must be building up. I stopped at a dealer yesterday, and they had 4 grouped together in the showroom (a large one though). 3 hatches and a sedan, in a circle.
You can search inventory from fordvehicles.com. The 5 dealers near me are showing 7, 8, 11, 11, and 12 Fiestas in stock, so there are 49 within 12 miles of me. All but one has many more focuses, the numbers are 8, 14, 22, 23, and 27...that's 94 foci, nearly 2x the Fiesta numbers.
Advertised prices of the Focus and Fiesta are about the same right now.
Vehicles will show up in online inventory before they actually arrive on the lot and can stay for a few days after being sold. So if anyone is looking for a specific vehicle they should call the dealer before visiting.
I agree with your post. However , you'll never get rid of that 2.3 you're so in love with it.What are you looking at Fiesta's for? I'd would of bought(maybe) a Focus if it was a SVT or a Mondeo. We don't get the good Euro cars shipped here by Ford or GM or the options. :shades:
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Good point. Fat 4-cyls are precious, as those nose-heavy extra cylinders ruin FWD platforms in an ugly way. I discovered how clumsy the 6-cyl Mazda6 corners compare to the 4-cyl Mazda6 at least 5 yrs ago at the MazdaRevItUp test-drive events.
But there's nothing more pleasurable than fine tuning the cornering line w/ a light-weight fat-torque naturally aspirated engine.
So imagine a 4-cyl version of the Mondeo ST -- doesn't that remind you of our Focus ST sedan?
The 5-cyl in the Focus ST from across the pond is garbage. That's why Ford doesn't dare to continue & the Mazdaspeed3 never bothered with it.
Drivers around the world should envy our Focus ST w/ 2.3 or the new Mazda3 w/ 2.5. The Impreza's naturally aspirated 2.5 automatic even feels sluggish.
Is Ford really making progress? Is the similar-size new Fiesta more pleasurable to drive or priced lower than the Focus (I) ST 2.3? I am not into the Focus' of newer generations w/ exterior width fatter than the 6-ft wide '06 Lexus LS430 limo.
Maybe it's b/c Ford doesn't have worry about the competition anymore, as VW is starting to erase the ind rear suspension pretty much across the board :P
Ford to ship the Titinium , Mondeo, or an SVTFocus over the pond. However, we are "Second Hand Rose" as far as getting Euro Americn cars shipped here. We have a 2010 BMW I 6 spd and my wife's I s 250 neither one good in snow. We teach sking in Vail winters andin the summer work in Maine. I really screwed up and sold my Acura Types S as we needed a snow and home depot hatch.The Type S 6 spd was naturally aspirated and although the torque on the low end was lousy it was a hot hatch. That Vetec wanted to go and go.I had no problems except for cheap leather.Then I screwed up again by not getting a 2009 mazda HB 2,3 (hard to find now). They tried to sell me a V dub and I said i've never heard anything good about them and the power windows failing etc Well, the salesman cringed at that. So I bought a Mazda I New Value loaded plus lip spoiler and lumbar needed it Now ,(they are not offered ).That Mazda had RSA Good year Eagles on it (17's) and they were unsafe in rain or snow and lasted for11K.I had to buy Dunlops.The road noise and ride was terrible and I didn't need a cigarette lighter or ash tray.The cheap felt carpet was something. I know they have to make a light car. So, I waited for the Fiesta,and the new Focus like an idiot.Then I saw what was coming and tried the VW 6 spd TDI and 5 spd gasser.What a difference in quality,insulation in wheel wells,a nicely appointed cabin in the rear of the hatch were a net tie downs,and a 12v plug. AC goes into glove box if desired I bought the gasser as I didn't want a Turbo. We tested it by taking it over The Continental Divide for a 170 HP Hatch it downshifted nicely and my wife had a grab bar to hang on to. So, I bought it with studded front wheels to be put on next month or so, as we are at 1054 feet above sea level driving swithbacks.I think VW is back.Pretty soon I bet 5 and 6 speed trannys well be gone also. :shades:
The 5-cyl in the Focus ST from across the pond is garbage. That's why Ford doesn't dare to continue & the Mazdaspeed3 never bothered with it.
Not sure how you came to this conclusion, (assuming you mean the 5-cyl from Europe), as this is a Volvo engine and much loved over here, (in Europe). Ford just took it out of the old corporate parts bin and changed the name. Truly a good engine. No idea why Mazda didn't use it. Maybe they weren't allowed to (?). Of course, if you're referring to some odd USA-Ford 5-cyl, (and not the Volvo one), then you may well be correct...........but on the Volvo engine you are not. Sorry.
Over here, Ford have lots to worry about as VW Group have now started an aggresive pricing campaign to put Ford into the 2-spot, or lower. As for the independent rear suspension going from VW, I would suggest that most buyers attach more consideration to overall price/spec/economy/space etc than to a particular suspension type.
I've driven the S40 5-cyls. The Mazda3 sedan w/ 4-cyl 2.3 (non-turbo) revs smoother & quieter than Volvo's 5-cyl 2.4 (non-turbo) when accelerating at the same rate.
