2013 Focus Observations

[Touring05]

+1 suss6052. I love my SEL with premium package and wouldn't have it any other way.

[Kirk9444]

I love my new focus, but I would love to have a switch on the dash to control the interior lights.

[TboneZX3]

Originally Posted by Kirk9444

I love my new focus, but I would love to have a switch on the dash to control the interior lights.

That's a great suggestion. Ford should have at least made the existing switch more "tactile" so that it could easily be found without fumbling around for it.

[Litterbug]

hello, I just read the 13 pages of post, lots of Info. Just wish I had seen this Forum 3 weeks ago. I have a 2013 Focus SE Hatchback, does anyone have any info on the 2012/2013 instrument cluster bulb type. Did the 2012's have leds bulbs for cluster lighting. Was a change made on the 2013 instrument cluster lighting. I am new to Ford Focus SE ... This other item some how got pass me, I assumed that all 2013 Ford Product had 4 disc brakes.. Also at times, sun glare off the polished metal trim on the steering wheel and top of dash is an issue.
Thanks for any and all Info... Jim in Fl.

[Tiger-Heli]

Not sure if Ford uses LED's for the cluster lighting or not. As far as I know, the lighting didn't change between 2012 and 2013 (for the cluster, the interior lights might have gone from LED to incandescent), but the speedometer only has numbers every 20 mph rather than every 10 mph.

Disc brakes are nice, but not a huge deal - there's another long thread on it. They weren't standard on 2012 SE's either, but they were part of a $700 option rather than a $2400 option.

For the polished trim - I would recommend Plasti-Dip, as at least it is removable if you don't like it.

[Litterbug]

T-H... Thanks for the info. I was thinking maybe they change cluster lights, as Ford has made other led changes. Again Great Forum !!! Jim in Fl.

[TimothH]

I just read all the pages too. In spite of it all, I'll probably go buy a 2013 SE hatchback during this upcoming week.

I had a 99 Contour SVT which was just wrecked by another driver and need a new car. I was going to get rid of the SVT anyway. I have had a base model 2012 focus sedan for two weeks as a rental and have driven just about just about every small hatchback there is out there over the past several months.

Even with drum brakes, the rental focus is fun to drive. When it starts to understeer in a hard turn, I just lift off the throttle and the rear end comes right around. I'm used to a much stiffer cSVT, but the focus should scoot pretty well with some good sticky tires and maybe a cold air intake.

So, do you guys with a manual transmission find that it is easy to heel-and-toe downshift? I'm going to drive the 5 speed tomorrow or monday but would love some feedback on pedal placement for heel/toe downshifting from anyone who has lived with it for a while.

Be safe out there.

-PAX-

-Tim-

[Zillon]

Pedal spacing is a little off for heel-toe downshifts. The accelerator is too far forward for me.

[ricomtl]

New cupholders:





cupholders!!! They should've implemented those in the 2012 Focus as well... I keep spilling coffee every morning with my car!

[TboneZX3]

Originally Posted by TimothH

So, do you guys with a manual transmission find that it is easy to heel-and-toe downshift?

I find it very easy to heel-and-toe. The only car I've had in 24 years that was easier than this one is my '01 ZX3. It only took me a couple of days to fully adjust to the 2012 from the 2001, however. The main difference is that the gas pedal is *slightly* forward under braking, as Zillon mentioned.