[guitarseth]

Standards I'd like to see:
-4 wheel disc brakes nothing huge.
-Projector style headlights with HID option (or even standard would be cool)
-No cheap chrome. A few bits of chrome trim would be okay, but no more fender vents or front grilles. Polished aluminum or solid black plastic (not textured) is much better.
-Offer the utility of a hatch and/or wagon again.
-5 or 6 speed manual with overdrive for good mileage.
-Interior closer to the original Focus: Edgy styling, supportive seats and quality materials. Instead of using patterned fabric, either do solid colors with contrasting stitching (match the color of the stitching to the exterior color) or two tone.
-Rear Swaybar
-35-40 MPG: 40 MPG isn't unrealistic at all, as I'm getting 35 with a well modified Zetec. With an overdrive 6th for the highway, 40+ should be realized easily.

Options I'd like to see:
-Individual options, instead of Packages that include things you'd rather not have just to get something that you do want.
- Performance Suspension Package: Larger rear swaybar, slightly lower suspension (ala SVT) with better dampers
-Limited Slip Differential
-Sporty Interior seats: Sparco, Recaro
-Navigation
-HIDs (like I mentioned above)

The first gen Focus epitomizes nearly the perfect car for me. Its inexpensive, great on gas yet sporty enough to enjoy driving it every day. The interior I thought was above average for its class (although from what I've seen of the newer ones, its gone down a bit). I know that Ford can't and won't go back to the first gen, but at least return to some of the design elements so that some form of evolution can be seen from the original. The name should stand on more than just the chassis, it should stand on the image of its predecessors. The 08+ Focus seems to deviate from that perspective a little.