The Ford Focus is an amazing car

[Ryan]

This is the funniest thing I've read all day 😀

 

[Rent]

Originally posted by: acemcmac
my mom has the SVT. It's a turd with 4 wheels.

Really? Why is it a turd?

Its got its problems, but I think its better than the competitors in its pricerange.

 

[HardcoreRobot]

lol

shens!

 

[RGN]

freebee, you have got to be kidding. Better steering than an M3? Not. Just not. Go spew your marketing crap elsewhere.

 

[BeauJangles]

While i think making comparisons to a car that costs nearly 3x-4x as much as the Focus, I have to say I was VERY impressed with the Focus. I could walk out of the dealership with one (not SVT) for ~11 grand with everything except leather. They handle pretty well and a surprisingly peppy for their cheapness.

My point is that, at the 12 - 16 k price range, it's hard to beat the Focus. The recalls suck, but Ford does warranty nearly everything in the car for 100,000 miles / 5 yrs. I've been thinking about buying one for a while.

 

[toekramp]

thanks for making me smile 🙂

 

[Mo0o]

I expect a thread by you:

"God damn focus just broke down again!"

In about 3 months

 

[Sheepathon]

As someone who worked valet for almost 2 years, and drove pretty much every car imaginable god knows how many times (sometimes parking the car involved going almost a quarter mile down the street, round the bend, and into the lot), I can safely say that M3 > Focus in every way.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: Sheepathon
As someone who worked valet for almost 2 years, and drove pretty much every car imaginable god knows how many times (sometimes parking the car involved going almost a quarter mile down the street, round the bend, and into the lot), I can safely say that M3 > Focus in every way.

Not according to resident car expert freebee 😉

 

[The Stigenator]

the focus is a very good handling car.. do not diss it.. I drive one.

Yes its front wheel drive, and most front wheel drives tend to understeer for safety. Well when i first got the focus, i found i could corner faster than before, but more so i didnt have to worry about the nasty oversteer issue on my brothers BMW.

The focus does oversteer, i have done it. Infact it readily will do it if you go in a bit too hot.

I have 86000 miles on my 2000 focus. It has been quite a bit / mildly reliable for me. I know the 100K service is coming up and i will sure hear that cost on that. I have the early focus, so my tranny is sealed, i havent changed the tranny fluid. I probably will never change it, since there is no way to even check the amount of fluid or to replace it without taking out the half shafts.

Otherwise the focus has been good. I dont push it as much these days, the suspension on my car is very soft. I think i need to replace the springs up front (there is a recall for it - but i got to wait for it to break i think). It seems to deflect when i hit something mid turn. But the soft suspension does make the car handle like a doddle..

I cant wait to put new springs and shocks when it crosses over 100K..

I am not getting rid of this car until i finish my schooling at Sac.State. So that means its got to last me another a year and a half. I hope it keeps it reliablity.

 

[StormRider]

I love my 2000 Focus. It's been excellent. The only problem I had was that it started to have trouble cold starting after 90K miles. Apparently, it's a known problem and my dealer replaced the fuel pump and HAC(?) and now it's like new again.

All cars I have own had have their share of problems but the Focus has been my favorite so far. Excellent handling and generally good reliability (except for that problem I mentioned earlier)

 

[freebee]

Originally posted by: RGN
freebee, you have got to be kidding. Better steering than an M3? Not. Just not. Go spew your marketing crap elsewhere.

I drive dozens of different cars from different manufacturers. Its with this authority that I say the Focus is an amazing car. Granted I used the M3 (which i did drive) as an example to start a lively discussion, but the Focus really is that good. Not at-the-limit handling (which may be what some of the uproar is about)....but in everyday driving it is fantastic.

Its a difficult thing to compare and describe steering feel, because most people are not senstive to the slight off camber "grip" that makes steering feel alive. When you can feel the tires bite, and transmit the nuances of the road to your hands. Its something that is truly lacking in a lot of cars today with overboosted steering. Also the texture of the Focus wheel is very tactile with perfect sizing for performance driving. This contributes further towards its excellent steering. (*applies to leather-wheel only)

I'm not marketing any product. Despite everything, I probably wouldn't even buy a Focus. But I do encourage those people that are bashing the car to try one out to see and feel what fantastic steering really is.

 

[stnicralisk]

Originally posted by: freebee
I've been driving a Ford Focus lately, zx5 with the leather interior and its an amazing car. Despite all that is said about American cars, Ford, reliability, etc. I am amazed at the chasis response, the steering feel and handling that the Focus has. Plus, its extraordinarily cheap.

Just for comparison sake, the Focus has better steering than an M3. While it obviously doesn't accelerate as well, the turning/cornering is just as good if not better. Its roomy, great seating position, visiblity and the stereo is good. The leather smells like great as well.

If you guys have a chance, try out the Ford Focus.

Built Ford Tough.

IIRC it has the most recalls of any Ford in history.

 

[bunker]

I have a 2001, bought it brand new. While it does in fact have very good handling, you're definitely over doing it by saying it's better than an M3

 

[Dunbar]

I had a Focus and a rental and have to agree, surprisingly good handling with great ride quality. But damn, that engine is way underpowered. Now that the 2.3 is an option I might consider one if it weren't for reliability.

