Want to see the 2009 Focus? *Pics added!

[robbyracer]

Hey how 'bout this...

Want a Euro Focus? Move to frickin' Europe!


Problem solved.

Damn I should go into the mediation biz

[belacyrf]

Chalz.. well you keep that sunny side disposition of hope and encouragement for Ford. I'll support it when I see evidence of it.

Yes we all have opinions, yes you can't please everyone, and finally YES there is very little that griping on a forum board will do to get things changed. But what is more frustrating? The gripers on a forum board, or the people who seem to have no clue what a forum board is actually for, and continue to call for silence?

Dont be one of those people who say "if you want things to change, then work to change them" but in the same breath say "if you dont like it, just shut-up" (not saying this is what you're doing). Just supporting those who continue to nag, in the very minute hopes that Ford does check in with their previous loyal base to see what they want.

[aaron_zx3]

I don't care if they built the Focus ST with the same drivetrain, suspension, and interior of what the current NA Focus' have. It's the exterior look that most of us ST pushers want. It's not just Euro styling we want... it's that exact design. If they can build a Mazda 3 in that price range then I would guaran freakin' tee ya that they could build that exact model ST design and keep it in the current Focus price range. We're not asking for a BMW 1 series here... we're just asking for a better looking car.

You can't make an ugly fat girl pretty just by asking her to change her shirt. It requires an entire make over.

[fordblue03]

Hey it an Escort

[CaysE]

Originally Posted by Egz

I just ask for a small (performance) treat to be thrown to us monkeys in our cages.

I still theorize that's the reason the reveal is being done at FocusSport... factory FS upgrades.

[airforcefocus]

I think I found what most people here want! All for $18,000 out the door.

[Chalz]

Originally Posted by airforcefocus

I think I found what most people here want! All for $18,000 out the door.

No, the headlights are too triangular, and the flairs aren't Euro enough. As for the sideview mirrors, pffft...they don't blend in well enough with the lines of the car, so they'll need to be redesigned. Oh...and $18,000? No way I'd pay more than $14,000 for an economy car. BTW, it IS all-wheel drive, right? I have no interest if it isn't all wheel drive. Frankly...I don't know what you were thinking. That's not what I want at all. If it were an exact replica of the Euro ST, though, I'd buy it for $17,000.

[PCP_TwilightZX3]

chalz, can i be your apprentice?

[2focusd]

Seriously Chalz, thank you for fully agreeing with me. I love the Euro Focus as much as the next guy, but many people on here are going ****ing overboard with it and just making me embarrassed to associate myself with them

-Brian

[CaysE]

As in, overboard with Euro mods?

[2focusd]

No, just all this constant bitching as Chalz has pointed out about never being able to please them because the grass is always greener on the other side. Just out of spite for you people, I may end up buying an '09 SES coupe over a Fiesta

-Brian

[Thameth]

Originally Posted by 2focusd

No, just all this constant bitching as Chalz has pointed out about never being able to please them because the grass is always greener on the other side. Just out of spite for you people, I may end up buying an '09 SES coupe over a Fiesta

-Brian

People who defend the arguments against current Focus are rediculous, especially the ones who just say we all just want whats green on the other side.

Most of us on this site fell in love with the car that was a 98% exact copy of the European model. Not just because it was european, but because it was a good, fun, great looking compact.

Ever since Ford start going away from giving us an exact copy of the Euro model focus sales have plummeted. Not because its not euro, but because the FoE car is just better.

[2focusd]

I'm done talking to walls in this thread

-Brian

[chaz493]

Here is my quick crack at it

[Chalz]

Originally Posted by Thameth

People who defend the arguments against current Focus are rediculous, especially the ones who just say we all just want whats green on the other side.

Most of us on this site fell in love with the car that was a 98% exact copy of the European model. Not just because it was european, but because it was a good, fun, great looking compact.

Ever since Ford start going away from giving us an exact copy of the Euro model focus sales have plummeted. Not because its not euro, but because the FoE car is just better.

Yeah...like the plummeting sales of the 2008 model?

What people are asking for is a $20,000 car that they will only pay $15,000 for. They want Ford to bring over a car that competes with cars in Ford's other segments, and then lose money on it to boot. The group of people on FJ who are actually willing to pay the premium for the car they are constantly bitching for is extremely small.

