2008 Focus

[BearZDefect]

I haven't inspected one up close in person yet, so I am fishing for BITOG feedback.

The 2008 Ford Focus reads like a nice small car on paper. Anyone here have one in real life to report?

Looks a li'l bit ugly, but that seems to be fashionable these days.

I'd be considering at a four door with manual transmission.

Some specifics I'm curious about, add yours:

- Does the 2.0L Duratec have a timing belt or chain?
- How accessible are the maintenance parts? Ford's photo of the engine compartment makes it appear rather cramped.
- What is a good price one can expect to pay for a new 4-door SE with MT?
- How are the seats, front and back?
- Any nagging issues with the new revision?
- When are the 2009s coming?

Thanks!

 

[JHZR2]

Cant comment on a 2008, but I had a 2006 that Iw as really happy with. Additionally, MT versions are used down in the USVI as rental cars.

I like the smoothness of the shifter, the engine has plenty of power, and the car rides well as a highway car. For being small, it has a suprising amount of space.

Its a nice car, others will comment further.

JMH

 

[PTBH04]

I just got my '08 because Ford bought back my '07. I have an automatic, but did drive the 5spd. I bought the auto because by time Ford got everything done for my buy-back there were no SE 5spd around. I do like the auto because the rpm's are much lower at highway spds, which is about 80% of my driving. The Duratec is a timing chain engine, I like it very much. My fuel economy is extremely good for my commute I have, at 38mpg so far. The trip computer reads about 5% higher than pen&paper. Mine has a leather interior and I find the seats pretty comfortable. I believe they just started building the '09s so it may be about another month before they hit the dealers.

 

[BearZDefect]

Thanks for the helpful replies, JMH and PTBH!

Timing chain is good news.

I visited my local Ford dealer to look at one. It still looks ugly to me, but...

Interior space was good. Very good rear headroom, which is important for my use.

Interior quality was very cheap feeling. I can live with the dash, etc, but the seat surfaces were pitiful. Interesting there is a leather option.

What's with the crude pop-out plastic in the middle of the rear door handles? Those door handles look unfinished.

Rear windows had a lot of slack, I double-checked another vehicle, same issue with manual or power windows. Front windows were solid, but rear rocked back and forth as if the regulator was already worn out.

AC wasn't very strong. It was under 80f when I drove it and it took a long time to cool the car.

The drive is very nice. Good pick up at the right rpm, quiet engine at cruising speeds. Nice handling for the dimensions of the car.

Under the hood is very crowded, like I saw in the photo.

Does everyone hide radiators under the the framing metal these days?

What's with the makeshift shiny heat shield at the top rear of the engine comparment? Afterthought?

Overall impression: Very good potential. I wish Ford made them like they wanted people to buy them.

Anyone have prices for reference?

 

[PTBH04]

I do not know what mine could have been had for because of the buy-back situation. I changed the oil several times on my '07 and it was one of the easiest of any car I have had. 2008 appears to be the same. The heat shielding in the rear of the engine compartment looks like it might have something to do with EVAP controls. I haven't tried out what your talking about on the rear windows. My a/c seemed marginal when I first bought it, but after being used a few times got much better. I am usually trying to get the mpg's so the a/c is not usually on. I can tell you the interior is many times better than the 00-07 models. Mine is the SES model and has chrome inside handles. From what I understand these cars are very low maintenance so I do not expect the crowded underhood to be an issue. Sparkplugs are right on top btw. I have almost 2000 miles on mine, only issue being there was a brake pulsation from new. Dealer turned the drums & rotors, all is good now. I think your right about the radiator being hidden on the newer cars...seems that way to me too!

 

[asiancivicmaniac]

Why did the dealer buy your car bacK?

 

[PTBH04]

It was a 2007 Focus ZX3 SES. Started out as just rough shifting transmission. They ended up 4 different documented times trying to fix that and couldn't, that included 2 computer reflashes, rebuilt valve body, and then a new valve body. 1 set of replacement Pirelli tires(at only 6500 miles), 2 alignments, power steering pump and fuel pump. Don't even want to get into squeaks, rattles and what not. In spite of it all, still really did like the car, just the trans had an extremely rough downshift 2-1 as you were coming to a stop. Rough enough that it was making the differential clunk not to mention make the car lurch forward and make you think you were gonna hit whatever was in front of you! The PirelliP6 tires SUCKED, worst tires I have ever had. Loud, vibrate and shake randomly and wear quickly. Not here to bash Ford, but they did not want to stand behind the car. I did have to get an attorney. Problems started at about 3700 miles. Finally got rid of it at about 14,000 miles.

 

[Matt_S]

I've seen a loaded model up close and driven it on a couple very short trips. It's a very nice small car. Ford seems to have done very well. Unfortunately I didn't spend enough time in it to say whether or not I could live with it every day, but it seems to me to be a big improvement over the previous ones.

 

[MrCritical]

What was your final outcome after you got your attorney?

What did you replace the car with?

 

[PTBH04]

Ford offered to settle out of court, replacement vehicle which is the 2008 Focus SES 4dr I have now. Went with what my attorney recommended. They offered MSRP for MSRP and I did NOT have to pay for mileage. Very nice car so far. Just changed the oil tonite for her first time, 2057 miles, 5w20 Motorcraft oil and Motorcraft oil filter. Not sure what mileage I will go with full synthetic yet.