New Ford Focus

[The General]

If the 2005 Focus ST, the Mazda 3 and the S40/V50 are any indication of the what next Focus will be all about, it will turn out to be quite a car and probably the one to beat in the category.


http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/firstimpa...?id=3949&pos=1

[snoproblem]

That's if they can keep the poor-reliability gremlins away - the ones that made the previous model into a tragic joke for its first several years.

That's a really big 'if', considering the company's track record lately...! :roll:

[The General]

You are very correct. That's why I started the sentence with if.

The 2000-02 Focus was terrible. It seems that the 2003-04 was much better. Ford is having a lot of trouble but let`s not forget that these new cars are developed jointly with Mazda and Volvo.

Something good has to come from all this brains and money.

[snoproblem]

That's what was so frustrating about the previous Focus.

It was, by reputation, a fun and very driveable car - in the short term. But for a while there, it seemed the vehicle was being recalled for something potentially dangerous every other day. This doesn't doesn't inspire much confidence in the consumer! :wink:

Certainly, talent and financial muscle are company assets. But it seemed the company had an attack of 'penny-wise, pound- foolish' syndrome. They'd insist on having a five-dollar part manufactured for fifty cents - not exactly conducive to quality and reliability, unfortunately. They've even stated themselves that they're focusing on "maximizing profits, not sales". Hmph.

Keep up that attitude, fellas, you'll have neither! :P

[The General]

Time will tell. In the case of the first Focus, like you mentionned, it took only a few months before we knew how bad it really was.

I have a couple of friends in Europe and they say that the Focus is actually rated as a good car.

I guess I'm just being hopefull... :?

[snoproblem]

Originally Posted by The General

I guess I'm just being hopefull... :?

So am I, in a cynical, jaded kind of way! :wink:

Don't get me wrong! Another good car on the market is good for all of us! I'm certainly hoping for a coup from the "blue oval", as it certainly wouldn't hurt the local building/ manufacturing sector.

God knows, a turn-around would be welcome...:rotation:

[driftor]

That car review sure did not look like the Focus cars I've seen here and a 1.6 liter engine? Are you sure it is this Euro Focus that represents you views on the current Canadian, or is there a more recent review representing the opinion of you and your colleagues.

The steering being overboosted as you said in the Focus compared to the Mazda 3 is especially interesting, and while we are on the topic, I understand that Mazda took an extra initiative even compared to the Euro Focus you appear to feature here, to assure what has been called in one review as increased "camber stiffness". Is the overboosted nature of the steering you report a subjective impression or simply a difference in 'boost ' specifications between the manufacturers.

I'm getting confused as to whether we are getting the Euro Focus over here soon and whether your comments apply to the Canadian version specifically.

[driftor]

Originally Posted by The General

If the 2005 Focus ST, the Mazda 3 and the S40/V50 are any indication of the what next Focus will be all about, it will turn out to be quite a car and probably the one to beat in the category.


http://www.newcarnet.co.uk/firstimpa...?id=3949&pos=1

This review by the General is the one I am responding to.

[The General]

I briefly tested the 2005 Focus and I liked it. This is what I am saying. The link is for a test done in Europe on the European version. This same version will find its way to our shores either in late 2005 or early 2006.

My comparison with the 05 Focus, the Mazda 3 and the S40 was simply done to state that these 3 cars are excellent in many ways and therefore, the new Focus should be on top of its game in the category.

[snoproblem]

Doesn't the new Focus have a tamer, more white-bread look? At least, it does to me. :?