Recent Focus deals? - Page 2

BrisVegas · 13-11-2012, 01:46 PM

Hey guys, long time no see. Sold my LS Focus a couple of years ago, but am in the process of looking at a new car again. Wife wants a new Corolla. I'd love a new Focus obviously. It'll be her car, so all I can do is make as strong a case as possible. My car is the Pajero now.

Anyway, looking at the Trend Hatch manual. $21990 driveaway deals on the Ford site currently. Is that only for 2012 plated stock? I'd prefer to wait for a 2013 plate. Do you think that price, or better, is achievable in January?

Whilst I'd love a Sport, the $27,490 price is just a little too much this time around.

martinijosh · 13-11-2012, 10:38 PM

All you have to do is compare the butt ugly 2013 corolla to the slightly less ugly current focus.

If you're looking at mid sized hatches, consider the Hyundai i30 and Accent.

http://www.hyundai.com.au/vehicles/i30
http://www.hyundai.com.au/vehicles/accent

and the Kia Cerato Hatch (fear not... they've been making pretty good cars since Hyundai took over)

http://www.kia.com.au/cars/showroom/Cerato-hatch

I wouldn't write off the Astra either... in Opel Guise of course.

http://www.opel-australia.com.au/veh...ack/index.html

Brand loyalty only hurts the consumer, drive everything available (only what actually interests you/your partner of course) and pick which one you genuinely like the best.

RSgerry · 14-11-2012, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrisVegas

Hey guys, long time no see. Sold my LS Focus a couple of years ago, but am in the process of looking at a new car again. Wife wants a new Corolla. I'd love a new Focus obviously. It'll be her car, so all I can do is make as strong a case as possible. My car is the Pajero now.

Anyway, looking at the Trend Hatch manual. $21990 driveaway deals on the Ford site currently. Is that only for 2012 plated stock? I'd prefer to wait for a 2013 plate. Do you think that price, or better, is achievable in January?

Whilst I'd love a Sport, the $27,490 price is just a little too much this time around.

have a look on carpoint for deals. i have seen the Sports new in Perth for $25k.

Smoke Pursuit · 15-11-2012, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martinijosh

All you have to do is compare the butt ugly 2013 corolla to the slightly less ugly current focus.

If you're looking at mid sized hatches, consider the Hyundai i30 and Accent.

http://www.hyundai.com.au/vehicles/i30
http://www.hyundai.com.au/vehicles/accent

and the Kia Cerato Hatch (fear not... they've been making pretty good cars since Hyundai took over)

http://www.kia.com.au/cars/showroom/Cerato-hatch

I wouldn't write off the Astra either... in Opel Guise of course.

http://www.opel-australia.com.au/veh...ack/index.html

Brand loyalty only hurts the consumer, drive everything available (only what actually interests you/your partner of course) and pick which one you genuinely like the best.

The Focus is a great car... I think it looks good too. Kia Ceratos are junk!! As for the Hyundai they are better, but the amount of NVH inside the cabin is poor, and the plastics / consoles still look Korean. With what you pay for a top spec Hyundai I30 you can buy a Diesel Titanium Focus..... no brainer really.

BrisVegas · 15-11-2012, 02:30 PM

waiting to hear back from fleetplus to see what sorta deals they can get.

Shortlist is Prius C, Corolla Ascent Sport, Focus Trend. Guess which one was my suggestion!

:

BrisVegas · 19-11-2012, 05:18 PM

Interesting weekend looking at cars with my wife. Long story short, she's happy to pay a bit more to get something a bit nicer looking inside and out.

She liked the i30 hatch, but the Active we drove was a bit too povvo inside. The petrol engine was a slug too, so might look at an i30 Elite diesel, which would be nudging $30k. She was originally keen on the Veloster, but went cold on the idea after she liked the i30 so much. She reckons the Veloster would age too quickly.

I loved the Focus Trend Powershift to drive, but also didn't like the interior. It looked like a copy of our old WS Fiesta Zetec dash. My wife hated the dash and seats. I showed her a Titanium and convinced her that if we went for a Focus that a Sport would be much the same in the dash but without the leather seats... Focus Sport is $27k driveaway at the moment, which is not too bad. Pity the diesel only comes with auto though. A sport diesel manual would be the one for us!

