ford focus consideration...

**hawk01** · July 16th, 2007 11:28 AM

hello everyone!

i am in the process of considering to buy a ford focus 1.6AT sedan. i hope any of you already happy (or otherwise) owners out there could shed light on what i could expect (or lament) about this platform.

if ever, i would also be interested on feedback from owners of the focus 2.0 sport and the 1.8AT sedan as well. i do realize there's several reviews out there but nothing certainly beats an owner's honest, raw opinions.

i would be most interested to find out specifics on fuel consumption, performance, and overall impressions. looking forward to hear from you people out there!

ciao!

**niky** · July 16th, 2007 02:00 PM

Not an owner, but as a Ford club member, I've driven several of each.

The 1.6 has a plain interior compared to the 1.8 and 2.0. The plastics are hard and kind of cheap, but nowadays, even Honda and Toyota use cheap plastics in their cars, so it's not much different from anyone else's.

I like the interior of the 2.0 best. It's dark, with mixed fabric/leather seats that look very european.

The legroom of the Focus isn't as good as some other modern cars, but if you're coming from an older one, it'll seem pretty good.

The Focus steers better than anything else out there. The Mazda3 and the Civic have quicker steering, but the Focus's steering feels as solid as an Accord's, and it's very trustworthy. Tires are the noisy Eagle NCT5s, but the Focus's sound insulation is terrific, so you don't actually notice. It handles very well, but you'll need to swap out the stock tires for better rubber if you like going to Baguio or Tagaytay.

The suspension is firm but very supple. So while it might seem "matigas" over the first bump, you soon realize that it absorbs those bumps better than other cars.

The one thing I don't like about the Focus is the automatic. It's sluggish and heavy. Along with the heavy body, it gives you so-so fuel economy in traffic. Drive it smoothly and moderately and you can get between 8-10 km/l in traffic (11 or 12 up on the highway... 16 on the NLEX). Get stuck in stop-and-go traffic and that can go down into the 7's. I suggest if you're looking at the 1.6, get the manual version. Saves you purchase money and saves you some gas.

Overall the Focus 1.6 isn't the best car in its class overall (the weak engine and transmission see to that), but it's got the best sound insulation, ride comfort and brakes (awesome brakes) in its class. It's a solid, safe car. And it's got rear airconditioning, too. Something you won't see on any other sedan that costs less than a million bucks.

**kyle618** · July 16th, 2007 08:37 PM

i think its one of the best 1.6L cars in the market right now, very european ride. its not sluggish kasi alam ko manual lang yun 1.6L. dont get the automatic since mahina masyado un 1.6L for the heavy body. as niky said, nvh is very good for a compact car. i think its a wayy better buy than the dated altis that they are still selling.

**hawk01** · July 18th, 2007 11:32 AM

many thanks for the very informative input!since you both have a common opinion of the 1.6AT variant on the heavy and sluggish side, is the 1.8AT variant a better (value wise) option for the marked price increase?? i'm really leaning towards a sedan with the convenience of AT with modest, acceptable performance. i suppose my benchmarks, expectations for performance would be several notches lower than you guys for being an owner of diesel vehicles for almost 10 years! i have an isuzu pickup with 2.8liter turbo-diesel which by my reckoning gets me around with modest economy and according to some friends pulls like a typical 1.3 sedan with driver only on-board. of course with this platform i also enjoy the same pulling power even with a heavily laden truckbed!some folks are also convincing me to just get the focus 2.0 liter variant or even consider the mazda 2.0 sport version. they claim that spending close to 1M for a sedan in this class i would be better off maxing out in the high end versions and getting the best performance it has to offer!oh well, i would likewise be interested to get your thoughts on the 2.0 versions of the focus and mazda3 sedans as well. again, i'd rather not get so much from the sugar-laced reviews and opt for real (independent) driver experience and feedback. looking forward to your replies! thanks for your patience!

**alwayz_yummy** · July 18th, 2007 11:36 AM

di mo na maantay yung 2.0 duratorq?-CRDi equipped focus hatch?

**afrasay** · July 18th, 2007 11:50 AM

2.0 hatch. ***y. ;)

**a4Tech** · July 18th, 2007 12:09 PM

Try looking at the Mazda 3 2.0R.

Looks good for 900K++ car (ask for the "current" model not the "facelifted" one".

**BlueBimmer** · July 18th, 2007 12:33 PM

err hindi ba mas improved na ang engine ng 2.0R na facelifted?

**drey** · July 18th, 2007 12:58 PM

o kaya you wait for the New Lancer... or next year... Lancer Sportback.

**AG4** · July 18th, 2007 05:02 PM

Originally Posted by hawk01

hello everyone!

i am in the process of considering to buy a ford focus 1.6AT sedan. i hope any of you already happy (or otherwise) owners out there could shed light on what i could expect (or lament) about this platform.

if ever, i would also be interested on feedback from owners of the focus 2.0 sport and the 1.8AT sedan as well. i do realize there's several reviews out there but nothing certainly beats an owner's honest, raw opinions.

i would be most interested to find out specifics on fuel consumption, performance, and overall impressions. looking forward to hear from you people out there!

ciao!

If you want to get an A/T Focus, I suggest you go for the 1.8 or 2.0 litere models.
The 1.6 liter engine is too weak for the A/T considering that the Focus is heavier than the Mazda 3(added insulations etc).

Another thing, the local Focus 1.6 does not use the same engine as the euro market Focus 1.6 which delivers more torque. The 1.6 liter Duratec used by the european Focus is based on the Ford Zetec motor which offers more torque.

RP market Focus 1.6 and Mazda 3 1.6 engine
Displacement: 1598 cc
Bore & stroke: 78.0 mm x 83.6 mm
Compression ratio: 10.0
Max Power: 105 PS * 6000 rpm
Max Torque: 145 Nm * 4000 rpm

Real 1.6 liter Duratec engines used by the european Ford Focus 1.6 models
Displacement: 1596cc
Bore & stroke: 79.0 mm x 81.4 mm
Compression ratio: 11.0
Max Power: 100 PS * 6000 rpm
Max Torque: 150 Nm * 4000 rpm

1.6 Duratec Ti-VCT
Displacement: 1596cc
Bore & stroke: 79.0 mm x 81.4 mm
Compression ratio: 11.0
Max Power: 115 PS * 6000 rpm
Max Torque: 155 Nm * 4150 rpm

*only the 1.8, 2.0 and 2.3 liter 4-cylinder Ford Duratec engines share their blocks with the MZR, the real 1.6 Duratec of Ford is based on the previous Zetec motor.
I assume this was cost cutting on Ford Philippines part, since they would have to make 2 different 1.6 liter engines that don't share the same blocks.

Originally Posted by drey

o kaya you wait for the New Lancer... or next year... Lancer Sportback.

The 5-door Lancer Sportback might be for europe only...