Support NeoGAF

[MrAngryFace]

lame. 2000 was the best year design wise. The sedan > hatchback first off. Plus after 2000 they shrunk the car down so it looked more stupid econ and less badass.

I will say the RS hatchback > all tho. The 2005 focus just looks...not cool.


My cool focus looks like this:

Lame 2005 focus:

 

[Incognito]

<scratch>

looks the same..

 

[Tarazet]

The front end and the wheels are different.

I was considering buying a ZX3 until I started reading owner testimonials and finding out about engine fires, transmission failures, and electrical gremlins...

 

[Error Macro]

They changed the front. Slightly.

 

[MrAngryFace]

The grill has some gay ass silver trim which sucks, the lights dont look cool anymore, its short like ALL of the post 2000 models, which is why I decided against upgrading to a later year. Ill just keep my 2000 running thanks.

I also saw one of the 2005 hatchbacks and I think they flared the rear lights out like weird reverse fin things, either that or it was a mod some guy did that looked like crap.

Thats right kids, I drive my car based off of body lines. I only know how to change oil, jump a car, and put gas in.

 

[videogamer]

is the Escape the same thing as the Mondeo?

 

[Vormund]

No. Mondeo is a mid sized car.

You guys miss out on the new Euro focus.

haha.

 

[Tarazet]

No. Mondeo is a mid sized car.

You guys miss out on the new Euro focus.

haha.

We're getting it in a couple of years. The current one hasn't lived out its life cycle in the US yet.

 

[Vormund]

US Focus will still be behind though. Didn't they come out the same time? So why is the lifecycle longer there?

 

[Tarazet]

US Focus will still be behind though. Didn't they come out the same time? So why is the lifecycle longer there?

It didn't come out at the same time.

 

[Vormund]

Hmm. Oh well. We only got the current Focus in 02, and next year we get the new model.

Advantages to having it imported.

*better build quality too*

 

[videogamer]

It didn't come out at the same time.

Only two years after the European version, iirc. Anyways, it's totally outdated.

edit: oh yeah, Ford had quality problems when it tried to produce the cars over in the US

 

[Tarazet]

Hmm. Oh well. We only got the current Focus in 02, and next year we get the new model.

Advantages to having it imported.

*better build quality too*

Well, the only reason people buy American in the US is to save money.. so the trend lately has been for old, obsolete designs to carry over as "budget specials" which can literally be had for 50% off in some cases. And even in this environment, the Focus is selling well and holding close to MSRP...

 

[Vormund]

Lately we've been having older models held back also, but labeled as *classic* models while the newer model is released.

The new Opel (Holden) Astra is an example.

Not a bad idea really.

 

[Tarazet]

Lately we've been having older models held back also, but labeled as *classic* models while the newer model is released.

The new Opel (Holden) Astra is an example.

Not a bad idea really.

No, it's not a horrible idea. I, for one, wait for the new model year to come out before sweeping up one of the last of the previous ones for a budget price.. and if there was a brand-new model coming out in the new model-year, I'd really try and clean up. Occasionally I'll see ad specials which are just ridiculous - a GMC Yukon Denali for $12,000 off or some shit like that. It's a real buyer's market, no matter how you look at it.

 

[The Bookerman]

The Focus line looks like shit.

Fixed....


And the four door version looks especially ugly.

 

[Flynn]

I thought you were talking about the horror mini-studio.

The Assault on Precinct 13 remake is going to blow.

 

[DarienA]

The Focus has always looked like ass... as for the Mondeo the closest we get is the de-tuned Ford Five Hundred.

Great job Ford.

 

[Luscious LeftFoot]

The Focus has always looked like ass...

This is true.

 

[DSN2K]

No. Mondeo is a mid sized car.

You guys miss out on the new Euro focus.

haha.

and damn its sexy, my bro's getting one for free no less.

 

[Pimpwerx]

Europe gets shit on for video games, but you guys totally own us for cars. That said, there's never been anything even remotely "cool" about the Focus. It's a generic econobox. Civic class. Funny thing with that front fascia change is the "softening" of the headlights. The whole design concept behind the Focus was the sharp angles contrasted against the curves. Well, guess someone thought it might not have been ugly enough, so they had to just completely fuck it up. Oh, and the hatchback looks better IMO. PEACE.

 

[MrAngryFace]

Umm, civic copied focus SIR

 

[mrklaw]

Europe gets shit on for video games, but you guys totally own us for cars. That said, there's never been anything even remotely "cool" about the Focus. It's a generic econobox. Civic class. Funny thing with that front fascia change is the "softening" of the headlights. The whole design concept behind the Focus was the sharp angles contrasted against the curves. Well, guess someone thought it might not have been ugly enough, so they had to just completely fuck it up. Oh, and the hatchback looks better IMO. PEACE.

