Topic: CD Article: 2008 Ford Focus

[UmroAyyar]

Thats a feature common to the midsize car segment. Are there any compact segment cars that have telescope steering wheel feature?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

I think this Focus will sell, but at what long term cost?

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Thats a feature common to the midsize car segment. Are there any compact segment cars that have telescope steering wheel feature?

All VWs, B-Class, Civic, Mazda3, Astra will... uhmmmm... I'm sure there's a handful more?

[MKII]

Thats a feature common to the midsize car segment. Are there any compact segment cars that have telescope steering wheel feature?

Yes both 2005 Focus ZX5 is had in Canada had tilt/telescoping steering wheel

[Mitlov]

My Subaru Legacy doesn't hve a telescoping wheel, so it's neither a "cheap" car thing nor a domestic car thing to have a tilt-only wheel.  I would much prefer a telescoping wheel, as the Legacy's wheel is too close to my chest.

[PJungnitsch]

I think the idea they sold the boardroom initially was fine, as the basic platform is quite good and with a great modern restyling inside and out and some redesign to ease production and add safety features all would have been well. Think cheap Mazda 3 with all those handy Ford dealers.

The problem was the styling job was botched, as mentioned it looks like a modernized Escort styled by committee. 'OK Bob, we'll give it your fender vents; Tom, those tailights of yours are spiffy; Bill, the shiny grill and big headlights are in there...etc. Hey, no more selling to grandma, the kids are going to go crazy over all this sh*t.'

Hell, it's not like they couldn't have just brought the styling of the European Ford to the old platform, how simple would that have been?

Hopefully it's the last of the pre-Mulally Fords.

[Mitlov]

Hell, it's not like they couldn't have just brought the styling of the European Ford to the old platform, how simple would that have been?

  I understand why they went with a cheaper, older platform for the North American market, but let's face it: this design is an eyesore.

Hopefully it's the last of the pre-Mulally Fords.

100%.

[MKII]

I think the idea they sold the boardroom initially was fine, as the basic platform is quite good and with a great modern restyling inside and out and some redesign to ease production and add safety features all would have been well. Think cheap Mazda 3 with all those handy Ford dealers.

The problem was the styling job was botched, as mentioned it looks like a modernized Escort styled by committee. 'OK Bob, we'll give it your fender vents; Tom, those tailights of yours are spiffy; Bill, the shiny grill and big headlights are in there...etc. Hey, no more selling to grandma, the kids are going to go crazy over all this sh*t.'

Hell, it's not like they couldn't have just brought the styling of the European Ford to the old platform, how simple would that have been?

Hopefully it's the last of the pre-Mulally Fords.

Well it sounds as if the ole boys club in Dearborn are stickin to their  we want American looking cars, mantra, and head designer Derrick Kuzak never fails to include this fact in every quote you read when discussing the global platform sharing plan.

The resistance factor at Ford against anything that is not American designed is a IMO a major hurdle and not easy to deal with, Mulally has his work cut out for himself and then some.

Hey stickshift you say tilt only, but in the article it states both tilt-telescoping, is that a mis print.

[Rupert]

I have not seen one of these cars in the flesh and am only going by the article and pictures here. That being said I don't think this car looks so bad. The bumper and grille is diferent and emphasized a bit; so what. It's a different style concept; bold but not god damn ugly. Regardless of the hype it does not appear to me to be a vehicle for the racy set. Hurray for that. I suppose this vehicle is competition for Cobalt/Corolla, in which case it offers a different styling choice which to my eye is not unpleasant. The lights on the back are plenty big enough IMO. There are passenger grab handles above the door in the recent cars I have owned and have yet to see any one actually use them. Even elderly people. After trying them as an assist to enter and exit the vehicles I found that they were of no value. These are not something that I would personally miss. Perhaps they are a must have style item. I don't know about the lack of head restraints on the back seats. I think that they get in the line of sight when reversing. What about if someone recieved a serious neck injury in a rear ender; would Ford be liable. I don't believe that model trim levels should be emphasized by external accents. IMO a lesson can be learned from some imports here. You don't have to make cars look like strippers for those who don't want the goodies or who can not afford them. Somehow I don't personally like the look of the 2 door as much as the four.

