Focus and F-150

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
How much was your CX-5 valued at on trade in ?

I thought you were away in college and not at home.



No, I live at home, and am happy there for the time being. And they are happy to let me stay so long as I help out and do things around the house.

$25k was the best offer they got for it. Most of the other offers were like $19, $20k.

 

[GMFan]

I like the new wheels Nick R.

One gripe I have though with the new Focus is why did Ford make the front of the car look like the hood is always popped?

 

[Nick R]

Initial thoughts on the F-150 from the 2 hour test drive we did: The engine is very quiet. Like, you can't hear it most of the time. When you give it the beans, it makes a very nice, smooth growl, and you can sometimes hear a whiff of turbo whistle on spool up. You can also feel all 420lb/ft of torque when you put your foot in it, that thing MOVES. Turning circle is excellent. The ride is pretty smooth and composed, handling is darn good compared to even the expedition and my grandfathers old Silverado.

There is no comparison to the expedition as far as power goes though, compared to this, the Expedition feels like a slug. The interior is well put together and very well laid out. Simple, easy to find and use controls. Backseat room is generous, head and leg room is at least as good as the equinox if not better. It feels more open because of the lower window sills, rear window, and higher ceiling.

Looking forward to getting it in the driveway, and testing out the towing ability.

 

[KrisZ]

Congrats on the new ride. Did you look at hatches? In my opinion Focus hatch looks much better than sedan. Also, that Ford dealer must love you by now and I would expect flowers for Valentine’s Day.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: KrisZ
Congrats on the new ride. Did you look at hatches? In my opinion Focus hatch looks much better than sedan. Also, that Ford dealer must love you by now and I would expect flowers for Valentine’s Day.

Lol part of the reason we got the deal we did is because of our repeat business, and the fact that we told them that maybe in a couple years we will be looking to get my sister something. Plus, Mr Jack Byrne still works there, older gentleman has his desk right on the floor, and brought my mom and I coffee, nice guy. Around here the commercials are "Everybody


I did look at hatches, but they were a little more, and I personally like the look of the Sedan better than the hatch.

 

[Spazdog]

I got to drive a 2012 Focus today.

I hate that DCT transmission.

It didn't know what to do on throttle tip in and rarely knew what to do coming out of a corner.

Seriously, My 41TE is a better sorted/smoother transmission.

I didn't use the "sport" mode with the silly little rocker switch. Side to side autostick and front to back manual gate on my current cars work better for me than a tiny hidden +/- switch

I liked the steering and handling. As long as you don't get on the gas coming out of the corner. Seat was comfortable. Interior is a little pinched for shoulder width but that comes with that class of cars. The engine is rated something like 12 hp more than the Elantra but I couldn't tell. Maybe the DCT needs better programming to better utilize that extra 12 hp.

The interior is better than it's predecessor, but still kinda' cheap feeling in places.

If I could get an SEL or Titanium hatch with a 6 speed manual, it might make my list of cars to replace the PT or Mazda. But I hate that automated transmission.

 

[mrsilv04]

Now that salesman can buy that boat he's been looking at all winter long... He just finished saving up the down payment that he needed.

 

[panthermike]

Hey man, hope it works out for you this time. We got out of our Kia because it was stretching us a bit thin, plus a substantial jump in living costs.

We bought a Civic because of reliability, mpg, and how easy it is to maintain it. Plus, we'll be able to pay if off way sooner. I miss the excitement factor from the Kia, but I still have the truck, which is tons of fun!

Stay the course, and you will be happier for it my friend

 

[OVERKILL]

Congrats Nick, glad to see you back with the blue oval

You'll love the truck, one of the guys at work has one and good Lord can it tow!

 

[Billy_D]

Congrats.

If you mom is planning to tow with the F150, She will be better off with the larger 5.0L V8 engine. On paper the V6 has better hp, and torque.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
5.0L 360 hp V8 3.5L 365 hp V6
Horsepower 360 @ 5500 RPM 365 @ 5000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 380 @ 4250 RPM 420 @ 2500 RPM
Fuel Type/System Flex Fuel/SEFI Gasoline/DI
Valves/Valve Configuration 32/DOHC 24/DOHC
Displacement (cc) 4951 3496
Bore X Stroke (in.) 3.63 X 3.65 3.64 X 3.41
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 10.0:1
Turbocharger No Yes
Supercharger No No

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Originally Posted By: LT4 Vette
How much was your CX-5 valued at on trade in ?

I thought you were away in college and not at home.



No, I live at home, and am happy there for the time being. And they are happy to let me stay so long as I help out and do things around the house.

$25k was the best offer they got for it. Most of the other offers were like $19, $20k.


You got $27k trade in on the CX-5? That's really good!

I'd like to trade up to a CX-5 but ... but I'll stick with the Focus for now.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Spazdog
I got to drive a 2012 Focus today.

I hate that DCT transmission.

It didn't know what to do on throttle tip in and rarely knew what to do coming out of a corner.

