Ford Focus, 2008: The Weekly Driver
http://www.theweeklydriver.com/articles/1263/1/Ford-Focus-2008-The-Weekly-Driver/Page1.html
By James Raia
Published on 07/24/2008
There’s no better testing area than the road connecting San Jose and the Monterey Peninsula. Part of the Central California route includes the Pacheco Pass, and no vehicle I’ve driven over the steep climbs, sharp descents and winding, tight roads has negotiated it better than the 2008 Ford Focus.
There’s no better testing area than the road connecting San Jose and the Monterey Peninsula. Part of the Central California route includes the Pacheco Pass, and no vehicle I’ve driven over the steep climbs, sharp descents and winding, tight roads has negotiated it better than the 2008 Ford Focus.There’s no better testing area than the road connecting San Jose and the Monterey Peninsula. Part of the Central California route includes the Pacheco Pass, and no vehicle I’ve driven over the steep climbs, sharp descents and winding, tight roads has negotiated it better than the 2008 Ford Focus.
I’ve tested more than 20 cars on the road, sports cars to sport utility vehicles and industry-leading sedans to vans. But the performance of my recent weekly driver, the Focus’s top-of-the-line SES coupe, was surprising.
A new addition to the new Focus line, the SES is just shy of a sports car. But with its peppy, 2.0-liter, 140 horsepower engine and five-speed manual transmission, I zipped past cars struggling on inclines and maneuvered through traffic in myriad other situations without hesitation.
Most important, the Focus SES (one of three Focus coupe options) has an entry level price of $16,475. Add every available option and (destination and delivery charge) and the out-the-door price is $20,050.
Considering the average price of a new car in the United States is now about $30,000, the Focus should be considered among the industry’s the best new car values.
While not undergoing a complete redesign for 2008, the Focus does have substantial upgrades, particularly considering the varied array of standard features and various options on my weekly driver.
The Focus’ sportier look comes via its two-bar chromed fender appliqué, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and fog lamps. Add leather bucket seats ($695), power moonroof ($625), 6-CD/MP3 audio system ($645) ambient interior lighting ($295) and Sirius satellite radio ($195) and the result is surprising.
It’s common knowledge most U.S. drivers now prefer automatic transmissions. But that’s another reason I like the Focus coupe. The previously mentioned five-speed manual transmission has a nice, tight shifting feel. And while not a sports car, the Focus has an eager, confident acceleration.
The bucket seats option certainly seems warranted. As a 6-foot, 185-pound driver, I had ample head and leg room, and I was quite comfortable during my round-trip, seven-hour drive from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula.
The Focus debuted in the United States with its 2000 model and for a few years, it was highly praised national publications and one of the best-performing value-oriented vehicles on the road. In more recent years, much of the overt praise has simmered.
But with the 2008 model, the car’s previous accolades may return. No one wants to pay more for a new car, but at the (maximum) $20,000 price point, the Focus is an ideal reasonably priced sporty coupe that offers a superior value. It could easily be priced several thousand dollars higher.
Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,00 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; 24-hour) roadside assistance program, 3 years/36,000 miles.
Safety Features — Driver and front passenger, side and side curtain airbags.
Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 24 mpg (city), 35 mpg (highway).
Base Price — $16,475.00
Price As Driven — $20,050.00
I’ve tested more than 20 cars on the road, sports cars to sport utility vehicles and industry-leading sedans to vans. But the performance of my recent weekly driver, the Focus’s top-of-the-line SES coupe, was surprising.
A new addition to the new Focus line, the SES is just shy of a sports car. But with its peppy, 2.0-liter, 140 horsepower engine and five-speed manual transmission, I zipped past cars struggling on inclines and maneuvered through traffic in myriad other situations without hesitation.
Most important, the Focus SES (one of three Focus coupe options) has an entry level price of $16,475. Add every available option and (destination and delivery charge) and the out-the-door price is $20,050.
Considering the average price of a new car in the United States is now about $30,000, the Focus should be considered among the industry’s the best new car values.
While not undergoing a complete redesign for 2008, the Focus does have substantial upgrades, particularly considering the varied array of standard features and various options on my weekly driver.
The Focus’ sportier look comes via its two-bar chromed fender appliqué, 16-inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler and fog lamps. Add leather bucket seats ($695), power moonroof ($625), 6-CD/MP3 audio system ($645) ambient interior lighting ($295) and Sirius satellite radio ($195) and the result is surprising.
It’s common knowledge most U.S. drivers now prefer automatic transmissions. But that’s another reason I like the Focus coupe. The previously mentioned five-speed manual transmission has a nice, tight shifting feel. And while not a sports car, the Focus has an eager, confident acceleration.
The bucket seats option certainly seems warranted. As a 6-foot, 185-pound driver, I had ample head and leg room, and I was quite comfortable during my round-trip, seven-hour drive from Sacramento to the Monterey Peninsula.
The Focus debuted in the United States with its 2000 model and for a few years, it was highly praised national publications and one of the best-performing value-oriented vehicles on the road. In more recent years, much of the overt praise has simmered.
But with the 2008 model, the car’s previous accolades may return. No one wants to pay more for a new car, but at the (maximum) $20,000 price point, the Focus is an ideal reasonably priced sporty coupe that offers a superior value. It could easily be priced several thousand dollars higher.
Warranty — Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,00 miles; Powertrain, 5 years/60,000 miles; 24-hour) roadside assistance program, 3 years/36,000 miles.
Safety Features — Driver and front passenger, side and side curtain airbags.
Fuel Mileage (estimates) — 24 mpg (city), 35 mpg (highway).
Base Price — $16,475.00
Price As Driven — $20,050.00