Don't worry, be happy.
... Anything particular to the 2014 model year or the third gens to watch out for? ...
If you want
to lower a 2014, the aftermarket front springs made for the 2012 or 2013 won't fit without changing struts, too. I'm speculating (and, as the owner of a 2014, hoping) that Ford changed the struts and springs to eliminate the
noises some earlier cars have had. If that's the case then putting in the older parts might make those noises more likely. If my guess is right, then we shouldn't be bothered by at least some of those noises with an unmodified 2014.
... I likely have the improved/fixed DPS6 and don't need to worry about this?
You
don't need to worry. You'll either have problems or won't, and worrying won't change that either way.
It's easy to get a negative impression from what you read here because people who are having problems are more likely to take the time to write about them, and to be more emphatic when they do, than owners who are not having problems (with a few exceptions). Odds are that your new Focus will be fine, but only Ford knows what those odds actually are, or what changes they have made to improve them. There are also indications that those odds are much worse with a Mk3 DCT than with other cars (manual trans or other brands).
Since there are fewer 2014s on the road than the earlier model years, only time will tell how many of them will be affected by the same problems seen in earlier models, or what new problems they'll have. (The "fix" for one problem can easily create new ones of its own, especially in software.)
None of the many cars I've owned has ever been completely trouble-free, so I don't think either of our new Focuses will be any different. At least I'll have a better idea what to do about any problems since I found this site.
... there is definitely quite a bit of reading to be done. I guess I know what I'll be doing
for the next couple of days [
]
Heh heh heh. [
] Don't be surprised if that couple of days turns into something bigger. I came here to do some "homework" before buying a new car over two years ago and I'm
still catching up. Not only is there "quite a bit" to read, but this place is also addictive. There are more interesting people, converations, and topics on this site than I had ever imagined when I first found it. Happy reading -- and driving. [driving]
PS - you bought the
best looking color available for 2014 IMO. [thumb]