Volvo's 5-cyl 2.5 turbo has turbo lag, & the weight of this 5-cyl engine isn't exactly helping the ST package on the Euro Focus II, either. The 4-cyl Focus II pretty much trounced all competitors including the Golf V in Europe's comparison tests, but when comes to pitting the 5-cyl Focus II ST against the 4-cyl Golf V GTI...
Ford now can get away by not offering the luxurious ind rear suspension in a compact-size FWD car b/c no one else is doing it these days. Forget about the Mini Cooper, which rides uncomfortably.
The Civic discontinued it in Europe years ago. This may seem OK on smooth tracks, but on bumpy roads? Europeans are drooling over our version & can only import them privately:
Not able to continue with a comfy-riding Control Blade ind rear suspension (especially for the U.S.) means VW can't even afford to build a "Focus" anymore. In fact, VW kept multiplying the cheap-suspension old MkIV Golf/Bora/Jetta like cockroaches these days: :P
I really thought the reliable Mazda3, based on the Focus II, should ride gracefully like a Focus.
I test drove the 2009 loaded leather Mazda3 hatch 2.3, & it's got all the seat adjustments like pwr cushion tilt & adjustable lumbar support. But the road noise of the hatchback is especially loud, & neither is the ride motion relaxing. Down size to 16" rims won't fix that!
Aftermarket shocks like Monroe or Gabriel should be able to calm down its quick jittery ride motion. But besides the high noise level, the Mazda3's are tuned to oversteer a lot, which may be fun at times. But w/o the optional stability control, a lot of people are doomed on slippery surface!
The current smooth-riding Rabbit/Golf is precious, as the next one no longer adopts Focus' Control Blades. It may not have much steering feel, but neither is the new Mazda3.
I prefer the facelifted Golf over the Rabbit, at least the driver's door panel also has a better-located grab bar. Too bad the wagon doesn't get this updated feature.
So it's not actually that the Euro Focus ST's 5-cyl engine is "garbage", more the way Ford have chosen to use it.
Yes, the Volvo 5-cyl does have some turbo lag but it's hardly a fatal flaw and not terribly pronounced - in my experience. My daily driver has a Volvo D5 which is the 5-cyl turbodiesel. Drives just fine for everything up to and including spirited road use.
Evo reviews are always entertaining but, for me, too focused on outright performance. Witness the statement : it looks great and the ride and general feel of the car at anything up to eight-tenths is spot-on. As a car to own, I think it would be a pleasure. From this I'd accept it as not being the ultimate track-day tool but not a problem as a daily driver. Eight-tenths + on the public highway could be classed as reckless.
Guess it all depends upon your personal focus. Sorry, couldn't resist.
Life's no fun if you don't play at ten-tenth from time to time.
That's why if you ask me which is the most fun-to-drive car I've experienced, I'd say the previous MX-5 Miata w/ LSD (limited-slip differential) & skinny tires. B/c it's limit at ten-tenth is so low yet so broad & predictable that even 20mph corners can be thrillingly entertaining!
CAR&DRIVER magazine once mentioned that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. They posted the Focus as "the fun slow car" in the picture. Being able to easily drift the FWD Focus on open space makes proud
I test drove the 2009 loaded leather Mazda3 hatch 2.3, & it's got all the seat adjustments like pwr cushion tilt & adjustable lumbar support. But the road noise of the hatchback is especially loud, & neither is the ride motion relaxing. Down size to 16" rims won't fix that!
When I was shopping for my car back in 2006, I drove a Mazda3 s 4-door (which had P205/55HR16 All Season tires) and the 5-door (with P205/50VR17 'performance' All Season tires). The ride quality was slightly better as was the road noise on the 4-door. I still decided to purchase the 5-door because it looked better and was more versatile than the sedan. The OEM Goodyear Eagle tires were trashed at 29k miles and I replaced them with Dunlop SP Sport Signatures. The road noise and ride quality improved significantly, as did the wet weather traction! There might be a very small penalty in terms of handling, but it will still out-handle any competitor!
OK, we'll agree to differ on ten-tenths on the road but we do agree on the little Mazda; Eunos to you, MX-5 to me here in UK. Bundle of fun and you don't need to 2.0 litre engine as the 1.8 is just fine in that car..............indeed, I think it's better balance.
Three others that are fixed in the same bracket, for me are : Lotus Elise, (in plain vanilla flavour), the Skoda Fabia vRS, (a VW Polo-based 5-dr hatch with the 1.9 Tdi @ 130bhp and a 6MT 'box - an utter hoot that just demanded to be driven), and a late '60's Lotus 7 with a Ford 1.5 ltr 4-pot and twin Webers, (like riding a good motorbike but without the danger of falling off). There was also the Opel/Vauxhall VX 220 which was a re-skinned Lotus Elise with carpets etc. Whooo hooo but getting out with the roof on was most undignified.
I'd happily have an MX-5 or maybe the new Fabia vRS, (1.4 TFSI @ 178 bhp and 7-spd DSG as standard), but not the Elise - hard to get into/out of with old bones and not the Lotus 7 as I now treasure my creature comforts too much and our weather can be predictably unpredictable.
(like riding a good motorbike but without the danger of falling off).
