Foo - Unsolicited Car Review

I've been working and living (in an Embassy Suites) in Columbia SC 5 days a week for the past few weeks and because it seems I will be doing this for the foreseeable future and my old accent has over a 100K on the clock and was never that comfortable on the highway, I broke down and bought a new car. I purchased a 2012 Ford Focus Sedan and I'm so impressed I feel obligated to review it to the foosters.

Simply put, it's a brilliant small car. If you're looking for small car this should definitely at the top of your list. First, it drives wonderfully. It handles well without giving up ride comfort. It's quick enough with a 5 speed but still fuel efficient. This morning I drove from Atlanta to Columbia at 80+mph and averaged 37.5 mpg door to door. The seats are comfortable, the trunk is a good size for a car in this class, and it looks great. The dash is a nice soft-touch plastic that feels like it came from a more expensive car. In fact the car on the whole gives you the feeling your driving a bigger and sportier vehicle. It's simply a joy to drive. How did Ford manage to design this wonder? Well they let the Germans design the car and it feels like it. If this thing were RWD and had say 20 more horsepower and 40 ft-lbs of torque coming in lower this thing would be a 1-series killer.


Of course all is not perfect. The interior isn't as airy as it's competitors. I've seen less complicated radio stacks in airplanes and if you've got people in the front seats that are taller than say 5'5" the back seats are useless to adults. The engine has a 12:1 compression ratio and with that diesel like compression ratio the engine is a little noisy when cold. And speaking of the engine it's a 2.0 four banger that makes a 160 hp and 143 ft-lbs of torque which is great except that max HP is at 6500 rpm and the torque curve peaks at 4,450 rpm. As a result it feels a little pokey off the line unless you're super aggressive.

But these things don't take away from the overall brilliance of the car. Then there's the price, you'll hear a lot about how the focus is overpriced but that's only if you want the top of the line models. I went with the mid-range SE model, in part so I could get the five-speed and it came to a very reasonable price.

How reasonable? I paid $16,500 (18500 before a $2,000 rebate) for an SE sedan with option group 203a (which includes nicecities like cruise control power windows satellite radio and stuff). For that price the car's a bargain.

Before making my decision I test drove the following cars:
Hyundai Elantra
Hyundai Accent
Ford Fiesta
Chevy Cruze
Chevy Sonic
Mazda 3
Fiat 500
Kia Forte
Dodge Dart
Honda Civic
Honda Insight
Toyota Corolla

I love fords it is what id spend my moen yon if i got a new car.It would either be the festiva or focus

I love small cars, but I am 6'3". So, I lived in denial about my height vs. car cabin for years. I was forced to rent a huge SUV once, and boy was that comfortable for my height. So, we compromised and I get to drive a minivan now. Best thing for my height and bad back since I was a kid.

I am very excited to see people enjoying small cars since I can't anymore (at least until my kids are our of car seats and I can just remove the front seat and drive from the back).

I love small cars, but I am 6'3". So, I lived in denial about my height vs. car cabin for years. I was forced to rent a huge SUV once, and boy was that comfortable for my height. So, we compromised and I get to drive a minivan now. Best thing for my height and bad back since I was a kid.

I am very excited to see people enjoying small cars since I can't anymore (at least until my kids are our of car seats and I can just remove the front seat and drive from the back).

Wimp. One of my friends was 6'9", and he used to drive an original mini.

Which Dart did you drive? I'm very seriously considering the 1.4T Rallye one and wanted your thoughts.

But can you fit the bike into it without removing anything? :)

My dad has a '11 Fiesta and he loves it. Ford is definitely doing something right with their small cars.

C&D calls the Focus the "Best front wheel drive platform since the last Integra." If you've driven an Integra, that's high praise indeed.

My wife & I test drove a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback before we decided on getting a 2012 Hyundai Veloster. We liked the Focus, except for the lack of leg room in the front. I'm 5'9", my wife is 5'8". Both of us felt like our legs were wedged into the car. The Veloster, on the other hand, is extremely comfortable, has a much more intuitive infotainment system, and was cheaper than the Focus when similarly optioned. I still like the look of the Focus. If it had been roomier, it would have been a tough choice.

My wife has a 2005 Focus and loves it.

Which Dart did you drive? I'm very seriously considering the 1.4T Rallye one and wanted your thoughts.

SXT w/ 1.4 turbo. It was definitely a fun to drive car and I could almost sense the Alfa underneath it's skin trying to get out. It was certainly quicker off the line than the Focus. But I thought the shifting wasn't slick (which is weird because I also test drove a fiat which was great and I'm pretty sure they use the same transmission) and it didn't ride as nice on the expressway which is a big deal for me right now considering I'm doing twice a week 230 mile jaunts to home.

I currently drive an Elantra (2005). I have a long history with Fords though and really wanted to buy a Focus, but in 2005 the Focus wasn't near as good of a car as the Elantra was, not even close. If I were to buy today, though, I think the Focus has caught up and surpassed the Elantra. I'd probably look at a Fiesta though; I don't really need the room anymore. I test drove the Fiesta earlier this year and it was almost as nice as my much larger Elantra.

