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Comments
Seems like everything they come up with that the car can do FOR you adds another thing to the list of things that people think you don't have to be able to do.
Daytime running lights started the list of things I think shouldn't have been done. The evidence? Take a look at the number of cars driving around at night with just DRLs on as if they were headlights.
Just try to use the automatic parallel parking feature on your driver's test though!
Yeah, but those idiots probably can't memorize them anyway. So what's the difference...
Ford thought they have discontinued the volume-seller inexpensive roomy Focus (& replaced it w/ an expensive cramped "Ford Probe 4-dr coupe"), so they need to offer all those electronic gadgets (even including self-steering anti-lane-departure in some foreign markets ) in order to capture additional sales from idiots w/ no driving skill.
But then, by my standard, even drivers who can't enjoy stick are pretty unskillful.
Focus Active Park Assist
So the way these guys work is you activate the system and it scans for a parking spot. Once it finds one, it has you stop take your hands off the wheel, put the car in reverse and control the speed with the gas and brake. Once it backs up as far as its willing to, it has the driver shift to drive and again control gas and brake. If its a really tight spot it keeps going back and forth a few times.
I guess the advantage is that it will find a spot that is smaller than most would be willing to try on their own. Its not totally autonomous since the driver is still controlling the gas and the brake.
Yeah, in a parallel universe! :P
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
As for the auto-park, I don't per se have a problem with the tech; it seems like a strange feature for the low/mid level Focus. I'm not exactly sure who it's targeting. Young drivers who generally suck at driving skills? But how could the young driver afford the expensive option? Maybe the older crowd with failing senses?
This system can detect exactly how close your bumpers next to the obstacles as well as not having your tires touching the curb through out the whole process.
But of course, all drivers should go through enough driver's training w/o using this feature or the stability control on slippery surface.
Ummm, my comment about watching the stick and the clutch pedal move on their own was in jest, and unless I missed something, not possible on a car sold into the North American market. Why? Because the "Parking Technology Package" is only available on cars equipped with the automatic transmission. Said another way, the parking package is only available on the SEL and Titanium models, both of which are only offered in automatic trim.
I almost did that on the '05 & '07 Focus ST. By tapping into the the wire coming out from the pwr-steering pump into the computer, either completely disconnect or changing the voltage /w a potentiometer/resistor, I actually achieved various results & have kept the power assistance down to the minimum.
Anyway, I am keeping my badly worn Mk1 Jetta for the "saltwater-fishing like" manual steering as well as the pwr brakes that feel almost like no pwr assist.
I'm glad to see it is an "add on" feature although often the "packages" are built into the higher end models and it is difficult to find a baser model without the features that annoy. I guess I could just leave it alone, but it must add a good bit to the price since there are sensors and control electronics of a sort not previously necessary that have to talk to the transmission and throttle and brakes.
I haven't seen the "touch system" in person so there may be some saving grace that escapes my notion of how it works. Does anyone out there use the touch system who would comment on my perceived deficiency.
But I definitely hear you. The presence of Mytouch is the primary reason I'm avoiding the Titanium models, at least for this year. And having browsed local inventories, I'm surprised at the number of SEs equipped with Mytouch. I don't care to beta test Ford's new toys while on the road.
If you like it, fine. But I just wish there was a choice rather than going with a lower level version that doesn't have some of the stuff I want available.
I've been told by sales wonks on any number of occasions that I don't want a stick-shift in my new car "...because it ruins resale value." I always reply to them that I'm buying the freakin' car for myself, not for the next guy.
I appreciate the safety side of it and it sounds good. But if you get frustrated with it I can see a downside. Also, all this talk about taking your eyes of the road is driving me astray so to speak. I take my eyes off the road more when I am talking with a passenger than I do when I'm talking on a cell phone. Should we outlaw passengers or at least talking to them?
"No officer, I was not talking to my passenger. I was talking to myself and they were just listening."
MyTouch is definitely too slow. Have you wondered why LED brake lights save lives? A split-second-quicker reaction time from the driver who rear ended you means how much difference in braking distance at 60mph fwy speed?
A mile per minute.
1/60 mile per second.
1/120 mile per half of a second.
1/120 mile = about 14 yards in half a second.
Haven't seen any studies that back this up but it sounds logical. As far as passengers noticing the situation changing I think it depends on both the passenger and where they are looking.
According to this actual owner, the new Mk3 Focus isn't too expensive at all, even w/ cramped rear leg room -- Definitely not a car for cheapskates. Sometimes I wonder is there any car out there (at any price) that can outperform this car in both driving fun & comfort?
I've driven the new E-Class, which has a numb pwr steering nearly as light as an old Caddilac. The new 5-series also has a numb steering. An S-Class is already too bulky to be agile. The 3-series should do pretty well, but not sure how well after ruined by the std run-flat tires.
The old Focus is too noisy.
The old RX-8 base model w/ 16" rims has excellent handling, confident-inspiring electric steering & pampering ride comfort, but w/o the comfortably high chairs...