I do not drive a motorcycle like my brother & cousin do, b/c I drive even more aggressively & always wanted to drift the vehicle.
I doubt the Elise can be drifted at 20 mph the way MX-5 can.
Before I was old enough to drive, I stole my parents car key to drive their '78 Rabbit 1.5 4-sp (Golf I imported from W. Germany), & I've yet to find another car w/ a manual steering as intense to hold next to saltwater fishing! I now collected an '84 Jetta coupe based on the '74-Scirocco technology, & people think I'm nuts that it doesn't got today's passive safety features (well, still beats bikes). In fact, its steering feels so secure that I have absolutely no doubt what is going on with the tire grip, while the the road-holding characteristic of the 4 tires are very foolproof as well! & those brakes almost always refuse to lock up.
I believe the older MX-5 was not available with 2.0. Still, inducing the old MX-5 1.8's RWD power to drift is more fun than doing it in the new MX-5 w/ only electric steering. But I never bought the MX-5 1.8 due to the noise & lack of ride comfort from the shallow suspension travel. I'm still keeping the comfy-riding '90 323 Protege w/ the same 1.8 engine, & this FWD chassis actually fishtails like crazy -- another amusing toy to keep.
So, in order to fullfill my RWD-drift dream w/o sacrificing ride comfort or quietness, I have chosen to collect the latest E36 328is coupe & replaced w/ torsen differential & the quick steering ratio from the 4-cyl Z3.
You won't see a 2.3 Fiesta in the states . Also, why not put a multi link suspension, if they didn't want a wishbone?,the more links you have you can reduce weight,save space and great for small cars. :shades:
Creakid1, you're a hooligan - and I like that in a person. You're right, the old MX-5 only came with 1.6 and 1.8 and was fun with either. The Mk 1 Golf, (Rabbit), was, indeed, an amazing car - a real landmark in it's day and the newer ones are just flabby by comparison. And the old Scirroco was likewise a great car; unlike the new one which is not to my taste. Safety features ? The old Lotus 7 had all the safety features a "drivers" car needed - brakes, full harness and wipers...........oh, and headlights for night driving. The rest is Nanny stuff.
No, you can't drift an Elise at 20mph.........just too sticky. Your collection sounds rather good in a very focussed sort of way.
I recently picked-up my Fiesta SES and absolutely love it. An SES with no upgrades and an automatic transmission cost me $18100 ($17600 if you count the college grad reduction).
Maybe having Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua drive around Oahu in her shiny red Cruze is helping sales. Makes ME look at that Cruze on TV, that's for sure!
The Chevy Cruze is a notch up the food chain, in terms of price and size. The upcoming 2012 Focus is likely to generate a lot of interest, especially since it will be available in 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback body styles.
The Fiesta sold 3,846 units in October for a total of 14,588 YTD. The Fiesta's cousin, the Mazda2, only sold 629 cars in October....
I was just at the LA Autoshow. This pre-production Focus III has no leg room on the passenger side, contrary to the prototype I sat in about a year ago at its focus group.
It looks like Ford wanted to score higher on the crash test, so the right foot well was moved so far back that the passenger-side leg room is now even less than the driver side -- almost as bad as the passenger-side of the Impreza, which still has more driver-side rear leg room than the Focus III.
Now, the Focus III has the #1 "most cramped overall rear leg room" in its class to remind you of the expensive Lexus IS sport sedan -- nice try, Ford, the IS is a RWD 6-cyl car. The Fiesta is only slightly worse than this, plus worse rear headroom.
The new inexpensive Jetta has amazing leg room almost good enough for basketball players, but the rear seats are too low for comfort even for me (5'11").
I like the current Golf VI, which is only a little less in rear leg room than the new Jetta, but the rear seats are higher, & the driving position also fits me better. New Jetta's driving position is pretty bad, especially the low door armrest.
The reliable (per Consumer Reports) 5-cyl made-in-Germany Golf VI (w/ std rear A/C ducts on the 4-dr) hardly costs more than the "torsion-beam rear suspension" new Jetta 5-cyl -- what a bargain!
& I've heard that the Golf VI is only slightly better in steering feel than the Rabbit V. It's still the best small car today.
Even though the steering feel might be a little better, the Fiesta is seriously cramped inside, & forget about the ride/handling compromise w/o the Control Blade "Focus suspension" found in the current Rabbit/Golf. The Golf/GTI VI still needs some clutch-pedal extension, as my left foot needs to stretch very far.
I'm telling ya VW has come along way. Compare the Focus and Fiesta and VW (except forTDI).Then tell me what's the drivers car?
"Its well weighted and direct steering inspires confidence, while strong grip helps deliver agile responses. The Golf can¡¦t match the Ford Focus for driver thrills, but it¡¦s far more engaging than the Citroen."
By the way, the earlier Focus I is even more agile & thrilling to drive than the current (Euro) Focus II.
Seriously, heated seats have been more of a problem in every vehicle that has had them that I've owned, and teh 2.5 in the VW raises the price well out of the economy car range(and kills the MPG as well - you might as well just get a cheap Accord rather than a VW with the 2.5 in it.)
