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First Drive review of the 2008 focus is at Canadiandriver.com

yeah I read it last night, I really think the guy who worte it didn't really have a clue while he was writing the article.

Well I still think they are ugly! I hope they come out with few engine optiions to take on the civic si but they won't.

That fake fender vent... ugh, I think I just thew up a little - projectile-style. Time to hose down the cat.

It definitely looks like the result of a three-way of an Escort, a Tiburon and an Ion. Ick.

I have to note that the S and SE trim lines STILL go without a rear anti-sway. Good job Ford, way to keep the majority of the Foci on the road in the underachiever category since the 2005 reboot.

Tire pressure monitoring for 15" steelies? Great, something else for Grandma to ignore as she drives along, blissfully unaware of her surroundings / other drivers / traffic signals. At least the SE gets standard heated, power mirrors. Those are quite the benefit in the winter.

Overall, they didn't abort the path that the enthusiasts wanted them away from. Congrats Ford, for every 30 and 40-something buying it you just lost at least 5-10 lifetime customers from the tuner crowd that would have otherwise stayed with Ford for quite a while.

Unless things change dramatically at Ford, our 2007 will be our last Ford.

Y'know... I was trying to forget that pair of chrome zits on the sides of the new '08 Focus, but you just had to remind me yes? :throwup:

but that interior is so goddamn nice... why Ford... why?

NefCanuck

yah the interior is awesome , id drive one for the interioir but I hate the exterior with a passion , Dash swap anyone ? lol wonder if it would work . known ford and tere cheapness prolly would lol

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 24 2007, 10:16 PM Wrote:That fake fender vent... ugh, I think I just thew up a little - projectile-style. Time to hose down the cat.

It definitely looks like the result of a three-way of an Escort, a Tiburon and an Ion. Ick.

I have to note that the S and SE trim lines STILL go without a rear anti-sway. Good job Ford, way to keep the majority of the Foci on the road in the underachiever category since the 2005 reboot.

Tire pressure monitoring for 15" steelies? Great, something else for Grandma to ignore as she drives along, blissfully unaware of her surroundings / other drivers / traffic signals. At least the SE gets standard heated, power mirrors. Those are quite the benefit in the winter.

Overall, they didn't abort the path that the enthusiasts wanted them away from. Congrats Ford, for every 30 and 40-something buying it you just lost at least 5-10 lifetime customers from the tuner crowd that would have otherwise stayed with Ford for quite a while.

Unless things change dramatically at Ford, our 2007 will be our last Ford.
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With all the mods you've done, I would be thinking that it'll be awhile before you want another vehicle. And more than likely, either you'll be needing a big huge honkin' baby bus, ( Mazda 5, if I had to ), or Ford will have "seen the light" and redesigned our beloved Focus to be up to date and good looking. You've gotta have hope :D

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 24 2007, 06:16 PM Wrote:Tire pressure monitoring for 15" steelies? Great, something else for Grandma to ignore as she drives along, blissfully unaware of her surroundings / other drivers / traffic signals. [right][snapback]249431[/snapback][/right]

if im not mistaken, i think tire pressure monitoring will soon be mandatory on all new cars, as well as ABS. of course im just picking my brain so i dont know timeline, facts, markets (CAN or USA).

on another note, the coupe just doesnt look right with 8" gaps in the wheelwell. why o Why. I can garantee it doesnt have 8" of wheel travel. just looks stupid

Hate it, hate it, hate it!

Drove a volvo c30 loved it, loved it, can't afford it...

Bye bye Ford!

Alec Brandon,Sep 27 2007, 05:26 PM Wrote:Hate it, hate it, hate it!

Drove a volvo c30 loved it, loved it, can't afford it...

Bye bye Ford!
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If you want a car in the same price range that uses less fuel and is just as quick, get a GTI. Plus, you get the trick DSG transmission instead of the 5-speed manual Volvo transmission.

