Test drove a Ford Focus Titanium Hatchback this morning.

[JulesMaximus]

I'm probably not the best judge of interior noise. I drive a Supra with a 3" exhaust fairly regularly. I'd say you do hear some wind noise, but not a whole lot. It's not as quiet as our Passat.

Interior surfaces look good. Definitely what you'd expect in a 20-30k car, maybe a little better. This was a cloth car, and the fabric looked good. It wasn't spectacular, but everything fit, panels didn't squeak, and the plastics looked better than the GM parts bin, if you know what I mean.

Visibility is average. The B/C pillars do create a blind spot, but Ford tabbed the side view mirrors with a 2x2ish convex, so you can see. Nice touch.

I obviously have not driven a Titanium yet, but the SEL in cloth trim as I drove it costs 20k. I'm not entirely sure what you'd find at that price that is as good as this car, and that is without factoring in Sync, which IMHO is unmatched anywhere.

About the only negative I really see is from a marketing standpoint. This is a legitimate premium compact. There aren't a lot of those in the US, as most premium compacts are really mid size cars. The available technology really sets it apart, though, and at this point I do plan to buy one.

Power moonroof, touchscreen navigation, bluetooth, leather, parking assist is an option, sport tuned suspension, 18" alloy wheels, heated seats, etc.

 

[ElFenix]

Power moonroof, touchscreen navigation, bluetooth, leather, parking assist is an option, sport tuned suspension, 18" alloy wheels, heated seats, etc.

 

[NutBucket]

Meaning, what other car has those features for under $30k.

I was ready to buy one but was annoyed I couldn't get a 5-speed with the sony stereo option. It's such a bitch to upgrade audio without losing other features that it's really not worth the trouble anymore.

My wife thinks it's dumb that the manual trans is such a big deal to me. Maybe it is...but I'm the one driving it and I really don't like automatics.

 

[sjwaste]

Power moonroof, touchscreen navigation, bluetooth, leather, parking assist is an option, sport tuned suspension, 18" alloy wheels, heated seats, etc.

I know. I meant other cars.

 

[ElFenix]

Meaning, what other car has those features for under $30k.

I was ready to buy one but was annoyed I couldn't get a 5-speed with the sony stereo option. It's such a bitch to upgrade audio without losing other features that it's really not worth the trouble anymore.

My wife thinks it's dumb that the manual trans is such a big deal to me. Maybe it is...but I'm the one driving it and I really don't like automatics.

ST can't get here soon enough

 

[alexruiz]

Power moonroof, touchscreen navigation, bluetooth, leather, parking assist is an option, sport tuned suspension, 18" alloy wheels, heated seats, etc....

Meaning, what other car has those features for under $30k.

I was ready to buy one but was annoyed I couldn't get a 5-speed with the sony stereo option. It's such a bitch to upgrade audio without losing other features that it's really not worth the trouble anymore.

My wife thinks it's dumb that the manual trans is such a big deal to me. Maybe it is...but I'm the one driving it and I really don't like automatics.

Suzuki Kizashi SLS
and it is ~$24K MSRP (would be close to $26k with the nav)

Even better, the 6 speed manual transmission (yes, 6 speed, not 5) is available is SLS trim level. In practice though, the car would likely have to be ordered because I don't think a single dealer would have an SLS with the 6sp MT in stock...

If you can live without leather, heated seats, park assist, the GTS with the MT is easy to find and test drive... oh, and you don't lose the MT for upgrading the audio (Rocksford-Fosgate audio system is in fact standard in GTS and SLS trim levels regardless of drivetrain)

http://www.suzukiauto.com/brochures/

 

[Demo24]

Meaning, what other car has those features for under $30k.

I was ready to buy one but was annoyed I couldn't get a 5-speed with the sony stereo option. It's such a bitch to upgrade audio without losing other features that it's really not worth the trouble anymore.

My wife thinks it's dumb that the manual trans is such a big deal to me. Maybe it is...but I'm the one driving it and I really don't like automatics.

I would hold out for a bit longer, there are rumors they may allow manuals on Titanium levels.

 

[Arkaign]

Suzuki Kizashi SLS
and it is ~$24K MSRP (would be close to $26k with the nav)

Even better, the 6 speed manual transmission (yes, 6 speed, not 5) is available is SLS trim level. In practice though, the car would likely have to be ordered because I don't think a single dealer would have an SLS with the 6sp MT in stock...

If you can live without leather, heated seats, park assist, the GTS with the MT is easy to find and test drive... oh, and you don't lose the MT for upgrading the audio (Rocksford-Fosgate audio system is in fact standard in GTS and SLS trim levels regardless of drivetrain)

http://www.suzukiauto.com/brochures/

That's a nice car, but it's kinda on the large size. Fuel economy is dramatically lower as well, which is expected for a heavier, more capable family hauler. It sort of compares better to Fusion, and I think it trumps the 2.5L i4 Fusion. 185hp/180tq with a 6-speed manual is pretty nice

 

[sdifox]

Meaning, what other car has those features for under $30k.

I was ready to buy one but was annoyed I couldn't get a 5-speed with the sony stereo option. It's such a bitch to upgrade audio without losing other features that it's really not worth the trouble anymore.

My wife thinks it's dumb that the manual trans is such a big deal to me. Maybe it is...but I'm the one driving it and I really don't like automatics.

Did you drive the Focus auto? it ain't bad.

 

[Arkaign]

Did you drive the Focus auto? it ain't bad.

