CTC Review: 2008 Ford Focus SES

[CD_Editor]

Picture Gallery:  2008 Ford Focus SES

Day 1:

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Another week, another car. This week, something more in line with what the average Canadian consumer has in their sights -- an inexpensive sedan with some innovative features and an efficient engine with which to save at the pumps.  My 2008 Ford Focus SES tester fits that description fairly well.  More ...

[Cortina]

The styling is slowly growing on me. But we should really have the Euroland Focus over here in Canadaland. This car is only new body and interior wise. Really it pretty much the same car as the last generation. I know thats sound like a bad thing, but with the Focus this it not, because it really is such a great car to drive and I don't think Ford America could top it, that is why they left it alone IMO.

You can't get SYNC System on the basic models either. So you have to choose a SE and then it is $495 extra, but it really ends up costing you $789 because you have to order the convenience group package and the ABS is $805 extra too.

Video of Ford's SYNC system: http://drivingtv.canada.com/CarReviewVideos.php?ccID=559

Euroland Focus. http://www.whatcar.com/car-review/ford-focus-hatchback/692/







The car we should have got.

Also, is it true, that as soon as you buy a Ford. They abandon you. I've heard many stories about Ford Dealeships having very poor customer service. Maybe someone here could clarify that.

[changsta]

i used to own a 2004 ford focus ztw, and the main reasons i bought it were because it was fun to drive, looked pretty good and it was very versatile.

this new focus probably drives pretty well, but it sure isn't anything to look at... and it makes no sense to me why they wouldn't make another wagon or hatch.

i got rid of my focus because it was unreliable, but i would definitely give ford another shot if the car was as great as the euro focus. unfortunately, this one is not, and so i'll keep my mazda5 for a little while longer.

oh, and btw, the rumour is true. ford dealerships SUCK!

[PJungnitsch]

If you want the European Focus (and you can do without leather and Sync) a Mazda 3 GS with auto, cruise, moonroof, etc is $23,611, almost exactly the same price as this one built on the old platform. And it has the same 0% for 60 financing.

[Rupert]

I like the look of this Focus and thought it was ok from the start of it's appearnace here. It stands out from the field in looks and I think the styling is is a refreshing change from the field Euro or not. If the handling was great why mess with it. I think the dash is much nicer than the Euro one shown and IMO the so called Euro style is a bit lumpy now.
I prefer the 4 door to the coupe though and wonder about the absence of the hatch. The other thing is the side accents and other exterior trim, if any, should be included in the down market versions. Failure to do this make these vehicles look cheap and "undesireable". Keep the upmarketness to the interior goodies. Cheap exterior appearance is a definite downer on sales, budget or not IMO.

[taconewf]

I have an 03 focus SVT 5 door and love it. Sadly to say though without a hatch option, I will be abandoning ford when the time comes to replace it. My in laws have a focus wagon that suits their purpose as a fuel efficient hauler but again, they will have to look elsewhere when it comes time to replace. Bad move on Ford's part to abandon the hatch & wagon. They will probably reintroduce them again in a couple of years when they realize their mistake but by then, I will have moved on.

[BlackS40]

The Euro-Focus reminds me more of a Volvo S40 than a Mazda3.

[Mitlov]

The Euro-Focus reminds me more of a Volvo S40 than a Mazda3.

...well, those three cars were designed in conjunction and all share a platform, so that's no surprise.

[BlackS40]

The Euro-Focus reminds me more of a Volvo S40 than a Mazda3.

...well, those three cars were designed in conjunction and all share a platform, so that's no surprise.

I am aware!!   

[sirAQUAMAN64]

Front is fine, really like the side, rear is questionable - what's with that bland trunk and bumper? Inside, it's okay but on the cheap. No rear head rests? Even Toyota doesn't do that anymore. They spent money where you don't see it... quietness, ride and handling, comfort (those front seats look incredibly comfy for a compact), and maybe SYNC. Besides Astra, IMO the best domestic small car. Better yet with the discounts Ford slaps on 'em.

[jww]

.... Besides Astra, IMO the best domestic compact.

Interesting take, since both the Focus and Astra are made to first compete in places other than NA. Which means the world car concept originated with the Escort Hatch and Opel Mantra may well be finally catching on.

[conwelpic]

when I started researching for a new vehicle when the '07's was out, the Ford Focus wagon was on my list (along with quite a few others), but when I found out it was going to be discontinued for '08 that removed me from the Ford showroom, as they did not have anything else to offer for what I was looking for (something with a hatch was a priority and not an SUV).
I ended up purchasing a '08 Rondo EX with a 2.4L engine and enjoying it.

[Blueprint]

This Focus will probably be an interim car, like the last version of the Escort that prededed the Focus (that one lasted 3 years).