I've seen the same exact trend in multiple industries...bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch, new model, more options, nicer features...and the same price. Not only is it Veruca Salt-ish to expect it, it is insane to assume the change can be made overnight...while the company is finally starting to climb back into the black...during an economic recession...while the American dollar is worth a LOT less than the European dollar...in the middle of a global re-structurization...just after a new model has been released and is selling well...while plans for a new generation Euro Focus is still being designed.

All I see is a group of whiney "enthusiasts" complaining about improving the stylings a car they will never buy whilst begging like Oliver Twist for a car they can't afford to buy. THAT'S why I continue making posts.

Is the FofE Focus better? Yes. Definetely. I agree wholeheartedly, and have no urge to debate that. It's very clear which is the "Better" car, but people just aren't being realistic at all. The 2008 is still a good, fun, great looking compact...it's just not exactly what some people want...and it never will be. (Hell, the 2000 Focus isn't even "exactly" what people wanted...hence the rims, drops, body kits, paint etc...that every one of us has done to our car to make it more our own)

You don't like the 2009? Fine. Great...dandy. I'm not trying to change your mind as to whether or not it's pretty...beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder...but please stop with the incessant bashing of Ford when they're trying to make us happy. You'll eventually have the option to purchase your beloved Euro-Focus...hopefully by that time most of the complainers will actually have the money to do so...because it sure as **** isn't going to cost $16,000 if it comes over here like people want. You know what you get for $16,000? Transportation. If you're in the mood to be picky, buy a used BMW, not a new economy ****box.

[CheckMyVitals]

Originally Posted by Chalz

Yeah...like the plummeting sales of the 2008 model?

What people are asking for is a $20,000 car that they will only pay $15,000 for. They want Ford to bring over a car that competes with cars in Ford's other segments, and then lose money on it to boot. The group of people on FJ who are actually willing to pay the premium for the car they are constantly bitching for is extremely small.

I've seen the same exact trend in multiple industries...bitch bitch bitch bitch bitch, new model, more options, nicer features...and the same price. Not only is it Veruca Salt-ish to expect it, it is insane to assume the change can be made overnight...while the company is finally starting to climb back into the black...during an economic recession...while the American dollar is worth a LOT less than the European dollar...in the middle of a global re-structurization...just after a new model has been released and is selling well...while plans for a new generation Euro Focus is still being designed.

All I see is a group of whiney "enthusiasts" complaining about improving the stylings a car they will never buy whilst begging like Oliver Twist for a car they can't afford to buy. THAT'S why I continue making posts.

Is the FofE Focus better? Yes. Definetely. I agree wholeheartedly, and have no urge to debate that. It's very clear which is the "Better" car, but people just aren't being realistic at all. The 2008 is still a good, fun, great looking compact...it's just not exactly what some people want...and it never will be. (Hell, the 2000 Focus isn't even "exactly" what people wanted...hence the rims, drops, body kits, paint etc...that every one of us has done to our car to make it more our own)

You don't like the 2009? Fine. Great...dandy. I'm not trying to change your mind as to whether or not it's pretty...beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder...but please stop with the incessant bashing of Ford when they're trying to make us happy. You'll eventually have the option to purchase your beloved Euro-Focus...hopefully by that time most of the complainers will actually have the money to do so...because it sure as **** isn't going to cost $16,000 if it comes over here like people want. You know what you get for $16,000? Transportation. If you're in the mood to be picky, buy a used BMW, not a new economy ****box.

You're bringing up unreasonable statements that were made in other threads...

No one has demanded anything AWD, nor a $15K ST in this thread. I've probably already stated twice in this very thread that I would be in the market for a hatch with a 5spd and power windows... nothing else. Likely lease it too. Students don't have much money. I'm not in the market for a ST. I can't afford a C30... that was never brought up as the focal point of any argument in this thread. Your point is valid IF someone was asking for a AWD Focus beast instead of this '09 refresh... but I'm not entirely sure who you're targeting here.

I can come up with random statements too: The McValue Meal is at least $1 overpriced. Are you going to argue with me? No. Have I made a statement relevant to the topic? No.

I would be very much pleased if Ford would align the market and sell me the same great car that Stan in the UK is buying.