Also drove the Corolla Ascent Sport. Gutless little thing. Not much has changed there engine-wise in 10 years. The interior was pretty bland, but nicely finished. Good value overall though. Wife hated it, which surprised me as she's always loved Corollas. Got caught in the storms, so didn't get to try the Prius C, but I sat in it and had a look over it. Felt tiny and very cheaply built betraying it's Yaris roots. Not sure I'll bother going back to drive the Prius C.

Might go look at the new Civic hatch, as there's a diesel due in the new year and will check out the Polo and Golf. A 1.2/1.4 turbo petrol Golf might be alright, but I'm not sure how long the wait would be for the new Mk7 shape. The Polo is mid-model cycle, but a GTI is in budget now and they go pretty well. The Renault Megane/Citroen C4 and Pug 308 don't really do it for me, but I might take a look anyway.

Ultimately, I think I've gotten a bit bored with looking at the budget/mainstream stuff. I'd love a Fiesta ST. I'd happily wait for one. They look awesome and will no doubt go like the clappers. We both loved driving our WS Zetec and we can't afford a Focus ST, so the Fiesta would be a good compromise. Not sure my wife will wait that long though....

Any ideas when they are due to land here? I'd assume around the $27k + onroads mark to keep it inline with the Polo GTI DSG.

martinijosh · 20-11-2012, 06:49 PM

i30 - TDi is the only option if you want good driveability.

Fiesta ST is shaping up to be an awesome little pocket rocket, but if you can't wait for that the twin charged Polo GTi is supposed to be a pretty nice drive. (Don't forget the skoda equivalent)

SuperSal-SA · 21-11-2012, 09:40 PM

I agree that a manual Focus Sport diesel option would have been great, but I just got my manual Sport petrol and I LOVE it ! ( and I'm a wife, LOL ! )

BrisVegas · 21-11-2012, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SuperSal-SA

I agree that a manual Focus Sport diesel option would have been great, but I just got my manual Sport petrol and I LOVE it ! ( and I'm a wife, LOL ! )

Nice one Sal! Pics?

The dropkick Hyundai salesperson is helping my cause at the moment by not returning our calls for a test drive. Yet I've been called several times since the weekend by the Ford dealer asking me if I'd like another test drive.

SuperSal-SA · 21-11-2012, 10:26 PM

I've attempted to attach some pics... Rural area, so excuse any dust !

BrisVegas · 23-11-2012, 02:59 PM

very nice! Especially the plates.

Did you wait long or was it an in-stock vehicle?

SuperSal-SA · 23-11-2012, 09:01 PM

Thanks BrisVegas

I had a bit of a wait because I hung out for reversing sensors, I ordered it on 1st Sept and picked it up on 10th Nov. And yeah, the plates in SA are a $150 one off fee, so I thought 'why not' ?! I think there will be a lot of silver Focus hatches around soon, so I wanted to be able to spot mine easily in the carpark

Samurai_Chris · 05-01-2013, 02:06 PM

Hi guys. Just picked up an Ambiente Mk II manual sedan for $16750

Very happy..

kevino · 05-01-2013, 02:53 PM

samurai Chris-was that a hail damaged unit?
Amazing price.

Samurai_Chris · 05-01-2013, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

samurai Chris-was that a hail damaged unit?
Amazing price.

No mate, brand new...

kevino · 06-01-2013, 08:11 PM

Outstanding buy!
Full sized car jam packed with safety features.
What dealer did you get it off.

Samurai_Chris · 07-01-2013, 03:58 PM

Mate havn't taken delivery yet, I asked about it being hail damaged, and they said no, but was actually registered for demo, but didn't have plates on it? strange..

Got them to hang on with it, as I still think its a great price. Didn't see any k's on it when I looked at it on Saturday.. In saying that, I am thinking of changing for a hatch because of the difference in the electric steering. The Sedan has hydrolic which would explain why the difference in fuel economy between the two?

I also will get the aftermarket cruise and shaker wheels, but that wasn't in the price.

Samurai_Chris · 07-01-2013, 08:12 PM

Ok, just got off the phone.. the car I thought I had bought on Sat was not the one. And after being told 2 different stories, I decided to take what you said and ask if it was infact hail damaged stock? I have now been told yes... Not happy, but at the same time, its a good price, and if it is un-noticable damage that can be punched out or superficial I will still look at going ahead.. I will be going down to have a look tomorrow.. I know the salesman personally, and it was not his fault with the mix up.. So I have that atleast...

kevino · 08-01-2013, 06:40 AM

Is that Denmac or Bryan Byrt?

