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I like the mk3s but imo they are getting too big. mine is sized just right. And I really do like the way these cars look. That and even on this forum dedicated to our cars the MK2 is still kinda the odd ball and I like that. I can still stand out even in the focus community.
 
If you look at the whole dash (not just the center piece) the aftermarket unit looks really nice. You can get the PAC unit which will keep your SYNC functionality along with the upper screen.

thats pretty bad ass..question i dont have sync but would like to keep the upper screen functional or if anything a way to make it say something with a programer or anything will this PAC unit work with out the sync system??
 
I think our generation is different, but still has that focus feel and look. The new ones are geat don't get me wrong and would doing anything for the new ST, but if you look how the focus started v. Now it's very different in good and bad ways. Like most cars they get bigger, or smaller, huge style changes, and much influences from others that are similar around the world. It's just how cars progress and marketing changes, especially for models that have been around for a while.I love mine and everyone else's. I feel we have a somewhat advantage since we only have our gens from 08-11 when there is a long stretch from when the focus started till a real model change with ours. One downside though is there is not a whole bunch of stuff out on the market for us. I'm glad we have access to FSWERKS for our performance needs, but still wish there was more options out there for the appearence and not only one or two things where everyone has one or the other. I honestly have no problem with this, but over time uniqueness may or may not run out. I believe it wont because it seems like everyday i see new things being done to foci and most our creative, unique custom things. I want to think mine is somewhat unique because I see many older foci modded out but never seen a modded 2nd gen on the road in person until focus fest. I only know of a few in my state with modded 2nd gens but never seen them in person. Im sure like everyone else, I want to research and see if anyone has this or done that before doing anything to mine. I am proud to say that when at car meets I might not have the fastest car, but I know I have something that stands out from the dozen of civics, 350zs, WRXs, etc...Most days I get compliments, or asked what kind of car I have and enjoy that very much. Especially when you are parked next to a ferrari and people ask about your focus :). I still hope more and more opens up for us on the market. MK3s market has been opening up like ours did, but hope its not the end for us. I do wish our generation foci had more hp like the SVT or even the ST, but I think its more fun upgrading with bolt ons, and eventually maybe going FI to match or get higher gains if you are a car enthusiast with passion, time, and of course money haha.
 
I think our generation is different, but still has that focus feel and look. The new ones are geat don't get me wrong and would doing anything for the new ST, but if you look how the focus started v. Now it's very different in good and bad ways. Like most cars they get bigger, or smaller, huge style changes, and much influences from others that are similar around the world. It's just how cars progress and marketing changes, especially for models that have been around for a while.I love mine and everyone else's. I feel we have a somewhat advantage since we only have our gens from 08-11 when there is a long stretch from when the focus started till a real model change with ours. One downside though is there is not a whole bunch of stuff out on the market for us. I'm glad we have access to FSWERKS for our performance needs, but still wish there was more options out there for the appearence and not only one or two things where everyone has one or the other. I honestly have no problem with this, but over time uniqueness may or may not run out. I believe it wont because it seems like everyday i see new things being done to foci and most our creative, unique custom things. I want to think mine is somewhat unique because I see many older foci modded out but never seen a modded 2nd gen on the road in person until FocusFest. I only know of a few in my state with modded 2nd gens but never seen them in person. Im sure like everyone else, I want to research and see if anyone has this or done that before doing anything to mine. I am proud to say that when at car meets I might not have the fastest car, but I know I have something that stands out from the dozen of civics, 350zs, WRXs, etc...Most days I get compliments, or asked what kind of car I have and enjoy that very much. Especially when you are parked next to a ferrari and people ask about your focus :). I still hope more and more opens up for us on the market. MK3s market has been opening up like ours did, but hope its not the end for us. I do wish our generation foci had more hp like the SVT or even the ST, but I think its more fun upgrading with bolt ons, and eventually maybe going FI to match or get higher gains if you are a car enthusiast with passion, time, and of course money haha.