I'm kinda on the fence with this. True, I've heard the thing is pretty nice around town, but it's still a little disappointing that it isn't as sporty as the DSG that VW/Audi has though. Everyone says the manual shift mode is pretty much useless, and the car shifts better on its own.

Damn thing would be practically perfect if :

(1)- The dual-clutch auto had a 'sport' mode which enabled faster, harder shifts.

(2)- 6-speed manual was available across the model range.

 

[sdifox]

I'm kinda on the fence with this. True, I've heard the thing is pretty nice around town, but it's still a little disappointing that it isn't as sporty as the DSG that VW/Audi has though. Everyone says the manual shift mode is pretty much useless, and the car shifts better on its own.

Damn thing would be practically perfect if :

(1)- The dual-clutch auto had a 'sport' mode which enabled faster, harder shifts.

(2)- 6-speed manual was available across the model range.

wait for the ST, assuming it is coming.

 

[sjwaste]

The original conversation here was about the Focus as a commuter car. Well, at least, thats what Jules and I were talking about. In that case, my values are completely different - I want good fuel mileage, a decent interior, and good entertainment/electronics. I think that's where the Focus really shines.

 

[Arkaign]

The original conversation here was about the Focus as a commuter car. Well, at least, thats what Jules and I were talking about. In that case, my values are completely different - I want good fuel mileage, a decent interior, and good entertainment/electronics. I think that's where the Focus really shines.

Agreed, it's basically perfect for that duty, and it's a really nice looking car. I'm seeing more and more of them, and it looks nicer in person than pictures, and from every angle.

 

[NutBucket]

I've driven both. I didn't mind the way the dual clutch drove but a couple things:

1.) Completely new transmission design for Ford with unproven reliability.

2.) Anytime I'm driving an automatic I never feel like it's in the right gear. And, given the lack of a decent sport/manual mode, a real deal killer for me.

And really, I don't want to pay $27k for it. My brother in law bought an SEL hatch with the features I would want (minus the dual-clutch) but without a sunroof (which I would want) for somewhere in the $21k neighborhood.

Oh well, already bought a different car anyway.

 

[sjwaste]

And really, I don't want to pay $27k for it. My brother in law bought an SEL hatch with the features I would want (minus the dual-clutch) but without a sunroof (which I would want) for somewhere in the $21k neighborhood.

Pretty sure the SEL auto is the DSG only. I don't see an MT or other auto option on Ford's site.

 

[NutBucket]

That's my point. I'd have to get an SE hatch to get an MT and it doesn't offer some of the features I want.

To make matters worse, the SE hatch has a "rental car white" (words of the salesman) whereas higher trims have a much more pleasant pearl white (my color of choice).

 

[sjwaste]

That's my point. I'd have to get an SE hatch to get an MT and it doesn't offer some of the features I want.

To make matters worse, the SE hatch has a "rental car white" (words of the salesman) whereas higher trims have a much more pleasant pearl white (my color of choice).

Yeah, I understand. I want an auto specifically because this is to be a commuter car for me, and I'd rather just push the gas and go.

What did you end up buying?

 

[NutBucket]

CR-Z

 

[sjwaste]

CR-Z

Congrats. That's not a bad car. I saw one out here the other day, first one I've seen.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

My little brother picked up a new focus a couple weeks ago. I got a chance to drive it this morning. It was a manual trans and was stripped down. He paid $12,300 for it. I couldn't believe he got it for that price. It drove really great, clutch and tranny worked great, seemed to have a little pep and the interior while a little small seemed nice. He didnt have power windows but it did have power locks. I'd have to see a titanium to see if it's worth the premium but for the 12k my little brother paid it was a fantastic deal.

 

[Demo24]

My little brother picked up a new focus a couple weeks ago. I got a chance to drive it this morning. It was a manual trans and was stripped down. He paid $12,300 for it. I couldn't believe he got it for that price. It drove really great, clutch and tranny worked great, seemed to have a little pep and the interior while a little small seemed nice. He didnt have power windows but it did have power locks. I'd have to see a titanium to see if it's worth the premium but for the 12k my little brother paid it was a fantastic deal.

He got a left over last gen model, not a highly revised 2012. As a)no way he got a brand new model for 4k less than msrp on the most basic one (not even fiesta goes that low) b)power windows are standard on 2012. Last gen model was 'ok', 2012 model is a VAST improvement which is why we are all talking about it.

 

[Doppel]

My little brother picked up a new focus a couple weeks ago. I got a chance to drive it this morning. It was a manual trans and was stripped down. He paid $12,300 for it. I couldn't believe he got it for that price. It drove really great, clutch and tranny worked great, seemed to have a little pep and the interior while a little small seemed nice. He didnt have power windows but it did have power locks. I'd have to see a titanium to see if it's worth the premium but for the 12k my little brother paid it was a fantastic deal.

That's $1500 below truecar best price for a 2011, so even if he got a 2011 it seems like something maybe was wrong with it. He certainly didn't pay that little for a 2012 Focus brand new, not a chance, unless he had trade in or cash down or whatever.

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

That's $1500 below truecar best price for a 2011, so even if he got a 2011 it seems like something maybe was wrong with it. He certainly didn't pay that little for a 2012 Focus brand new, not a chance, unless he had trade in or cash down or whatever.

Nothing was wrong with the car. It must of been the 11 since ya'll are saying the 12 comes with power windows. He printed off their internet special price and took it up there and they honored it. He paid 12.3k for it. Believe whatever you want. I'm a 30 year old man not some 16 year old kid popping zits and making up shit on the internet.