me cringing a bit. Although to be fair I am spending $35k or more on my car...it's like an extra $180 or so for 5 years to make her happy...

She look at the TSX Wagon? 30k'ish. More gadgets and interior touches than GTI and bigger than both it and the A3

 

[alkemyst]

she's not interested in station wagons.

 

[PricklyPete]

Lol as someone from the VW fanclub...

It's really nothing like a GTI though. It's a totally different car.

No, No it is not. It actually is worse than the GTI dynamically as the A3 is nearly 8 years old while the GTI has already been refreshed (and improved). My wife and I were test driving both the A3 and the GTI when we bought her a new car, and the only reason I would have considered the A3 over the GTI was because you could get a full length moonroof and the dealers were much more willing to deal (the Mark VI GTI had just come out). You clearly haven't researched the car (or driven them) if you think they are totally different.

 

[PhoKingGuy]

No, No it is not. It actually is worse than the GTI dynamically as the A3 is nearly 8 years old while the GTI has already been refreshed (and improved). My wife and I were test driving both the A3 and the GTI when we bought her a new car, and the only reason I would have considered the A3 over the GTI was because you could get a full length moonroof and the dealers were much more willing to deal (the Mark VI GTI had just come out). You clearly haven't researched the car (or driven them) if you think they are totally different.

This, the A3 is still on the MKV platform, the GTI is the MKVI platform. Audi has the servotronic steering, but I doubt she would notice/make use of it. Around here Audi dealers only stock the TDI models as the 2.0Ts dont sell at all, though you might be able to swing a deal on it.

 

[ElFenix]

One of the most hilariously bad ideas in Ford history was deciding at the last minute to replace the V6 and V8-powered full-size RWD Cougar with the renamed 3rd-gen Probe. The Probe was a general sales success, but suddenly slapping a Mercury badge and price on it was a terrible idea.

eh? it was a contour underneath, not a mazda. so i'm not seeing probe bloodlines. unless you've got some sources saying that was in fact what happened, as i can't find anything substantiating that claim.

Actually, let's cover the most recent for goofs.

The new convertible T-bird. What were they thinking?
The Probe. 'nuff said.
The 'new' small 2 seat Cougar. OMG ugly.
The Lincoln Blackwood.

Thank god we appear to have left those type of decisions behind us (for now).

uh, every lincoln except the mks. hideous filter feeder grille is only getting bigger.

 

[krunchykrome]

$28k for a ford focus? I'd consider a base focus for sub$16k. But $28k for a focus is retarded. You're already in Acura TSX territory or Loaded Honda Accord territory.

 

[CrackRabbit]

eh? it was a contour underneath, not a mazda. so i'm not seeing probe bloodlines. unless you've got some sources saying that was in fact what happened, as i can't find anything substantiating that claim.




uh, every lincoln except the mks. hideous filter feeder grille is only getting bigger.

Except for the horrendous torque steer (that was going to be fixed until Ford canned the project) and being a late 90s Ford product reliability wise the Cougars were not bad cars.

 

[DivideBYZero]

No, No it is not. It actually is worse than the GTI dynamically as the A3 is nearly 8 years old while the GTI has already been refreshed (and improved). My wife and I were test driving both the A3 and the GTI when we bought her a new car, and the only reason I would have considered the A3 over the GTI was because you could get a full length moonroof and the dealers were much more willing to deal (the Mark VI GTI had just come out). You clearly haven't researched the car (or driven them) if you think they are totally different.

Alky gets schooled again.

 

[JulesMaximus]

$28k for a ford focus? I'd consider a base focus for sub$16k. But $28k for a focus is retarded. You're already in Acura TSX territory or Loaded Honda Accord territory.

But those cars look like ass. And the Focus is actually just as nice if not better equipped.

 

[ElFenix]

$28k for a ford focus? I'd consider a base focus for sub$16k. But $28k for a focus is retarded. You're already in Acura TSX territory or Loaded Honda Accord territory.

when equipped like a $21,000 civic or corolla the ford is comparably priced. when equipped like a $35,000 audi the ford saves thousands.


did top gear do this focus yet?

ford should have purchased clarkson's review of the fiesta and shown it in front of every blockbuster last summer

 

[krunchykrome]

Im just saying, you can dress up a Focus as nice as you like, but it's still a Ford Focus. There's a price point that the general public is willing to pay for certain cars, and $28k is way above the Focus' price point.

 

[Arkaign]

eh? it was a contour underneath, not a mazda. so i'm not seeing probe bloodlines. unless you've got some sources saying that was in fact what happened, as i can't find anything substantiating that claim.

I had friends at FoMoCo at the time, or rather my best friend's dad and uncle worked for them.

The final-gen Cougar was originally the Probe MK3. Even if you didn't have sources, all you have to do is look at the specs and size to figure it out :

Cougar previous = RWD, V6, V8 (except for the odd i4 turbo in the mid 80s models), large.

Probe previous = FWD, 2.0 i4, 2.5 V6, compact.

Final Cougar = FWD, 2.0 i4, 2.5V6, compact.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cougar_(Europe)

"The Ford Cougar is a large coupé car sold in the European market between 1998 and 2002. The car was named after a famous American muscle car from the Ford stable, the Mercury Cougar. It was originally intended to be the third generation Probe, but after a rationalisation of the three coupés available in the United States, the Probe name was dropped in favour of the Cougar."

EDIT : Additional :

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Probe#1999-2002_Probe

"The third generation Probe was to be built on the same platform as the Ford Contour and Mercury Mystique as the earlier generation Probes were built on the Mazda MX-6 and 626 platform. The base third generation Probe would have the same dual overhead cam 16-valve Zetec 4-cylinder engine that powers the Contour, producing more power then the old engine with 125hp at 5500 rpm and 130 foot/pounds of torque at 4000 rpm. The GT's engine, like the 4-cylinder, is the same engine as available in the Contour...the Duratec 24-valve 2.5L V6. It will produce 170hp at 6250 rpm and 165 foot/pounds of torque at 4250 rpm. Unfortunately, as the Probe was born from what was to be the new Mustang, the new Cougar was born from what was to be the new Probe. In June of ’98, Ford introduced the new Probe as the 1999 Mercury Cougar."

 

[ElFenix]

Im just saying, you can dress up a Focus as nice as you like, but it's still a Ford Focus. There's a price point that the general public is willing to pay for certain cars, and $28k is way above the Focus' price point.

the 28k price isn't going to be bought by the general public. it's for gadget driven people who might other wise be looking at the A3, the prius, and the other cars some of the posters around here have mentioned. there are a lot of people who must drive marketers mad with their seemingly random cross shopping.

21k gets you auto, sync, moonroof, and SFE package. that's for the general public. that's really competitive.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Cougar_(Europe)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Probe#1999-2002_Probe

neither of which has a source.

i'm not saying it doesn't make sense, but stuff that makes sense isn't necessarily right. fwd mustangs aren't right (neither are fwd cougars )