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My Prius has a new brother

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by revhigh, Jun 1, 2012.

  1. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Just got this a few weeks ago ... 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback with Sport Package and Moonroof. Not a Prius, but a REALLY fun car to drive, and it gets decent MPG's (so far averaging 34.5 for the first 1000 miles). Ford is offering incredible deals right now. MSRP was $21, 030 ... I paid $16,500 plus taxes after rebates, discounts, and MSRP sticker discounts. 5 Speed manual transmission is the slickest manual trans I've ever driven. This car handles like it's on rails. Makes a nice alternative to the Prius when we want to have a little fun.

    [​IMG]


    REV
     
    #1 revhigh, Jun 1, 2012
  2. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

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    I like the look of the Focus hatchbacks. :)

    Congrats, Rev!
     
    #2 F8L, Jun 1, 2012
  3. stream

    stream Senior Member

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    Congrats--enjoy. Looks like a fun little car.
     
    #3 stream, Jun 1, 2012
  4. p00kienrayray

    p00kienrayray Active Member

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    Nice ride, even better deal! Congrats.
     
    #4 p00kienrayray, Jun 4, 2012
  5. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Rev it up! Enjoy the new ride.
     
    #5 Rebound, Jun 4, 2012
  6. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Thanks all !!

    I'll tell you ... it is REALLY a fun car to drive as a change from the Prius. Although I never really considered the Prius a bad or poor handling car (and I still don't) ... the new Focus is in a TOTALLY different league. If you have never driven one, and are in the market for an inexpensive non-hybrid, I would highly suggest that you give one a shot.

    Now ... if only it has the same reliability of a Toyota ... which I'm doubtful that it will have. We'll see.

    REV
     
    #6 revhigh, Jun 4, 2012
  7. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    Nice car! If it feels like it's on rails w/ the current setup, how would it feel w/ bigger rims & lower profile tires;)?
     
    #7 SoCalBPrius, Jun 4, 2012
  8. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    Probably technically better, but with worse mileage and a slightly worse ride. They're 215/55 16 Conti ProContacts right now. I have them at 40/38.

    The wheels and tires are OK ... as they were basically free from the 15 inch steelies and covers. The Sport Package was $830, and it included 4 wheel disc brakes instead of the rear drum brakes, mag 16 inch wheels and upgraded tires, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, absolutely fantastic nicely bolstered upgraded sport seats, and the sport touring suspension, which includes slightly stiffer springs and shocks/struts.

    The funny thing was ... the Sport Package was $830 .... well worth it for all that stuff anyway, but then Ford discounted it on the sticker $115 and $535 making the end cost for the Sport Package $180.

    It really is a nice car. We're always fighting over who gets to take it.

    REV
     
    #8 revhigh, Jun 4, 2012
  9. SoCalBPrius

    SoCalBPrius Active Member

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    No doubt, it's a nice car. And u got a great deal on the car & the package. I was jus joshing w/ u more than anything as u seemed pretty ecstatic w/ the way it handles, no need to mess w/ the setup:).
     
    #9 SoCalBPrius, Jun 4, 2012
  10. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    No worries socal !!

    Never thought I'd own a Ford ... LOL.

    I'm pretty much a die-hard Toyota guy.

    This damn thing better hold up reliability wise. :D

    REV
     
    #10 revhigh, Jun 5, 2012
  11. Munpot42

    Munpot42 Senior Member

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    Just keep up with the recalls, my neighbor has gotten two notices on his 11, and had it in the shop for a leaking brake hose, he is not a happy camper. Hope you have better luck, because that thing ain't no Toyota.
     
    #11 Munpot42, Jun 5, 2012
  12. car compulsive

    car compulsive Active Member

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    Good find - especially getting the manual tranny. Now you have a car you can spin the tires with in slippery conditions without going into limp mode.
     
    #12 car compulsive, Jun 6, 2012
  13. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Congrats!

    Know about fun to drive cars, had a '99 New Beetle and the partner had a '96 Cabrio - both were a blast to drive.
     
    #13 ChipL, Jun 6, 2012
  14. bob N.

    bob N. New Member

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    Just finished the tortuous car shopping marathon. My first choice was the 2012 Focus with automatic/manual transmission.
    Great car except for one small detail. The transmission sucks. It hesitates every time you step on the gas while idling.
    Large problem and Ford forums are laden with customers bad experiences with it. It will be interesting if Ford corrects the problem for 2013. Oh well...
    Had to abandon that choice and finally getting my first Prius of my life. I'm 60.
     
    #14 bob N., Jun 6, 2012
  15. B. Roberts

    B. Roberts Hypah Milah! Ayuh.

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    I would have a problem with the "automanual" trans. Manual is the only way to go. I'm scared to go drive a new Focus! Heard a lot of good things about it. Think you'll find reliability pretty good on this car. Fords have come a long way. Your MPG should improve as the engine breaks in. Try a really gently driven tank to see what a hypermiled Focus can do. I've heard that 40+ is achievable. You got one Focused deal!

    Anyone notice that the basic overall shape of the new Focus is quite similar to our superb aero machines?;)
     
    #15 B. Roberts, Jun 7, 2012
  16. revhigh

    revhigh MPG Enthusiast

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    I drove an auto Focus Hatch for a weekend on loan, and decided I DEFINITELY didn't want the auto/manual ... although I must say ... I think they're well on their way to straightening out the issues, and it DID get FANTASTIC mileage ... it's rated 28/38, and I was getting 42+ on the highway.

    I've already done a 250 mile highway trip with my 5 SPD, kept it at the speed limit (mostly 65) and used cruise control ... the car is rated at 26/36 and for the trip I got 40.41 MPG. I can live with that.

    Overall, in rural and highway driving it's averaging right about 34 MPG ... only two MPG off of it's highway rating. I can generally beat the EPA numbers with almost any car. The only car in the last 10 years that I haven't been able to beat the EPA numbers with was an 08 RAV4. Could never achieve highway numbers and my combined numbers were about 2 MPG lower than rated. I never really warmed up to that car. Bought it 1.5 years old for a steal, and kept it about a year. Should never have gotten rid of my 06 Outback, which I traded for it.

    REV
     
    #16 revhigh, Jun 12, 2012
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