Mullaly wants to bring the Euro goodies, and it seems the Verve will be a true world car.

BTW, the current Focus has the Mazda 3's engine (at least, that was the case for the last couple of years).

Hatchbacks and wagons were not selling well in the US, so they were axed.

[goonboy]

I looked at the Mazda 3 and the Focus and even though both cars are fun to drive, the Mazda 3 is a better overall car in terms of reliability, build quality, dealer service and overall performance.  Mazda is a dynamic and much better run company than Ford, which isa company on the decline.  Ford is lucky to own a majority stake in Mazda and share the engineering.

Ford pioneered the mid-size car segment with the Taurus but was gassed after the Japanese took over that segment.  What does Ford try to make a comeback with? The 500?  What a joke...  Oh did you know there is a new Taurus out?  Yeah me neither.  I have yet to see one on the road and I think it will be a long time before I do.

In the minivan segment Ford had the illustrious Windstar which holds the distinction (along with early MPV's) as being the worst minivan ever built (even the name is a joke).  It too went the way of the dodo bird.  To fill that void, Ford thought it would redefine and revolutionize the minivan segment or 'change the game' as depicted in their Gretzky ad's, with a cross-over and absolute bomb in the Freestyle.  I find Ford's ad campaign comical because when I think of the equivalent of Wayne Gretzky in automakers, Ford is absolutely the last company that would come to mind.  The last bastion of Ford is in it's trucks, the Explorer and F series, but those segments too are under heavily assault by the imports and are bound to lose substantial market share.

The Focus is no different.  The Focus was a decent driving car when it first came out, but like with most Ford products the quality is just not up to Japanese standards.  The Focus has nearly disappeared into oblivion and this recent iteration will not stop that from happening.

You know a car company is in trouble when you see their ads running night and day on tv and still endorse a drunk driver like Kiefer Sutherland as a spokesman.  The bottom line is their cars are not selling.  The same can be said for Chrylser, who Daimler dropped like a hot potato after getting burned by it and realizing that Chrysler is a lost cause.

Ford is a company in turmoil and the negativity is pervading the entire organization right down to do it's dealer network.

As for the scrapping of a hatchback or wagon model, the reason is because Americans aren't nearly as practical thinking as Canadians.  When Americans want practicality they will just move up to an compact SUV rather than a compact wagon. 

Americans also have more disposable income than us overtaxed Canadians.  Here is the proof.  In Canada, compacts like the Corolla, Civic and Mazda 3 are the best sellers.  In the US, mid-size cars like the Camry and Accord are the best sellers.  In the US, the compacts are only driven by kids or students.  Americans love their big cars.  Compacts and wagons are still too small for them. 

Like with most American cars, they are ok as in say a C+ or maybe even a B-, but that just doesn't cut it when your competition is racking up A's and A minuses. 

Ford like the other Big Two automakers are paying the price for their complacency. 

It takes several years to right a failing auto company.  Mazda and Nissan to a degree are comeback stories.  Mazda has an excellent marketing strategy promoting the 'zoom zoom' or fun to driveness of all of it's models.  Ford has nothing in common with either of these companies, expect for the technology it siphons off from Mazda.  Instead, most Ford cars are boring and poorly built.  Ford's philosophy is still frozen in time and thik that people still want Crown Vics.

[Cord]

Hmmm, lots of heat. No light.

[Schmengie]

Ford will obviously need a catchy slogan to help sell this heap, so here goes:

The new 2008 Ford Focus - What's old is new again! 

[Cortina]

Ford cars are boring and poorly built. 

No not all Ford Cars.

The Ford Focus is one of the most reliable and fun to drive cars on the road. Jeremy clarkson has a focus that has never gone wrong, he oftens mention it on his show. I think Ford Ka at one time, Was the most reliable in car in Euroland beating the Japanese. 

So Ford are capable of producing good cars, but the unionize work force push  labour cost up very high here and the cars here are lot cheaper. So they have to cut corners to cover the high labour cost here and make cheap cars.

Fact is, Ford and GM are almost as good as the Japanese in Euroland. But not here in NA, IMO. 

[David Jefferis]

Beats me completely why Ford spends large amounts of money to change good-looking Eurocar into an ugly Americar.

[Cord]

Beats me completely why Ford spends large amounts of money to change good-looking Eurocar into an ugly Americar.

You may be the first person to ever describe the previous Focus as "good looking." And before you get your knickers in a twist, I own one.

[Leviathan]

Beats me completely why Ford spends large amounts of money to change good-looking Eurocar into an ugly Americar.

'cuz they had this dandy Lion-boy add campaign all ready to go and didn't want to waste it