IMPORTANT: ALL MK3 Focus Owners, I could use your input.

[Zillon]

Originally Posted by Twenty

Probably the best-looking Blue Candy I've seen.

At least it looked good.

Ended up going with a '13 GTI 4-door in United Grey. I'll continue to hang around here, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

[Twenty]

GTIs be nice. Do share.

[BlazeFocus]

Originally Posted by Zillon

At least it looked good.

Ended up going with a '13 GTI 4-door in United Grey. I'll continue to hang around here, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

Funny; you went to VW from Ford - I came from VW to Ford.
Good luck with the Vdub.

[Zillon]

Originally Posted by BlazeFocus

Funny; you went to VW from Ford - I came from VW to Ford.
Good luck with the Vdub.

I have an excellent existing relationship with the dealer I'm purchasing from, which makes all the difference.

Thanks, though. I'm hoping for smoother sailing.

[Shade-010]

Sorry to hear all your work didnt come up with a remedy, but We can only hope ford can figure something out with this... Please keep in touch, never know if they figure it out, you will be a FF owner again someday

[Some Guy From NY]

Originally Posted by Zillon

At least it looked good.

Ended up going with a '13 GTI 4-door in United Grey. I'll continue to hang around here, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

I envy you. I may be picking up a new ride in a few weeks depending if they acknowledge that there is an issue with my steering or not. For those of you unaware, I had my steering rack replaced in early september for the wandering problem (TSB 12-2-17). The car has not been the same since. My steering is extremely loose...every small bump/rut/pothole in the road causes my car to change direction so I am almost CONSTANTLY correcting my steering. On freshly paved roads it drives straight as an arrow, but any minor imperfections causes the car to shift direction dramatically. I have been to 2 different dealers who say NORMAL OPERATION...yet it did not drive this way with my old rack, nor does any car I drive act this way. It is exhausting to drive. I have been in contact with ford customer service, my regional rep, and a third dealership and am waiting for work to slow down to have a chance to bring it in AGAIN. Note: it already had an alignment performed.

I am really not sure I want another Ford...the new fusion and escape are tempting (minus the 1.6 ecoboost horror) but I really have lost a lot of respect for ford after this car.

If it wasn't for my steering problems it would be perfect...I never had any transmission shuddering problems, or MFT problems. Only an occasional rattle when going over bumps (no clunking).

I really do not want to spend more money on another vehicle, but I really have no choice, I can't live with how it steers right now.

[Bwill9886]

Originally Posted by Zillon

At least it looked good.

Ended up going with a '13 GTI 4-door in United Grey. I'll continue to hang around here, and feel free to PM me with any questions.

It was between a GTI and the Focus for me, and while you might initially think that their prices and features are too different to directly compare... you'd be right haha!

I just didn't want to pay what a brand new GTI cost and unfortunately there were no slightly used year old ones around. Though in retrospect, if I had known the resale on the Focus was going to plummet like it did I might have reconsidered.

I'm jealous, though that doesn't mean I haven't considered what you are doing now down the road when the Focus is paid off.

AND, at least you have aftermarket support right from the get-go!

[hand-filer]

Originally Posted by Zillon

Well, guys, my journey with the Focus is coming to an end. I'll be picking up my new car Wednesday night.

I tried. Hopefully the rest of you can benefit from my research into this issue.

Congratulations on your new purchase and your return to sanity!

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by Twenty

...Initial test drives were good, driving a few hours later showed potentially a slight reoccurrence of the noise.

I’m checking in on whether you’re hearing a noise, Twenty; let me know.

Originally Posted by 12FOCUS S

...besides the clunk glitch......the car has been stellar thus far...

12FOCUS S,

I want to help with fixing your concern arranging a call from your regional CSM. So I can do this, please send me a PM with your dealer details, VIN, mileage, full name, and best daytime phone number.

Originally Posted by Zillon

Well, guys, my journey with the Focus is coming to an end. I'll be picking up my new car Wednesday night...

It’s a shame you weren’t able to see this resolved, Zillon. I’m sorry to lose a loyal Ford fan. Please don’t hesitate to PM me in the future, so I can help restore your faith in Ford.

Originally Posted by Some Guy From NY

...If it wasn't for my steering problems it would be perfect...I never had any transmission shuddering problems, or MFT problems. Only an occasional rattle when going over bumps (no clunking)...

Some Guy From NY,

Drop me a line when you’re going to make your next appointment at the dealer and I’ll have Cynthia give you a call.

Cory

[Zillon]

Originally Posted by FordCustomerService

It’s a shame you weren’t able to see this resolved, Zillon. I’m sorry to lose a loyal Ford fan. Please don’t hesitate to PM me in the future, so I can help restore your faith in Ford.

Well, it all came down to the fact that it's like pulling teeth to get service departments to admit to issues with these vehicles. I decided that pursuing a solution for this issue was no longer worth the time, hassle, or aggravation.

Thanks for the help, Cory.