It was time for a change.....

shack

Out with the old:



In with the new:



The Focus was a really good car. Nine years and 178,000 miles with no major problems. The only non-scheduled repair was to replace the clutch master cylinder. However there was maintenance that was going to need to be done soon. The air conditioner had a leak in the condenser ($900), time for new tires and it had a bent (maybe 2) wheel ($600 +) and it was still on the original clutch. Even though it was not causing any problems now, it could go any time ($800). Still had the original struts ($300 +). Near term maintenance was getting close to the value of the car.

It had been to Polkfests in NJ, MD, GA and SC (3). Averaged 28/29 mpg.

The Fiesta is cool. Already getting 35 mpg average with the 5 speed. The voice activated Sync system is REALLY cool. Controls my phone, iPod and GPS. It's slightly smaller than the Focus...but still plenty of room for me at 6' 4". I considered the new Focus...but I really liked the Fiesta better and it was $4,000 cheaper.

mhardy6647

heh, needless to say - I approve.
Our 2000 ZX-3 made it over 200k last year (I gave it to my daughter and son-in-law in 2010). It now needs a clutch and they may be unhooking it from the respirator :-P Routinely got 30 to 35 mpg with it in Boston "metrowest" kind of driving (5 speed manual)

I really like the new Focus - it wasn't out yet in 2010, so I bought a new Fiesta. It's kind of small, but it's very economical (averaging 40.4 as I type this - goes up to about 42 in warm weather), cheap, and fun to drive.

I ordered mine when before they came out - consequently, I got some junk on it - the SYNC (which was a freebie at the time), electrochromic rear-view mirror (which we had on another vehicle and I really liked), pushbutton start, and the goofy interior "mood lighting". Oh, and butt-warmer seats! :-) Mine's a 5-speed manual; yours?

thsmith

Congrats and I say the Focus owes you nothing. Impressive service.

shack

mhardy6647 wrote:

I really like the new Focus - it wasn't out yet in 2010, so I bought a new Fiesta. It's kind of small, but it's very economical (averaging 40.4 as I type this - goes up to about 42 in warm weather), cheap, and fun to drive.

I thought I would like the Focus better but I didn't. The SE I drove seemed too much like a mid-size sedan. Maybe if I had stepped up to the Titanium with the sport supension or waited for the ST... But we're talking a $5,000 difference for the Titanium and considerably more for the ST. The ST might be worth it, but probably not the Titanium.

mhardy6647 wrote:

I ordered mine when before they came out - consequently, I got some junk on it - the SYNC (which was a freebie at the time), electrochromic rear-view mirror (which we had on another vehicle and I really liked), pushbutton start, and the goofy interior "mood lighting". Oh, and butt-warmer seats! :-) Mine's a 5-speed manual; yours?

The only options over the standard SE was the sport appearance package with the Sync and upgraded audio system (and with the package discount the Sync and audio was basically free). There was a keypad entry which I would have preferred not to have...but it was on the car. I think I can remove it since it was a dealer install. I didnt want the Electro RV mirror, push button, "mood" lights or heated seats. The only thing I would have liked that I didn't get were the heated exterior mirrors. And mine is a 5 speed as well. I really don't like automatics.

BlueFox

Nice car. I like small cars also, and I am 6' 3". They have more zip, are easier to get around in traffic, cheaper to service and repair, and just more fun.

schwarcw

Congrats Steve!

Very nice car! I wish you luck with your sharp little red car. It looks like a "green" babe magnet. You know, for those hippie chicks:evil::cheesygrin::eek:

schwarcw

Sona! Steve has a new car!

deronb1

The new Focus's are pretty cool. Had a 2007 for three years (lease). Never a problem and decent milage. The new ones are much cooler though. Went Honda Civic in 2010. May look at the Focus again next year.

codyc1ark

I never thought much about the outside keypad until I got my fusion, it's actually been great. When your hands are full and your keys are in your pocket, easy access. I also love the sync feature. Nice car.

Mike Reeter

schwarcw wrote: »

Sona! Steve has a new car!

Too funny Carl! The Fiesta is a good looking ride, hopefully you can pull 178,000 miles out of it also! My wife just took delivery of a new Focus as her company car. It is a 4 door sedan that has many options, including heated leather. She seems to be very happy with it, and I think it is a very cool design. I'd say both models must be big sellers for Ford.

tonyb

I have to hand it to Ford, they are almost single handedly turning around misconceptions of American made auto's. They have some good offerings, many affordable ones to boot that won't have you taking out a 30 year mortgage to own. Nice options, and their reliability has been soo much better than the Ford of old.

Congrats on the new wheels, looks nice. Only thing left is to figure out how to get SDA's in that puppy.

cnh

Those old Fords, don't get me going on them. Know almost nothing about the new Focus or any new Ford for that matter.

The Red looks nice. But why is it that the two cars above (a 9 year old Focus and a relatively newer Fiesta look "so much alike"?? you'd think there had been at least 2 body changes in there).

I'm a little surprised, to be honest, that Ford quality is said to have improved? But that's because I'm a pretty old fellow who remembers lots and lots of Ford clunkers (my father owned a few of them). 178K though is pretty impressive on any model internal combustion auto!

Enjoy! My 2002 Impala is slowly rusting out, courtesy of our wondrous winter road salt. To say that this vehicle has been problem free would be an understatement (it's been running me a 1000 dollars in repairs (every year) the last 3 years--all during the inspection cycle, of course!--and a friend of mine saved my another 800 or so by "bypassing" the passive security lock cylinder (related) circuits. A repair was waiting for me there. But now it's been two years and I can still start up my car without it thinking I'm trying to steal it. Such a simple fix...less than 35 dollars. Yet you take it to a dealer and the "sky" is the limit because they want to pull out your entire dash and do a major repair, when all they have to do is disable the passive lock (which a real thief can override pretty easily--and is not of much use).

Sorry for the aside. I'm just tired of repairs. Even so, I've only been stuck once-when my body control module (BCM) went south (something that almost always occurs on this model at 60-70K; then there was the whole Dexcool fiasco that took out my engine gaskets--GM knew all along that this would happen at 75-85K and could have used better gaskets--nah).

To summarize. Also, looking for another car. But Ford still makes me wince. (owned an old Escort once--what a POS that was). Now where is Jstas to defend them? lol



cnh

shack

cnh wrote:

Those old Fords, don't get me going on them. Know almost nothing about the new Focus or any new Ford for that matter.

I'm a little surprised, to be honest, that Ford quality is said to have improved? But that's because I'm a pretty old fellow who remembers lots and lots of Ford clunkers (my father owned a few of them). 178K though is pretty impressive on any model internal combustion auto!

I basically parked this Ford when I bought the Focus in 2003 with 183,000 on the OD. It still runs fine and has 190,000 now, but is an occasional ride.

DCP_6-3-1.JPG

On the other hand...this one is 46 years old and still runs great. I don't drive it much as it needs a new radiator and alternator. It only has 120,000 on the OD.



My Fords have held up pretty well.

Ricardo

Nice ride Steve.

Although I have to say I like that Galaxie a lot better.....

schwarcw

Nice looking Galaxy Steve! I had a friend (years ago) who had a '64 Galaxy painted a racing orange with some classic Cragar mags. Dual exhaust, 389 CID, black vinyl interior (ouch!).

Congrats again on the new car!