Samurai_Chris · 08-01-2013, 08:43 AM

Denmac

kevino · 08-01-2013, 06:47 PM

Let us know how you go. i was very tempted to get one for my wife, those prices are a steal.

Samurai_Chris · 08-01-2013, 07:48 PM

Hi again mate, just looked at the car and could only find 1 dint on the roof, and 1 on the bonnet, if you could call them that. Infact it took my guy to point them out to me as I simply couldn't see? This was my white one.. Didn't have a look at any other colour.. They are doing the cruise for $670. Probably get it cheaper somewhere else, but I just want it done when I get it.. Just thinking about wheels now..

kevino · 08-01-2013, 09:29 PM

Have they got more available?
Moorooka?

Smoke Pursuit · 08-01-2013, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Samurai_Chris

Hi again mate, just looked at the car and could only find 1 dint on the roof, and 1 on the bonnet, if you could call them that. Infact it took my guy to point them out to me as I simply couldn't see? This was my white one.. Didn't have a look at any other colour.. They are doing the cruise for $670. Probably get it cheaper somewhere else, but I just want it done when I get it.. Just thinking about wheels now..

Look closely... I had one of their hail affected Trends on loan and we reckon it has close to 100 dints... Very small but noticeable especially under fluorescent light.

old_mate · 08-01-2013, 11:03 PM

Careful with insurance on a hail damaged car too, pretty sure you need to disclose that information.

Samurai_Chris · 09-01-2013, 09:00 AM

After taking everything into consideration. I have decided to forgo the good price for all the reasons above and pay the extra for the Trend. Although the one I was going to buy only had a few dints that were not even noticeable, I have decided that I simply will not be happy with a sedan for starters, the 1.6l engine, steel wheels, and no cruise.. The price is good I will say that, but at the end of the day I just had a few little doubts about not getting exactly what I wanted, and was it worth a few dollars in savings, when I had to pay extra for the cruise and wheels anyway..

Kevino, I know that they have more at the Darra yard, and the vehicle for the price is great if its all your wife needs and will be happy with it.. Just for me, I know that I will want the extra power and mods that the trend has.. Plus I would prefer a hatch..

kevino · 09-01-2013, 07:05 PM

Thanks chris.
How much did the Trend set you back?

One thing I find unsatisfactory on the Trend is the 5 speed gearbox.
The 3/Jetta/Corolla/new Pulsar are all 6 speed.

Ford are being cheap here.

Gear 6 makes 110k/hr cruising so much quieter .

How much is the Trend going to cost?

Samurai_Chris · 09-01-2013, 11:30 PM

Mate, wife has now weighed in an insists it be an auto incase she ever needs to use it. I wanted a manual for the fun factor, but happy to go with the powershift auto. It has a 6 speed box in the auto.. I am looking around the $22500 range...

Yellow_Festiva · 10-01-2013, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevino

Thanks chris.
How much did the Trend set you back?

One thing I find unsatisfactory on the Trend is the 5 speed gearbox.
The 3/Jetta/Corolla/new Pulsar are all 6 speed.

Ford are being cheap here.

Gear 6 makes 110k/hr cruising so much quieter .

How much is the Trend going to cost?

I assumed that when I got my Focus. I went out of my way to buy the 6sp auto thinking that the extra gears would mean lower revs on the freeway.

Extra gears mean squat when the ratios are all short. My auto LV TDCi spins at around 2200rpm @ 110km/h - about 300rpm more than needed IMO.

The extra gears help in the middle, but if you are still spinning at the same revs with a 4 / 5 or 6 sp on the freeway the engine will sound exactly the same.

Look into it, you may be surprised. I wonder what RPM each of those models spin at @ 100km/h in top gear?

kevino · 10-01-2013, 09:20 PM

My wifes 2006 LS Focus CL 5 speed revs at 3000rpm at 110km/hr in gear 5 (manual)
My 2008 TDCI Focus 6 speed revs at 2100 at 110km/hr in gear 6 (manual)

If the new 5 speed Trend revs lower than my wifes car all good but I doubt it!