My 1st Focus experience!

prydey · 16-05-2010, 06:36 AM

as some of you may be aware, i bought a LS focus in sydney friday and drove it home. i've always been pretty open about the fact that i'm not really a small car person, however, this car almost converted me.

its a 2.0 auto, so obviously not the best example of their capability but i was extremely impressed with how it drove, particularly out on the highway. it really didn't feel like a small car. didn't get blown around and sat very solid on the road. felt very similar to my bf2 falcon. these cars are quite heavy though, weighing in at close to 1500kg, which i would say helps to give this larger car feel.

i was forever cleaning the windscreen, until i got used to the indicators being on the other side.

the seat isn't the most comfy out there, but round town it will be fine. after 1600 odd km it was starting to take its toll on my back (lumbar). this is a base model. higher models obviously get lumbar adjustment. cruise control would've helped too as i was getting a ache in my foot/leg after a while.

they are very roomy inside. i'm 6'2 and even fitted in the back seat pretty well. they get a bit small when you pull into a truck stop in the middle of the night and try to get some shuteye. not many places to stretch out. thats not really the cars fault though!

a couple of issues. firstly - when i first put the key in and turn it, it chimes for about 6 or 7 chimes. no message appears. is this just a normal start up routine or is there a reason for the chime?

2nd- the gearbox seemed a bit 'shunty'. almost like a engine mount was busted but they were just replaced. happened at quite low speed and then at around 3000rpm on the highway. was wondering if this was some sort of torque converter operation. is the lock up very noticeable in these cars. maybe thats what i was feeling.

3rd, i noticed a groaning sound coming from passenger front when turning at low speed (car park).

what sort of economy do these things do. on my trip back, it didn't go below 7L/100km. i cross checked the trip computer with my own calculations each time i filled and it was very close to spot on. over the journey it ave 7.5L/100km. considering i was on my own with no luggage, i thought it should do a little better than that. i nudged 120 at times (no cruise - kept creeping up) but mainly sat on speed limit between 100 - 110. i was hoping it would see around 7 - 8L/100km around town at worst.

overall, i was very happy with this car. very adequate power for the job its required to do, drove very solidly and never missed a beat. this one was for my inlaws. my missus would like to get another small car and i must say, this model focus has me sold.

Al... · 16-05-2010, 07:01 AM

Hi,
First of all, congaratulations on the purchase,(even though it's not for you).
I own an '07 lx auto, economy sounds about right.
The chimes you here when you first switch it on is the seat belt reminder. If you put your seatbelt on first you won't hear it, otherwise start the car with the indicator on it shouldn't chime either.
How did you go with the typeof fuel(RON rating)?

prydey · 16-05-2010, 07:15 AM

used 95 or 98 RON at all times. I wouldn't use anything else. my discussion in another thread was more about trying to see it through the eyes of a 60 odd yr old pensioner.

thanks for the info about the chime. i will pass that on.

casabonka · 16-05-2010, 07:16 AM

haha, first test drive I told my girlfriend about the indicators and still managed to hit the wipers coming out of the dealer.
with economy, mine averages 7.1-7.2 on the hwy. my overall avg is 7.3.
dunno bout the autos, but at 120ish I'm assuming she was sitting at 3200rpm! with the grinding, was it the brakes possibly or a bearing?
glad u enjoyed the trip!!

casabonka · 16-05-2010, 07:17 AM

oh and there are various methods abt disabling the chime but they don't work!

XR5-Boy · 16-05-2010, 03:09 PM

the 2nd gear issue is to do with the ecu. There's an ecu update that should address this.

The humming i'm assuming is the power steering. Maybe get that checked at your next service. Might need some fluid etc.

Neale · 16-05-2010, 03:36 PM

cangrats on the purchase, the autos can be a bit more thirsty. On the freeway if you sit around 100/105kph it drops the revs down to around 3000rpm or just under & you will get heaps better econnomy on the freeway. I have a manual & cruise control so it makes it a little easier but I can usually get low 6L per 100 on the freeway & low to mid 7L per 100 around town

prydey · 16-05-2010, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XR5-Boy

the 2nd gear issue is to do with the ecu. There's an ecu update that should address this.

The humming i'm assuming is the power steering. Maybe get that checked at your next service. Might need some fluid etc.

the 2nd gear issue you mention - is that in repy to the 'shunting' feeling at low speed?

as for the noise, is the power steering pump on the passenger side in the engine bay? thats where the noise was from.

probably pay for me to get the car checked out while it still has 3month dealer warranty.

DBourne · 16-05-2010, 07:07 PM

Just hold down the seat belt release and it wont chime

prydey · 16-05-2010, 07:15 PM

just to clear up something that i don't think i mentioned in this thread. the car isn't mine. i was just the delivery guy. i got it for my mother in law. i have let her know the chime is only for seatbelt, so as long as she knows what its for, there's no need to worry.

the problem i've created for myself is, my missus would like to get herself back into a small car (she has bf2 wagon, i have ebv8) and now that she knows i was impressed with it......

unfortunately, we do a trip to qld every year and 2 adults and 2 kids and luggage won't go that well in the focus, esp considering how easy the wagon does it and its cheaper to run (lpg), so guess which car would have to make way....

naddis01 · 16-05-2010, 08:06 PM

I didnt hear the horn as you went past Darlington Point Prydey? Which way did you end up going through Sydney?

Sorry I cant help you with your questions, but did you find the wipers/indicators annoying? I know it was one of the things (I know minor) that turned me off the Mondeo when we bought out Mazda 6 recently. I drive 3 or 4 vehicles regularly so that would drive me insane.

On another note, if you are after another small car, you should buy our Mazda 3. It would save you half the trip next time.

prydey · 16-05-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by naddis01

I didnt hear the horn as you went past Darlington Point Prydey? Which way did you end up going through Sydney?

i saw the turn off sign and recalled your comment to toot, but sorry, i didn't toot. was just starting to get light.

sydney was a nightmare. sydney drivers deserve a medal, putting up with peak hour every day. i was a bit naive with my trip planning, not bothering to take a map. i had sussed out my trip using google maps before i left, thinking that i'd be leaving from the dealer. unfortunately, when i got to the dealer, he hadn't yet organised a permit to drive it back so we went over to the RTA at five dock. thats where he left me, so all of a sudden i had no idea where i was and no maps. got lost a couple of times. was hoping to make it to wagga where GasO had kindly offered me a bed for the night but didn't even make Goulburn in the end. pulled in the back of some truckstop and tried to get comfy in a focus. not the easiest of tasks. got a couple of hours in and then headed home.

XR5-Boy · 16-05-2010, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prydey

the 2nd gear issue you mention - is that in repy to the 'shunting' feeling at low speed?

as for the noise, is the power steering pump on the passenger side in the engine bay? thats where the noise was from.

probably pay for me to get the car checked out while it still has 3month dealer warranty.

That's all correct.

Tj-zetec · 17-05-2010, 11:56 AM

If you search back a few pages you'll find a big thread about the auto issue. From memory it turned out to be something rather simple, just not obvious. Oh and ford refuse to believe that a problem exists.
If it starts playing up take it to a GOOD auto box bloke, don't bother with ford.