2008 Ford Focus

[SVT666]

You are incorrect. That is a myth. The only thing controlled through the radio were the chimes for the door ajar w/key/headlights.

Really?  Both the dealer and the installer told me otherwise.  Do you have a link for information to the contrary?

[chevyguy06]

Am I the only one that sees some Suzuki XL-7 in the grille and headlights?

[USA_Idol]

Am I the only one that sees some Suzuki XL-7 in the grille and headlights?

Suzuki's funky headlights are completely unique to that SUV-crossover-activity vehicle-thingie.

[IrishGuy]

Really?  Both the dealer and the installer told me otherwise.  Do you have a link for information to the contrary?

http://www.j-body.org/faq//84/


http://www.ny-jbodies.org/library/audio/2kaudio.html



Besides, it's common sense 

[r0tor]

thats a hell of a "Bold Move"... reskinning again an outdated car, removing the hatchback and wagon models, and eliminating the only competitive engine choice 

http://www.caranddriver.com/autoshows/12267/2008-ford-focus.html

[omicron]

As for where the rear lights came from:

[ChrisV]

"OMG!!!JFL!!! It has 4 wheels! It looks JUST LIKE a _________"

Gasoline's right. At what point do people realize that certain details on any car loook like the same details on another car, and have since cars were invented?

That being said, If they are going to do all new tooling, why not do all new tooling that looks like the Euro Focus that people seem to want? The costs can't be THAT different.

Getting this look:



on the same chassis would be no harder than the entirely new body tooling they already had to do.

[SVT666]

http://www.j-body.org/faq//84/


http://www.ny-jbodies.org/library/audio/2kaudio.html



Besides, it's common sense?

Hey, I thought so too, but more then 1 person was telling me this and they were supposedly people "in the know" (like the dealership guy), so I believed them.  If it wasn't 7 years ago I would be pissed off because the fucking cable they sold me cost $80.

[SJ_GTI]

I am not blown away, but it looks alright. There isn't much to get excited over in this segment.

What looks better than this? Corolla? Nope. Civic? Maybe (depends on taste, a lot of people didn't like the civic's new look either). Cobalt? Nope. Sentra? Uhh-uh. Elantra? Not in my book. Jetta? Close, but I'd give the nod to the Focus. Dodge ...? Nothing to compare to, so nope.

The only car I can say without reserve that looks better than the Focus in this class is the Mazda3, and as much as I like the Mazda its not exactly tearing up sales charts.

If I was a betting man I would say this new Focus will do well, but won't be a segment buster. Probably 3rd or 4th in sales.

[nickdrinkwater]

I'd take anything over the Focus, except for the Cobalt (which would be close).

[SJ_GTI]

I'd take anything over the Focus, except for the Cobalt (which would be close).

Well congratulations, you have just confirmed you have an irrational dislike for American cars. I will be sure to discount all of your car opinions in the future. 

[omicron]

Well congratulations, you have just confirmed you have an irrational dislike for American cars. I will be sure to discount all of your car opinions in the future.

[VetteZ06]

Well congratulations, you have just confirmed you have an irrational dislike for American cars. I will be sure to discount all of your car opinions in the future.?

Don't particularly like the new "do," but the coupe is okay.

I'm with r0tor, though - at what point will Ford finally give us an all-new Focus?

[Vinsanity]

why did they discontinue the 2.3L engine? that was dumb.

[FoMoJo]

Compared to what's out there, it should blend in a bit better.

I've always liked the design of the original Focus more than anything that came afterwards.? It was the first application of the "New Edge" styling that was applied to a vehicle intended for a high volume segment...the Ka, the first of the "New Edge" styling, I believe, was not sold in NA...the Couger, the 2nd I believe, was never intended as high volume and, imo, is still the most stylish of any fwd sports coupe even though it's been out of production for 5 years.

Of course, several elements of the "New Edge" design philosophy were absorbed in most models of all the other manufacturers until the variations played out and everyone started to searching for a new "different" look...as is the case with this restyled Focus and, as with other models, the confusion of design makes it look rather uninspiring.? It's time for someone to come up with a "new" significant design philosphy that is appealing.? Judging by the look of some of the new concepts, they haven't found anything yet that isn't too radical or, simply, too ugly.? Retro doesn't work anymore either.

[Raza]

That being said, If they are going to do all new tooling, why not do all new tooling that looks like the Euro Focus that people seem to want? The costs can't be THAT different.

Getting this look:



on the same chassis would be no harder than the entirely new body tooling they already had to do.

I still think they could sell this Focus at a lower price (they've been making them so long, all their R&D costs are probably covered) and bring the C1 Focus over at a higher price point, competing against cars like the Mazda3s and GTI.  Stick with the ST's 5 cylinder as the only engine choice, and then later add in a hotted up AWD version. 

[280Z Turbo]

"OMG!!!JFL!!! It has 4 wheels it looks JUST LIKE a _________"

Gasoline's right. At what peopole do people realize that certain details on any car loook like the same details on another car, and have since cars were invented?

Maybe they think they can start a class action lawsuit against Ford for copying other designs?

[MX793]

I still think they could sell this Focus at a lower price (they've been making them so long, all their R&D costs are probably covered) and bring the C1 Focus over at a higher price point, competing against cars like the Mazda3s and GTI.  Stick with the ST's 5 cylinder as the only engine choice, and then later add in a hotted up AWD version. 

