Anybody on the board own a newer model Ford Focus?

I'm kicking tires on a used and a new 2014 (yes new 2014) Focus, 4dr used and hatchback new.

Any user feedback?

Auto or stick?

I've got a '12 5-sp, I enjoy the car quite a bit, have had zero problems with mine.

'12 and 13's if auto can sometimes have serious issues with the auto, but I think the 14's have largely solved it. Having said that, I think the DCT is on it's way out in the Focus...

There was a recent thread about the car and it's oddly behaving auto trans. I've had one as a rental several times and really liked the car overall.

I like the new focuses (foci?), just be aware you'll spend a day in the shop here and there with the automatic. The repairs are covered by ford until 100k miles, so you're not out any cash.

I have a 2013 hatchback with a manual. I like it, but I wish it had a smaller motor+turbo and a 6 speed.

I've had a rental. Quiet and comfortable, decent mileage, but other than that nothing great. The front leg area feels surprisingly cramped for the size of car it is. Visibility is terrible.

'12 focus se auto here. Trans tcm replaced under warranty. About 140k miles on it now no issues. Like the car.

I've heard some say they feel cramped due to the center console. Bobzilla particularly complained about it. We drove VA to WI in one day and I never felt uncomfortable. I am 6' tall. YMMV

'13 5-speed with zero problems (42,000 miles). The console does take some getting used to IMO, but I'm ok with it now. Per the on-board computer I get 40 mpg occasionally too with mostly freeway driving. I like it.

Stan

Klayfish wrote: There was a recent thread about the car and it's oddly behaving auto trans. I've had one as a rental several times and really liked the car overall.

My wife has a '12 with 100k on the clock. The trans misbehaved badly, but the clutches (and a couple other things) were fixed under warranty and updated to the later design. The car shifts just as smooth as my Fusion's "conventional" automatic transmission.

IOW, a '14 model should have no issues.

When did they switch to the current gen Focus? A buddy of mine mentioned the other day that he and his fiancé might be looking at either a '10 or '12 (I forget) at the local Ford dealer to replace her Hyundai. I might steer them elsewhere if the tranny issues are applicable to this example, as they will surely be buying automatic.

In reply to Furious_E:

'12 was the first year of the new Focus. AFAIK, it shouldn't have any problems as long as it's had the TCM updates and service done at the dealer.

I bought my wife a new 2014 Focus SE hatchback a few months ago. The car seems to be pretty well put together and it really surprised me on how quiet on the interstate it is. Granted she does not put many miles on it but so far it's been a really nice car especially for the money.

Enyar wrote: I have a 2013 hatchback with a manual. I like it, but I wish it had a smaller motor+turbo and a 6 speed.

1.0 turbo but still 5 speed.

ST has turbo and 6 speed.

stan wrote: '13 5-speed with zero problems (42,000 miles). The console does take some getting used to IMO, but I'm ok with it now. Per the on-board computer I get 40 mpg occasionally too with mostly freeway driving. I like it. Stan

I wonder if something is wrong with mine. I can't muster more than 33 out of mine and I doubt it's my driving style as I used to get 50mpg with the Jetta.

In reply to iceracer:

The Focus actually gets a 6-speed for the 1.0 turbo. It's the Fiesta that's stuck with the 5-speed when you order the 1.0.

http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/2015-ford-focus-se-10l-ecoboost-sedan-test-review

SWMBO has a 14 SE W/Sport pkg (darker wheels and 4 wheel disc brakes) great little car. Recently drove to Orlando from Austin, averaged 36 mpg. I personally have found it as one of the most sorted small cars out there for my taste, I used to drive twice a week to San Antonio from Austin about 340 miles in 2 days and I've driven a lot of different small cars and found the seats and the overall driving feel of the Focus the nicest for the money (about $14K new after I found some good incentives).

Enyar wrote:

stan wrote: '13 5-speed with zero problems (42,000 miles). The console does take some getting used to IMO, but I'm ok with it now. Per the on-board computer I get 40 mpg occasionally too with mostly freeway driving. I like it. Stan

I wonder if something is wrong with mine. I can't muster more than 33 out of mine and I doubt it's my driving style as I used to get 50mpg with the Jetta.

I had a 2013 with the auto, I got about 35 around town with a little hway, normal, and could get Like 45 all highway, cruise control at 65.

The auto was good for at least another 1-2 mpg over the manual when I bought. Highway mileage on mine is sensitive to grade and speed. The uphill going to Sierra Vista was easily 2-3 mpg worse than "stated" and 2-3 mpg better coming back (where a registered 39 mpg was indicated on many occasions), speeds at 75 mph. Over that speed, mileage was/is never better than about 33-35 highway.

oh, and for comparison -I've driven my wife's '12 Mazda 3, one daughter's '14 Toyota Corolla and another daughter's '15 Chevy Cruze. I wouldn't take any of them over the Focus. (ymmv).

Stan

My friend has one. I have borrowed it for a few hundred miles. Not my first pick, but not anything I would avoid either. I would probably take one over the other domestics.

Space is mediocre, but I have often been disappointed in interior room of small fords compared to others. If on a trip with said friend, and we have our wives with us, we take my civic for interior room, particularly in back. The dash and infotainment feels overly flashy and busy for the sake of being flashy.

I bought a 2012 SE 5spd with the sport package new and just turned 113,000 miles with zero issues. Still tight and gets 37mpg highway this time of year. I'd buy another one, in fact I did and am waiting for my new ST to get delivered.

A friend has one. 2-liter 5 speed. I drove it a couple times.

I can't stand it. I have driven video games that felt more realistic. No aural feedback, no tactile feedback.

Awesome fuel economy (he hit 42mpg @ 80mph) and it's as big as an original Taurus, though, so there's that.