Yes, loaded with heated multi levl seats,moonroof,lumbar support and 16" alloys. I got tires and alloys from dealer as a buyer didn't want them.Oh, bluetooth too.5spd good milage .24 city and 32 hgwy.Dealer told me not to buy TDI cause I only drive it 6000 mi a yr. The car was cheaper than SES Fiesta.
to bring back the flags? I see alot of you guys making comments on Auto Express. I'm in the USA and envy the cars available in the UK and the rest of Europe. :shades:
you might as well just get a cheap Accord rather than a VW with the 2.5 in it
People are willing to pay extra in order to down size Accord's exterior bulk & get the TSX, which is still pretty bulky.
Ditto the nose-heavy 5-cyl on a FWD car.
Yep, the 4-cyl 2.0 non-turbo is only available on the new Jetta, which has leg room to match the Accord sedan & price/simple-suspension to match the Fiesta -- What a bargain... But I don't like its uncomfortably low driver's door armrest as well s the rear seat cushion height, as the older "Focus copy" Jetta/Golf already has sufficient rear leg room.
It looks like the new Fiestas don't have an interior grab handle along the roof line. Is this true for all trim levels and body styles? My wife is disabled, so we can't consider any cars without this feature.
Also, does the handle have a common name so I can find it in brochures? Typically it does not seem to be listed among the features and specs.
It looks like the new Fiestas don't have an interior grab handle along the roof line. Is this true for all trim levels and body styles? My wife is disabled, so we can't consider any cars without this feature. >/i>
I know I'm being simplistic but wouldn't a showroom visit/'phone call resolve this query once and for all? After all, if you were going to consider it then I'm guessing you might actually want to see/sit in/test drive/negotiate for the car.
Well, if I could find out the answer here, that's easier since in my experience local dealers will say "yes" to any question of this sort in order to get you in the door.
Sorry if I offended any dealers reading this, but that's what I have found locally.
It looks like the new Fiestas don't have an interior grab handle along the roof line. Is this true for all trim levels and body styles? My wife is disabled, so we can't consider any cars without this feature.
Steven- there is a product called "HandyBar" that you might find very useful to assist your wife. Just do a search for the name and you can see if it's something that could help. I know it's a great help to the elderly and folks with arthritis to help them when entering/exiting a vehicle....hope this helps!
That's fair comment - and I did say I was being simplistic. Hard to beat a stupid dealer, (our local VW dealer here in UK falls into that category, which is perhaps why there are many more Skodas around - well, that plus lower price and better build quality). Only way to beat 'em that I've found is to point your feet in the opposite direction and walk.
Wish you luck finding the right car for your wife and trust that 2011 treats you wonderfully.
I.2 Chevrolet is comming and a 1.4 Polo . How can those cars be driven in the states. ?
er..............unlock, get in, start engine, put on seatbelt, drive away ? Sorry, couldn't resist but why do you think they couldn't be driven in USA, (which is, I think, the implication) ? A Polo 1.4 TFSI puts out close to 180bhp and runs 0-62mph in low-7 seconds...............at least that's the spec here in Europe. It's sister car, the Skoda Fabia vRS has identical stats but is cheaper, better built and more attractive. New generation of small gassers are not to be confused with your memories of small, dull engines, (or even big dull engines - and USA has produced a few of those). However, if you want dull, the Chevrolet 1.2 in anything with 4 wheels could well be the standard definition. But..............in the correct environment it would still be fine. Galloping across the plains on 3000 mile road trips is not the "correct environment". Poddling around town, delivering kids to school etc probably is. Horses for courses.
Sorry. TFSI gasser engines are Supercharged and Turbocharged. Good power, economy and lower emissions. Getting small gassers closer to diesels.
Over here the Golf 2.0 TSI 210 GTi runs 0-60 in 6.9 secs and the 2.0 TSI 270 R runs it in 5.7 secs. The quickest diesel Golf, the 2.0 TDi 170 GTD, runs it in 8.1 but it pulls like a train from there on. The above numbers; 210/270/170 are rounded approximations of bhp numbers. The torque numers, in lb ft for each are - in order - 206/258/258.
Just for comparison the Golf 1.4 TSI 160 GTi runs out at 8.0 secs, so you can see how a lighter Polo with another 10bhp would shade it.
All the above have been around since Spring 2010 but the Polo and Fabia arrived later in the year. Hopefully good things coming your way.
My 2010 Base Vw has 2 muti level heated seats.The fiesta has 1 cushion heated. I have grab bar, sunglass storage andlunbar support the fiesta does'nt. I did get ten spoke alloys off asold car form dealer.also 16" tires. did a moonroof. anI get 23 city 33 hiway and the Vw cost 1K less. So I'm looking @ the Fiesta for gas milage,but I'd be on the losing end wouldn't I?
Comments
"The car will arrive at the SEMA show in Ford’s trademark blue, but will be painted at the show by a “renowned artist” and then auctioned for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund (JDRF)."
Thanks, but no thanks. I still prefer naturally aspirated, as in my Focus ST 2.3 sedan.
No idea how many they had on the back lot though!
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Advertised prices of the Focus and Fiesta are about the same right now.