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 28 2007, 01:31 PM Wrote:If you want a car in the same price range that uses less fuel and is just as quick, get a GTI. Plus, you get the trick DSG transmission instead of the 5-speed manual Volvo transmission.
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<fanboy> or you could get a WRX and have awd fairies on your side for corner exits that you can't match in a fwd car</fanboy>

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 28 2007, 09:31 AM Wrote:

Alec Brandon,Sep 27 2007, 05:26 PM Wrote:Hate it, hate it, hate it!

Drove a volvo c30 loved it, loved it, can't afford it...

Bye bye Ford!
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If you want a car in the same price range that uses less fuel and is just as quick, get a GTI. Plus, you get the trick DSG transmission instead of the 5-speed manual Volvo transmission.
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yeah but with the GTI you have to worry about VW's recent shoddy workmanship, and cheapness of certen parts, and not to mention lack of customer service if your car is plauged with german gremlins.

Frost__2001,Sep 28 2007, 02:20 PM Wrote:

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 28 2007, 09:31 AM Wrote:

Alec Brandon,Sep 27 2007, 05:26 PM Wrote:Hate it, hate it, hate it!

Drove a volvo c30 loved it, loved it, can't afford it...

Bye bye Ford!
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If you want a car in the same price range that uses less fuel and is just as quick, get a GTI. Plus, you get the trick DSG transmission instead of the 5-speed manual Volvo transmission.
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yeah but with the GTI you have to worry about VW's recent shoddy workmanship, and cheapness of certen parts, and not to mention lack of customer service if your car is plauged with german gremlins.
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No worse than Ford. ;)

lol true flo, but atleast they are not German Gremlins, just the annoying mexican, and american ones.....

I've read a couple more reviews. Most are saying that yes, it's a dissapointment because it's still the old chassis and yes, Ford goofed by not making a hatch or wagon, but the car, is an improvement over the previous model. A couple also said the car looked better. By better, I guess they mean more "mature" or should I say boring. I guess us enthusiasts will have to settle for the 00-07 for now. Mind you, it would be interesting to see an 08 and see if any of the old parts, like body panels or suspension would fit

The reviewer seemed to like it and this reviewer who usually hates all Fords from Toronto Star Wheels really liked driving it over last years except for the fact there is no wagon (or hatchback).
As for looks, I remember how everyone thought the last touchup of the Focus looked like s*** and many vowed to never buy a Ford again. Just a note: if you're exposed to the odour of s*** everyday you tend to get used to it.

A well equiped SES lists for less than $20,000. I predict Ford will sell a s***load of these entrylevel vehicles. :P

NOS2Go4Me,Sep 28 2007, 08:31 AM Wrote:If you want a car in the same price range that uses less fuel and is just as quick, get a GTI. Plus, you get the trick DSG transmission instead of the 5-speed manual Volvo transmission.
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You talking about a 6 year old GTI? The 2007 base GTI listed for $29,375! I don't know how much an 08 VW will be but I can't see them dropping such a quality products base price by 10K. :o

I remember when the Focus was being shown as the replacement for the Escort nobody thought it would sell. :lol: Funny.

You're absolutely right about this ... but the issue wasn't looks.

The dealers frankly loved the way the Focus looked compared to the Escort, and they believed Ford's story about significantly better quality and much better packaging ... but they were unconvinced that they could sell them for $15-16k as replacements for the less expensive Escort, or as 4-cylinder replacements for the better equipped Contour / Mystique.

Edit: fixed re: Tempo / Topaz - fawkin senior moment.

CanadaSVT,Sep 29 2007, 02:08 PM Wrote:I remember when the Focus was being shown as the replacement for the Escort nobody thought it would sell.   :lol:  Funny.
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Alec Brandon,Sep 27 2007, 05:26 PM Wrote:Hate it, hate it, hate it!

Drove a volvo c30 loved it, loved it, can't afford it...

Bye bye Ford!
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The platform on the C30 is the same as V40 the focus mk2, Mazda 3. I wouldnt want one I think they look like a turd from the back.