2008 Ford Focus ST facelift 2.5 turbo petrol from South Africa

Summary:

Great value for money

Faults:

So far so good, besides rattles and creaks, which have been rectified by the dealership.

General Comments:

This car is brilliant, feels a lot different to the previous Pre facelift versions (2006-2008). In stock form it is definitely quicker off the mark.

I am running upgraded performance software and the car is indeed a different animal.

Leather Recaro seats are comfy and are heated, but crease quite a bit. If I had to choose again, I'd go for cloth instead.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 28th September, 2009

2008 Ford Focus SES 2.0 from North America

Summary:

Best little car I have ever owned, great value.

Faults:

Have had no problems with this vehicle at all.

General Comments:

I am 6 ft. over 330 lbs and fit very well!

My wife has never been a Ford fan but loves this car too.

After break in it gets over 35 MPG, never got below 31 MPG even in town.

Shoot we have been to south Texas in it 3 time this last year over 560 miles each trip.

It is roomy with my wife and I in the two leather front seats and our poodle in the back.

Lots of luggage space also, handles great.

Rides as good or better than any car I have ever had.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 10th February, 2009

11th Feb 2009, 23:24

I'm glad you like your Focus and you fit so well in it with your large size. I read that Ford has recently been using a database to design cars that takes into account people of all sizes and it is making a difference.

I am especially interested in this because I want to buy a new car for my father, 6 foot tall, 380 lbs. It is very hard to find information on this subject that is helpful. I want to narrow the choices to one or two before I bring one to his house to take him on a test drive.

If you would have any comments on what you have found looking for cars that fit larger people, I would be most grateful if you could post it.

I hear the Volkswagen Beetle is good for large people, but that would not work for him because it sits too low. He is older and his knees don't work so good. For years Dad has done well with a 1993 Ford F-150. But now it is getting hard for him to climb up into it. Ideally we could find something that he could just kind of slide horizontally into without climbing down or up. (My father in law has done well with a Ford Escape that way, but he is not as big as my father.)

In reply to 11th Feb 2009, 23:24

2nd Sep 2011, 10:06

I hope you found a good car for your dad. I thought there would be a practical application for those low-rider hydraulics. Drop the car for getting in and out, then switch to proper ride height to drive. He could continue using a truck with such a feature.

2008 Ford Focus from North America

Summary:

Great choice as a rental when nothing else is available

Faults:

We're only renting this car, we asked for a basic car and it appears that we got the basic. I cannot judge all American models or brands based on this car, but the car is the most basic product imaginable.

Flaws; you don't have to really look far to find them, they're so evident everywhere. Exposed wires that this manufacturer doesn't even try to cover them or place them out of sight. In the trunk they put a cover pane in; I'm guessing to make it look classier, but the panel only goes like 3 quarters up, the rest of the metal is exposed.

We had strong winds and we found lots of dust between the doors and car frame. Ford fail to put door seals in. I'm going to guess the reason they did not put seals in is to save a couple of pennies. This company is in business of cutting corners as much as possible.

My personal opinion is that Ford made this car exclusively for rental purpose.

General Comments:

With so many choices, this car makes for a very poor selection.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 12th January, 2009

13th Jan 2009, 15:02

Rental agencies buy their cars based on competitive bids and they ask for things to be left out to get the lowest possible price. Cars bought at dealerships usually have more niceties, like better sound insulation, door seals etc, radios, climate controls, etc. I just rented a Ford Excursion for a family trip, and it was way stripped down compared to our neighbor's nice one.

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