Sorry but you're wrong there pimp, at least if you are accusing the Euro Focus too. Its widely held as one of the most rewarding drives around. Great handling, great fun to drive, practical, cheap, economical.

I was seriously considering one this year until my wife pulled her badge snobbery and refused anything less than an Audi/BM. Which is fair enough 'cause they are good cars too (just more expensive)

 

[Tsubaki]

I like the new look better. Still an ugly Focus though. Even the Euro one isn't winning me over. Get me a Mazda3 or Volvo S40. Those are two sweet looking cars with the same chassis. Ford just can't design worth crap, new Mustang not withstanding.

I was considering buying a ZX3 until I started reading owner testimonials and finding out about engine fires, transmission failures, and electrical gremlins...

I thought this was just the earlier models? The ones put out the last couple years should have all those things worked out.

Oh and MAF, taller cars == higher center of gravity/worse handling. And taller cars == looks less sporty and looks ugly... I have a 01 Corolla S myself, but although I know the new Corollas are much better cars, the tall stance bugs me a lot. It just looks ill-proportioned.

 

[Takuan]

This looks pretty good to me. Why doesn't North America get this model?

 

[ShadowRed]

That 2004 Focus looks like a fucking Mazda. Focus' have always sucked and Ford has sucked for a long time. My Mom had a Probe and it was a POS from day one. Had to fucking prey that the key would turn when you got up in the morning. Once it took me and both my brothers a good 3 hours to get it to turn. Come to find out this is a known problem with Ford cars ingeneral. I fucked up and bought a new Esourt and within the first year blew the engine. Had 2 more engines put in/rebuilt after that 2 under warrenty one I had to eat. Had to have the Transmission rebuilt 2 time. had to eat that too, but the second time it was still under warrenty from the first rebuild so I got that one free. I wouldn't fuck with a Ford if they were giving them away.

 

[DarienA]

That 2004 Focus looks like a fucking Mazda. Focus' have always sucked and Ford has sucked for a long time. My Mom had a Probe and it was a POS from day one. Had to fucking prey that the key would turn when you got up in the morning. Once it took me and both my brothers a good 3 hours to get it to turn. Come to find out this is a known problem with Ford cars ingeneral. I fucked up and bought a new Esourt and within the first year blew the engine. Had 2 more engines put in/rebuilt after that 2 under warrenty one I had to eat. Had to have the Transmission rebuilt 2 time. had to eat that too, but the second time it was still under warrenty from the first rebuild so I got that one free. I wouldn't fuck with a Ford if they were giving them away.

No come to find out this was a service recall with certain models years. My 98 Probe when I had it never gave me an ounce of trouble, through, rain, ice, and deep NY snow.

As for the Escort.... jokes on you, who the fuck buys an Escort? That's like buying a Fred Flintstone car, just kick the floor out and use your feet.

 

[AlphaSnake]

Umm, civic copied focus SIR

Ahahaha, what? Are you serious?

Anyways, the only decent looking Focus is the hatch. I am a fan of the new Freestyle, though. I just wish the 500 had a bit more juice, that thing's a turtle.

 

[Shinobi]

This is the Focus I've ever seen that looked good...

Was lucky enough to actually touch and photograph a Focus WRC at the Toronto auto show a couple years ago.

Of course, Escort will always own the Focus...

The Cosworth Escorts were some bad ass motherfuckers. Typically they never saw the light of day over here. BTW, fuck Ford for selling off Cosworth...that still ticks me off.

That won't stop me from respecting the Ford GT though...

This car has a chance to be an absolute legend. Hope I'm lucky enough to see one on the road.

 

[Insertia]

Based on that picture, the 2005 Focus looks a lot better and will have a wider appeal, imo.
The Focus has always looked cheap and amateurish. The new design makes the Focus tolerable.

 

[ShadowRed]

No come to find out this was a service recall with certain models years. My 98 Probe when I had it never gave me an ounce of trouble, through, rain, ice, and deep NY snow.

As for the Escort.... jokes on you, who the fuck buys an Escort? That's like buying a Fred Flintstone car, just kick the floor out and use your feet.

Well my Moms was a 87 Probe and I have no doubt it took Ford every bit of the 11 years between your car and my Moms to finally figure out how to built a proper steering column. As far as the Escourt goes obviously I didn't know what a POS the car ws before I bought it. I have no doubt that the engineers at Ford where thinking the same thing you were after they built the Escourt, "jokes on you."

 

[MrAngryFace]

My 2000 focus has 93,000 on it already, its been a pretty awesome car all things considered.

 

[raYne]

The Focus has always looked like ass...

This man has all the facts straight... although RS is without a doubt the best looking of the line. RS > hatchback > (two pages later) wait.. what are we talking about again?... oh ya wagon and sedan.

Plus I dunno how you can mention Focus and "badass" in the same day...much less the same topic. Someone should tell ford that cars are supposed to have curves, not edges.