Ok... im sitting here kinda bored so i decide to go to Ford's website to build and price an 08 focus outta curiosity, and the stupidity hits me. First thing that kinda bugs me is the SES model is limited to half of the colors.... so in order to get say a vapor silver model you get stuck with the SE. Ok not a big deal cause the se model has an upgrade package that gets you some extra options such as the 16" wheels. Now im not entirely sure if this "Deluxe" package is included automatically with the SES model, but even if it is, what is the point of getting the SES model if you get a limited color selection, and can basicaly get all the same options in the SE and other colors.

OK second pet peeve. I like leather seats, got em in my 07 and love the look and headted surfaces. Cant get those in the SE... only in the SES. So here we are with that limited color problem.... again.

Sooooo basicly the whole point to this mindless rant is that there is basically no point what so ever in getting the SES from where i stand after messing around with the build and price. Especially if the only differece is the leather seats. Not that im complaining, i mean techically all this means is that i can spend less money and get the same thing if not more in the end... i just find it really really stupid that ford is such a PITA about getting exactally what you want in your car.

http://shutter06.pictures.aol.com/data/pictures/22/00B/4E/9F/BC/BE/sEJmO4cZfE+yhrdVrVPhpU4X1heIiGvk01D3.jpg

here are the options in the deluxe package... if anyone who bought an 08 SES can put my mind at ease, please let me know if these are included or not.

yeah i made a statement way back about the limitations on the car and somebody told me i was crazy there were all kind of options... 2 body styles,limited exterior color,and internal colors and options,not very optional to me., its a very restricted car in my opinion.

the big thing is that the major options are an all or nothing deal. i can almost guarentee that there are some things inlcluded in some of the packages that i can do w/o. and i sure as hell dont want to pay for something that i could end up removing in the first place... i.e. those chrome fender vents. Im still not sure if i like those or not.

i know i dont like them,,they just dont go with the car.i think if theyd left them off it would have made the car a little more appealing.and i like the ideal of a coupe,,i just wish theyd have been a lil more creative and gave it a more sporty look.and with a 2 body style i really wish theyd have gave it more add on exterior and interior options.

that was a complaint of mine. Its like they made the SES the special model, like the ST was..which only came in 4 colors....but um I'm sorry Ford the SES is no such car.

What drives me nuts is in the earlier model foci (dunno about more current ones). Is how the steering wheel is offset from the driver. Like I'd sit in the driver's seat and look directly ahead. The entire driver's side dash. Gauges, steering wheel, everything is offset slightly to the left and points just a little to the left. Drives me insane.

No, my focus has never been in a wreck.

The ST was limited to only four colors... But wicked colors though. [:D]

^^ definately agreed.... and of course it had the 2.3. the SES colors are nice but u can get em in the SE. in the end i just cant see my self paying the extra money for it when i can get everything in the SE. I just cant understand what ford was thinking when making the trim levels[scratch]. you would honestly think that they would add something else to it like... i dunno... the 2.3 or maybe make the sync system exclusive to the SES. i mean come on if your gonna market a high end model of the focus give a reason to actually want it. [poke]

I agree they did some stupid crap to the 08's however, they are looking at the bigger picture than just what us Focusfanatics are looking at. Tell me how often you see a raced out Focus on the road compared to how many there are that are msotly stock that the person drives for the economical standpoint? There are probably 10+ stock foci out there to 1 modified one. They are shooting for whats going to net them more funds.

Good for them bad for us FF'ers.

screw it all then. just get the new gtr

The skyline?

yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LOL... Next to the SVT, I'm gonna have one of most rare foci's around in a few years... The 2.3 was only available for a few years so I'll be special. [:D]

lol well, you can have my svt when i get my gtr. sounds good?

haha

Naw thats ok, I like the duratec a whole hell of a lot better.