Seriously, My 41TE is a better sorted/smoother transmission.

I didn't use the "sport" mode with the silly little rocker switch. Side to side autostick and front to back manual gate on my current cars work better for me than a tiny hidden +/- switch

I liked the steering and handling. As long as you don't get on the gas coming out of the corner. Seat was comfortable. Interior is a little pinched for shoulder width but that comes with that class of cars. The engine is rated something like 12 hp more than the Elantra but I couldn't tell. Maybe the DCT needs better programming to better utilize that extra 12 hp.

The interior is better than it's predecessor, but still kinda' cheap feeling in places.

If I could get an SEL or Titanium hatch with a 6 speed manual, it might make my list of cars to replace the PT or Mazda. But I hate that automated transmission.



If it's the 2012 and hasn't had the updated transmisson logic, that's why. So far, from what I've driven of it (all 110 miles), mine is very smooth. Doesn't jerk or lurch when backing up or creeping, no shuddering at low speeds like I've heard. It honestly works flawlessly. Upshifts are smooth and seamless, downshifts aren't quite as perfect, but they are still quite good. If you modulate the throttle properly, the 2.0L puts out enough torque at low RPMs that you don't always even need it to downshift. But it does when you do need it too.

obviously I'll post updates on it, but so far, I couldn't be more plased with the transmission.

 

[OVERKILL]

Originally Posted By: Billy007
Congrats.

If you mom is planning to tow with the F150, She will be better off with the larger 5.0L V8 engine. On paper the V6 has better hp, and torque.

ENGINE SPECIFICATIONS
5.0L 360 hp V8 3.5L 365 hp V6
Horsepower 360 @ 5500 RPM 365 @ 5000 RPM
Torque (lb-ft) 380 @ 4250 RPM 420 @ 2500 RPM
Fuel Type/System Flex Fuel/SEFI Gasoline/DI
Valves/Valve Configuration 32/DOHC 24/DOHC
Displacement (cc) 4951 3496
Bore X Stroke (in.) 3.63 X 3.65 3.64 X 3.41
Compression Ratio 10.5:1 10.0:1
Turbocharger No Yes
Supercharger No No


In application the turbocharged V6 is better with a load than the 5.0L, though the 5.0L is an excellent engine (we have one of those at work too, guy towed his camper down to Carolina in the summer with it and it towed it like a champ).

The reason of course is that the power output of the 5.0L is affected by altitude. So if you are towing through the rockies, the V6 is still making the same power it made at sea level, whilst its N/A counterpart, isn't.

The V6 also makes more torque, and due to being boosted, it makes more torque everywhere.

 

[Dave Hess]

Originally Posted By: mrsilv04
Now that salesman can buy that boat he's been looking at all winter long... He just finished saving up the down payment that he needed.


?????

 

[SwampSurvivor]

I drove a DCT in a Fiesta. Apart from having very odd programming, it didn't seem to have any of the oddities that everyone talks about.

 

[Nick R]

Originally Posted By: Miller88
I drove a DCT in a Fiesta. Apart from having very odd programming, it didn't seem to have any of the oddities that everyone talks about.


Yeah that's pretty much my experience so far. Upon cold start this morning, it was a little less refined than it was warm, but not any more so than any other trans, just in a different way.

 

[sciphi]

Good on you for getting positive equity into a vehicle! I hope the Focus works out for you! Fancier isn't always better.

With all the vehicles your family has purchased, the least the Ford dealer can do is get you coffee.

 

[cptbarkey]

would like to hear your impression on the focus after you get some miles on it.

 

[Nick R]

Well the truck is on indefinite hold, my dad changed his mind, and he wants to wait until he is home in May before possibly doing anything. Mom and I told him that we are getting whiplash, he keeps changing his mind. smh

 

[bladecutter]

Originally Posted By: Nick R
Re: Mazda CX-5
Way too expensive, was stupid for buying a car that expensive, gas mileage isn't good enough for my 70 mile commute, uncomfortable (for me) steering wheel, too small. Nothing bad, mainly I spent way more than I should have on a car It was way more car than I needed, and wanted to cut down on my debt, and be sustainable long term. And also make it so that if something happens and I lose my job, that I won't be a burden on my family.


So, a couple of questions:

What was the gas mileage you were getting in the CX-5 on your 70 mile commute?

Did you ever actually try to refinance the CX-5 to get rid of that horrible interest rate you were paying? (wasn't it something like 7%?)

With all the money you put down on the Focus, how much would you have removed from your CX-5 loan, if you had refinanced it? Somehow, I doubt you really did yourself any true favors with this change... I hope you're at least able to write off some of the tax you pay on all these vehicle purchases on your income taxes...

I can understand wanting to pay down your outstanding debt, as I'm currently doing the exact same thing. Just paid off one loan last week, and by November, the RX-8 will be paid off. But, I wasn't being taken with horrible interest rate loans, either.

BC.