(which is weird because I also test drove a fiat which was great and I'm pretty sure they use the same transmission)

Nope. They used a Japanese transmission in the Dart.

My dad has a '11 Fiesta and he loves it. Ford is definitely doing something right with their small cars.

Yeah, they're bringing over their Euro designs and not messing with them.

Yeah, they're bringing over their Euro designs and not messing with them.

:lol:

+1 on that.

I'm not joking either. They brought the previous Focus over from Europe (ca. 2000) but they econo-boxed it. It didn't ride well, it was noisy, it was just cheap. This time I think the left some of the Euroness in it.

I think I may pick up a focus hatch for my next car. the hatch is a nice looking car.

I've been getting a Ford Escape @ the rental agencies recently. Very impressed by this car / mini-SUV...

You test drove 13 cars? What a hard working guy.

Whatdo you think of the new to come BMW i3 electric drive MegaCity vehicule in 2013? Would be a good alternative for use for everyday car for work and for long range with th REx technology?

Ford is doing a lot of things right. I think the f150 is tops in it class as well. I know of at least 4 traveling salesmen that have traded 3/4ton dodges and Chevys for ford f150s with the twin turbo v6. My wife and I also got a fusion last year and have been very pleased. It drives well, fits four adults, and was a pretty good value.

I've had a Focus for a ZipCar a few times, very nice.

... and I did see an electric Focus on the road the other day.

You test drove 13 cars? What a hard working guy.

Trust me for a purchase this size I do my homework. I'm cheap.

I think I may pick up a focus hatch for my next car. the hatch is a nice looking car.

I would have preferred the hatch but I couldn't justify the the price difference.

My son totaled my Honda Accord (he walked away with barely a scratch - I was totally impressed with the crash worthiness of that car) so the rental company has me in a 2013 Ford Mustang. A real muscle car and I'm impressed with the package - not that I would even consider one for purchase. For all it's power it is smooth...

I think Ford may have a real handle on the market again.

I'll go look at a Focus.

We spent considerable amounts of time driving a Focus this year and neither my wife or I enjoyed it as much as we did the Toyota Corolla (another car we used a great deal)and the primary reason was the rear visibility and nicer ride of the Corolla which also did not feel as cramped inside as the Focus.

From a performance standpoint the Focus was a lot of fun to drive and every once in a while I might wish my old Nissan Sentra sedan (1993) had a few more hp but love the layout of the older Japanese sedans for their excellent visibility... it has a great ride quality and on a trip that has carried us close to 2000 miles have been getting 36mpg on a car that has 120,000 miles on it and still runs like it was new.

I see that the 2012 Sentra was not on your list... as far as new cars go this and the Corolla would top my list due to their nearly legendary reputations. My last Sentra went to a new home with nearly 700,000 miles on the odometer.

Wimp. One of my friends was 6'9", and he used to drive an original mini.

The Mini has an incredible amount of legroom.

Corolla's a great car too, but it doesn't have the spirit the focus has IMHO. That willingness to play that the late 90's imports had is only just starting to come back in new cars and it's most definitely the European influence. It was a sad day when Honda put Macpherson struts in the Civic.

The Mini has an incredible amount of legroom.

Yes it does. It's also what small cars should be.

I would have preferred the hatch but I couldn't justify the the price difference.

The sedan is equally good, I just have a major thing for hatchbacks.

And you should be commended on buying a proper car, by the way. Enjoy it

The sedan is equally good, I just have a major thing for hatchbacks.

And you should be commended on buying a proper car, by the way. Enjoy it

True dat. But then again I weep over the demise of the small station wagons in this country. Bring back the Ford Focus wagon!

True dat. But then again I weep over the demise of the small station wagons in this country. Bring back the Ford Focus wagon!

Please no...unless it's on the new chassis. The last Focus should be forgotten...

True dat. But then again I weep over the demise of the small station wagons in this country. Bring back the Ford Focus wagon!

My wife has a Hyundai Elantra Touring. I like to call it the Super Sport Wagon with optional Rally Fun pack. It's another car designed for the European market and it's what 90% of the SUV drivers should be in. High hip point for the ladies, plenty of room in front and back for six footers, and room in all they way in back for the dog. We've had 5 people and two dogs in it and it didn't feel cramped.

I see that the 2012 Sentra was not on your list... as far as new cars go this and the Corolla would top my list due to their nearly legendary reputations. My last Sentra went to a new home with nearly 700,000 miles on the odometer.

If I went Sentra shopping there would be no way I could settle for anything but the R. ;)

My wife has a Hyundai Elantra Touring. I like to call it the Super Sport Wagon with optional Rally Fun pack. It's another car designed for the European market and it's what 90% of the SUV drivers should be in. High hip point for the ladies, plenty of room in front and back for six footers, and room in all they way in back for the dog. We've had 5 people and two dogs in it and it didn't feel cramped.


