What has happened to ford
Discussion
With the new Focus RS offering blistering performance and practicality at for £30k, the inspired decision to bring the mustang to the UK, and also how amazing the new GT looks and sounds https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-deXDPzYRU
You have to take you hats off to them for the direction they are moving the company in. It all seemed to start the with decision to let their designers off the leash and develop the 1.0-litre Ecoboost single-seater.
The RS is the first car I am seriously considering to place an order to buy new. Even if it means waiting to 2016-2017.
First time I have been excited by the brand in a long time.
You have to take you hats off to them for the direction they are moving the company in. It all seemed to start the with decision to let their designers off the leash and develop the 1.0-litre Ecoboost single-seater.
The RS is the first car I am seriously considering to place an order to buy new. Even if it means waiting to 2016-2017.
First time I have been excited by the brand in a long time.
Yet the general consensus seems to be that they've lost their way a bit with their mainstream cars, no longer being the sector benchmark for how they drive.
From my point of view, the Focus is of no interest but the Mustang coming to the UK in RHD form is a fabulous thing. I just hope they haven't moved their overall focus from making fun mainstream cars to making stupidly fast expensive halo models.
From my point of view, the Focus is of no interest but the Mustang coming to the UK in RHD form is a fabulous thing. I just hope they haven't moved their overall focus from making fun mainstream cars to making stupidly fast expensive halo models.
Agreed with the OP.
An AWD Focus RS is the product to really lure me back to the brand. A decade ago I flatly refused to buy a Mk1 Focus RS purely on the basis that it was Front Wheel Drive & the Mk2 Focus was no different. I drove a Mountune Mk2 ST a friend owns and was embarassed for the brand by how poor the experience was.
I've had 3 Fiestas and the Focus was the natural progression for me.. but not Front Wheel Drive. Maybe now that will change.
An AWD Focus RS is the product to really lure me back to the brand. A decade ago I flatly refused to buy a Mk1 Focus RS purely on the basis that it was Front Wheel Drive & the Mk2 Focus was no different. I drove a Mountune Mk2 ST a friend owns and was embarassed for the brand by how poor the experience was.
I've had 3 Fiestas and the Focus was the natural progression for me.. but not Front Wheel Drive. Maybe now that will change.
kambites said:
Yet the general consensus seems to be that they've lost their way a bit with their mainstream cars, no longer being the sector benchmark for how they drive.
From my point of view, the Focus is of no interest but the Mustang coming to the UK in RHD form is a fabulous thing. I just hope they haven't moved their overall focus from making fun mainstream cars to making stupidly fast expensive halo models.
The Fiesta is definitely the best B-car to drive.From my point of view, the Focus is of no interest but the Mustang coming to the UK in RHD form is a fabulous thing. I just hope they haven't moved their overall focus from making fun mainstream cars to making stupidly fast expensive halo models.
The Focus is at least as good as the best C-car...
The Focus ST might not be the fastest around a track, but for actual handling, it's top-drawer.
kambites said:
GroundEffect said:
The Fiesta is definitely the best B-car to drive.
The Focus is at least as good as the best C-car...
Hmm, I don't know about the Fiesta but IMO the Mazda 3 is a significantly better car to drive than the Focus, as are the IRS versions of the Golf and the Leon. The Focus is at least as good as the best C-car...
I haven't driven a 3 so I can't comment.
GroundEffect said:
Significantly? That's stretching things a bit as far as I've experienced! The Golf 7 is a solid platform with very few complaints, but the latest Focus feels sharper.
I haven't driven a 3 so I can't comment.
I suppose different people put different weights against different things, where handling is concerned. I thought the mk3 Focus's chassis was a significant step backwards in terms of driver appeal from the mk2 which itself was a step backwards from the mk1. I'd put the mk3 mid-table at best; in fact I don't even think it's any better than the current C'eed and Hyundai i30. I haven't driven a 3 so I can't comment.
Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the Focus as a means of getting a family from A to B; but there's nothing particularly appealing about it either. The best you can say about it is that it's at least still better to drive than the Astra (just, the Astra has improved a lot).
Interesting ; the received wisdom is the Ford got its mojo back first with the Mondeo and then with the Focus , both of which were big leaps forward . The original Focus was astonishingly good and - engines apart - has lost its advantage since some might say .Chassis was light years better than Golf- not any more
The previous generation(one trick pony Sierra Cosworth apart ) were generally awful until you go even further back to RS 1600s and Mexicos , 2.8is etc. There was the odd flash of brilliance- the 24v V6 was a peach but shame about the car it was found in - fish face Granny .
After 20 odd years of VAG TDIs as daily drivers I bought an Ecoboost Focus this year and I have mixed feelings about it . The engine is just a peach but could do with another 30bhp to feel anything like as pokey as a TDI . Grip is great and Ford has the basic elements right- perfect driving position , very good seats etc. But - and it is a huge but - it still feels just as shoddy as old Fords did. Everything feels so bloody flimsy- it probably won't actually break but it feels like it might . The radio is terrible and even stuff like rear screen switch feels like an Airfix kit. In terms of perceived quality it is still light years behind Toyota, Honda and VAG .
