Blueblood Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Well, doomsayers, I bring updates... ...as I check other auto forums online, the Focus is actually getting the majority of the attention. Even the wannabe elitists (elitists in the compact car range?) that have hacked on the Focus forever are coming off as somewhat impressed. These are the same type that were convinced all the new car was getting was a coupe model and a new grille. Of course, some will growl and cry (Richard, quit hovering that arrow over my name, I wasn't specific) about what a failure this car before seeing it in person...driving it...or having a real shred of information about the reaction to it from the cutomers. Happily, the "ignore poster" feature here makes them just...go away! Looks pretty good, and is astonishing people normally pre-disposed to spitting on Focii. Stay tuned... Without driving it? I drive a Focus everyday! It's no different than the Escape, it's changed in look only, same engine, same tranny, same chassis, etc... Put down the kool-aid and slowly back away! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 That new Focus looks like crap... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) Looks much better, inside and out...but man, those side vent thingees are tacky! That one item look very "Pep Boys" in comparison to the rest of the car. Otherwise, not bad. Funny how Ford is raising the beltline on all their vehicles.....a trend many here said was stupid just 2 years ago. Edited January 7, 2007 by Intrepidatious Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swenson88 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Hmmm. I'm 50/50 on this one. I really like the new interior, best aspect of the new car. The exterior I hope looks better in person. I really dislike the new front - looks like the new CR-V to me with the odd gap under the 2 bars, the weirdly shaped headlights. I was hoping for a "chunkier" look. I HATE the side vents, on both this vehicle, the new 500, the SuperDuty, etc. This shit has to stop. They were cool on exotic vehicles like Aston Martin, then Jaguar, then other luxury makes. NOT cool on econo-cars, mainstream vehicles, TRUCKS for god's sake, or SUV's. Like others have said, I can no more like the exterior on this than I can the exterior of the new Sebring. They're both "stylistically challenged" to say the least. I know this is just a hold over until the C2 arrives, but I just don't like the exterior. I hope it looks better in person. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzhead Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 That's quite a comprehensive re-fresh, of what is already a very sound and fun little car. I regret that the hatches are being dropped, though - those have always been my favorite flavor of Foci (I drive a 2001 ZX3) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MGallun Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 like said for new 500.. money baby... money! iam not in market for small car, but the 5 people i have showed pictures of the new foci love it and said they will seriously think of it especially because the coupe... great job ford... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
atomcat68 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I'm surprised that no one commented on the F shaped chrome fender port. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ANTAUS Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Can't say I love it, can't really say I hate it. I think most of it doesn't blend with one another. The front bumper/fender blend reminds me of how NIssan styles their vehicles, same with the pulled back headlight "eyelids" The interior is great, so is the Ice-Blue lighting. The lose of the D23 is a shame...Guess the Mazda3 will have it still. Not gaining weight, is a plus too. I'm seeing alot of "tweaking" of things people complained about, which is a good thing...much more than Ford usually puts out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebritt Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Extreme4x4, that is libel and you know it. Just because I'm not madly in love with the D3 updates and the Fusion doesn't mean I don't like other Fords. Do you see me bash the interiors of the Mustang, Explorer, F150, etc.? Of course not, but I like to look at things in context, not put some kind of blinders on and forget about the competition. Again, that's one car and its interior that will be compared against the Mazda3, the Rabbit and other players in that segment. Subjective issue? I don't think so. And yes, the upcoming Fords under Mullaly and Fields have indeed made me happy from a design standpoint. Fields actually knows when something needs to be worked on harder, a quality Bill Ford unfortunately lacked. Libel??? I think you have been watching too much People's Court. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DCK Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I go to other Auto Forums and it a ton of people hate is and only a select few like it. But what ever I already posted my disgust of this refresh, I think it is a disaster. I want to add though while I absolutely thing the design makes it look like a Cheap Chery Chinese Knock Off, it did change a lot more than Iexpected............but then it is sad when it is so common for FOrd to basically take a 8 year old car and change very little to be what we normally expect from Ford. The attention paid to the headlights is pleasing......not because I think it looks nice (I think they look terrible)..............but the fact of Ford focusing on the whole design and little stuff to execute the design btter which before they would have totally ignored. So while I think this will be a huge flop due to its disaster of a design..................but design is objective...........and ultimately it shows Ford is moving along for the better and A. taking risk with design (Though they seem to be failing with their risks 1. Navigator 2. Super Duty 3.Focus......all hideous to me) and B. Focusing on details like the design within the headlights and taillights. