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01-10-2005, 12:21 AM | #1 | ||
LS LX Aficionado
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 39
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I've been given heart by the experiences of other new Focus owners!
I took delivery of a new Pure Silver LX sedan (manual) 4 weeks ago - from dealer stock (this is a true story!) - and it's been back 4 times. In this case, it's mainly dealer incompetence - apart from that, the car is brilliant. To those still waiting, just be assured that it's worth it. My car is a very early one (June, I think), which may explain a bit. The boot fit was appaling, and I made a point of requesting it be fixed before delivery. It wasn't. Also on delivery the power steering was making a high-pitched whine at standstill and walking pace. How these chronically obvious faults got through (a) factory quality control; and (b) dealer delivery ($1,495) is breathtaking. Taking the car back for both problems, I was told that "You have to remember that this is a new steering setup, and take that into account." I objected that no other Focus I'd driven had it, so they agreed to look at it. A new pump and reservoir was ordered from interstate and later fitted. So that's fixed. Like ShockWaveXR6na, my boot lid was so poorly aligned that it was scraping paint off the bumper in one corner. The dealer, on not being able to fix it, booked it in to a paintshop (for 2 days), and handed it back to me with "they've done a great job", which was only partly true - a two-second glance showed it still wasn't right in one corner. So it's booked in again. A half decent crash repairer can get panel gaps almost perfect on a near write-off, so I don't know why this is so difficult. ANYWAY.... two seconds behind the (chunky leather-wrap) wheel is enough to forgive all. Especially at night with those quality green instruments. If I didn't know better, I'd put money on it having a small '6' under the bonnet. I'm not pushing it too hard, but it's just so sweet. Passing a truck or something noisy, you have to look at the tacho to see when to change - there's just no vibration or harshness through the seat / wheel / pedals / gearshift (contrast to Mazda 3 which I was going to buy before the Focus was released - only minor kw difference, but much less refined). What I can't understand is why no-one is raving about the manual gearbox. What a honey! The change is so short, quick and precise - particularly 3-4-5 - it really makes the car. Although there's ample torque for less gearchanges, I find myself changing just for the sheer fun of it. So, yeah, I'm browned off with the dealer, but just love the car. |
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01-10-2005, 07:31 PM | #2 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Aug 2005
Posts: 77
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I hear ya. I have a similar model (june) and have had a few minor problems, however the ride more than makes up for it. I have just noticed though that the material under one of the rear headrests is coming out. we've never moved that headrest so I haven't noticed it before... will get that looked at at the 3000 km service that will come too soon. I haven't had any of your problems, but I'll keep my eyes and ears peeled.
You're right, the manual gear change is so smooth and I often find myself at 4 - 4500 revs before I know it, my old corolla hardly ever went past 3500. Cheerio. Owen. |
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01-10-2005, 07:49 PM | #3 | ||
Clio 182 CUP!
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Inner West, Sydney
Posts: 2,590
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Due to all these issues im hearing about poor interior quality, is the CAR put together in South Africa but the Engine/Transmission/Chassis made somewhere else? So is it ALL built in South Africa?
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------------- Steven 'In fact, so good is the Clio 182 with the Cup chassis set-up that I feel moved to make a bold statement - I think it's the best hot hatch ever built.' (EVO Jan 04) |
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01-10-2005, 09:28 PM | #4 | ||||
Whipple Induced
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: WWW
Posts: 4,338
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Quote:
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02-10-2005, 09:52 AM | #5 | |||
Fairmont Ghia
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NSW
Posts: 2,144
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Quote:
Just adding my experience to yours, CDAA. Tim |
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02-10-2005, 05:23 PM | #6 | ||
Suth
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: The Sunny Riverland
Posts: 44
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Timmeh? you too? Have had that same problem with my LR zetec. Just does not want to engage first wen going very slow. I know you drive a (very) sweet CL are the boxes/clutches different from the 1.8 to the 2? I also put it down to one of my cars idiosynchrosies.
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The Funk Soul Brother |
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02-10-2005, 06:56 PM | #7 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,922
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Yes the boot issue is bumper related i think, Our rear bumper is higher on one side then the other...
70% happy with the car but would never buy one again, shoulda bought a runout BA SR for not much more. |
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02-10-2005, 08:30 PM | #8 | |||
Supes
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Sydney
Posts: 1,063
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Quote:
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Yes I DO drive a Toyota |
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05-10-2005, 10:16 PM | #9 | |||
Fairmont Ghia
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NSW
Posts: 2,144
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Quote:
Yeah, I know the gearbox is different (ie no lockout collar for reverse) but not sure about the clutch at all... It's not a problem, it's just a characteristic of the setup, in my opinion. The rest of the operation is just fantastic. Tim |
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05-10-2005, 10:20 PM | #10 | |||
Fairmont Ghia
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: NSW
Posts: 2,144
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Quote:
Tim |
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06-10-2005, 11:15 PM | #11 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 22,922
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I finally have something positive to say, the rubber noise that was ni the car when going over speed bumps as gone since the hot weather has sunk in..
now we only need to get the boot fixed and things should be right. |
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06-10-2005, 11:49 PM | #12 | |||
LS LX Aficionado
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 39
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Quote:
Haven't noticed any (LR) reverse difficulty. I think I remember reading that the LS has synchro on reverse - if that makes a difference. Don't know if LR/LS manual gearboxes are the same, but understand that the LS box is also used in the Jaguar X-type. Being really picky, I reckon 2nd could be a smidge taller - but that's a personal preference. |
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