Who Traded Down?

[Lipshurt]

I went from a 2011 VW golf TDI (very nice car) to my 2012 HB.

i like the TDI but my warranty was up and there is ONE PART, the high pressure fuel pump that costs 10,000 to fix. And it blows up on about 2 percent of the cars. VW was making no allowance for extending the warranty or even allowing insurance on just that one part. So i traded and got 14,500 for it. OUCH.

but its way better than wondering when your number is up. It happened to the only two people i knew that had TDI's and theirs were covered by warranty, and it took 8 weeks to fix them too.

I actually like the focus better. It drives better, is smoother, and quitter, and just as fast. Better interior too. In spite of my front end clunk i would bail on the TDI again for the focus.

[FordFan1265]

I went from a 1965 Ford Galaxie with a 390ci big block putting out almost 200 more horsepower and 200 more pound ft of torque than my Focus. Also weighed nearly 1000 pounds more and measured nearly four feet longer I'd wager too... But the Focus is a big winner in comparison thanks to MPG (averaging about 29/38 with a combined of around 34 as opposed to 7/9 and ageraging 8 before). And the Focus wins the overall comfort trophy. The Galaxie was sans tint and a/c and had vinyl seats(not fun in Texas summers) but did ride like a Cadillac (could go over speed bumps at like 40 without feeling it. Lol). So definitely a trade-off fest and by no means a trade up or trade down as a whole...

[Roadworthy]

Coming from a 2006 Mazdaspeed6 Sport. In the garage right now as I'm still trying to sell it (winter sucks haha). Great car but I'd be tinkering, tuning (COBB tuner) and constantly talking about it. The 330hp/320+tq with a tune + AWD was saaaweeet!Was getting close to 150,000km and just needed less stress.

For the most part, very reliable and sweet sweet power and decent mpg. Loved the AWD as even with Pirelli All-seasons, it does waay better in the snow than the Focus with X-Ice2's

On the other side, my new FF is virtually the same engine (one of the reasons I went with it) but the DCT is the fun of manual without all the work (or the grinding lol) IMHO. Interior is def more high tech but not as lux as the Speed. Yes it is smaller in the headroom, back and trunk BUT it is also waaaay easier to drive and park. Even kinda fun to drive. With the MS3 RMM, push on the pedal and it really takes off! That kick with the dct on engagement with power awesome. Rear view sucks compared to the large rear windows in the speed.

I'm actually very happy with the focus as I've netted great MPG and received lots of compliments on both the interior and exterior. For me, this really is the most future forward looking car (MFT!) and will keep me updated for the next 5+ years :D

[e30og]

Originally Posted by FordFan1265

I went from a 1965 Ford Galaxie with a 390ci big block putting out almost 200 more horsepower and 200 more pound ft of torque than my Focus. Also weighed nearly 1000 pounds more and measured nearly four feet longer I'd wager too... But the Focus is a big winner in comparison thanks to MPG (averaging about 29/38 with a combined of around 34 as opposed to 7/9 and ageraging 8 before). And the Focus wins the overall comfort trophy. The Galaxie was sans tint and a/c and had vinyl seats(not fun in Texas summers) but did ride like a Cadillac (could go over speed bumps at like 40 without feeling it. Lol). So definitely a trade-off fest and by no means a trade up or trade down as a whole...

haha.
Galaxie, thats an awesome boat, post a pic

[snow12]

I went from a Nissan Maxima to the Focus! I actually still have the car but it doesn't get driven by me much anymore since the Focus is my "primary" car I guess you can say.

The gas mileage was surprisingly good on that car and actually seems to be really close to the Focus which is weird because it was a 3.5 and the Focus is only a 2.0 but I think my Focus is malfunctioning so that could be it

My friends and me to a less extent miss the fact that the car was huge and comfortable for passengers in the back but hey I'm driving so I dont worry about it

Of course the technology in this car is a lot better! I had an after market system installed in the Maxima which accepted iPod etc so it wasn't terrible but the Focus is definitely a lot better. Its better off safety wise too im sure even with it being smaller.

As far a thing I miss the most I will say by far it would be the fact that thing would haul a**! It seriously enstilled the feeling that I could pass anything if I needed too (Of course I miss being able to whoop my friends in their Honda Si's and Cobalt SS's too )

and of course the smoothness of the engine and transmission. The Focus seems rough compared to the Maxima. When you accelerate in that car all you hear is the slight humm of the engine and very slightly feel the occasional shift, very smooth! The Focus you have to rev up a lot more so you hear the engine and the transmission I am definitely not a fan of now that it has aged only a couple of thousand miles. Did I mention the maxima is close to 160,000 miles? I hate to say it but I don't think the transmission in this car is going to last as long as the Nissans which is still original. The only work that has had to have been done on that car is a crank position sensor, new radiator fan, and new muffler so its been very reliable. I just don't like the new Nissans though which is why I chose the Focus

[slbenz]

My 2012 SEL hatchback with leather interior was a replacement for my 2000 Saab 9-5 Aero Wagon. The Saab had more power and got excellent gas mileage on the freeway. But the electrical problems that I experienced that had me stranded several times on vacation and business trips, last year, prompted me to look for a replacement. The Focus actually rides and handles better than my Aero. That was the biggest surprise for me and my wife. The Saab was originally a $45K car when it was new and I purchased it nine years ago as a CPO from my local Saab dealer.

Only this past year did the Saab start to really have trouble being reliable. The front engine oil leak with an estimated repair cost of over $2000 was the last straw coupled with the electrical issues prompted me to look for a replacement, hence the Focus. It is actually a couple of decibels quieter on the freeway and idles much smoother than my Saab. Technology in cars definitely has changed in the twelve years between the two vehicles.

I do miss the memory power seats, heated seats, larger back seat and cargo area. Other than that, the Focus is a car my wife and I really enjoy, especially at the pump!

[RallyFord]

Came from a 2005 Evo with close to 500 hp and a 2010 Wrangler unlimited. Loved both those cars but they were both money pits and sucked on gas. Sold both and bought my focus for the daily beater and a 78 Datsun 280z as my project.

[Drof Sucof]

Me: Cobalt ss/tc coupe to a focus se hatch. Traded ss in on mine.
GF: Mercedes 300e sedan to a focus se sedan. Currently selling the benz.

Things we like : MPG and creature comforts for me. MPG and warranty for gf.
Things we miss: Power for me. No car payment for gf.

We both enjoy our new cars more than our previous ones.