Would I get another ? Jury's out- probably get a Golf/Yeti/Tiguan again I suspect. Can't speak for the high performance versions as I have a silly car for fun but there is just the nagging feeling that Ford is still a long way from being a premium brand . Whatever that means !
The previous generation(one trick pony Sierra Cosworth apart ) were generally awful until you go even further back to RS 1600s and Mexicos , 2.8is etc. There was the odd flash of brilliance- the 24v V6 was a peach but shame about the car it was found in - fish face Granny .
After 20 odd years of VAG TDIs as daily drivers I bought an Ecoboost Focus this year and I have mixed feelings about it . The engine is just a peach but could do with another 30bhp to feel anything like as pokey as a TDI . Grip is great and Ford has the basic elements right- perfect driving position , very good seats etc. But - and it is a huge but - it still feels just as shoddy as old Fords did. Everything feels so bloody flimsy- it probably won't actually break but it feels like it might . The radio is terrible and even stuff like rear screen switch feels like an Airfix kit. In terms of perceived quality it is still light years behind Toyota, Honda and VAG .
Would I get another ? Jury's out- probably get a Golf/Yeti/Tiguan again I suspect. Can't speak for the high performance versions as I have a silly car for fun but there is just the nagging feeling that Ford is still a long way from being a premium brand . Whatever that means !
Given a wider scope Ford have been on top of their game for a while now compared to their Euro rivals.
Ecoboost cars in the US.
Some f
king great Mustangs.
RS Focus etc etc.
edit to add: the current Fiesta is a great supermini for every need.
Ecoboost cars in the US.
Some f
king great Mustangs.RS Focus etc etc.
edit to add: the current Fiesta is a great supermini for every need.
Edited by Motorrad on Thursday 8th October 18:43
coppice said:
Everything feels so bloody flimsy- it probably won't actually break but it feels like it might...
Whereas if you get a VAG everything feels solid, but it may well break! Slightly tongue in cheek, but the impression I get is that people generally think Fords aren't as good as they really are, and think that VAGs are better than they really are.Whatever, I agree with the op - I've never owned a Ford before but right now they make two of the three cars I would actually buy new (and which I have a realistic chance of owning). I'm going to get myself a new car as a prezzie on an upcoming significant birthday, and the blue oval is looking very likely to get the cash.
Roger Irrelevant said:
Slightly tongue in cheek, but the impression I get is that people generally think Fords aren't as good as they really are, and think that VAGs are better than they really are.
Tongue in cheek maybe, but I think that's jolly observant and very accurate. 
The gap is closing though - a few generations ago the Fiesta was pretty shocking to drive (it actually frightened my ex to be a passenger in the one I had every year as a courtesy car, so bad was its ride and handling and composure over bumps), but now they're a long way ahead of that in terms of how they feel and how they drive, and subjectively how they look too (both in terms of the styling and even small things like the colours available) - the Fiesta's now a pretty solid choice in that sector of the market. Yes, I think Honda and Toyota do everything better, but secondhand values make it a fairer comparison.A few years ago Autocar ran a feature on the dodgy things that manufacturers do to try and improve their image, and Ford made it into the feature by delivering a Mondeo to 'Car of the Year' with what turned out were expensive aftermarket dampers labelled in tipex with 'Car of the Year'
Amusing, yes, but I can only assume that such games led or at least contributed to their reputation for ride and handling, because I've never met anyone who really knows anything about chassis tuning who rates them highly in that area.Fords? Decent (but not excellent) to drive, cheap interiors, pleasant exterior styling, right? Hasn't changed since I have known the brand.
The Mazda 3 is notably better to drive than the Focus (and the Golf, Leon and 1 Series). At a push, I would rather drive a 165bhp FWD Mazda 3 than the C Class or a non-M Sport 3 Series. Excellent little car - very well-judged suspension; nice control weights; precise steering; nice gearbox and ratios; smooth engine for a 4 pot; reasonably 'pointy'...
The cabin in my brother's Focus (2012 or so) is horrendous. Cheap as chips. The car handles reasonably well, though, and the 1.0t engine is impressive.
I haven't driven a new Fiesta but always preferred the Fiestas of my youth to the Corsas etc of that generation (2000 or so).
The Mazda 3 is notably better to drive than the Focus (and the Golf, Leon and 1 Series). At a push, I would rather drive a 165bhp FWD Mazda 3 than the C Class or a non-M Sport 3 Series. Excellent little car - very well-judged suspension; nice control weights; precise steering; nice gearbox and ratios; smooth engine for a 4 pot; reasonably 'pointy'...