However , you'll never get rid of that 2.3 you're so in love with it.What are you looking at Fiesta's for? I'd would of bought(maybe) a Focus if it was a SVT or a Mondeo.
We don't get the good Euro cars shipped here by Ford or GM or the options. :shades:
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Corporate Communications
Edmunds Inc.
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The Europeans may love the way the 6-cyl Mondeo ST220 handles, but they've also discovered how the 4-cyl Mazdaspeed6 AWD does it even more exciting.
But there's nothing more pleasurable than fine tuning the cornering line w/ a light-weight fat-torque naturally aspirated engine.
So imagine a 4-cyl version of the Mondeo ST -- doesn't that remind you of our Focus ST sedan?
The 5-cyl in the Focus ST from across the pond is garbage. That's why Ford doesn't dare to continue & the Mazdaspeed3 never bothered with it.
Drivers around the world should envy our Focus ST w/ 2.3 or the new Mazda3 w/ 2.5. The Impreza's naturally aspirated 2.5 automatic even feels sluggish.
Is Ford really making progress? Is the similar-size new Fiesta more pleasurable to drive or priced lower than the Focus (I) ST 2.3? I am not into the Focus' of newer generations w/ exterior width fatter than the 6-ft wide '06 Lexus LS430 limo.
Maybe it's b/c Ford doesn't have worry about the competition anymore, as VW is starting to erase the ind rear suspension pretty much across the board :P
However, we are "Second Hand Rose" as far as getting Euro Americn cars shipped here.
We have a 2010 BMW I 6 spd and my wife's I s 250 neither one good in snow. We teach sking in Vail winters andin the summer work in Maine.
I really screwed up and sold my Acura Types S as we needed a snow and home depot hatch.The Type S 6 spd was naturally aspirated and although the torque on the low end was lousy it was a hot hatch. That Vetec wanted to go and go.I had no problems except for cheap leather.Then I screwed up again by not getting a 2009 mazda HB 2,3 (hard to find now). They tried to sell me a V dub and I said i've never heard anything good about them and the power windows failing etc
Well, the salesman cringed at that.
So I bought a Mazda I New Value loaded plus lip spoiler and lumbar needed it Now ,(they are not offered ).That Mazda had RSA Good year Eagles on it (17's) and they were unsafe in rain or snow and lasted for11K.I had to buy Dunlops.The road noise and ride was terrible and I didn't need a cigarette lighter or ash tray.The cheap felt carpet was something. I know they have to make a light car.
So, I waited for the Fiesta,and the new Focus like an idiot.Then I saw what was coming and tried the VW 6 spd TDI and 5 spd gasser.What a difference in quality,insulation in wheel wells,a nicely appointed cabin in the rear of the hatch were a net tie downs,and a 12v plug. AC goes into glove box if desired I bought the gasser as I didn't want a Turbo.
We tested it by taking it over The Continental Divide for a 170 HP Hatch it downshifted nicely and my wife had a grab bar to hang on to.
So, I bought it with studded front wheels to be put on next month or so, as we are at 1054 feet above sea level driving swithbacks.I think VW is back.Pretty soon I bet 5 and 6 speed trannys well be gone also. :shades:
Not sure how you came to this conclusion, (assuming you mean the 5-cyl from Europe), as this is a Volvo engine and much loved over here, (in Europe). Ford just took it out of the old corporate parts bin and changed the name. Truly a good engine. No idea why Mazda didn't use it. Maybe they weren't allowed to (?). Of course, if you're referring to some odd USA-Ford 5-cyl, (and not the Volvo one), then you may well be correct...........but on the Volvo engine you are not. Sorry.
Over here, Ford have lots to worry about as VW Group have now started an aggresive pricing campaign to put Ford into the 2-spot, or lower. As for the independent rear suspension going from VW, I would suggest that most buyers attach more consideration to overall price/spec/economy/space etc than to a particular suspension type.
I've driven the S40 5-cyls. The Mazda3 sedan w/ 4-cyl 2.3 (non-turbo) revs smoother & quieter than Volvo's 5-cyl 2.4 (non-turbo) when accelerating at the same rate.
Volvo's 5-cyl 2.5 turbo has turbo lag, & the weight of this 5-cyl engine isn't exactly helping the ST package on the Euro Focus II, either. The 4-cyl Focus II pretty much trounced all competitors including the Golf V in Europe's comparison tests, but when comes to pitting the 5-cyl Focus II ST against the 4-cyl Golf V GTI...
"However, the ST can't disguise its turbocharger as effectively as the Golf. There's small but noticeable lag when you first get hard on the power, and between full-bore shifts the engine takes a moment or two to catch its breath and resume the accelerative fireworks. Through a sequence of corners where you're often switching between strong throttle applications and then calling on some useful engine braking, the delivery can get a little jerky, too.
The ST's ESP system has to work hard to contain the power despite the broad 225/40 R18 Continental rubber. And although it's certainly very efficient at trimming any excesses, you soon feel that it's perhaps a little too eager. Switch it out and the front tyres can easily be overwhelmed once you've clipped an apex and gunned the engine. Eke out the power more gently and the ST stays nice and neutral, and only when the corner has really opened out and you hit full power do you feel the front wheels tugging from left to right.