If I went Sentra shopping there would be no way I could settle for anything but the R. ;)

I like you, you pay attention to what you drive. You're part of the solution ;)

I cannot support Ford as they're the ones that started the trend of not offering manual transmissions in their trucks. I also sort of blame them for the some of the state of the economy as they set an early precedent with the 0%/anyone is approved loans.

The manual thing is near and dear to my heart. An automatic might pull just as well, but give me a manual taking a load off of a hill any day.

If I were to buy a truck now it'd be a six speed Tacoma.

Mostly so I had an excuse not to lend my truck out.

Trust me for a purchase this size I do my homework. I'm cheap.

Not sure If I drove that many, but I took a bunch of them out before I bought my Elantra. Unfortunately, the current crop of subcompacts weren't out yet- no Versa, no Yaris, no Fit. The Aveo was brand new and not very refined, the Suzuki Aerio I think had engine/transaxle concerns, the Accent was still that ugly last-generation and the Rio5 wasn't available yet (I only looked at hatches and wagons). The next class up featured the Elantra hatch (which I bought), the Focus (which I seriously considered) and the Kia Spectra5 (if I couldn't find an Elantra hatch... they were built on the same chassis). The Corolla, Civic and Sentra didn't offer hatches in 2005. Oh, and the Caliber was just... DURP. The one car I missed because I thought it was larger was the Chevy HHR. I drove a lot of those cars along the way. I basically had a summer to stew because my wife wanted to get a paycheck or two (she started a teaching job that fall) before we started the car payment. So... I was bored and looked around a lot.

Not sure If I drove that many, but I took a bunch of them out before I bought my Elantra. Unfortunately, the current crop of subcompacts weren't out yet- no Versa, no Yaris, no Fit. The Aveo was brand new and not very refined, the Suzuki Aerio I think had engine/transaxle concerns, the Accent was still that ugly last-generation and the Rio5 wasn't available yet (I only looked at hatches and wagons). The next class up featured the Elantra hatch (which I bought), the Focus (which I seriously considered) and the Kia Spectra5 (if I couldn't find an Elantra hatch... they were built on the same chassis). The Corolla, Civic and Sentra didn't offer hatches in 2005. Oh, and the Caliber was just... DURP. The one car I missed because I thought it was larger was the Chevy HHR. I drove a lot of those cars along the way. I basically had a summer to stew because my wife wanted to get a paycheck or two (she started a teaching job that fall) before we started the car payment. So... I was bored and looked around a lot.

Here's one thing that really bugs me, when Euro cars are cheapened for the American market. My wife's Elantra Touring is basically an i30 estate with a 2.0 gas engine and extra cupholders for the the Americans. Hyundai then decides to bring the i30 hatch which is a wonderful car to America as the Elantra GT, but in doing so they cheapen it considerably removing the IRS and replacing it with a simple torsion bar setup. Why!?

That being said my family is crazy with Hyundais. Wife has Elantra touring, daughter has our old accent, sister inlaw has previous gen Elantra, brother inlaw has previous gen Sonata, father inlaw has the older Sonata they really hold up well.

As for the MC generation accent, I've always they they were kind of cute.

Went to a dealer car auction today with a friend that's a licensed dealer to bid for me.

One of the cars I bid on was a 2010 Focus with 40k miles. Nice little car, clean. I was gonna offer only $9000 tops. Went for $13,000 at a dealer auction.

Oh. The convertible Ford Mustang I'm driving. Lots of HP.

Took my 19 y.o. (who wrecked my much beloved Accord and needs his own car, the ********************, but he's my son) to the auction in it. Put the top down as it was a nice day.

He says, and I quote "This feels pretty gay."

We decided this was a car for chick. With a lot of tattoos.

Trust me for a purchase this size I do my homework. I'm cheap.


Yet you live in an embassy suites?

Yet you live in an embassy suites?

Thanks to priceline I'm getting this place for just a bit more than the motel 6. Free breakfast and cocktails.

Priceline negotiator!

Thanks to priceline I'm getting this place for just a bit more than the motel 6. Free breakfast and cocktails.

Priceline negotiator!

But without the crack hoors. Your loss.

Not sure If I drove that many, but I took a bunch of them out before I bought my Elantra. Unfortunately, the current crop of subcompacts weren't out yet- no Versa, no Yaris, no Fit. The Aveo was brand new and not very refined, the Suzuki Aerio I think had engine/transaxle concerns, the Accent was still that ugly last-generation and the Rio5 wasn't available yet (I only looked at hatches and wagons). The next class up featured the Elantra hatch (which I bought), the Focus (which I seriously considered) and the Kia Spectra5 (if I couldn't find an Elantra hatch... they were built on the same chassis). The Corolla, Civic and Sentra didn't offer hatches in 2005. Oh, and the Caliber was just... DURP. The one car I missed because I thought it was larger was the Chevy HHR. I drove a lot of those cars along the way. I basically had a summer to stew because my wife wanted to get a paycheck or two (she started a teaching job that fall) before we started the car payment. So... I was bored and looked around a lot.

I rented a Caliber once... it felt so much bigger than it really was.