Apparently there are differences between the US dealerships and Canadian dealerships because the SES does come in most of the colours...including vapor silver, atleast here. I agree that the package(s) are pretty rediculous and alot of the options could be had with or without, depending on how you look at it, but then again most car companys are doing this now. Also i know from the dealerships i went to here in Toronto that adding options to a SE model actually ends up costing more then an SES when all is said and done, which is also pretty rediculous. IMO though, the SES is a way better deal for only a few more grand. The only thing i really dont like are the "sporty" wheels that come with the sports package...they are hideous!!! the other 16" wheels are way nicer. What i feel hinders peoples opinions of this car is actually its suspension....yes mechanically it may be better, but it just looks way to high. A 1.5" drop stock wise would have given this car a much better agressive stance. They almost look "jacked-up". Cant wait to see someone from this board just drop one and toss some 18's on, something a little more simple then the SEMA cars, although i do love the blue one.

I still have yet to see an '08 on the road in Colorado. The dealership here has 50 on their lot and they have yet to sell one.

The only '08 I have seen on the road was in Ottumwa, IA, when I was on the train headed to Wisconsin for Christmas.

my sister just got the 08 ses and it drives like a dream!!!!!!! but the look is what pushes me away. i think in 05 when ford did the facelift they went the wrong way about it, and now with the 08 it just keeps getting worse. then i had a change of heart after seeing the 08 that focus sport did for street tuner challnge. i still really only like the 00-04 models myself.


here is a video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mERZR7gbEqQ

yeah but look how much $$$ and time it took to transfoem it into that,,,

My wagon in 03 was the same way. I REALLY wanted rear disc brakes, but the only way to get them was with ABS and I DID NOT want that on my car. So I bought a ZTW with the sport package , but I skipped the rear disc. A year later I did a SVT brake swap and now have all the brakes I want, but what a pain, and an extra few bucks,too. But that is why I mod my cars, to get what I want.

man i tried to configure a new focus and couldnt find the hatchback option, no matter how hard i looked, and i couldnt find the 6 speed option either. nah im just playing, i havent even bothered trying to configure a focus since the 05 model came out and there was no SVT. but i had a similar issued with Mazda a year or two ago when i wanted a blue miata with black leather interior, but if you got the blue paint you could only have tan leather....i dont like tan or grey interior so needless to say i dont own a miata

My wagon in 03 was the same way. I REALLY wanted rear disc brakes, but the only way to get them was with ABS and I DID NOT want that on my car. So I bought a ZTW with the sport package , but I skipped the rear disc. A year later I did a SVT brake swap and now have all the brakes I want, but what a pain, and an extra few bucks,too. But that is why I mod my cars, to get what I want.

there you go another addition that can be made to the SES to make it actually worth gettin over the SE (with all the options) REAR DISK BREAKS.

I believe if we give ford a year or two they will have a car "Focus""Hopefully" that will appeal more to the tuner Crowd. In my opinion they have nothing other that a bunch of SUV's on there lots. It seams that every other car company has it figured out for a Tuner car.

If nothing more comes out of Ford when I start looking for my next car I definatly will be Looking into The Mazdaspeed line up.

eh just get a base model and save all the money..

Likewise, if Ford had offered the 2.3 in the Wagon, I'd have one. Still waiting on that mod, but I have to wear this engine out first [thumb]

I hate screwy Packages and limited options. It would be nice if one manufacturer would allow special order customers to order whatever they want. I think one-off cars are a thing of the past- no matter how much money a person has.

funny thing is... back in like the 60s and 70s they would build the car the way YOU wanted it to be

Thanks to 290,

This is what The SES and SE w/Deluxe Package have that the other doesnt:

SES:
Sync
Cruse Control
Leather Steering Wheel w/Buttons
Spoiler
Electrochromic Rearview Mirror

SE w/Deluxe Package
Chrome Door handles
Chrom Mirrors (Top Half)
16'' Euroflanged Alluminum Wheels (SES has 16'' but different pattern)


What they have in common:
Fog lamps
4-Way Manual Seats
Power Heated Mirrors
Rear Stabilizer Bar
Chrom Exhaust Tip
Chrom Air Vents
Hi Performance Dash Cluster
Air Conditioning
Tire Pressure Monitor

now i know what the major differences are, my vote, still get the SE with deluxe over the SES

sadly times have changed,,,or maybe they havent ,,you know back in the begining.ford said you could have your car in any color you wanted as long as it was black,,lol