The ST's turbo 5 as the only engine?  That wouldn't exactly leave Ford with a fuel efficient, or even particularly affordable, compact in their line.  They should bring the C1, offer the 2.0L as the base engine and sell if for similar money as the Mazda3i.  Then offer the ST and price it in line with the GTI or MS3.  They should also bring over the Fiesta or otherwise offer a subcompact to cover the lower price segment.  GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai/Kia all have subcompacts on the market NOW.  Chrysler has just announced plans to have one on the market in the near future.  Ford is pretty much the only mainstream manufacturer to not in any way express any interest in this market, choosing instead to sell an older compact at a lower price point to straddle the compact-subcompact segments.  They tried that with the Taurus and it seems it wasn't the most successful tactic.

[FordSVT]

Why can't Ford just give us what they have in Europe, which is a far better car.? All of that metal-looking material on the dash is just an excuse for Ford to make more cars with hard plastic all over the dash instead of upgrading the materials.

I like it.

Anyone else think the interior looks a LOT like the Volvo that's on this platform?
-FordSVT-

[FoMoJo]

The ST's turbo 5 as the only engine?? That wouldn't exactly leave Ford with a fuel efficient, or even particularly affordable, compact in their line.? They should bring the C1, offer the 2.0L as the base engine and sell if for similar money as the Mazda3i.? Then offer the ST and price it in line with the GTI or MS3.? They should also bring over the Fiesta or otherwise offer a subcompact to cover the lower price segment.? GM, Honda, Toyota, Nissan, and Hyundai/Kia all have subcompacts on the market NOW.? Chrysler has just announced plans to have one on the market in the near future.? Ford is pretty much the only mainstream manufacturer to not in any way express any interest in this market, choosing instead to sell an older compact at a lower price point to straddle the compact-subcompact segments.? They tried that with the Taurus and it seems it wasn't the most successful tactic.

Ford is pretty much the only mainstream manufacturer to not in any way express any interest in this market, choosing instead to sell an older compact at a lower price point to straddle the compact-subcompact segments.

There have been several (some) articles recently whereby Ford has designated Mazda to lead the design of a new "B" platform (B2E) to be shared through-out the Ford owned companies...providing Ford with sub-compacts for the NA market.

...an example http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061128/AUTO01/611280373/1148

The highlight of "Showroom of the Future," most agreed, was the tiny new subcompact.? Ford insiders say it will be built on a new platform being developed by Mazda Motor Corp., which Ford controls. Known internally as the B2E platform, it will also provide the basic architecture for the next-generation Ford Fiesta and Mazda2.? Other versions are also planned for the U.S. market, including a small crossover.? Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio confirmed that the company did unveil "one possible design" for the subcompact Monday, but would not discuss details of the vehicle.? "We'll get a B-car as fast as we can with the right design and right business case," she said.

[nickdrinkwater]

Well congratulations, you have just confirmed you have an irrational dislike for American cars. I will be sure to discount all of your car opinions in the future. 

Just because I don't like the Focus or the Cobalt, means I have an irrational dislike for American cars? 

[MX793]

There have been several (some) articles recently whereby Ford has designated Mazda to lead the design of a new "B" platform (B2E) to be shared through-out the Ford owned companies...providing Ford with sub-compacts for the NA market.

...an example http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061128/AUTO01/611280373/1148

The highlight of "Showroom of the Future," most agreed, was the tiny new subcompact.  Ford insiders say it will be built on a new platform being developed by Mazda Motor Corp., which Ford controls. Known internally as the B2E platform, it will also provide the basic architecture for the next-generation Ford Fiesta and Mazda2.  Other versions are also planned for the U.S. market, including a small crossover.  Ford spokeswoman Sara Tatchio confirmed that the company did unveil "one possible design" for the subcompact Monday, but would not discuss details of the vehicle.  "We'll get a B-car as fast as we can with the right design and right business case," she said.

OK, so they're at least at the conceptual stage.  Ford and Chrysler are the only two currently missing out on this segment and Chrysler has already announced that the Hornet will be out (barring a sudden turn of events) for '09.  Ford has, at best, a concept and no tentative release date.

[93JC]

Just because I don't like the Focus or the Cobalt, means I have an irrational dislike for American cars??

Do you like the Dodge Caliber?

[nickdrinkwater]

Do you like the Dodge Caliber?

Actually, I do.

[93JC]

Oh, good.

If you didn't you'd quite obviously be an American-hating limey bastard.

[ifcar]

Actually, I do.

So exterior styling is your primary criteria?

[nickdrinkwater]

So exterior styling is your primary criteria?

Not the most important, but one of the important ones.  Obviously other things matter, but if a car is ugly in the first place, I'm not going to investigate it much further cos I'm not going to like it.

What about you?  Don't place much value on looks?

[93JC]

So exterior styling is your primary criteria?

Yes, obviously. Can you suggest a better system?

[93JC]

What about you?? Don't place much value on looks?

The man drives a minivan for Christ's sake. Before that, another minivan. Before that, a clunker Ford Escort.

Obviously looks are the most important criterion upon which he buys vehicles.

[MX793]

The man drives a minivan for Christ's sake. Before that, another minivan. Before that, a clunker Ford Escort.

Obviously looks are the most important criterion upon which he buys vehicles.

And if I remember correctly, Iffy has no children either.