I went to see the new FF today at my local dealer, I wanted to like it but to be honest I didn't.
I thought the interior plastics looked horrible (same as fiesta) and left the interior feeling not a nice place to be, I also think the rear end looks weird, the rear window slopes too much and the lights are too high and angled to much. The sales people all looked like thugs, the garage site was a dump and the demonstrator model had a huge dent in the drivers door allready! It felt really good getting back into my Honda Civic and driving away.
Its a shame because it is probably a great car to drive.
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Build quality is fair, the air-con and recirc. buttons seemed to wobble a bit too much, more so than the Fiesta. Haven't driven one, but am impressed with it so far. Mike Farrow #
What exactly are you impressed with?
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I'm *almost* sure I've posted this before...but maybe I just thought of posting it so I'll post it again :-)
Ok - I'm biased owning a Focus but hear me out. Whether you like the current Focus or not, you have to see where the attraction lies and can't deny that even now the styling is daring but moreso in 1998.
The new one, is, quite frankly, ugly. I have tried to like it...honestly I really have but I can't. The front looks like a Mondeo to be honest. The back looks like a squashed C-Max; in fact, are they the same tail lights?
I've only seen limited interior shots but I wasn't impressed. The best of the bunch seems to be the cream Ghia interior but you shouldn't have to get by liking a car - you should love it.
Personally, I think it's a massive mistake - it looks like the earlier model than the current Focus if you ask me. However, I'm not sure whether sales are going to be affected. Yes it's ugly but apparently it handles superbly and this may win over a lot of people. However - it's going to lose sales within the "younger" driving community but perhaps Ford intended this.
Horrible and I shall be sticking with my trusty Mk I (although admittedly even if I loved the new one, I couldn't buy it!)
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Adam
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they still putting drums on the back ?
im sure it wouldnt cost any more to put discs allround ,
probably got a factory somewhere making drums they dont want to retool
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Thankfully, they stopped doing that 2 years ago when they started fitting ABS as standard. I can't imagine they've decided to reintroduce drums on the back for the new generation either...
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Rear brakes ? Discs (2.0 Duratec and 2.0 TDCi engines only, standard on estates) Otherwise drums im afraid
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Are you sure? My Dad's 53 plate 1.6 work one ages ago had rear drums. I was under the impression it was the bigger, more expensive models that got the discs.
Still never amazes me the difference in cars. Mine is a 1.8 Ghia with drums, manual windows in the back and no alarm.
Dad has an S reg Mazda 626 Intrigue. By no means the top spec model yet has electric windows all round, climate control, 4 discs and an alarm.
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Adam
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My last post was addressing David not John just in case it looks confusing to any late readers!
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Adam
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My mistake - just checked the specs for the old model on the Ford website and it appears that I was misinformed by a Ford salesman...
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Whether you like the current Focus or not, you have to see where the attraction lies and can't deny that even now the styling is daring but moreso in 1998.
Agree entirely about the hatchback. But it seems that there's only one person in the universe who likes the saloon ... ;-)
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Well aren't you just on a roll this week NW. Absolutely hilarious ;-)
I have to be different - hence the saloon. I'm told I'm special by many people....do you think this is what they meant?
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Adam
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Visited our local dealer last week. Neither me or the wife were that impressed as it looks just like a mini Mondeo and a VAG dashboard. I also queried if the cars they had were test models for the manufacturing process as the Titanium model was badged as a Ghia, but it had cruise - the brochure says cruise control is standard on the Ghia, but not available on the Titanium! Needless to say they didn't know the answer.
They had no price list in the showroom, but I have since priced up a 2.0TDCI Ghia and it came in at almost 18k which seems a bit pricy to me.
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Saw a 5 door Ghia and a 3 door Zetec at a dealer last week, they do look a bit conservative in styling (I remember thinking the sme when the '98 Astra was launched) however build quality looked good. Disapointed that rear discs are not now std on all models, that being said 1.6 and 1.8 Focuses with rear drums have always stopped ok.
Regards.
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The stopping wouldn't be the issue for me. I like to do my own servicing and find disc brakes considerably easier to change than drums. So much so that I don't intend to change a pair of drum brakes ever again.