As well, the 2000 Focus was a huge success... and was completely Euro designed. Calling us 'picky' for not liking their redesign is garbage. Leave the car, and it's Euro designed. Tack on some ideas from a completely new car and you have a failure. Wasted effort when they should just be bringing over the redesign. It just makes absolutely no sense to look at the success you had bringing over the first Focus, and then not bring over the next. I'm not crying about spilled milk, I'm just confused as to why the milk was spilled in the first place.

Ford is not donating these cars to me last I checked. So I'm not too worried about hurting anyones feelings if I as a consumer don't like the product before me. I'm not about to spit in someone's face, but I am pointing across the pond and saying "uhhh.... can I just have that one?"

As pointed out earlier, we're not wanting the Euro Focus BECAUSE it's Euro (not most of us anyway), we want the Euro Focus because it's a GOOD CAR. Not only that... we're asking them to bring us a product we want to give them money for. I'm not asking them to power it with nuclear or anything, I'm asking FORD to sell me a FORD. I hardly think that "Hey Ford, I would like to exchange my money for a product of yours" is an unreasonable request.

Once again, I like the '08... and I really like this '09 refresh. I just like what they're selling in Europe MORE. It's not like I'm asking Ford to sell me an Opel.

[CaysE]

If I recall correctly, a lot of people thought the 2000 Focus was ugly and awkward when it was released, too... and had a world of reliability problems.

In those respects, you could say the '08 is doing better. And with a few years of enhancements, who knows what might happen. If the reveal today includes what I'm guessing it does (FocusSport-provided power upgrades from the factory), and sales do well in '09, it's only a matter of time before Ford Performance gets Shelby involved in what put them on the map: performance compacts.

Here's hoping, anyway.

[hotrodkris]

Originally Posted by Chalz

All I see is a group of whiney "enthusiasts" complaining about improving the stylings a car they will never buy whilst begging like Oliver Twist for a car they can't afford to buy. THAT'S why I continue making posts.

After 7 years on here, you hit the giant nail on the head.

[Osiris]

Focuses in Europe aren't marketed to the same group of people that they are over here, Fiestas are.

You can't buy the Focus over there if you're on a student's budget either.

Ford could probably end this arguement once and for all if the Focus over here was simply named something else. Then people wouldn't confuse the two completely different cars with one another.

[eddiebrock71]

Ford should have a perfromance edition. they already make the parts. sell some of the foci with the upgraded suspension, wheels, and liscense a cai. all less for $1500.

ford focus is not that great of a design. just because a car is chep in price does not mean it has to be made cheap.

why cant any car manufacture for that matter make a nice looking inexpensive car. just because it is cheap does not mean it has to look like a box.

but enough about ford, they are only concerned about profits. if you really want a nice economy car spend a couple thousand more and get the civic. and for about 21k -23k the civic si. 6 speed, lsd, 197 hp, and good mpg.

[jinstall]

Originally Posted by Chalz

I'm getting sick and tired of the "If it were just like the Euro Focus I'd buy it." Ford gave you a chance to put up or shut up...and every **** all over the model the gave us in 2005. I expect some "WTF are you talking about Chalz?" responses, so I'll just post the following pictures:

Here's a European Focus:



And here's how Ford tested to see what America wanted in 2005:



Once again...what happened? People all over FJ cried, "It's butt ugly!!!!! I hate it!!!! It's nasty!!!!!!!" Aside from the front bumper being lengthened slightly to meet US standards and a few other minor aesthetic details, they are extremely similar cars. All the lines are pretty much the same, and the major details are damned near exacting.

The market told Ford it was ugly...so Ford was led to believe that we didn't like the Euro style.Can't anyone see how that would be pretty damned confusing to the guys over at Ford?

Once again, though, Ford tries to do something to please the market...and people are ****ting all over it. There is no way to please most of the people here, and seeing all this incessant and retarded bitching is annoying. We're auto enthusiasts, people. We take ****boxes and make them look good. If you want a fast car that looks amazing off the lot, be willing to spend more than $18,000.

Anyway...sorry for the rant. Ford guys, keep on trucking. You're doing a great job.

After driving both cars, I can tell you that they are NOTHING alike.

You know whay I bought a MKI focus? Because it WAS the European Focus just slightly watered down.

2008 the Focus got a face lift on both sides of the pond, nothing and I mean nothing in common at all.

[MattZTS]

i agree with chalz. everyone here wants a car that is impossible. they want a euro looking focus, turbo, awd, and cost less than 20k.