Torque-steer in a front-drive car of this potency is almost unavoidable, and the Focus is certainly no more prone to it than, say, the Mégane Trophy. Even so, you sense that Ford has tried to soften the effect before it reaches the steering wheel. The result is that much of the textural feedback that you'd experience in a cooking Focus has been lost.
Push harder, give the engine a free rein, and that five-cylinder unit really begins to dominate. In terms of raw speed it's very impressive, effortless when you're stroking it along and relentless when you're asking for all it's got to give. Unfortunately, for all the power it generates on the straights, it seriously hampers the ST through the corners.
The nose-heavy balance and fairly marked body-roll means that understeer arrives earlier than expected, and it's pretty tricky to neutralise completely. Get out of the throttle and the weight shifts, unloading the rears and progressively restoring grip to the front tyres. It all feels great, until you realise that the Focus's inherent adjustability isn't enough to fully overcome the weight up front. By mid-corner the rear tyres are gripping again and the fronts are pushing-on, away from your chosen line and bleeding away the bulk of the forward thrust through rampant wheelspin.
If you've got the room and the right corner ahead of you, the ST can be made to steer from the rear rather than the front, but it takes a fairly extreme lift-and-lob or heavy braking into the heart of the corner to unsettle the car enough to need opposite lock. In the real world this is not such a huge problem, but the fact that when you're driving quickly and smoothly the ST predominantly understeers and feels just a fraction stodgy is disappointing.
I'm loath to criticise the ST because it really is an excellent package. There's ample performance, it looks great and the ride and general feel of the car at anything up to eight-tenths is spot-on. As a car to own, I think it would be a pleasure. However, just when you want it to throw off its sensible shoes and goad you into really going for it, the ST gets a little sulky, a little detached. The Golf GTI remains the benchmark.
evo RATING:
+: Value, performance, integrity
-: Big engine compromises handling"
Ford now can get away by not offering the luxurious ind rear suspension in a compact-size FWD car b/c no one else is doing it these days. Forget about the Mini Cooper, which rides uncomfortably.
The Civic discontinued it in Europe years ago. This may seem OK on smooth tracks, but on bumpy roads? Europeans are drooling over our version & can only import them privately:
1. "We were bitterly disappointed to discover that the new (Euro) Civic Type-R isn’t as polished as the Golf GTI..."
2. "Once on the move this sense of rigidity is all- pervading. There’s no sneeze-factor in the steering, no slouch in the suspension or slop in the brake pedal, and certainly no squidge in the Bridgestone RE070s’ sidewalls. Consequently your slightest twitch is translated into immediate response. It’s an uncompromising car with a firm, physical ride, yet the damping is well controlled and it copes well with mid-corner bumps...includes all import costs...That’s around £5000 more than the UK Civic Type-R...Perhaps you’d be better looking upon this import-only Civic as a four-door NSX-R, for it possesses much of the supercar’s spirit."
3. "...superior in almost every other way...Another welcome revision is the use of double-wishbone rear suspension, improving ride quality and handling. This is in addition to a 50 per cent boost in body rigidity. As a result, the four-door Type R is a joy to drive. Its ride is firm but comfortable, and turn-in is exquisite, with heaps of grip and the nose never pushing wide."
Not able to continue with a comfy-riding Control Blade ind rear suspension (especially for the U.S.) means VW can't even afford to build a "Focus" anymore. In fact, VW kept multiplying the cheap-suspension old MkIV Golf/Bora/Jetta like cockroaches these days: :P
Face-lift version (Canada, Mexico, China, etc.)
front view
rear view
Long-wheelbase redesigned version (China):
New Bora
New Bora (interior)
Lavida
Lavida (interior)
I test drove the 2009 loaded leather Mazda3 hatch 2.3, & it's got all the seat adjustments like pwr cushion tilt & adjustable lumbar support. But the road noise of the hatchback is especially loud, & neither is the ride motion relaxing. Down size to 16" rims won't fix that!
Aftermarket shocks like Monroe or Gabriel should be able to calm down its quick jittery ride motion. But besides the high noise level, the Mazda3's are tuned to oversteer a lot, which may be fun at times. But w/o the optional stability control, a lot of people are doomed on slippery surface!
The current smooth-riding Rabbit/Golf is precious, as the next one no longer adopts Focus' Control Blades. It may not have much steering feel, but neither is the new Mazda3.
I prefer the facelifted Golf over the Rabbit, at least the driver's door panel also has a better-located grab bar. Too bad the wagon doesn't get this updated feature.
Yes, the Volvo 5-cyl does have some turbo lag but it's hardly a fatal flaw and not terribly pronounced - in my experience. My daily driver has a Volvo D5 which is the 5-cyl turbodiesel. Drives just fine for everything up to and including spirited road use.
Evo reviews are always entertaining but, for me, too focused on outright performance. Witness the statement : it looks great and the ride and general feel of the car at anything up to eight-tenths is spot-on. As a car to own, I think it would be a pleasure. From this I'd accept it as not being the ultimate track-day tool but not a problem as a daily driver. Eight-tenths + on the public highway could be classed as reckless.
