2013 Order Guide Released

[Bimmer-Bob]

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

The focus can command higher prices simply because it's a higher class car compared to the competition.

They have every right to charge more, American cheapness be damned.

I agree with you to a point - the problem is, the 2013 Focus seems to be more expensive than the outgoing 2012 with not much (if any) more content.

But, maybe Ford has the sales to back this up. I doubt that make these kinds of decisions without data of some sort.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I agree with you to a point - the problem is, the 2013 Focus seems to be more expensive than the outgoing 2012 with not much (if any) more content.

But, maybe Ford has the sales to back this up. I doubt that make these kinds of decisions without data of some sort.

I'd guess they've realized transaction prices are higher and have thrown around packages and trims to better match their sales

Gotta say I've seen a lot more 2012s in the last few months then I did all of last year, a significant amount in fact, so something is going right.

[red2009se]

First of all, is that SE Ap. package price confirmed? Or just speculation?

And the $240 increase can be bargained down, with the dealer to get a lower price. Who pays full sticker?

[GhiaFan]

Wow, so for the SE customer you cannot have as a separate option package
-Sony & MFT package
or
-SE Black Pack
Either one requires the SE Appearance Package

Customer to salesperson - I would like to purchase the SE hatch with Black Pac, the price should be 19,200 + 795 =$19,995 plus etc right?
Salesperson to customer - No that is not correct, the price will be $22,635 plus etc.
Customer please explain why this difference
Salesperson, well for you to get the Black Pak you must also purchase the Appearance Package which costs $2,610.00, but we will give you a discount of -$110.00 to soften the blow.
Customer leaves dealership , salesperson happy with the ease of ordering 2013 Focus, pissed he lost another client.
Same scenario for the guy wanting an SE with the MFT. The Sony & MFT package in itself is not a bad price $1,495.00 , until you are forced to add the extra $2,610.00 to get it.

Nicely done Ford N.A.

So your only choice if you want cloth seats is a base SE. Albeit with extra stuff.
But if you want rear disc brakes for example on your SE, you might as well just buy the Titanium, because you are forced to take most of what is in a base Titanium anyway, just to get rear disc brakes.

Shame they dumped the Sport Package, this was the golden package for the sporty driver oriented Focus.
But alas, Ford N.A does not want or at least it looks like they do not want to market the Focus as their sporty, drivers car. Now you get an appearance package, which is fine and dandy, but the words Sport (package) is a no brainer for what the Focus exudes.

I suppose in the minds of some inside Ford, they figured we are launching the ST, so who needs any relevance to the perception of sporty to the non-ST Focus variants.

Your poor bastards, Ford N.A finally brings you the real Focus and then you in the wallet just after one year.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I honestly think they're trying to move the Focus upmarket and differentiate it more, price-wise, from the Fiesta. For 2012, a Fiesta SES was virtually the same price as a Focus SE Sport. Sure, the Fiesta SES had leather, push-button start, and probably a few other baubles - but it was still a lot less car, IMO.

True but it's not just the Fiesta. I think they think that with the new Fusion and Escape coming in they won't have to discount those so much to sell them, which pushes their prices down into Focus territory. They anticipated getting much higher transaction prices for those 2 new cars which (they think) means they can get more for the Focus. But whether they can command an even higher premium over the Focus's direct compact competition is doubtful.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by red2009se

And the $240 increase can be bargained down, with the dealer to get a lower price. Who pays full sticker?

Yeah but you can bargain down the '12 as well, even more most likely. So you're still going to spend over $200 more, for actually less content IMO.

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

I'd guess they've realized transaction prices are higher and have thrown around packages and trims to better match their sales

Gotta say I've seen a lot more 2012s in the last few months then I did all of last year, a significant amount in fact, so something is going right.

You're forgetting the huge $2,000 rebate for 3 months it took to put the Focus on top in sales. I posted elsewhere that once they discontinued that rebate sales dropped by a third to 3rd or 4th place. That's why there are so many on the road now. And that's why I bought a brand new one instead of a lightly used one.