I couldnt agree with you more bro. And yes you have a good point, due to the limited market most of us kinda end up with the same mods and there isnt alot of stuff for these cars. Thats why I have gotten a bit carried away maybe with my interior and a few other things. Gotta do something different. And in the show scene I tour I am the only 2nd gen. I knew of one other that was modded but he never showed it and I dont think he has it anymore. Every now and then I see a first gen at a show and in my area I havent seen any mk3s out here other than a st or two. So I'm kinda the odd man out. I enjoy my car though, I get alot of thumbs up and am always asked what it is because most people simply dont know. Was funny, I was at drill today and usually I drive my F150. Havent had my focus down there in a year. One guy asked me, Is that the same focus you have always had? Its changed that much and I love getting that. Cant wait to have my fiberglass sub enclosure built, that should set me a little apart from the rest even more. Thats another good thing about our cars. People dont seem to get as pissed when you get a little crazy and start modding these things, not like the SVT guys who would freak if I did half the things I have done and or have planned to an SVT car. I like being different and this model car helps me to do so even more so.
 
The mk3 isn't really that different from the "mk2." The exterior dimensions are bigger by 3 inches in both width and height, but the wheelbase is just 1.4" longer and the interior dimensions are very nearly identical.
Our cars can go farther on one tank of fuel and with 300 more pounds to lug around, the 20hp advantage of the ti-vct motor becomes a moot point.
The rear suspension design is identical. Very little has really "changed" between the two cars. The new one carries more technology, better quality parts, and better overall driving dynamics versus our cars being lighter and more efficient while lacking a few high-end convenience items like dual zone air & MFT.
The EPA says our cars have more interior volume and more cargo space than 2012+ sedans.
Our engines also carry more HP and torque through the rev range, despite lower peak numbers.

When Ford made the first Focus in 1998, they set out to change what people expected from an entry-level compact car and they did that. The Focus has been one of the top-selling compacts for over a decade. When Ford designed the mk3, they set out to do the same thing by using high-end tech and build materials to redefine what it means to drive a compact car. Thanks to Ford and the Focus, people now have choices like the Cruze, Dart, etc. As terrible as they may be, they might still be Cobalt and Neon if it weren't for the upscale Focus taking the spotlight.

That said, I'm perfectly happy with my 2011. I don't think driving a 1 year newer car would really change anything for the better in my case. Maybe that new chassis would come in handy with autocross, but that's what mods are for.

And just to stay "on topic" here are some iPhone pics from this weekend's car show.

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I would hope he does as much as I've seen him down on people. Its a clean car but I dont see anything going on. I'm sure its all under the hood. You got me curious now though about the suspension. Wonder how much of it can swap over to my 2010. Maybe do a 5 lug conversion. And that engine. Hmmmm, I'm sure it could be done. Although I wont do it anytime soon as there is nothing wrong with mine.
 
For those curious, here is a list of everything I've done to my car:

FRPP suspension + MOOG endlinks
K&N Drop-in filter
Autolite copper plugs
"Big 3" grounding mod
RedlineGoods custom shifter boot and parking brake boot
2008 Mustang GT "Premier" billet shift knob (Extremely rare piece, if you're into that sort of thing)
Clarion 4ch mini-amp wired in behind the dashboard + Infinity reference speakers
3D Carbon trunk lid accessory (photo added above)
"Lunch box" resonator delete
Falken Azenis FK453 Summer tires.

Parts not yet installed:
SVT Rear brake kit (bought used, needs rotors and pads and I want SS lines before I install)
Coupe roof spoiler (needs painted, but its not a priority for me yet)

Sorry I don't have any neon wheels, ebay lights, or stickers to prove myself to you all.

Power is plenty enough for me right now. I'm more concentrated on keeping my fuel economy for the time being. The only thing I may do in the short term is Tom's tune, but I'll need to borrow or buy a Windows laptop before I can do that. His remote tuning software doesn't work on my Mac.
 
I don't know how you feel about partitioning your hard drive using bootcamp, but I have a Mac as well and didn't have access to a windows computer, or didnt want to buy a computer for just tuning. So I got 32bit windows 7 home premium to do my tuning with Tom. I haven't got a chance to set up time to actually tune but I have had a session with him using my Mac and did some practice data logging and everything seem to work fine. Some people don't like the idea of running windows on Mac. I know I was but it is the cheapest route unless you can borrow a laptop.
 
Yeah I'm not going to partition my MacBook and buy a copy of windows just to tune my car.
I'll either hit up craigslist for a $50 laptop or borrow one when I'm ready.
 
I didn't want "loaner" laptop because I like that I can keep all of my data log files and tune files on my computer. Should an issue arise, I can swap over and access everything I need.
 
That ford logo is pretty dope. Now if I can have one just like that but with blue hightlights to match what I've been doing with my car.
 
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