As for other cars which can outperform the new Focus in pretty much every area except fuel economy (to be remedied in the 2012 model year), one has to look no further than the Mazda3; a car which can be had at an "apples-to-apples" price point which is lower than the Focus albeit in an uglier body style.
What color of '12 Ford Focus SE hatch did you get? Is it pretty tossable in the corners? Steering is all right-the car "sticks" to the road in the twisties, eh?
And the 5-speed stick fits in to the notches easily and is it a gas to shift? Much more fun than the 6-speed automatic is to drive? Did you try the 6-speed automatic 2012 Ford Focus at all?
No, Touch, Sync or any complaints yet.
Does this mean that you don't have those electronic toys? Or that you do have them and they perform and work flawlessly?
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Didn't get Sync or Touch and didn't play with them in the test drives so I can't comment on that. I did read several Focus test reviews saying Sync was slow, quirky and often required rebooting so I stayed clear this time round.
Once I'm underway either I'm scrolling through my radio pre-sets...or adjusting the volume; both from the steering wheel.
Everything else is pretty much set or on auto.
In addition, the standard torque vectoring system, which can brake individual front wheels to boost traction, serves up tremendous front-end grip.
The trade-off for this dynamic excellence is an uncomfortable ride, even on this luxurious Titanium model. At low speeds, it¡¦s firm, while on the motorway it fidgets constantly. This is a shame, because elsewhere the Ford is every bit as refined and comfortable as the Golf.
Well, still can't take the crown from the comfy-riding Golf...
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/carreviews/grouptests/268390/peugeot_308_vs_rivals.- - html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters&uid=13175373d3a30b0aa330c8ea6a3df587
DRL's ensure that others see you. Peeky boo.
Smart ideas come from smart manufacturers.
Oh, I'm sorry. I meant ta include Fo-Mo-Co in there. Somewhere.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
Next topic...power mirrors
Also, please help me on this,, after adding all the options to the focus they asked me to enter my Zip Code and the the price jumped up 3k. Is Edmunds gone buy the books on true market value?The dealers all folow edmunds,so why bring in papers asking is this what I'll pay.
We are going into a double dip recession and no way I'm paying $25K for a Focus.
It was easier to buy my BMW as there was a $2600.00 dealer cash hold and I knew where I stood.
My daughter is getting a Hyundai loaded Elantra from :sick: us for garaduating school,more for the money.Ford deals like Exxon/Mobile take it or leave it.
Also, why do you say all dealers use Edmunds? I hadn't heard that before.
I didn't mean dealers use Edmunds exclusively, but thet love to see people walk in their dealer ship with those TMV's and shoot holes through them.
I bought my wife's IS on line using the Fax attack out fit . I drove 250 miles to get it for $1600 less. Fighting Chance is their name. I thought Edmunds could help me get a clue. General Motors monitors their cars on here and answers questions. have a good day,but my mother didn't raise a fool. :shades:
My guess is that the Golf 2.5 ("gas guzzler") w/ the longest front suspension travel should be the king of mini-limos (for the rich who can afford the fuel cost but needs something short & easy to park) & even puts today's Peugeot ("Our test car¡¦s wide 18-inch rims helped here, but they also contribute to the harsh ride from the firm suspension. This is especially noticeable when you hit unsettling mid-corner bumps. The electric power-steering set-up doesn¡¦t help, as it provides little in the way of feedback and has an artificial feel, especially at low speeds.") & Renault ("The steering and suspension are the only weaknesses ¡V the former is overly sensitive and lacks feel, while the latter is too firm at low speeds.") to shame.
Oh, by the way, do you think the Lexus IS offers better ride comfort or steering feel than the new quiet Focus III? Is it worth $... just for the finer interior finish?
I realize the car has a lot of technology but I just throught that for 25K the interior should be better. Also believe it or not the SEL with the Sony sound system does not have an aux jack for an MP3 player it only has USB connectivity. The lower trims have an aux jack.
Any more you pretty much have ta give low $20's in order to get a quality car. It's a price that will deliver the goods in today's economy, though.
What's wrong with DRL's, yikes people come up with some of the stupid-est crap on here about what they like or don't like. What a bunch of crabby-asses. Shut the hell up, I don't care if you don't like DRL's. Could give a rat's bu-too-dee. I like them and that's really all that matters. Sheesh is right.
2021 Kia Soul LX 6-speed stick
If all DRLs were akin to BMWs "Angel Eyes", no problem; but when you spend lots of time driving on roads which are frequently tree canopied and both hilly and curvy, the DRLs of the "Low-powered high-beam" variety are as hazardous for on coming drivers as encountering true high-beams on a dark night.
Sorry, I won't "shut the hell up"; how many accidents and lives lost is it going to take before the powers that be figure out that the bulk of DRLs are a hazard when encountered under certain road conditions?
Back to discussing the Focus please