Looking at a 2013 SE 5spd - Talk me into a Powershift

[roderunner]

The manual is excellent on the Focus. Gear spacing is just about right. Clutch operation is smooth and light. One of the nicest shifting I've seen and IMO adds significantly to the driveability of the car. If you read the Car and Driver review and enjoy driving, there shouldn't be any question.

A little bonus -- if you have a weak battery or starter malfunction, you can always push start.

[suss6052]

Originally Posted by roderunner

The manual is excellent on the Focus. Gear spacing is just about right. Clutch operation is smooth and light. One of the nicest shifting I've seen and IMO adds significantly to the driveability of the car. If you read the Car and Driver review and enjoy driving, there shouldn't be any question.

A little bonus -- if you have a weak battery or starter malfunction, you can always push start.

Technically you should not push start a modern car as the raw unburnt fuel can damage the catalyst so that's not really a great idea.

5th gear is fundamentally too short at 0.815:1 vs the 0.702:1 6th gear in the DCT, or the 0.625:1 in the Cruze with the eco gear set for 6th gear.

Having driven both I really had to think about getting the 5MT, but because of the way Ford packaged the car in 2012 in order to get the features I wanted I was locked out from getting the 5MT as well, even though they made the car for Canada in the same trim and options with a manual from the same plant which doesn't make sense to me as to why they would limit a potential sale.

Don't get me wrong the gearbox is not bad, but it just doesn't have the advantage over the DCT when it comes to highway cruising.

Fundamentally the mtx-75 has the same basic gear ratios as my former 1994 Geo Prizm LSI, particularly when it came to final drive and 5th gear ratios.

However the Focus does weigh in nearly 359 lbs more or so than the elder car. Mostly do to creature comforts and safety improvements made over the years.

On the plus side the clutch pedal and clutch actuation felt damned near the same, but the gear shift felt a bit different. Nothing I could not have gotten used to though.

Had Ford make the car available with a 6MT with a similar gear ratio spread to the DCT and a taller over drive gear I would have gone with that.

It comes down to personal preference. I could have gone either way, but for highway cruising that 6th gear comes into play beautifully and I don't mind shifting the DCT manually if and when I want to.

I do kind of miss depressing the clutch pedal, but on the bright side I love how smooth the gear changes are even at wide open throttle.

Had I waited for the 2013s though I would have ordered an ST instead probably.

[roderunner]

Originally Posted by suss6052

Technically you should not push start a modern car as the raw unburnt fuel can damage the catalyst so that's not really a great idea.

Technically, it also stresses the transmission to use it as an engine crank. But as an emergency measure, the capability is priceless.

5th gear is fundamentally too short at 0.815:1 vs the 0.702:1 6th gear in the DCT, or the 0.625:1 in the Cruze with the eco gear set for 6th gear.

I agree. The 6 speed would be ideal (isn't it used with the European Focus?). Too bad Ford elected not to make it available here except with the ST. Still, the MT produces excellent mileage even without the 6th speed. I was impressed on a recent 165 mi. freeway round trip to average 39.9 MPH door to door with less than a thousand miles on the engine!

Of course I'm biased -- we live in the hills where driving is still fun (when there is no traffic). Having had 38 stick shifts over the years, I'd have to say the Focus manual transmission is among the best. I've had a variety of automatics as well and drive my wife's Edge when necessary, but frankly, even with the select shift, it's boring for me.

Obviously the auto makes more sense for a lot of folks for various reasons, and they sell a lot of them. But factoring in the lower price, performance edge, better reliability, comparable FE, and fun factor, IMO the Focus 5MT is a better toy to play with.

[valmundo]

Originally Posted by suss6052

Technically you should not push start a modern car as the raw unburnt fuel can damage the catalyst so that's not really a great idea.

5th gear is fundamentally too short at 0.815:1 vs the 0.702:1 6th gear in the DCT, or the 0.625:1 in the Cruze with the eco gear set for 6th gear.

Having driven both I really had to think about getting the 5MT, but because of the way Ford packaged the car in 2012 in order to get the features I wanted I was locked out from getting the 5MT as well, even though they made the car for Canada in the same trim and options with a manual from the same plant which doesn't make sense to me as to why they would limit a potential sale.

Don't get me wrong the gearbox is not bad, but it just doesn't have the advantage over the DCT when it comes to highway cruising.

Fundamentally the mtx-75 has the same basic gear ratios as my former 1994 Geo Prizm LSI, particularly when it came to final drive and 5th gear ratios.

However the Focus does weigh in nearly 359 lbs more or so than the elder car. Mostly do to creature comforts and safety improvements made over the years.

On the plus side the clutch pedal and clutch actuation felt damned near the same, but the gear shift felt a bit different. Nothing I could not have gotten used to though.

Had Ford make the car available with a 6MT with a similar gear ratio spread to the DCT and a taller over drive gear I would have gone with that.

It comes down to personal preference. I could have gone either way, but for highway cruising that 6th gear comes into play beautifully and I don't mind shifting the DCT manually if and when I want to.

I do kind of miss depressing the clutch pedal, but on the bright side I love how smooth the gear changes are even at wide open throttle.

Had I waited for the 2013s though I would have ordered an ST instead probably.

I have both a DCT Focus and a 5MT and suss is right. The 6th Gear really improves the "smoothness" of the car on the highway. However, the 5MT is a blast to drive and is my preferred car of choice.

Long story short: If you do a lot of highway driving - the DCT is great. Otherwise, the 5MT gives you more control over your driving experience.

[riparke]

Get the 5mt and no MFT and you will be happy. I have a 2012 SE 5mt and sport pkg ( disc brakes), only problems are sync mic sucks over 50mph, not usable. 19000 miles on the car.

[FordCustomerService]

Originally Posted by offroad

Thanks for the honesty, we do enjoy driving a manual.
Just wanted to make sure I wouldn't be sorry I didn't consider the DCT, sounds like we should continue on with a 5spd.

Also have a post here about the deals we have been offered, comments appreciated.

Hi offroad,

If you haven't already, I recommend giving our Marketing Program Headquarters a call at 1-800-334-4375. They can fill you in on all of the available incentives in your area.

If you end up ordering a Focus, send me a PM with your order number/dealer name. I can provide you with weekly updates on the status of your Focus as it makes its way from your order to the plant to delivery at the dealership.

Crystal

[Kabigon]

Originally Posted by riparke

Get the 5mt and no MFT and you will be happy. I have a 2012 SE 5mt and sport pkg ( disc brakes), only problems are sync mic sucks over 50mph, not usable. 19000 miles on the car.

This is a great example of hearsay.

You don't have MFT but you recommend not to get it.

I do have MFT and I like it a lot. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to get it again.

[Slo86GT]

Originally Posted by Kabigon

This is a great example of hearsay.

You don't have MFT but you recommend not to get it.

I do have MFT and I like it a lot. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to get it again.

I agree. The 5 speed car they gave me a great deal on included MFT. I have ZERO regrets. The MFT in my car is excellent. The Sony sound is a very decent stereo for factory, and I won't have to replace any of it until I pop one of the speakers... or get a wild hair and build a fiberglass box in the hatch for a long throw 12 in the factory location.

[vacman]

Originally Posted by Kabigon

This is a great example of hearsay.

You don't have MFT but you recommend not to get it.

I do have MFT and I like it a lot. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to get it again.

You say hearsay, I say common knowledge. I haven't had herpes, but I've heard enough bad things about it that I know I don't want it, either.

[mp223]

Originally Posted by Kabigon

hearsay

I don't think you know what that word means...