Watch Top Gear, they love the Focus. Nuff said.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Originally posted by: freebee

Originally posted by: RGN
freebee, you have got to be kidding. Better steering than an M3? Not. Just not. Go spew your marketing crap elsewhere.

I drive dozens of different cars from different manufacturers. Its with this authority that I say the Focus is an amazing car. Granted I used the M3 (which i did drive) as an example to start a lively discussion, but the Focus really is that good. Not at-the-limit handling (which may be what some of the uproar is about)....but in everyday driving it is fantastic.

Its a difficult thing to compare and describe steering feel, because most people are not senstive to the slight off camber "grip" that makes steering feel alive. When you can feel the tires bite, and transmit the nuances of the road to your hands. Its something that is truly lacking in a lot of cars today with overboosted steering. Also the texture of the Focus wheel is very tactile with perfect sizing for performance driving. This contributes further towards its excellent steering. (*applies to leather-wheel only)

I'm not marketing any product. Despite everything, I probably wouldn't even buy a Focus. But I do encourage those people that are bashing the car to try one out to see and feel what fantastic steering really is.

I've driven many a Focus. Never found the steering to be all that, but better than the norm, granted. I have a 2000 Impreza Turbo, so theres need to talk to me about communication between the road and Driver.

I'm not bashing it, I'm simply saying you are REALLY overstating the feedback when comparing it to the M3, which I have also driven. Along with the 996, the 964, the Mazda MX5 'miata' and many other cars that have outstanding handling and steering feedback/turn-in.

 

[DivideBYZero]

Mind you, saying that, the Focus RS DOES handle very well and will put the heat on an M3 on the track...

 

[DivideBYZero]

Top Gear Track results:

Ford Focus RS - 1.32.2
BMW M3 - 1.31.8

 

[Fingers]

Originally posted by: dudeman007
lol the focus is a good car imho, but yeah I'll leave it to the car pros here on atot to eat you up.

That's funny, car pro's. Hehehe. Just a bunch of geeks who think they know about cars.

There have been posts by about 2 people that I have seen since I have been here that show any real world knowledge about cars and trucks.

 

[imthebadguy]

Originally posted by: halik

Originally posted by: freebee
I've been driving a Ford Focus lately, zx5 with the leather interior and its an amazing car. Despite all that is said about American cars, Ford, reliability, etc. I am amazed at the chasis response, the steering feel and handling that the Focus has. Plus, its extraordinarily cheap.

Just for comparison sake, the Focus has better steering than an M3. While it obviously doesn't accelerate as well, the turning/cornering is just as good if not better. Its roomy, great seating position, visiblity and the stereo is good. The leather smells like great as well.

If you guys have a chance, try out the Ford Focus.

Built Ford Tough.

are you 16 years old?

halik is an idiot, i agree focus is a pretty sweet ride

 

[Tremulant]

I used to have a 2001 Focus ZX3. I had no problems with it. Sure, there were a few recalls, but nothing major.

My dad really liked the car, it was easy to get in and out of and it could haul all of his coaching equipment. It could've used more power, but the current ones make up for that.

On the topic of steering, I liked the way it drove. The steering in my Altima doesn't feel as 'tight' as the Focus felt, but I've gotten used to it.

However if I had to buy a vehicle in that price range today, I'd choose the Mazda 3, just because it has a better chassis. IIRC, they cost about the same when similarly configured.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: bR
Text

OMG...I thought I met most of the dorks on ATOT! MAN that made me laugh!!! 😀 😀 😀


Anyway, the Focus is a pretty well built car, but it's an econobox. It does not handle well without some major add ons to the suspension (the car is really front heavy).

 

[BeauJangles]

Originally posted by: Tremulant
I used to have a 2001 Focus ZX3. I had no problems with it. Sure, there were a few recalls, but nothing major.

My dad really liked the car, it was easy to get in and out of and it could haul all of his coaching equipment. It could've used more power, but the current ones make up for that.

On the topic of steering, I liked the way it drove. The steering in my Altima doesn't feel as 'tight' as the Focus felt, but I've gotten used to it.

However if I had to buy a vehicle in that price range today, I'd choose the Mazda 3, just because it has a better chassis. IIRC, they cost about the same when similarly configured.

I dunno about that. When I was looking at a Focus over the summer I could get the regular Zx3 (140 hp engine or whatever the standard is) with power windows, manual tranny, no moonroof / leather for $11.5k out the door. Pretty sure that even fully loaded it would come in under the $18k for a Mazda3.

 

[Grey]

I used to own a Zx3 before trading in for a truck. I miss it sometimes, especially the handling which I loved. I had the Focus for three years and never had one issue, it was a great car for what I paid and cannot complain and I still recommend it to people looking for compacts.

 

[sniperruff]

Originally posted by: Grey
I used to own a Zx3 before trading in for a truck. I miss it sometimes, especially the handling which I loved. I had the Focus for three years and never had one issue, it was a great car for what I paid and cannot complain and I still recommend it to people looking for compacts.

actually i also recommend the focus but most people think im joking... good for me in this case since im in the market for a car...