CD Article: 2008 Ford Focus SES sedan w/ SYNC

[CD_Editor]

Test Drive:


2008 Ford Focus SES w/ SYNC audio and communications system: The Focus sedan gets a styling update for 2008 and revisions to the suspension that improve the ride and reduce noise and vibration, reports Contributing Editor, Chris Chase.  It's also available with the Sync hands-free phone and music player system. Second opinion by Greg Wilson.

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[Benhaze]

When I see a new Focus I suddenly have an urge..., to... ...

Really a shame the Hatchback is no longer available.

[MKII]

Seems the lack of hatch and wagon variants is slowing sales in Canada, whereas in the USA Focus sales are on the rise.

Can anyone comment if there are still 2007 models on the Ford lots?

I noticed on Ford.ca the Focus has delivery allowance from $850.00 - $1,350.00 incentives.

[Thinking Out Loud]

I've mixed feelings on the update.  The interior is MUCH improved over the very hard plastics and appearance in the outgoing model.

IMO, if they gave the front end more of the 'common' Ford face of the Fusion/Taurus/Edge with the 'true' three-band chrome grille the bigger siblings have - it would fit better.  The pinched look with two token chrome strips 'evoking' the probiscus of other family members makes it the Michael of the Jackson family....or maybe even LaToya, for that matter.

What I don't get with Ford - due to lack of US-volume interest (one assumes) they scratch the hatch and wagon - effectively some modified panel stamping on a well-paid-off 10 year old platform.   

Acura designed the EL and CSX, VW continues to build to Canadian spec the City Jetta/Golf, and Mitubishi even imported the Lancer Sportback exclusively FOR the Canadian market. 

Given three 'fringe' players in the Canadian marketplace - relative to Ford - can accomplish this feat and not FoC says much about their influence over their American masters.  Zeeepo.

[Demosthenes X]

I'm not a big fan of the looks.  Those faux vents on the sides need to go...

Pricing seems reasonable, though: $1000 for leather and the sunroof is really good.  But all in all, I couldn't imagine buying a Focus over a Mazda3 or Civic...

[smok]

The front of the car is fugly.  The rest is OK. 

25k+tax for a Focus?   

[Rupert]

Looks are a matter of taste and at first I wondered about the front but, the more it is around, the more acceptable it becomes. I quite like the different approach by the sylist now. The vents on the side are there to add a little interest as well as adding a stiffening crease I think. Again I don't mind them but what I do think is a mistake is to not include the bright pieces on base models. This makes them strippers so to speak and much less desireable. How much do these pieces cost. Very little I suggest and the more you make the less the cost. I think the company would make more money if they kept the packages inside the vehicle only so that the look from outside would be the same. Wheels are another pet subject. I don't know what are offered here but usually it is aluminum or smaller dia steel. I presume that pressed steel are cheaper to make but why not the same diameter with a little style. Many would probably prefer pressed steel in the same dia. if they had the option. My experience is that tire pressures stay more constant with steel wheels.

[Demosthenes X]

The Caliber has 17" steel wheels - it's stupid.  If I have steel wheels I'd rather have a smaller diameter, since tires tend to cost a little less in smaller sizes.  No reason to have a 17" steel wheel...  the only cars that NEED big wheels are cars with huge brakes, and those cars aren't running steelies...

[2latecrew]

Ever notice how just about ever review, comercial, ad etc of the Focus is Ford Focus WITH SYNC!  Watch a commercial and you would have no idea if the car was 4cyl, 8cyl, fast, noisy, slow quite.

But the Focus has a radio that will change songs if you talk to it!!! Don't forget it has SYNC.

You can dress a pig in a dress but its still a pig right?

[airbalancer]

 

How many ads to you see, and the say they have I pod connects or cup holders, but nothing about the engine, tranny , that so werid

[stodge]

Ever notice how just about ever review, comercial, ad etc of the Focus is Ford Focus WITH SYNC!  Watch a commercial and you would have no idea if the car was 4cyl, 8cyl, fast, noisy, slow quite.

But the Focus has a radio that will change songs if you talk to it!!! Don't forget it has SYNC.

You can dress a pig in a dress but its still a pig right?

It's because they know the new Focus is crap and the only way they can sell it is for someone to want the SYNC, whatever that is.

[Cord]

SYNC equipped Focuses outsell non-SYNC cars 2:1.

[Leviathan]

Ever notice how just about ever review, comercial, ad etc of the Focus is Ford Focus WITH SYNC!  Watch a commercial and you would have no idea if the car was 4cyl, 8cyl, fast, noisy, slow quite.

But the Focus has a radio that will change songs if you talk to it!!! Don't forget it has SYNC.

You can dress a pig in a dress but its still a pig right?

Heheh, in some circles blabbing about Microsoft Sync is a negative  Of course that Lion boy campaign is just pure genius 

[carlos_da_fig]

The Caliber has 17" steel wheels - it's stupid.  If I have steel wheels I'd rather have a smaller diameter, since tires tend to cost a little less in smaller sizes.  No reason to have a 17" steel wheel...  the only cars that NEED big wheels are cars with huge brakes, and those cars aren't running steelies...

I agree.  There is no reason to have huge tires on cars that don't handle well to begin with.  The difference in price is too much to be justified.  Also, I find that the bigger the tire, the more prone it is to get snow caught on the inside of the rims throwing the tire out of balance.  Our new Vibe is terrible for that.  I think it is because they slap on bigger rims, but the brake rotors stay the same size, leaving all kinds of clearence between the brake caliper and the inside of the rime for snow to collect.

[Demosthenes X]

How many ads to you see, and the say they have I pod connects or cup holders, but nothing about the engine, tranny , that so werid

Come on - these companies spend millions on focus groups and marketing departments in order to produce their ads.  If listing technical specs were the way to sell cars, that's what they would do.  It's easy for us to say "I want to know the HP of this car, why doesn't the ad tell us that?", but I'm sure the majority of Focus buyers don't care how many HP it has...

The ads cater to the target market, not the small minority of car buffs like us.  And we already know how many HP the thing has, anyway, since we spend our time on forums like this.

[SIVIC]

I wonder if this Focus will have any re-sale value?

[redroadster]

The front of the car is fugly.  The rest is OK. 

25k+tax for a Focus?   

I thought they were $14,500 with air? At least that was what was in the newspaper on the weekend.That's a good price for a brand new car.I wouldn't pay 25 k for it either.

[Cord]

Of course that Lion boy campaign is just pure genius

What is with some of these idiotic Canadian ad campaigns? It's like they're from some college marketing class group project. Wasn't there a recent campaign for Mitsubishi or maybe Kia that featured some kind of monkey-boy? Remember Uncle Yaris? Gawd.