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ellisd

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
So I went and test drove a 2012 Ti last night with 10k KM on it. Seemed fine, I know what those dual clutch trans feel like as I have driven in some crappy smart cars before. But I didn't read everything on this forum before I went to buy. I think I can still back out, I don't really want another lemon on my hands (already having to deal with 2003 Acura TL trans issues).

I know more people complain about their cars than praise them so I am not sure what to do here...
 
#2 ·
Not that anyone can accurately predict the future "lemonness" of a car.. but if it helps; I've had my 2012 SE since July of 2011. I've done nothing but change the oil, change the wipers and put gas in it. The car now has around 27k miles.
As far as transmissions go, I've pretty much only driven manuals, but as memory serves, what's in this car is aeons better than what was in the cars of my youth. My first several cars were mid to late '70s Dusters and Dart Swingers, so you can imagine the comparison or automatics.
 
Discussion starter · #3 ·
Yea, I feel like people that have had issues with the rolling back and the shudder are people that have only driven auto's but I don't want to say that for sure as this is my first day reading up on the situation. I'm just very concerned but I'm hoping it's a smaller percentage than it appears to be.

The specs are 2012 Ti fully loaded, leather, sunroof, nav, etc for 19k after taxes with 10k KM on it.
 
#4 ·
ellisd said:
Yea, I feel like people that have had issues with the rolling back and the shudder are people that have only driven auto's but I don't want to say that for sure as this is my first day reading up on the situation. I'm just very concerned but I'm hoping it's a smaller percentage than it appears to be.

The specs are 2012 Ti fully loaded, leather, sunroof, nav, etc for 19k after taxes with 10k KM on it.
Click to expand...
I'm looking into getting a 2013 DCT Ti hatch. From reading on the forums there are more people complaining about the DCT than praising it. But look at it this way, if its working fine people won't start a thread saying how it performs to their expectations, but if it doesn't work they will complain. Its the same with every product and service. If my 2013 Ti performs flawlessly I'm not going to come here and start a thread about it.
 
#6 ·
Do YOU have any problems with YOUR vehicle? Is it exhibiting any behavior that YOU find to be unacceptable? Have you driven it for a long enough period to know that it's what you like?

If the answer is yes to all that, then who cares what a bunch of random people on the internet have to say? When these cars first came out, a lot of people were apprehensive about the gearbox just because of what some people were posting here. They weren't having any issues, but still wanted to trade in their car because the internet told them to.

My point, is to not get sucked into any of that. If everything is treating you well then have fun with your new car. If something is bothering you about it then don't buy it.
 
#7 ·
I have a 2012 Ti with the DCt and had one of the issue that others have with the transmission. Keep in mind that this forum only represents a small small percentage of focus owners. Also, most people that don't have issue, don't say anything.
 
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#8 ·
Ditto on the DCT in my TI. If the car works for you, go for it. Perhaps check the service history with a local dealer; that'll tell you what if anything may have been done or not. If you know the origin of the car, even better; maybe you can talk to the previous owner.
 
#10 ·
It takes some getting used to. I've owned both manuals and automatics and this is definitely different. It doesn't have the same response as an auto when you step on it, but the shifts feel really smooth.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Yea, I just took it for another spin and everything feels fine, no weird noises. THe last road test I took it on was a quick one with my fiancee saying how much she loved it then was quiet cause she didnt want to sway me. I took it for a good 35 mile drive, got it up to high way speeds and all that, seems solid. And yea like many have said, I guess I still have 4 years on the powertrain in case that tranny goes.

Cheers. Picking up tonight I think
 
#12 ·
This board is one data point and will favor more negative than positive. Consumer Reports talks about the tranny and MFT as having issues. To me, if you like the car and understand where the potential issues are, go for it with the understanding that you may experience these issues. You can always ask the dealer to perform any TSBs as part of the deal.
 
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#13 ·
I have a '12 SEL automatic w/ DCT and have occasionally encountered the "shudder" when it shifts between 1st and 2nd, the lunging when feathering the throttle in parking lots and the rollback, but as I said, they happen just occasionally and really are not very bothersome to me at all.

If the radio is above 2 volume, you can't hear the "shudder" at all, the rollback only bothers you when you don't expect it (ie. initial test drive only) and the lunging happened one or two times and can be mitigated by avoiding feathering the throttle. I haven't actually read anywhere that these traits are indicative of a failing transmission or transmission "problems", in fact the opposite. I don't recall the user, but he took his in to a dealer and was given a memo stating that these are normal characteristics of the new transmission. I chalk it up to the transmission shifting out of gear as much as possible to improve the mpg's (i'm no mechanic so i could be wrong, but thats what makes sense to me).

If I read on here that somone's transmission failed and had to be replaced as a direct result of these "issues" then i'll take action to rectify it. Until then, I love every inch of this car along with its quirky transmission.
 
Discussion starter · #14 ·
Sounds good. You guys are definitely very encouraging. I know it's not your job to convince me to do anything but I appreciate it regardless.

Is there any correlation between build date and trans that have more issues? Mine was build in March 2012 so I think pretty late?
 
#15 ·
If you want pure driving satisfaction and consistency, back out and get a manual 5 Speed Focus or a 6 Speed ST. The DCT is very hit or miss, I have days where it behaves and days where it just is horrible to drive (more so than the latter).
 
Discussion starter · #16 ·
I would love a standard or an ST but my fiancee is going to be driving and she doesn't like standard. Also, I'm more so getting this because it's such a steal of a deal. The guy that traded it in got a Camaro SS to impress his russian gf. He still owed 27K on the focus and he only got about 15-16 wholesale for it. I paid 18 plus taxes.

I guess we will see. With two test drives thing feel fine for now at least.

But yes I would LOVE an ST so much, just not in the budget right now :)
 
#18 ·
Learn the transmission characteristics

I've noticed that with this DCT you definately have to get a feel for it. It doesnt operate at all like the older automatics i'm used to using. I've also noticed it also has a lot to do with accelerator feel. It reacts very sensitively to throttle input, which I think causes alot of the bucking and what not people complain about when coming to a stop and taking off. I've got 30,000 miles on mine and though it took me a while to figure it out, I can now say its the smoothest shifting transmission i've ever had the pleasure of driving. I've had no issues with it.
 
#19 ·
ellisd said:
I would love a standard or an ST but my fiancee is going to be driving and she doesn't like standard. Also, I'm more so getting this because it's such a steal of a deal. The guy that traded it in got a Camaro SS to impress his russian gf. He still owed 27K on the focus and he only got about 15-16 wholesale for it. I paid 18 plus taxes.

I guess we will see. With two test drives thing feel fine for now at least.

But yes I would LOVE an ST so much, just not in the budget right now :)
Click to expand...
ST1 $23K...but I see the point on the savings.

Sent from my SGH-T679 using Tapatalk 2
 
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