Guess it all depends upon your personal focus. Sorry, couldn't resist.
That's why if you ask me which is the most fun-to-drive car I've experienced, I'd say the previous MX-5 Miata w/ LSD (limited-slip differential) & skinny tires. B/c it's limit at ten-tenth is so low yet so broad & predictable that even 20mph corners can be thrillingly entertaining!
CAR&DRIVER magazine once mentioned that it's more fun to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. They posted the Focus as "the fun slow car" in the picture. Being able to easily drift the FWD Focus on open space makes proud
Even though I don't bother to approach the level of a furiously fast Focus ST w/ 5-cyl, I still can't help but keep blaming heavy engine weight in the nose as the culprit for making this car not even as charismatic as the electric-steering GTI.
When I was shopping for my car back in 2006, I drove a Mazda3 s 4-door (which had P205/55HR16 All Season tires) and the 5-door (with P205/50VR17 'performance' All Season tires). The ride quality was slightly better as was the road noise on the 4-door. I still decided to purchase the 5-door because it looked better and was more versatile than the sedan. The OEM Goodyear Eagle tires were trashed at 29k miles and I replaced them with Dunlop SP Sport Signatures. The road noise and ride quality improved significantly, as did the wet weather traction! There might be a very small penalty in terms of handling, but it will still out-handle any competitor!
Three others that are fixed in the same bracket, for me are : Lotus Elise, (in plain vanilla flavour), the Skoda Fabia vRS, (a VW Polo-based 5-dr hatch with the 1.9 Tdi @ 130bhp and a 6MT 'box - an utter hoot that just demanded to be driven), and a late '60's Lotus 7 with a Ford 1.5 ltr 4-pot and twin Webers, (like riding a good motorbike but without the danger of falling off). There was also the Opel/Vauxhall VX 220 which was a re-skinned Lotus Elise with carpets etc. Whooo hooo but getting out with the roof on was most undignified.
I'd happily have an MX-5 or maybe the new Fabia vRS, (1.4 TFSI @ 178 bhp and 7-spd DSG as standard), but not the Elise - hard to get into/out of with old bones and not the Lotus 7 as I now treasure my creature comforts too much and our weather can be predictably unpredictable.
I do not drive a motorcycle like my brother & cousin do, b/c I drive even more aggressively & always wanted to drift the vehicle.
I doubt the Elise can be drifted at 20 mph the way MX-5 can.
Before I was old enough to drive, I stole my parents car key to drive their '78 Rabbit 1.5 4-sp (Golf I imported from W. Germany), & I've yet to find another car w/ a manual steering as intense to hold next to saltwater fishing! I now collected an '84 Jetta coupe based on the '74-Scirocco technology, & people think I'm nuts that it doesn't got today's passive safety features (well, still beats bikes). In fact, its steering feels so secure that I have absolutely no doubt what is going on with the tire grip, while the the road-holding characteristic of the 4 tires are very foolproof as well! & those brakes almost always refuse to lock up.
Believe me, this thing was so advanced it even feels better than the new '84-technology from BMW:
"Skidpad testing shows difference in handling characteristics of the two cars...Jetta, ironically, feels better from driver's seat."
I believe the older MX-5 was not available with 2.0. Still, inducing the old MX-5 1.8's RWD power to drift is more fun than doing it in the new MX-5 w/ only electric steering. But I never bought the MX-5 1.8 due to the noise & lack of ride comfort from the shallow suspension travel. I'm still keeping the comfy-riding '90 323 Protege w/ the same 1.8 engine, & this FWD chassis actually fishtails like crazy -- another amusing toy to keep.
So, in order to fullfill my RWD-drift dream w/o sacrificing ride comfort or quietness, I have chosen to collect the latest E36 328is coupe & replaced w/ torsen differential & the quick steering ratio from the 4-cyl Z3.
Collection completed!
.
Also, why not put a multi link suspension, if they didn't want a wishbone?,the more links you have you can reduce weight,save space and great for small cars. :shades:
No, you can't drift an Elise at 20mph.........just too sticky. Your collection sounds rather good in a very focussed sort of way.
Maybe having Grace Park as Kono Kalakaua drive around Oahu in her shiny red Cruze is helping sales. Makes ME look at that Cruze on TV, that's for sure!
The Fiesta sold 3,846 units in October for a total of 14,588 YTD. The Fiesta's cousin, the Mazda2, only sold 629 cars in October....
It looks like Ford wanted to score higher on the crash test, so the right foot well was moved so far back that the passenger-side leg room is now even less than the driver side -- almost as bad as the passenger-side of the Impreza, which still has more driver-side rear leg room than the Focus III.
Now, the Focus III has the #1 "most cramped overall rear leg room" in its class to remind you of the expensive Lexus IS sport sedan -- nice try, Ford, the IS is a RWD 6-cyl car. The Fiesta is only slightly worse than this, plus worse rear headroom.
The new inexpensive Jetta has amazing leg room almost good enough for basketball players, but the rear seats are too low for comfort even for me (5'11").
I like the current Golf VI, which is only a little less in rear leg room than the new Jetta, but the rear seats are higher, & the driving position also fits me better. New Jetta's driving position is pretty bad, especially the low door armrest.
