Where are the 5-speeds????

[ah2k12]

I've got a 5 speed - the only one on the lot at the time. Fun to drive, but does anybody else think it needs either a higher ratio in 5, or a 6th gear? Mine revs around 3k in 5th at around 115km/h.

[TheDriver916]

I definitely agree that a 6th gear would be very beneficial not only for performance but for mpg as well. But, even after all the improvement ford has made, they still have to cheap up some things.

[JonathanGennick]

Originally Posted by ah2k12

I've got a 5 speed - the only one on the lot at the time. Fun to drive, but does anybody else think it needs either a higher ratio in 5, or a 6th gear? Mine revs around 3k in 5th at around 115km/h.

Yes. Agreed. It really wants a sixth gear. I shopped Focus against Cruze recently. Cruze has a sixth gear. I miss it on the Focus. Bought the Focus anyway, because it's more fun to drive.

Really, I don't see why Ford saw fit to saddle the manual version with only five gears when all the other variations have six. We sorta got short shrifted.

[F35-JSF]

I wish they would have. I've been on ocassion just been coasting in neutral.

[RonMaiden]

I doubt a 6th gear would improve perfromance but MPGs at highway speeds for sure.

[suterp]

5 is plenty for me, buy they should have spread the ratios out more. 1st gear should be shorter for better acceleration and 5th should be taller for better highway mileage. Driving at 75-80 mph really hurts the mpg's due to the gearing.

[islandstuk]

2013 here bought off the lot 1 of 3 out of 8 here in Albany NY area.LOVE IT.

[JonathanGennick]

Originally Posted by RonMaiden

I doubt a 6th gear would improve perfromance but MPGs at highway speeds for sure.

Right. And lower revs too. I'm a little bit worried my first freeway trip will leave me wishing I'd bought the Cruze instead.

[ah2k12]

Originally Posted by JonathanGennick

Right. And lower revs too. I'm a little bit worried my first freeway trip will leave me wishing I'd bought the Cruze instead.

I sometimes wonder if I should have taken the Cruze. I really love the Focus, but I have to keep the stereo on to drown out the engine on the highway.

[TheDriver916]

Idk if it's just me but when I first purchased the focus the road noise was almost non existent. Now 7 months and 20k miles later there is a significant amount of road noise. Anyone else notice this as well?