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by kam327

Yeah but you can bargain down the '12 as well, even more most likely. So you're still going to spend over $200 more, for actually less content IMO.



You're forgetting the huge $2,000 rebate for 3 months it took to put the Focus on top in sales. I posted elsewhere that once they discontinued that rebate sales dropped by a third to 3rd or 4th place. That's why there are so many on the road now. And that's why I bought a brand new one instead of a lightly used one.

I actually had no idea about those rebates.

When I got my Focus I wasn't even planning on going used but for 24K CAD there was a Candy Blue Titanium with everything except the 18" rims (honestly, I can still get the dealer to add the rims alone so I'm not concerned about that) and I figured oh hell, why not? It had 8000kms, still smelt new and I struggled to find a single area of the car that looked 'used' at all.

[kam327]

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

I actually had no idea about those rebates.

When I got my Focus I wasn't even planning on going used but for 24K CAD there was a Candy Blue Titanium with everything except the 18" rims (honestly, I can still get the dealer to add the rims alone so I'm not concerned about that) and I figured oh hell, why not? It had 8000kms, still smelt new and I struggled to find a single area of the car that looked 'used' at all.

Yeah they had to effectively slash the price in order to move them.

Still smelled new eh? I'm ticked that my car's new car smell is almost gone after only 3 1/2 months....

[MyThIc3LiTe]

Originally Posted by kam327

Yeah they had to effectively slash the price in order to move them.

Still smelled new eh? I'm ticked that my car's new car smell is almost gone after only 3 1/2 months....

Gotta be honest it is now at 13000km and while I can't smell it at all, my smelling senses are that bad,but people still say it has that new car smell

[Pretherius]

Originally Posted by Sonic_HedgeHog

But think about it this way guys and gals... You're paying more for a car without year 1 problems ;) LOL

Sucks if you consider all of us 2012 owners who haven't had any problems. ;)

Originally Posted by danyall2010

I do not think you are missing anything else. You are correct that Ford is trying to push the Focus upmarket. However, many people still think of Ford as a budget brand so I would say good luck with that.

One of the few bright things about the 2013's option list is that the SFE package is $95 (because you lose alloys for steels). Though if you get that package, you are limited on other options. Also a stripped down SYNC can be installed in the "S" for about $295 (or so).

I'm not going to be in the market for a 2013 so I don't have much stake in the debate, but I generally agree with others that the changes for '13 are largely not good ideas on Ford's part. Granted, I'm more of a function-over-style kind of person, and I bought a 5-speed SE sedan with the cruise package, so this is a pretty stripped down car as they go.

However, the fact that you can buy a Ford compact costing well over $25,000 is amazing to me, honestly. These cars were -already- priced upscale for 2012. Sorry but if it weren't for the $2,500 in rebates I picked up in March I'd be driving a 2012 Elantra right now.

I hate the interior of that stupid Dodge Dart and I think Chryslers are generally pretty crappy cars, but the way they're doing more a la carte options is beating Ford by a mile. I had to get map lights and a perimeter alarm just to get cruise; that's freakin' stupid. 3 features that are completely unrelated get packed together to justify a $400 price tag for cruise control plus a couple extremely minor features that cost Ford a few dollars in parts and wiring to add.

And now for 2013 if I want rear discs on a lower trim model--of all the simple desires--I'm looking at $2,500 appearance package? WTF?!

Originally Posted by Bimmer-Bob

I agree with you to a point - the problem is, the 2013 Focus seems to be more expensive than the outgoing 2012 with not much (if any) more content.

But, maybe Ford has the sales to back this up. I doubt that make these kinds of decisions without data of some sort.

I don't know, man. I've worked at big companies long enough to see that some pretty serious decisions get made without the data and information to back it up.

I can promise you that Mulally wasn't involved in the decision how to package or price leather seating or map lights, for example.

Originally Posted by MyThIc3LiTe

Gotta say I've seen a lot more 2012s in the last few months then I did all of last year, a significant amount in fact, so something is going right.

Same here. Saw loads more Focuses and Fiestas in the past couple of months.