Does anyone own or has anyone driven extensively, an '08 Focus? I've nearly given up my "quest" to find a ZX3 with the 2.3 liter and my finances are improving to the point that I am considering a new Focus or Escape (with the 4 cylinder, manual tranny drivetrain). I even considered a 4 cylinder/manual tranny Fusion/Milan...but I really need a vehicle that is small and maneuverable.
Since they have killed the cool body styles(ZX3, ZX5), I have lost interest, but it is still better than either of the other domestic offerings
I've had a '08 4-door SES - leather, auto, sunroof, black on black - as a rental for the past 2 weeks. Comparing it to my '00 Contour SE Sport I'm pretty impressed but then again I hope Ford's quality has improved some over the past 8 years... 
What do you want to know?
Why no Saturn Astra?
I was STUNNED by how good it was.
Rio or Accent FTW.
Or the Fusion. I know two people who have them with the 4 cyl/5 spd and they both seem to like them. Its comfortable, roomy, and they both regularly exceed EPA estimates.
Have you seen/driven a '08 Focus with a 5 speed? A few months back I looked on two local Ford lots and everything had automatics. The Ford website says that they come in 5 speed but when I search inventory all it gives me is automatics.
I will say, I once spent 3 days in a Hertz rental car Fusion that had 35k miles on it. It was a complete stripper version with just auto and air. Essentially, it was the "town whore" version (anyone and everyone had taken a turn driving this one.) I must say, I was amazed at how well the car felt/drove. I would have never guessed that it had 35k miles not to mention 35k of hard rental miles.
Buying new? If you do get a new F, contact me directly, somehow....
Unless you already can get what I can give you... ;)
E-
I will 2nd the Astra, one of those will be on my short list in the near future.
I would keep my options a little more open-minded. My wife likes her 06 focus but its not a car I' want to drive every day, thats just me.
I "grew up" with Fords and I really thought I wanted a Focus ZX3 or ZX5 with the 2.3....but can't find one with lowish miles and/or a manual tranny. When I was home visiting my folks last month, a few dealers advertised Fusions/Milans with the 4 and manual tranny....but stupid me, I didn't get around to a test drive. Aside from growing up in a Ford family, I recently learned my Dad is a shareholder, and I'd feel like some kind of traitor if I went home driving a non-Ford product. I bitched on here last month that '08 Focuses with a manual tranny are hard to come by in this area. They still are, and what ones I find generally are available in either black or white. Road tests of the '08 Focus are pretty much in agreement that it "lost something" in the latest re-fresh. It now drives like a mini-Buick and the dash design has gotten even blander than the last re-fresh ('05 to '07 model). IF, I bought a new car in the next month or so, and it was a Ford, I think I'go with a Focus first, then it's a "toss-up" between an Escape or Fusion. If I didn't care about my father's feelings about Ford...I'd be at the Honda or Nissan dealership (Civic or Rogue). The local Saturn dealer has a few Astras left, but reading reviews about the European Astra (good engines, not so great chassis), have it as a runner up to the Civic.
I'll second the Accent (3 door)
No, seriously... fun little scoot with a manual trans 
Great brakes!
I think the Rouge is the best looking thing in its class, like a mini Murano. But how is the CVT, I'm mostly a 5/spd guy who refuses a car with no clutch.
I'll admit the CVT in the Rogue is holding it back from being a first choice (ahead of the Civic) for me. I haven't read much about the newer CVTs, but as I understand it, they are the "Achilles heel" of the Honda Hybrids that have them....not that the "regular" automatic in a Honda is such a reliable bit of hardware. Hyundai Accent? I actually considered a new one, once, but what kills them for me is the lack of available cruise...if I want it, and the good but not outstanding...considering their size, fuel economy numbers. That, and my local dealer has a rep for being a real "tool".
When I spec out an accent online, you needed the top end model to get Power windows/locks with the 5/spd, then a versa comes out to about the same, and I think the versa looks better, IMHO
If I seriously considered an Accent, I would also have to look more closely at it's competitors. In that size class, I would go with the Fit, first, then it becomes a toss-up between the Accent and the Versa. In the Accent's favor is the slightly better availability of a manual transmission. Finding a Nissan with a manual transmission is almost as hard as finding a Toyota with a manual tranny.
Yeah, you more or less need to custome order one to get a manual
Might I suggest a gently used SVT model? $10k or so will buy you a really nice one with <50k miles, probably <40k.
The SVT Zetec doesn't have quite the torque of the 2.3, but it is still a very nice drive. Plus, you can get the 3-door hatch, which is actually easier to find and less expensive than the 5-door SVT (sort of like the difference between E36 M3 coupe and sedan).