The reliable (per Consumer Reports) 5-cyl made-in-Germany Golf VI (w/ std rear A/C ducts on the 4-dr) hardly costs more than the "torsion-beam rear suspension" new Jetta 5-cyl -- what a bargain!
Even though the steering feel might be a little better, the Fiesta is seriously cramped inside, & forget about the ride/handling compromise w/o the Control Blade "Focus suspension" found in the current Rabbit/Golf. The Golf/GTI VI still needs some clutch-pedal extension, as my left foot needs to stretch very far.
The biggest bargain is the Golf VI 3-dr -- now w/ fully adjustable front passenger seat (which helps the right-side rear leg room), although the optional front center armrest w/ rear A/C ducts found on the 3-dr Rabbit V is no longer available on the Golf VI. The 3-dr also looks more stylish than the 5dr, & I actually enjoy the 3-dr's unobstructed side scenic view through the 1-piece glass when sitting in the back. That's also why I collected the last manual-steering Jetta I coupe :P Unlike VW's of 21th century, it has true steering feel & unlimited rear visibility...& beating BMW's '84 E30 technology w/ it's '74-Scirocco platform: "Skidpad testing shows difference in handling characteristics of the two cars. Jetta lifts inside-rear wheel while BMW, although exhibiting more body roll, keeps all tires on pavement. Jetta, ironically, feels better from driver's seat."
Even this future mighty little BMW "M-series" coupe's steering feel is "not...E30-style feel...just a bit...a little bit remote...". :sick:
"Its well weighted and direct steering inspires confidence, while strong grip helps deliver agile responses. The Golf can¡¦t match the Ford Focus for driver thrills, but it¡¦s far more engaging than the Citroen."
By the way, the earlier Focus I is even more agile & thrilling to drive than the current (Euro) Focus II.
Read more:
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/261094/volkswagen_golf.html#i- - xzz18fu8Jjdt
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/261082/new_citroen_c4_vs_volk- - swagen_golf.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters&uid=13175373d3a30b0aa330c8ea6a3df587
People are willing to pay extra in order to down size Accord's exterior bulk & get the TSX, which is still pretty bulky.
Ditto the nose-heavy 5-cyl on a FWD car.
Yep, the 4-cyl 2.0 non-turbo is only available on the new Jetta, which has leg room to match the Accord sedan & price/simple-suspension to match the Fiesta -- What a bargain... But I don't like its uncomfortably low driver's door armrest as well s the rear seat cushion height, as the older "Focus copy" Jetta/Golf already has sufficient rear leg room.
Also, does the handle have a common name so I can find it in brochures? Typically it does not seem to be listed among the features and specs.
-Steven-
I know I'm being simplistic but wouldn't a showroom visit/'phone call resolve this query once and for all? After all, if you were going to consider it then I'm guessing you might actually want to see/sit in/test drive/negotiate for the car.
Whatever, have a great New Year.
Sorry if I offended any dealers reading this, but that's what I have found locally.
No Fiestas have grab handles above the doors. This question came up on another forum where I frequent.
Steven- there is a product called "HandyBar" that you might find very useful to assist your wife. Just do a search for the name and you can see if it's something that could help. I know it's a great help to the elderly and folks with arthritis to help them when entering/exiting a vehicle....hope this helps!
Wish you luck finding the right car for your wife and trust that 2011 treats you wonderfully.
er..............unlock, get in, start engine, put on seatbelt, drive away ? Sorry, couldn't resist but why do you think they couldn't be driven in USA, (which is, I think, the implication) ? A Polo 1.4 TFSI puts out close to 180bhp and runs 0-62mph in low-7 seconds...............at least that's the spec here in Europe. It's sister car, the Skoda Fabia vRS has identical stats but is cheaper, better built and more attractive. New generation of small gassers are not to be confused with your memories of small, dull engines, (or even big dull engines - and USA has produced a few of those). However, if you want dull, the Chevrolet 1.2 in anything with 4 wheels could well be the standard definition. But..............in the correct environment it would still be fine. Galloping across the plains on 3000 mile road trips is not the "correct environment". Poddling around town, delivering kids to school etc probably is. Horses for courses.
Over here the Golf 2.0 TSI 210 GTi runs 0-60 in 6.9 secs and the 2.0 TSI 270 R runs it in 5.7 secs. The quickest diesel Golf, the 2.0 TDi 170 GTD, runs it in 8.1 but it pulls like a train from there on. The above numbers; 210/270/170 are rounded approximations of bhp numbers. The torque numers, in lb ft for each are - in order - 206/258/258.
Just for comparison the Golf 1.4 TSI 160 GTi runs out at 8.0 secs, so you can see how a lighter Polo with another 10bhp would shade it.
All the above have been around since Spring 2010 but the Polo and Fabia arrived later in the year. Hopefully good things coming your way.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/08q4/2010_volkswagen_golf_rabbit-second_- drive
did a moonroof. anI get 23 city 33 hiway and the Vw cost 1K less.
So I'm looking @ the Fiesta for gas milage,but I'd be on the losing end wouldn't I?