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The stopping wouldn't be the issue for me. I like to do my own servicing and find disc brakes considerably easier to change than drums. So much so that I don't intend to change a pair of drum brakes ever again.
Depends on the car, some drums are dead easy, others contain the wheel bearing and are more tricky to get into.
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Judging only from the TV advert for this car I'd be worried about poor rear visibility. From inside the rear screen looks almost miniscule with big thick pillars either side.
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I have to be different - hence the saloon.
Couldn't you have managed to be different in a way which might have maintained some street cred? ;-)
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Well I suppose I could have got a Peugeot 309...oh wait. You said maintain street cred not destroy it.
;-)
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Adam
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Adam,
Much as I like you, and hate to upset one so full of youthful enthusiasm, you really can not mention Focus *saloon* and Street cred in the same sentence. Or paragraph, or page.
Any mention of the two would be a travesty of the truth.
Sorry to be the bearer of such bad tidings but I thought as a friend I should tell you.
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Well I'm getting it today aren't I!?!? From all sides. All I need is Hugo to come along and kick me and it'll be the full set! ;-)
RF - something you should know about me - I'm weird...ah - perhaps you did know that. I'm well known for my love of big cars. Whilst mates are buying Clio 172's and Polo GTI's, I'm thinking of Audi RS6's and...well....Focus saloons oddly enough!
I was worried at first but essetially it was a free car (wonderful Mum and Dad who were doing me a favour). I thought I'd tire of it but still, every morning when I get in, I smile. And that's all that matters isn't it?
I was going to say how nice Lagunas look....bet you feel silly now don't you.....ol' buddy ol' pal. :-)
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Adam
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"every morning when I get in, I smile. And that's all that matters isn't it?"
Yes thats true Adam, you can't see the boot from the drivers seat, you can imagine you are in the Hatchback. ;) ;)
Mind you from the Laguna you can't see brother all out the rear window. Pity really it has such a sexy botty.
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Move aside Peter Kay. We have a comedian here?
RF - I always am amazed by your sense of humour and of course that legendary wit. (half of it anyway) ;-)
I am dying to get an insult in but even I must admit I like the new Laguna shape. Was never a fan of previous incarnations but it's the first Renault I'd consider having....if only I could get over that barrier of...what do we call it? Money!
I'll get you one day.....one day RF....
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Adam
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Back on the Focus trail!
I own a 54 plate 2.0l TDCI C-max Ghia with the leather interior, it is a great car to drive, your average 3.0l petrol has trouble keeping up!
CVT- The CVT transmission is of American design and manufacture, built in Botavia, USA. I have not heard of any problems with this transmission, it is a brand new design.
I have driven the c-max with the 1.6TDCI CVT, it is a great package, very smooth, nippy and will be very suited to the new focus size and weight.
I notice that no one has driven the new focus, I did two weeks ago,a 3dr 1.6 petrol, it feels underpowered compared to the my diesel, but this aside, it is very solid, and has great handling.
People need to drive this car before they make a decision, it is worth taking the time.
Once driven forever smitten!!!
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" I have not heard of any problems with this transmission, it is a brand new design."
Read that sentence again...carefully.
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I didn't like the styling of the lod Focus when it came out but then I was forced to drive one at work. When I discovered how great it was to drive my opinion changed. You can't see the back when your driving it but you can see the awefull dash. Still I liked it.
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\"Nothing less than 8 cylinders will do\"
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Well I suppose I could have got a Peugeot 309...
You make my point for me. The Focus saloon only passes muster by comparison with a design 12 years older.
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>>he Focus saloon only passes muster by comparison with a design 12 years older.<<
Very clever...very clever indeed. Do I:
1) Say "A-ha! That's where you're wrong Ms. Wheels - the Peugeot 309 was launched in 1986 not 1993 as you suggest" but then further proving your so called "point" or
2) Keep quiet allowing you to either revel in your victory or argue with yourself ;-)
It's a tough one - really it is.
P.S. I would have paid good money to have you on our team back at school when we had to argue the most stupid things in the name of education.
