Comments on: 2009 Ford Focus – First Steer

By: kris

kris — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:32:07 +0000

I believe the 60k service cost on a dsg type trans is $700?

By: kris

kris — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 22:10:02 +0000

I hope it does not have the dash rattles of the golf or the electrical problems or do we blame that on SA lol german cars much over rated, better off with a mazda or toyota

By: Rob

Rob — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 05:22:15 +0000

Hope to get some advice for you learned dudes.

I am either buying a 2009 Focus diesel 6speed auto or the Mazda 3 sp 25 5 speed auto. I am leaning toward the Ford because it is more roomy inside and more powerful and fuel efficient and 2K less. The mazda is great but i felt cramped inside and overwhelmed with all the electronic gadgets. I know mazda have great resale value and Ford not so great and I have read so much bad stuff about the Focus previous models, i do not want to buy a lemon. My 2003 Astra has done 79000 kms and is costing me $3000 atm when the timing belt snapped.

By: Elitebiz

Elitebiz — Mon, 25 May 2009 05:48:06 +0000

I purchased a Focus hatch in December 2007 with the four speed auto and safety pack. The window sticker said it would get 8.7 litre per 100 Km. So far I have done 13,000Kms and have only every got 11.2 -11.5. When I had it serviced at the dealers I complained but they were unable to fix it. Admittedly I live inner city and do short trips but I also occasionally drive to Bendigo from Melbourne. I don’t consider myself a lead foot – I am past that stage (I’m over 60. I also use Premium fuel from time to time. What am I doing wrong? Are other driver of Focus CL experiencing the same thing.

By: Simon

Simon — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 11:06:44 +0000

Cupid Stunt Says:
And the Golf’s I’ve driven suffer from the same road noise which increases greatly above 110Kmh….

Cupid, VW have particularly targeted noise levels in the new golf.
“The new Golf has about 120 sound insulation components, yet they increase the car’s weight by only one kilogram.”
– Volkswagen Magazine (Australia) Summer/Autumn 2009

By: Andrew M

Andrew M — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 08:00:45 +0000

Confused, (you obviously are)

as already corrected, the focus comes with 4 airbags standard.

also for the further record, the mazda 3 and lancer (the bigger players in the market) dont come with side airbags nor curtains as standard

By: Daniel Dacey

Daniel Dacey — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 21:16:35 +0000

When the Ford dealer network is as interesting and works as well as these new cars, then Ford might stand a chance.

Its rather more important for the ownership experience then just the car, although Ford haven’t figured that out yet, given some of the people they continue to allow to hold a franshise.

Meanwhile Mazda offer a similar vehicle without the Ford badge. Sales seem to reflect people prefer that.

By: GoldSpike

GoldSpike — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:22:25 +0000

Very good stuff, thanks for the review.

By: Will

Will — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 07:31:39 +0000

Golfschwein and Reckless1, yep agreed. Reckless you forgot to mention Audi and Skoda, and the fact that the Skoda badge is far more impressive than the blue oval (yuk).

Technofreak, I can only assume you are referring to the Skoda RS. Good choice, far superior machine.

By: Technofreak

Technofreak — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:48:11 +0000

i want the RS, i want the RS….lalala!…cant here you….blah,blah,blah…i want the RS.

By: Devil's Advocate

Devil's Advocate — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:23:27 +0000

What I found interesting though was that Ford decided to use the PSA 2L diesel in the Focus/Mondeo and not the more powerful and torquey (320Nm vs 360Nm) 2.0L Mazda MZR-CD engine. Especially considering they use Mazda’s 4 cyl MZR petrol engines in the Focus/Mondeo (with a different head).

By: Tony

Tony — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:19:16 +0000

why does the center console, hvac, shifter and shifter plate look so 1989?

i don’t like the way the euro design fords have that theme

even the FG Falcons look better

By: FremontCAHotel

FremontCAHotel — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:48:24 +0000

amazing ride, thanks for the review

By: Adrian

Adrian — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:46:03 +0000

Well as much as I loved my LR focus I think I’ll stick to my corolla for now. There’s really nothing that impressive about them compared to the original. Although if ford Australia imported the 2009 RS I’d buy one in a heart beat. Now that car is impressive.

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:12:04 +0000

Guys – your server time’s a bit out… it’s telling me I posted it at 2:00am when I only posted at 1:00am. Daylight Savings still on? I wish!

By: Bob

Bob — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 15:09:33 +0000

Confused – the Focus comes standard with ABS and 4 airbags in base CL form, including side head/thorax airbags, not 2. Safety pack including curtains and DSC is optional, as it was on the LT model too. All other models of LV have 6 airbags and DSC standard.

Cupid stunt – The original Euro Focus was released in 1998 in Europe on the Mk 1 platform (C170). Australia’s first Focus was actually the Mk 1.5 European Focus in September 2002 which was called LR here in Oz and which had revised bumpers and lights amongst other features.

The Mk 2 model (C307), all new from the ground up was launched globally in 2004. Zetec engines replaced by all new alloy Duratec units. Named LS here but effectively a Euro-spec Mk 2 that came from South Africa.

The LT was an Asia-Pacific only Mk 2.25 let’s call it.

Europe then updated to Mk 2.5 last year which is effectively now what the LV is. They never got our 2.25.

Were now all on a Mk 2.5 effectively.

Then there’s the USA, which to this day still uses the C170 Mk 1 platform with a totally reskinned and unrelated body to the rest of the world… confusing. That’s genuinely an 11 year old platform.

I owned a Mk I.5 Zetec with DSC optioned and it was absolutely divine chassis-wise. Incredible handling car. Sold it after 5 years and still miss it to this day.

My sister has now ordered an LV Zetec and couldn’t be happier. It also includes standard iPod integration and USB connection amongst other features not mentioned here. A very nice package indeed.

I’m somewhat of a Focus nut as you can tell :)

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:11:54 +0000

And the Golf’s I’ve driven suffer from the same road noise which increases greatly above 110Kmh, at 130k’s its tiresome. It ain’t a perfect answer in reality….well not for me.

By: Cupid Stunt

Cupid Stunt — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 13:07:06 +0000

The European Focus in this basic shape has been around since 1998. This is the fourth? facelift, some of them quite major.
Its a great car and is pretty much in the top 10 sellers in the UK alongside Mondeos, Vectras, 3 Series Astras. It has only been beaten lately by the Astra.
Salesman – I take your some of your critism of the layout however time wil mae them more intuitive. The Focuses I have driven I have never felt part of the car, you seem to sit on them rather than in them. To this respect the Astra is a far better drive IMO.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:43:41 +0000

Maximark, since LT introduction the build quality has been improved tenfold, (okay not hard from first issue LS) but the biggest issue with LS was (as with BMW M/Benz & Toyotas out of SA) paint quality.

By: Frontman

Frontman — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 12:35:38 +0000

That is correct Andrew M, Focus was the first Ford with it in Aust, and as far as I’m aware, the only car in the group to have them. As far as the age of the car, 02 was first Focus in Aust the Ls was intro’d in 05 as a complete new car. Two face lifts in 4 years does not make an OLD car CA!!! All new model would never be considered by any manufacturer in such a short time. Sorry for being critical but today has not been your most insightful or factual.