Ford Focus ForumForum for the discussion of the Ford Focus
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That would be nice but in my opinion, if the ST170 is $37k, unless the FPV Focus (maybe call it a FPV Focus R or something) has a turbo, at least 150 kw and a cracking good setup with leather and 6 stacker etc, it won't be worth the possible $50k+ they'll charge for it. I seriously think that they should either really hot up a ST170 base engine (the Duratec) and work it over completely or just turbo the little thing) or something.
Ford needs to take a step back, drop the rrp of the ST170 to $33k to undercut the Astra Turbo which obviously has a better market due to it's power even though it's not a better car and then introduce an FPV model at about $40,990 or so with Turbo, leather, 18 inchers and a 6 speed wih a nice slippery diff and the rest. It's go well to complement a XR6 Turbo FPV model if there's one coming and fully complement the entire FPV range. Hell if it's even RS quality then hit us for $50k, but it's better be the RS equivalent to justify such a price. Stop chargin us coz it's Euro and just get a good image going.
Looks like Ford have sold one, at least - see write-up in The Australian this week: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au...E13232,00.html
A pretty positive review, but again makes the comment about the cost putting off potential buyers. The writer then gives it 4 1/2 stars for value. ?
After not seeing anything on the Focus for almost three months, articles like this have started "reappearing" in various major and suburban newspapers.
Hmmm, looks like someone at Ford may be getting tired of holding all the stock which they have had sitting around (or being driven home by the sales reps!) since Apr-May (all the ST170s are March '03 build date, btw).
But still no action on the price.
If FPV were to do one, it would:
- Need to have a better, more gutsy engine
- Need to cost about the same as the current ST170
- Need to have a re-touched interior...aussie style (I have read a few reviews where the journo stated the interior is too jumbled, and is already dating in its look)
FPV should be able to accomplish all of this (however there is obviously the issue with the price which would most likely stick out like a sore thumb...even though the GT, GT-P and Pursuit all have great prices)
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It definitely needs a more gutsy engine, for crying out loud any idiot with a few grand coulr EASILY stretch just a bog standards ST170 from 127kW to at least 140kw just with a throttle body, intake and a better engine chip. Don't see how Ford can't. Actually I can - warranty. no reliability = no warranty!!! My bad.
Anyway, the interior is OUT of the question, no way will they change the interior of a car beyond trim cloths and paint colours, it costs WAY to much to do for such a small run of cars to humble Australia and the fact it's built in Europe makes anything more than engines and suspension tweaks really out of the question for a possible FPV Focus, no doubt that's why there isn't one. I like the dash myself and it's not bad enough to warrant replacing the entire dash, rewiring, urgh.... maybe on a BRAND NEW hyundai accent which nobody ever really thouht about when it was designed anyway, but not the Focus. The car was designed so and the stupid aussie journos who know everything should perhaps pull their heads out of their arses and look at the figures. If it was so ugly and people didn't like it and the dash actually affected the car in any other way other than completely superficial aesthetics (which only the driver ever sees anyway unless he constantly has passengers) then maybe it'd be fair to say it was crap. BUt nah, they just get on their high horse to cry about how it's ugly.
Sure the fact that nearly more Foci have been sold in 5 years than Falcons (just over 3 million Aussie Falcons made as utes, sedans, wagons and vans since 1963 compared to at least 2.5 million Foci worldwide in only 5 years)
Forget that it wasn't designed for fat, old farts who like their cars just like they were 40 years ago, big, chromey, slow and loads of room to hold the family they no longer have to drive everywhere. It's a generation Y designed car and as such has modern lines. So it's a 5 year old car sudenly appearing in Australia, it's still a damn sight better than the majority of cars priced up to or below itself and even many that are more expensive. A curvy dash won't stop that. The reason it took so long to get here is because it WAS SO good that Europe wouldn't let go of it and wouldn't lower prices because it was and still is so desirable. The one they finally give us is actually the better, newer and more desirable series II Focus.
Forget that it will outhandle cars twice it's price and shame the typical yuppie tanks that get ferried around like the metrosexual drivers who think they actually know what they're talking about with cars when in fact they couldn't tell a Falcon from a Mini. VW Golf? No thanks. If I want a 2 tonne brick with no style and no guts I'll buy an HQ Holden. If I can still find one that isn't rusted to smitherenens.
And oh no, one could never believe that a humble little Ford praised by the world, awarded European and North American Car of the year could possibly ever still be even worth considering only 2 years later. Not on your life. Yet for something as amazingly world shattering as a new All proudly australian designed and built BA Falcon nothing could ever make it redundant in 5 years time because it's Australian. From the "lucky country"... I reckon many of the only reasons we're lucky are because a lot of these journos are so obsessed witth their own "new and improved" smilier grilled econoboxes with 18 inch wheels and a turbo from Korea that they don't have time to honour us with more of their dribble.
I'm sorry but the Focus is a mighty little car. It's not pretentious, doesn't purport to be a $50,000 BMW, doesn't care if Natalie or Tahlia from Double Bay or Toorak is driving it, or if Shazza from Penrith is equally behind the wheels. The real people's car is the Focus. Evidenced by world sales figures, it's complete redefinition of handling for a small/medium car, stylish looks even after 5 year and it's safety second to only some cars twice it's size. It may be due for a new model in a year or two, but the current Focus when actually given a chance will stand it's ground. It's not the world's best car but far from the world's worst. I reckon Ford hit the nail pretty hard on the head when it designed the thing. It is the only reall success of "New Edge"...
Anyway, enough of my ranting. I'm off to class then I'll head home knowing that at least I have a decent car and I know a little about more than just buying what my nextdoor neighbour has.
I understand that it is a great selling car worldwide, and I didn't mean FPV would have to totally re-work the interior, just alter it a tiny bit to take a bit of the harshness off because of all the angles. I like the current interior, however I can see that it wouldn't be a lot of people's cup of tea. Just give it a bit of an Aussie re-touch for local people's tastes. One thing they wouldn't need to touch though is the suspension
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Would you like to change your name to Homer Junior? People can call you Hoju.
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