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Adam
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Very clever...very clever indeed. Do I: 1) Say "A-ha! That's where you're wrong Ms. Wheels - the Peugeot 309 was launched in 1986 not 1993 as you suggest" but then further proving your so called "point"
Ah, but if you said that, I would point out that the outgoing Focus which you adore was launched in 1998. Twelve years before that is 1986, not 1993.
Maths class is tomorrow morning at 11.15 ;-)
[NoWheels ducks and hides ... ]
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This once, (and one time only) I will concede.
I cannot believe I worked out the first bit and just plain forgot about that. I thought I had you as well you little minx! I thought you'd just worked the 12 years out from the age of yours. How could I possibly think I got one over on NoWheels.
I shall now hang my head in shame whilst reciting my 2 times tables.
2...4...6...9...
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Adam
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This once, (and one time only) I will concede.
I won't gloat :) *
I thought you'd just worked the 12 years out from the age of yours.
But I never owned a 309 :)
I had a 305 (one of the very last ones), by the time I owned it was nearly twenty years after the launch, so its design was rather archaeological. A bit like its driver, though the car was much less wrinkly ;-)
How could I possibly think I got one over on NoWheels.
Don't worry, it's a delusion which has afflicted others too ;-)
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* Well, not for more than a year or two ...
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>>I won't gloat :) *<<
That'll be the day
>>But I never owned a 309 :) I had a 305<<
What does it matter? They're all Peugeots aren't they?
A bit like its driver, though the car was much less wrinkly ;-)<<
Too easy
:: runs for cover
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Adam
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What does it matter? They're all Peugeots aren't they?
Well, actually, the 309 was a Chrysler, originally :-). See the Horizon story on www.rootes-chrysler.co.uk if you want to know more...
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>>I won't gloat :) *<< That'll be the day
Well, I did say not for more than a yera or two! ;-)
>>But I never owned a 309 :) I had a 305<< What does it matter? They're all Peugeots aren't they?
Indeed, that's their strong point. The 1980s Ford Escort was a vastly inferior car to either of them. The only downside of the Pugs was their agricultural gearchange, but they won hands-down on ride, handling, refinement and reliability. Compared to the XUD diesel, 1980s Ford diesel was sluggish and growly.
Ford only began to get their act together in the 90s, with the Focus. Except they mangled that one by sticking a packing crate on the back of the elegant hatchback, and called it a saloon.
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Well I didn't see that one coming for a mile off whatsoever!
What can I say? I like the hatchback - wouldn't call it elegant though.
Saloons are great. Big, polluting, unecessary power - what more do you want? ;-)
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Adam
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Saloons are great. Big, polluting, unecessary power - what more do you want? ;-)
Not necesarily bigger or more polluting. But actually, I quite like saloons -- especially compared with the unneccessarily truncated luggage areas of mid-range hatchbacks. (Why do big hatches have full-length boots, but mid-sized ones only sawn-off tails?)
Some saloons are much prettier than their hatchback equivalents - Nissan Almera is a good example. That one looks like the hatch is saloon-after-hacksaw-attack, wheras the on the Focus it's t'other way round.
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When we went looking for a Focus, we purposely looked for a saloon because we liked them more. I still love it so there you go.
I know you're not in the minority not liking the saloon but I think you'll find your allies considerably lower in number in saying the Almera saloon looks better. You haven't been on the vino today have you?
;-)
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Adam
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You haven't been on the vino today have you?
Haven't touched it for nearly 7 years. But considering that I drank several lifetime's allocation of wine-lakes* before then, my brain may have been permanently pickled.
* plus a good view spirits ponds and beer canals :( Though mercifully none of it when driving
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Oh marvellous. Make Adam feel bad just as he was gearing up for quite a witty argument!
Note to self - retract foot from mouth and site quietly in corner.
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Adam
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Oh marvellous. Make Adam feel bad just as he was gearing up for quite a witty argument!
Sorry, wasn't trying to make you feel bad about that -- there are plenty of times whien I wish I could claim I'd been on the sauce.
One advantage of being totally dry, tho, is that I don't have to worry abt driving when I've been out.
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Very true. It's incredibly difficult saying no when all your mates are drinking all the time. Incredibly difficult - but as you say - clear head when driving.
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Adam
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