[Diesel Advocate]

If GM can bring over a car from Europe with only minor changes, why cannot Ford do the same for the US and Canada and bring over the Euro Focus. Mexican buyers are treated to the Euro Focus as well as the best from the US (Fusion etc). Why does the US/Canada have to be different??? and please do not use safety as an excuse!

Let's wait to see if the Astra is a sales success before we condemn Ford for not following suit.  Ford has been burned twice before when it tried to bring the Mondeo over (first as a Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique and then as a Jaguar X-Type).  If the Astra is a success, Ford will likely follow suit.

The reason Ford got burned by the Ford Contour/Mercury Mystque was because Ford NA completely redesigned it. As far as I know, only the doors survived from the Mondeo. How can Ford take a top selling, well built, reliable vehicle such as the Mondeo and completely screw it up? Ford did the same with the Focus back in 2000! The redesign wasn't as dramatic but they screwed it up nevertheless!

As far as the Jag X-Type is concerned. This car was designed for British people who wanted a top Marque on the cheap. The X-type should never have crossed the pond!

[tpl]

IIRC the main complaint about the Contour was ( apart from reliability) was back seat room especially compared to the Taurus which was very nearly the same price after negotiation.

[Arthur Dent]

The coupe is pointless. Totally pointless. The sedan is ok but rather ugly. Hatches and wagons are gone too. Reminds me a lot of Tempo years back. Might sell ok if really cheap. No one will aspire to own one.

My Dad had a first year Contour - 4cyl, 5spd. I thought it was quite a nice car. Back seat seemed ok to me. Shame most on the used car market are automatic (and the auto has a bad reputation for reliability).

[Sir Meow]

following suit.  Ford has been burned twice before when it tried to bring the Mondeo over (first as a Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique

Thats only because they put their rubbish North American engines in it. The only reason the Fusion is good it has mazda engine in it. Just avoid the crappy V6 models. Also it is really ugly and now and it is an out of date model too.

I don't why they do that, they have done the same with the Aura as well. Leave the euro engines in the cars, otherwise they turn into utter crap. Fingers crossed on the Astra that they will leave the Euro engines in the car.

The Focus was such a nice looking car, they have butcher the look of the car now.

[Arthur Dent]

following suit.  Ford has been burned twice before when it tried to bring the Mondeo over (first as a Ford Contour/Mercury Mystique

Thats only because they put their rubbish North American engines in it. The only reason the Fusion is good it has mazda engine in it. Just avoid the crappy V6 models. Also it is really ugly and now and it is an out of date model too.

I don't why they do that, they have done the same with the Aura as well. Leave the euro engines in the cars, otherwise they turn into utter crap. Fingers crossed on the Astra that they will leave the Euro engines in the car.

The Focus was such a nice looking car, they have butcher the look of the car now.

Contour had the Zetec four cylinder on offer - from what I understand its a European design.

[mrthompson]

This poor car has been beaten badly with the ugly stick.  It passed out from the pain, then was beaten again when it regained consciousness.  Meh.

[Mitlov]

Thats only because they put their rubbish North American engines in it. The only reason the Fusion is good it has mazda engine in it. Just avoid the crappy V6 models. Also it is really ugly and now and it is an out of date model too.

Out of date?  It's from 2006, and received an update (including a new V6 and AWD) for 2007!  How much newer do you want?

[Snowman]

  Where did the cat go?

[tortoise]

Used up his 9 lives I think.

This poor car has been beaten badly with the ugly stick.  It passed out from the pain, then was beaten again when it regained consciousness.  Meh.

I agree.  How long is this model supposed to be in production? 3-4 years?  Ford is going to be in a lot of more trouble by then because their bread and butter car isn't going to be a hit.  I really liked the previous foci, though only in hatch and wagon form.  This one looks like the Saturn Ion gave it a makeover.  Ugh.

[Brig]

Hard to believe this vehicle comes from the same company that gave us the very lovely Fusion and the wonderful Mustang.  Shameful.   

[Sir Meow]

  Where did the cat go?

Still here sweety.....