[TooOld]

I don't understand. Where's the Focus in this list? The Fiesta made it but not the Focus?

http://wallstcheatsheet.com/automobiles/the-9-least-loved-cars-in-consumer-reports-rankings.html/?hl=1&utm_source=outbrain&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=feed_auto_desktop&ref=OB

 

[papaacer]

Probably because people (like alot on this forum) actually really love their Focus

 

[valmundo]

First of all, this is from consumer reports so take that with a grain of salt. Second, most of the cars on that list are subcompacts and Americans love their big cars and generally hate tiny cars, which the Fiesta falls under. I wouldn't be surprised if the consumer reports crowd who bought these cars are suffering from buyers remorse more than anything. Third, the article notes that consumer reports ranked these cars based on ANY negative feedback from its readers, not necessarily because the cars were experiencing any mechanical or technical issues.

 

[papaacer]

yeah and based on that feedback, even with some of the trans issues in the DCT, people love their Focus. Why? because it is a fun DD. Lets also not forget that the are 5MT owners too. Those people tend to be very appreciative of their cars

 

[TooOld]

Yeah, my original post was more tongue-in-cheek. When I saw the title, I did pause and wonder, but read through anyway.

I'm one of those fully satisfied with my Focus.

 

[papaacer]

Yeah gotcha, i love the car, sometimes i wish i bought the 5mt. but my DCT performs great. just personal preference, but i would buy this car again. Another thing I forgot to mention is that the St is still considered a Focus. It might be a turbo sub-model BUT still a Focus as well. So that is another reason the Focus most likely did not make the list

 

[TooOld]

Any idea what percentage of Focus sales are ST? I would guess 10%. Which would then only have a maximum 10% affect on the satisfaction ratings.

 

[ELCouz]

Yeah gotcha, i love the car, sometimes i wish i bought the 5mt. but my DCT performs great. just personal preference, but i would buy this car again. Another thing I forgot to mention is that the St is still considered a Focus. It might be a turbo sub-model BUT still a Focus as well. So that is another reason the Focus most likely did not make the list

Go ST or trade-in your DCT for a 5MT!!

Manual are cheaper than DCT on the used market usually.

 

[TooOld]

Go ST or trade-in your DCT for a 5MT!!

Manual are cheaper than DCT on the used market usually.

The DCT is / was generally about a $US900 option.

 

[papaacer]

Go ST or trade-in your DCT for a 5MT!!

Manual are cheaper than DCT on the used market usually.

Why would I want to trade-in my perfectly working DCT? It works great. Besides this weird wiring issue, it has never given me any issues whatsoever. I love manual cars, but I love how well my DCT does and I actually like sport mode. That's why I converted to have sport mode.

 

[Pennut]

The Ford Fiesta begins the run of poorly received subcompact vehicles. Only 51% of Consumer Reports respondents said they would buy another Fiesta if given the chance. You might be thinking, “You can only be a teenager once,” but the Fiesta in its base trim ($13,965) does offer 43 highway miles per gallon. In other words, it’s a good first car or car where fuel economy is your main priority. Fiesta SE ($15,195) trims have the optional three-cylinder, 1.0-liter Ecoboost engine that won the International Engine of the Year Award three times. Consumer Reports readers didn’t care. They wanted more power, style, and performance for their $14K

Kind of stupid. How much power and performance can you expect for a car that cost 14K? You can't even get a Chevy Sonic turbo for 14k.

I had a 2011 Fiesta SES. I paid 18k+ but that was with every option but leather seats and sunroof. Sure wasn't the fastest off the line, but wasn't slow for it's class. On the highway it never felt underpowered. I got 42 mpg hwy on a road trip to Cape Cod. One time I saw 44.7 mpg. It was a great little car. Don't think it was a bad looking car either.

 

[BetaDnB]

Second, most of the cars on that list are subcompacts...

You need to view the list again. 3/10 are subcompacts.

I've had my car 3.5 years and still find it a joy every time I get in it. I'm also surprised to see the Fiesta on the list. My mother-in-law (who is very hard to please) is on her second Fiesta. Traded her 2 year old one for a new one.

 

[lumpthar]

I very much like the Fiesta. It was what got me excited about a new car in the first place.
Once I got inside and felt how small it was with me inside (6'4") I knew I needed something bigger.
For me to fit in the car, the front seat had to be all the way back until it was touching the rear seat. That wouldn't have worked with my kids.