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sizzler Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I'm surprised that no one commented on the F shaped chrome fender port. First thing I noticed. Am I behind on Ford names? Is this a Focus, or Fusion? Links say Fusion, thread says Focus, or is this some middle-of-the-stream name change? Have to agree about hatchbacks being good things in little packages like this. Otherwise, looks like a solid car. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yukoner Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I was holding off possibly buying a Focus to see if the new one would be worth waiting for. It looks like I will be getting a 2007 5-door! (even though I'm pissed that they refuse to offer the 2.3 in that cofiguration) The new interior may grow on me and I like the rear view but the way that bulbous front is grafted onto what looks like the old roofline is ugly in my opinion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZanatWork Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Without driving it? I drive a Focus everyday! It's no different than the Escape, it's changed in look only, same engine, same tranny, same chassis, etc... Put down the kool-aid and slowly back away! Read the press release...the chassis wasn't replaced, but it got improvements as well. Given that the Focus was already one of the best drives in that class, I'm very curious to see what Parry-Jones and crew found to toy with. If I drop the Kool-Aid, will you get a Phonics Game? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RichardJensen Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) The same message is going to be posted over on the Five Hundred thread: No more personal insults. Do not refer to other posters as 'kool-aid drinkers' (Jim Jones' cult drank Flavor Aid, anyway). Do not suggest that other posters need to learn to write, think, read, etc. Edited January 7, 2007 by RichardJensen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Watchdevil Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 The old Focus actually looks better to me... And that ain't sayin much... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MKII Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Seats look better. Dash makes me think truck Exterior unbalanced, like the Focus had intercourse with all other brands and this mutt was born. Tweaked dynamics should be a plus Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Extreme4x4 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 I think there is something that many are missing here................. people are talking about the Focus. This is a good thing. Also, this is the first reaction to a vehicle that looks completely different from before. The tendency, when looking at completely changed automotive style, is to dislike it completely. This is human nature. Let people get used to it, and see it in person........................ then watch peoples impressions change. Disclaimer: I'm not saying that everyone who hates it now will love it.......................... but some will change their opinion. Also, I find it funny that most of the negative comments that have been posted from other "sites" have all come from GMI. Gee, what a surprise that the GM fanbase does not like the car (although, surprisingly, many did). These are the same people who are saying that the Jag XF concept looks like a Buick (as in, when in the history of man, has a Buick looked this good.............. or been styled this dramatically). Another funny................. everyone just "assumed" that the Fusion grille would be slapped on, and Ford would call it a day. Now the car has a grille that looks nothing like the Fusion grille, and everyone hates it. Does the term "damned if you do and damned if you don't" mean anything. Young buyers will love the technology..................... you know, the stuff that noone else has. Remember that the Civic has a very polarizing look also..................... but is popular as hell. The Focus is a better drive (always has been). I think the new interior and technology will bring in buyers who would have never looked at the Focus before. BTW, the ZX3/5 and wagon left the building because they did not sell in sufficient numbers to justify their redevelopment costs. Sedans and coupes are what sells. Sad but true. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hugh Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) Just looking at the sedan and I remember the 1998(?) Escort. That was just a hold over until the Focus was introduced in 2000(1?). I think this is all this 2008 is until the C2 gets online. If you think people are polarized at the looks of this 2008? Wait for a couple of years. Just my opinion: I think this 2008 will do well. Sure, there is no rear discs, no D23 and no hatchback or wagon yet the 1998(?) Escort and ZX2 had a much improved chasis, body and features compared to their earlier versions and it sold well enough to get the future models online. Isn't the C2 due for early 2009 as a 2010? The C1 is only a few years old (2004 for 2005 intro) not "Several" as someone quoted here. In the meantime, if I am getting a D20, why can't I get the 148hp version the Mazda 3(2007) has at least? In conclusion: Exterior: Not bad at all even though the "F" vent is a