What I've read about the SVTs is that many parts that aren't shared with the "garden variety" Focus, are VERY expensive. Things like the transmission...not that I've ever had to replace a manual transmission in any car I've ever owned. I've also read that the assembly quality of some of the years of SVT is good, while others are horrible ('03 is supposed to be one of the worst years for the Focus SVT). Finally, who fixes it when it needs work? Ford dealers in my area are barely okay on run of the mill cars....I'm not sure I'd trust them with this type of car. Oh, one other thing, doesn't the SVT require premium gas?
integraguy wrote: I "grew up" with Fords and I really thought I wanted a Focus ZX3 or ZX5 with the 2.3....but can't find one with lowish miles and/or a manual tranny. When I was home visiting my folks last month, a few dealers advertised Fusions/Milans with the 4 and manual tranny....but stupid me, I didn't get around to a test drive. Aside from growing up in a Ford family, I recently learned my Dad is a shareholder, and I'd feel like some kind of traitor if I went home driving a non-Ford product. I bitched on here last month that '08 Focuses with a manual tranny are hard to come by in this area. They still are, and what ones I find generally are available in either black or white. Road tests of the '08 Focus are pretty much in agreement that it "lost something" in the latest re-fresh. It now drives like a mini-Buick and the dash design has gotten even blander than the last re-fresh ('05 to '07 model). IF, I bought a new car in the next month or so, and it was a Ford, I think I'go with a Focus first, then it's a "toss-up" between an Escape or Fusion. If I didn't care about my father's feelings about Ford...I'd be at the Honda or Nissan dealership (Civic or Rogue). The local Saturn dealer has a few Astras left, but reading reviews about the European Astra (good engines, not so great chassis), have it as a runner up to the Civic.
Ford pretty much owns Mazda these days, so MS3 FTMFW!!!! Or at least a regular 3. Twice the car the Ford is imho.
Looked in this area for a 3 that had a manual transmission and found 1 I could afford new. It was a 3i in white and I am tempted and that "owned by Ford" bit helps my case at home. Strangely, considering FoMoCo claims they can't produce the newest Focus and still make money, this 3i is priced right there with a Focus 4 door sedan...when you include rebates, and is equipped pretty much the same way.
2.3 was only in the ST I thuoght. I haven't seen many of them.
2.3L was in the green states (CA, MA and a few others) in 03/04 available in all body styles. Actually it might have been available in more states by special order in 04 but I know 03 was green states only.
The old Zetec 2.0L would not pass new emissions regulations in those states so they got the duratec 2.3L.
when they want all Duratec (2.0L and 2.3L) in 05 they could pass emissions in those states again with the lesser engine and made the 2.3L available only in the premium ST model. So starting in 05 it was only available in the ST model (sedan only)
integraguy wrote: What I've read about the SVTs is that many parts that aren't shared with the "garden variety" Focus, are VERY expensive.
Eh, some things are more expensive (brakes come to mind), but it's still way cheaper than the non-standard parts on a BMW M-car.
integraguy wrote: Things like the transmission...not that I've ever had to replace a manual transmission in any car I've ever owned.
Me neither, but I think it's the same Getrag 6-speed that MINI uses. I don't know how expensive it is, but the odds of breaking it are slim-to-none. I've never had to replace anything was expensive enough to shock me, but I used to have an M3, so it takes a lot to shock me.
integraguy wrote: I've also read that the assembly quality of some of the years of SVT is good, while others are horrible ('03 is supposed to be one of the worst years for the Focus SVT).
My '03 is just fine. It's not quite Honda build quality, but everything is intact and the panel gaps are good.
integraguy wrote: Finally, who fixes it when it needs work? Ford dealers in my area are barely okay on run of the mill cars....I'm not sure I'd trust them with this type of car.
Pretty much anybody can work on it. It isn't that much different from a regular Focus. I do some stuff myself (brakes, oil changes, etc.) I've also taken it to the dealer if it needs maintenance I don't want to do or have time to do (my last oil change and fuel filter change the day before I went out of town in it).
I get most other stuff (alignment, suspension work, etc.) done by a local independent who mostly works on "enthusiast" cars. He also happens to be the guy who does my tech inspections for track days.
integraguy wrote: Oh, one other thing, doesn't the SVT require premium gas?
Yes, but $0.20/gal isn't that big a deal in normal use. If you fill it up once per week at 12gal, you're only talking about $125 per year. The difference premium fuel will cost less over the life of the car is less than the depreciation hit the '08 will take the instant it leaves the lot.
Besides, it'll run on 87, but I wouldn't do it.
If the SVT scares you, a regular Mazda 3 with the 2.3 litre and a 5-speed is easy to find, at least around here.
integraguy wrote: ... that "owned by Ford" bit helps my case at home.
If you still consider the Fusion, follow this logic and see how it helps your case at home?
The "American" Ford Fusion (which is essensially a re-bodied Mazda 6) is assembled in Mexico.
The "Japanesse" Mazda 6 is assembled on the same property as the Ford Mustang in Flat Rock, Michigan (Metro Detroit.)
i'll second billy3 and the others saying the 3 is a better car and deal than the focus. and to top it off the chassis is 1 or 2 generations closer to the euro focus than the NA focus is.
on top of that, if you get a hatchback, a lot of the stock stuff from the mazdaspeed will work and be cheap upgrades, like springs, shocks, swaybars, and exhaust(works on the sedan also but has to be shortened, sways might work also but im not sure)
another advantage of a used 3 is, as clarkson put it, the "rubbish badge". depreciation is pretty steep on mazdas for one reason or another, so 04's are available in the 7-9k range, and new-ish 07 and 08 ms3's are dipping down around 17-19.5k.
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