 

[TooOld]

I very much like the Fiesta. It was what got me excited about a new car in the first place.
Once I got inside and felt how small it was with me inside (6'4") I knew I needed something bigger.
For me to fit in the car, the front seat had to be all the way back until it was touching the rear seat. That wouldn't have worked with my kids.

I too examined Fiesta's before the Focus. While I'm quite a bit shorter than you at 5'9", the lateral spacing is what pushed me toward the Focus. I believe the lateral spacing in the Fiesta is noticeably less than my 1999 Escort wagon.

But I guess that makes sense, the Escort was still a C segment car in its day and the Fiesta a B segment car.

 

[n8 dawg]

I very much like the Fiesta. It was what got me excited about a new car in the first place.
Once I got inside and felt how small it was with me inside (6'4") I knew I needed something bigger.
For me to fit in the car, the front seat had to be all the way back until it was touching the rear seat. That wouldn't have worked with my kids.

How do you fit in the focus with your kids? I am only 5'8" and there is enough room for my kids in the back seat but in a few years when they enter the teenage years I don't see them fitting back their without being uncomfortable. That's one of the reasons when I was looking at the ST I opted for the fusion instead. It was about the same price, but had more room and a better ride.

 

[Pennut]

I very much like the Fiesta. It was what got me excited about a new car in the first place.
Once I got inside and felt how small it was with me inside (6'4") I knew I needed something bigger.
For me to fit in the car, the front seat had to be all the way back until it was touching the rear seat. That wouldn't have worked with my kids.

Actually my Fiesta seemed to have a little more legroom in the drivers seat than my Focus. The Focus is quite a bit wider though. My Fiesta had all the goods. Heated front seats, Sirus radio, auto dim rear view mirror, SYNC, Keyless entry/start. Some of the same people that say it is "too small" will say a Mini Cooper is neat. ????? The Fiesta is larger than the Mini and Fiat 500. I never felt I was driving an economy car with all the options I had. Small doesn't necessarily mean econo-box anymore. My 2006 Dodge Magnum SXT was a 27k car at the time and it didn't have all the stuff my Fiesta did.

*Update - just checked the specs on Fords website and it confirms what I said about the front legroom. Fiesta=43.6" vs. Focus=41.9" . I think it is because the Focus has a wider wheel well that intrudes more into the cabin maybe.

 

[wavsine]

The Fiesta is larger than the Mini and Fiat 500. I never felt I was driving an economy car with all the options I had. Small doesn't necessarily mean econo-box anymore. My 2006 Dodge Magnum SXT was a 27k car at the time and it didn't have all the stuff my Fiesta did.

I agree, the Fiesta is a really nice car. If gas prices skyrocket, I will buy a Fiesta with the 1.0L three cylinder, a motor that suits that lighter car much better than the Focus IMHO. The rear twist beam suspension initially troubled me but most reports I have seen indicate the handling is good.

 

[kam327]

Interesting 1/3rd on the list are Nissans. Another reason not to buy a car with a CVT? The CVT in the Pathfinder seems to especially irk their owners.

 

[cobrajet429]

I agree, the Fiesta is a really nice car. If gas prices skyrocket, I will buy a Fiesta with the 1.0L three cylinder, a motor that suits that lighter car much better than the Focus IMHO. The rear twist beam suspension initially troubled me but most reports I have seen indicate the handling is good.

The extra price of the 1.0 will take a few years to make up the difference in gas savings.

 

[Pennut]

I agree, the Fiesta is a really nice car. If gas prices skyrocket, I will buy a Fiesta with the 1.0L three cylinder, a motor that suits that lighter car much better than the Focus IMHO. The rear twist beam suspension initially troubled me but most reports I have seen indicate the handling is good.

My Fiesta corned as good as my Focus even though the rear suspension wasn't as sophisticated. It had less body roll than my Focus. IMO my Focus has more body roll than it should through a tight turn given the suspension. I would expect it if the ride was Buick-soft, but the Focus has a fairly stiff ride. Between the Focus and Fiesta, I much prefer my Focus for it's larger size and better acceleration, don't get me wrong. The Fiesta was a bit more fun to drive though. Something about tossing a small light car through the corners. I bet the Fiesta ST is a blast.