The cabin in my brother's Focus (2012 or so) is horrendous. Cheap as chips. The car handles reasonably well, though, and the 1.0t engine is impressive.
I haven't driven a new Fiesta but always preferred the Fiestas of my youth to the Corsas etc of that generation (2000 or so).
GroundEffect said:
kambites said:
Yet the general consensus seems to be that they've lost their way a bit with their mainstream cars, no longer being the sector benchmark for how they drive.
From my point of view, the Focus is of no interest but the Mustang coming to the UK in RHD form is a fabulous thing. I just hope they haven't moved their overall focus from making fun mainstream cars to making stupidly fast expensive halo models.
The Fiesta is definitely the best B-car to drive.From my point of view, the Focus is of no interest but the Mustang coming to the UK in RHD form is a fabulous thing. I just hope they haven't moved their overall focus from making fun mainstream cars to making stupidly fast expensive halo models.
The Focus is at least as good as the best C-car...
The Focus ST might not be the fastest around a track, but for actual handling, it's top-drawer.
Edited by 300bhp/ton on Friday 9th October 00:24
kambites said:
I suppose different people put different weights against different things, where handling is concerned. I thought the mk3 Focus's chassis was a significant step backwards in terms of driver appeal from the mk2 which itself was a step backwards from the mk1. I'd put the mk3 mid-table at best; in fact I don't even think it's any better than the current C'eed and Hyundai i30.
Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the Focus as a means of getting a family from A to B; but there's nothing particularly appealing about it either. The best you can say about it is that it's at least still better to drive than the Astra (just, the Astra has improved a lot).
As good as the i30 is, if the Focus you drove was no better, it was broken. To drive, the Focus is miles ahead of the i30. Oddly, to live with (and this is a personal choice), I'd take the Hyundai. I can't stand the Focus interface, far too much going on all at once on the command screen. Don't get me wrong there's nothing wrong with the Focus as a means of getting a family from A to B; but there's nothing particularly appealing about it either. The best you can say about it is that it's at least still better to drive than the Astra (just, the Astra has improved a lot).
Roger Irrelevant said:
coppice said:
Everything feels so bloody flimsy- it probably won't actually break but it feels like it might...
Whereas if you get a VAG everything feels solid, but it may well break! Slightly tongue in cheek, but the impression I get is that people generally think Fords aren't as good as they really are, and think that VAGs are better than they really are.Whatever, I agree with the op - I've never owned a Ford before but right now they make two of the three cars I would actually buy new (and which I have a realistic chance of owning). I'm going to get myself a new car as a prezzie on an upcoming significant birthday, and the blue oval is looking very likely to get the cash.
I'd definitely take a Ford over a VW for reliability and actual build quality (although I'd take a Kia over either); in the latest iterations, I generally prefer the way the VAG cars drive though. Thinking about it, perhaps my dislike of the current Focus' handling can be summed up purely by saying that I can't stand the steering system. Maybe Ford have just done an even worse job than the competition of developing their EPAS system? I'm not hugely enamoured with the suspension calibration either, the spring and damper rates feel well matched but the dampers feel a bit dim-witted and, quite frankly, cheap.
Edited by kambites on Friday 9th October 08:04
Have a new facelift focus estate. Genuinely impressed with it as a package. Interior plastics a bit cheap but tech and touchscreen are epic. Looks great in gunmetal with darkened windows and drives as well as anything in the sector having trialled a few cars. There's a reason the focus and Fiesta sell so much, they do everything well. Ford do seem to be a on a bit of a charge right now, the halo models of Mustang, GT and RS are getting major attention. Must admit I am tempted by a focus ST now to sit next to the estate. I'd never bought a ford before. If I could post a pic right now i would as I think the facelift has sorted out what was a goppingly ugly front end.
C7 JFW said:
Agreed with the OP.
An AWD Focus RS is the product to really lure me back to the brand. A decade ago I flatly refused to buy a Mk1 Focus RS purely on the basis that it was Front Wheel Drive & the Mk2 Focus was no different. I drove a Mountune Mk2 ST a friend owns and was embarassed for the brand by how poor the experience was.
I've had 3 Fiestas and the Focus was the natural progression for me.. but not Front Wheel Drive. Maybe now that will change.
I know this has been done to death, but the refusal to buy a car because of if being 2wd seems odd, especially given its likely use.An AWD Focus RS is the product to really lure me back to the brand. A decade ago I flatly refused to buy a Mk1 Focus RS purely on the basis that it was Front Wheel Drive & the Mk2 Focus was no different. I drove a Mountune Mk2 ST a friend owns and was embarassed for the brand by how poor the experience was.
I've had 3 Fiestas and the Focus was the natural progression for me.. but not Front Wheel Drive. Maybe now that will change.
The Mk1 Focus RS was what, 212BHP? I can't see that it needed, or indeed would benefit noticeably from being 4wd. Infact, I'd suggest it would have been slower, duller, thirstier and less communicative.
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