little tacky. Interior: I like it a lot. Great execution. Overall: It'll do the job. I just hope Ford doesn't need to discount/Incentive the crap out of it. Edited January 7, 2007 by Hugh Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JETSOLVER Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 The thinking here had better be, Just hold the line, or minimize sales leakage to the multitude of other B and even C product, because this can no more hold back(or even stem) that trend than the others could way back when when the Focus was introduced. Interior LOOKS better, but sadly, there will not be enough conquest customers to make a differance. My recomendation to a friend would be to look to the Mazda. Marking time, no less no more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kool_ZX3 Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) Also, I find it funny that most of the negative comments that have been posted from other "sites" have all come from GMI. Gee, what a surprise that the GM fanbase does not like the car (although, surprisingly, many did). These are the same people who are saying that the Jag XF concept looks like a Buick (as in, when in the history of man, has a Buick looked this good.............. or been styled this dramatically). Another funny................. everyone just "assumed" that the Fusion grille would be slapped on, and Ford would call it a day. Now the car has a grille that looks nothing like the Fusion grille, and everyone hates it. Does the term "damned if you do and damned if you don't" mean anything. Now we all know most of the GMI'ers are a special breed..... Makes me want to bash their head with a frying pan The focus is edgy, it's the direction this car needed to go in..... It's goes along with the styling of every other small car, except the cobalt which is just a blando pos..... I can see this car gaining the traction it lost with the 05 redesign Edited January 7, 2007 by Kool_ZX3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovaltine Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 http://www.carspyshots.net/zerothread?id=22063&page=3 -Ovaltine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pcsario Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) The coupe actually reminds me of VW's J concept from 1997. And that's a good thing. Looking at that last pic, the car could've looked great with a chrome strip in the back and longer tail lamps, but I guess Ford was already being too cheap to be bothered with such minor details like making the rear look good. I think there is something that many are missing here................. people are talking about the Focus. This is a good thing. Also, this is the first reaction to a vehicle that looks completely different from before. The tendency, when looking at completely changed automotive style, is to dislike it completely. This is human nature. Let people get used to it, and see it in person........................ then watch peoples impressions change. Also, I find it funny that most of the negative comments that have been posted from other "sites" have all come from GMI. Gee, what a surprise that the GM fanbase does not like the car Same thing could've been said about the Cobalt. No, it's not a good thing when the good comments --by and large-- are more in the "It's ok considering blah blah blah" category. NO ONE cares about Ford's "wise spending habits" when making their buying decisions. BTW, not a single comment was taken from GMI. That link from CSS is another good example of the reactions all over the place, from brandless communities that just like to talk about cars. Face it, whoever called this the Sebring mini-me was right on the money. Edited January 7, 2007 by pcsario Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one2gamble Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 the coupe actually looks decent Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ovaltine Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 Looks much better, inside and out...but man, those side vent thingees are tacky! That one item look very "Pep Boys" in comparison to the rest of the car. Get ready to see them on EVERYTHING from Ford. Did you check out the Interceptor concept yet? I call'em "fender nostrils". And the ones on the Focus aren't even functional! For once I'd like to see Ford come up with a cool body or interior style that OTHER people want to copy! And I agree with the other folks on here about the carryover powertrain and mechanicals. My 2004.5 KIA Spectra came *standard* with 4-wheel disc brakes for cryin' out loud!, AND variable valve timing(VVT)! -Ovaltine Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
630land Posted January 7, 2007 Share Posted January 7, 2007 (edited) "This is a substantial appearance update. If the C1 is already old, why move to it when the next gen Focus will be C2? " Thanks!!!! "It sux" Kinda of expected the biased to "hate it" since it isn't "all new". Toyota can re-use a platform [which has been done many times] and call it 'all new', but never anyone else. This is a re-negineering, not a re-skin, and btw, it looks great, not a look alike car as the "great" Korens make. Ford should go after people without a deep biased hatred, of which there are many who are willing to try. The 2005 'update' was a joke, this is much better. Don't like it, then go get a Korean car. Oh, and yeah what happend to the hatches? No one bought them, Honda/Toyota don't sell [C class size] them so by bye. Wagons? I'm betting a Focus crossver is coming to replace them. Should they be ready now? Yes. Edited January 7, 2007 by 630land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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