How they love the Focus

[Honcho]

I don't think I've ever read a more consistently rapturous reception to any revised model of a marque, than that given by the motoring press to the 2008 Ford Focus.

Apart from the distinctly superior suspension they've always had, Ford now increases the interest of strongly pro-Honda, potential Civic owners such as myself, by managing to promise a twin-clutch, DSG type, Gretag box early in the new year.

(Oh, and less important, obviously, Sony radio/audio with the top model.)

The Focus designer was with Audi, which, I suppose must help.

But you know what? Even if I end up adding a fifth Honda in a row, I've just got to have a test drive of this little Ford masterpiece.

[agent_O]

i went the other way. i ditched my 2001 focus in may this year for a civic 1.8ex. so glad i did. the new focus lacks any form of imagination. totally bland.

[Honcho]

Originally Posted by agent_O

i went the other way. i ditched my 2001 focus in may this year for a civic 1.8ex. so glad i did. the new focus lacks any form of imagination. totally bland.

I ditched Ford completely years ago and switched to Honda. Quality, residuals, dealers and so on. Honda usually eats Ford alive.

But now?

Now, I've got to give this new Focus a try!

[Brodick]

I will admit it does appear that Ford had just sat up smelt the coffee
and realised that they have been producing C*** for years and years
some of their newer cars do look quite nice - however I think they have only managed to come into the 21st centurey thanks to some of the car companies it currently has in it's portfolio

Still wouldn't buy a Ford though
(would look at Honda (no surprises there) VW, Audi, Mazda (yes owned by ford) Toyota, etc before I go near a Ford Dealership)

Everyone to their own

[Steeph]

Originally Posted by Honcho

But you know what? Even if I end up adding a fifth Honda in a row, I've just got to have a test drive of this little Ford masterpiece.

The 2nd generation Focus looks a lot better now it had a facelift, it was quite boring. But in terms of handling and behaviour it's nowhere near as good as the 1st generation Focus. That one was great on the road, frankly better than the Civic. But the Civic is better than the 2nd generation Focus.

The new Powershift does look tempting though, finally something similar to VW's DSG, but from a non VW brand. Ah well, it's still at least 4 years until I can select a new Lease car

[Seirrah]

So what's so good about this new Focus? Some models have a DSG type thing? I guess there's more.

Still looks BORING though (apart from ST).

[HappyMan]

I don't think Fords are boring in style, i just think they are too mass produced. I love the new Mondeo style, but I am put off because of the sheer number already on the roads over here. Ford caters for the masses and in my opinion that is why people don't like them. Although, having said that, I do think the old style Focus was better looking than the new one. But I guess it is each to their own!

[FWH]

The must be deaf, mad and blind.

Or seriously bribed.

[Hartside]

Road Tests: Ford Focus III Pre-Test

Get a look here chaps and chapesses - there is some serious competition on the way

[HappyMan]

Yea, it may be considered good but there are simply too many of them on the road. I like to look different, a bit anyway, and buying a ford really means you will be just like everyone else on the road. I haven't had a ford for years and I am glad, not because of he styling, but because of the mass production issue.

[Cookie]

its a Ford and thats that!!

[Brodick]

I'll say it again Ford have only started to make some decent cars
thanks to the knowledge and skills gained/ stolen from the other car manufacturers they own if I don't buy another Honda I will buy from
one of the following VW, Volvo (yes owned by Ford) or Nissan ( yes Nissan)

However Ford is still at the bottom of my car buying list - well near the bottom I mean someone like Tata or Ssangyong will more that likely be below ford (maybe)

[Honcho]

Originally Posted by Cookie

its a Ford and thats that!!

That's more or less been my view.

But I think I'm going to have a go at overcoming it for a test drive!

[Honcho]

[quote=Brodick;125434]

//...Ford have only started to make some decent cars
thanks to the knowledge and skills gained/ stolen from the other car manufacturers they own...//


You may well be right.

But since I'm trying it for my benefit, not theirs, who gives a damn?

[Munro]

The mark 1 focus chassis could teach the current honda civic chassis engineers a lesson. If you dont believe me try one. I have not tried the mark 2 or 3 Focus.

The Civic is a better car in most other areas.

[Hartside]

The mark 1 focus chassis could teach the current honda civic chassis engineers a lesson. If you dont believe me try one. I have not tried the mark 2 or 3 Focus

Agreed, my mk1 Focus was a superb handling car. The mk2 handles just as good - we run 2 as company pool cars. Mk3 isn't out until 2008 but you can guarantee it will have class leading handling

[Steeph]

Originally Posted by Hartside

Agreed, my mk1 Focus was a superb handling car. The mk2 handles just as good - we run 2 as company pool cars. Mk3 isn't out until 2008 but you can guarantee it will have class leading handling

I don't think that's correct. As far as I know, the Mk3 is actually a Mk2.5 and the chassis and handling is still the same. It's mostly an exterior upgrade, with some new options here and there.
So no great handling as in the Mk1 I'm afraid.

[Hartside]

So no great handling as in the Mk1 I'm afraid

Mk1 Focus was the best handling car in it's class!

Here's what they are saying about the mk3

The Zetec had the ‘Sport’ option, which includes 205/50 tyres on jewel-like 17” alloy wheels and sports suspension. So it should have ridden a bit hard, but it didn’t. Instead it had the astonishing ability to isolate driver and passenger from bumps and thumps as if they were happening elsewhere. And it combined this with simply stunning handling and roadholding. At any kind of reasonable speed, and as long as you didn’t do something daft like brake half way round a corner, it simply gripped. Not in a sportscary Porschy way, reassuring you that you’re some kind of hot stuff behind the wheel. But in a calm, unflurried manner, as likely to appeal to a vicar as to a rally driver

source - HJ road test as mentioned above

[Honcho]

Yes, from what I've read the Focus is already the best handling in its class by quite a way. The new model apparently even improves this fractionally.

I may still hate it. But I may also fall in love.

That's the fun of trying it.

[john_lickman]

Originally Posted by Honcho

... consistently rapturous reception ... distinctly superior suspension ... promise a twin-clutch, DSG type, Gretag box ... Sony radio/audio ... Ford masterpiece.

Yes, but it's a FORD!!!

Over all the years I've been driving, EVERY Ford I've ever owned has at some time in its life let me down, big time! I had a cambelt go on an Escort (fortunately I was stationary at the time), I've had 2 gearboxes go in Mondeos (the second one, when I was doing 50mph - I'm lucky to be alive) and a fire in a Fiesta (again I was stationary at the time).

Four Fords, four disasters! God is trying to tell me something!

If you want to go on living, buy a Honda, you know it makes sense