2008 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews Page 3

2008 Vermillion Ford Focus SE Automatic

Written by: Lloyd on 09/13/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Love the new style, solidness, room, ease for my elderly parents to enter and exit. I traded a 1999 Pontiac Grand Am Se 4 door with almost 128,000 on it. Things were starting to go so I thought I would follow my younger sister's footsteps and get a Focus. I am very pleased with it and look forward to driving it. I average between 30 and 34 mpg combined driving. This is the first Ford I have ever had. At least go check one out.

Favorite Features

Styling (front and new taillights), good ride and visibility, easy entry and exit. Nice dash layout. Easy to read instrument panel controls. Message center.comfortable ride. Pzev engine. Location of coffee cup holders. Nice and deep.

Suggested Improvements

Heater ducts under front seats for rear passengers, passenger assist grips, rear seat lighting(maybe domelight for the rear compartment or a dome light in the middle of the roof. A remote trunk release from the passenger compartment, especially for those Focuses who don't have remote control entry.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Exceeding max MPG

Written by: Dave on 09/07/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SE 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After being shot down by Massachusetts car dealers, I purchased my Focus SE in Salem NH. As advertised, the car had a mileage range from 29 mpg to 41mpg. Sticker average was 35 mpg. I found that the 5 speed manual transmission outperforms the 4 speed automatic. With 80% highway driving at 2500 RPM, just over 65 MPH, I average 41 mpg, easily. I once had this car performing better in the mileage catergory at 55 MPH. I actually attained 42.6 mpg. This is the reason I purchased the car. I am totally satisfied with it. It's also fun to drive. I wonder if Ford will Offer a 6 speed manual transmission in future models.

Favorite Features

Sirius sattelite radio is new to me but I do like it. The car is quick and I've got to be careful not to burn rubber. Shifting on the fly is excellent. Visibility is very good.

Suggested Improvements

There is way too much chrome on the front end. Spoiler should be available on all models. The "Focus" decal on the doors, as seen in the flyer should be made available sooner. The car looks sporty and improvements on decor at in order

8 out 8 people found this review helpful

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Not What I Expected

Written by: Logan on 09/02/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SES 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I was looking for a few months for a new car and had been to every dealership I could find and had found a few cars in the 25,000 to 30,000 dollar range. When I found the Focus it had everything I wanted and I only paid 21,000. I've put 18,000 km on and drive it like I stole it. The only thing I would change is a little more pop on the bottom end of the automatic and rear disc brakes

Favorite Features

Leather, SYNC

Suggested Improvements

Rear disc brakes and power

6 out 7 people found this review helpful

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Got me!

Written by: ocsurfrr on 09/01/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

After months of deliberation I finally bought a Focus. I needed an economic vehicle since my lifted Chevy is sucking up gas. So for the right price I bought the 4dr auto se sedan for 12,900 after hours of battling the dealer. Car is amazing, great interrior design. I am 6,4 and fit in it fine. Can also fit 4 buddies inside comfortably as well. Gas mileage is great. I never thought I would ever own a Ford and now they got me! I have nothing but great things to say about this vehicle. Seriously how can you complain about a nice, attractive, and sporty vehicle for under 13k?

Favorite Features

Interrior is amazing, gas mileage, fun to drive

Suggested Improvements

I do not like the rear exterior tail lights. Gonna black em out and I think the vehicle will look much better from the back

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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2000 ZX3 vs 2008 S 2 dr

Written by: Wayne Hulsey on 08/30/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Had to replace my 2000 due to being totaled. Loved the car. To me they ruined it for 2008. No hatchback available. Sort of ugly clunky styling outside and inside is worse. The dash layout is very poor and unfriendly compared to the original. My elbow is sore from wacking the console bin when I shift. No spare tire which is really unaceptable in AZ due to our weather and cell phones don't work in lots of places. The Vista Blue color is nice (best thing on car), but miss my bright Autumn Orange. Ugly hubcaps. Basic sound system is better sounder then 2000. Seat bottom not adjustable like the 2000. Just not happy with car by comparison, can say I wish I'd bought the 2005 ZX3 that they had now.

Favorite Features

Its a nice color. Good sounding speakers.

Suggested Improvements

Right now I'd have to say bring in the new Euro version ASAP. Better and brighter color choices. Relocate console bin and parking brake handle. Make adjustable seat bottom standard. A spare tire, that is a real saftey issue to me. More driver friendly dash and shifter. Hatchback.

2 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Have you driven a Focus lately

Written by: mike kulich on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SES 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Just retired and needed something good on gas. The Focus is as good as anything out there. The new Focus will really surprise you! Gas mileage about 31 mpg total driving. After owning trucks all my life this is like winning the lottery.

Favorite Features

Ride, fun to drive, and really quiet for a small car

Suggested Improvements

I have a sun roof so there is no back seat light, only con!

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Dandy car

Written by: Tom B on 08/21/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Tested the Civic, Mazda 3, Elantra, skipped the Corolla. Was ready to go with Mazda 3 until I drove the Focus. Smooth ride, quietest of the bunch, seamless 5 speed shifter, great visibility, supportive seating, and a lot of pep. I'm actually having as much fun driving it as my '06 'stang GT 5 speed. The mileage is better than it's rated at. 4 aftermarket speakers and additional damping under dash and behind the door panels and the stock head sounds better than my Shaker 1000! Cannot hear tire hiss when driving in rain. Great, scatty little car!

Favorite Features

Mileage, it stays around 35-38 MPG! Nice to fill up a 13 gal tank and see that I've got 470 mi. to empty. Cut my fuel bill in half. 5 speed shifter is seamless. Quiet! No need for stereo mods. Big trunk. No rattles or squeaks.

Suggested Improvements

It seems most every Ford I've owned has weak headlights. Assign an engineer to solve this and lose the H13s! Lose the chrome "warts" on the fenders. Interior plastic looks cheap. Lose the front chrome grille strip and go with matched paint.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Thrilled with my choice of vehicle

Written by: Itzmynz2 on 08/20/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I am absolutely thrilled with the purchase of my vehicle. I had test driven many competitors vehicles ( HHR, Cobalt, Cruiser). I was not satisfied with anything until I went to Ford. I purchased a manual specically for the zip and whip. I am a Ford girl and I can not cheat on Ford, so when this stylish 2008 Focus came out (I had a 2000 Focus prior) I had to get one. This vehicle is a replica of my personality (young, always on the go and stylish). If you want a vehicle that is economical, stylish (Metallic Silver), and you can park it in the spots that bigger cars cannot; then purchase a Ford Focus.

Favorite Features

Great size trunk, stylish, I love all the knob gadgets (I don't use them, but I like them)

Suggested Improvements

Gas tank latch, trunk latch, better window sealing, stock wheels instead of hubcaps, reduce road/tire noise. This is my overall disappointment with Ford and the Focus.

3 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Glad I went back to Ford!

Written by: lbluke333 on 08/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus S 2dr Coupe (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Just purchased my new Focus in red about 2 weeks ago. I absolutely love it. I use the AC all the time and don't really take it easy on the gas pedal and I still average about 37 mpg driving about 8% highway miles. It's really fun to drive and it looks really sporty which is awesome. I got the 5 speed tranny which is so smooth when shifting. With no extras I walked away paying just over $13,000 with dealer rebates. The only gripe I have so far would have to be that there is no trunk release on the inside and the S model doesn't offer keyless entry. But overall I love the car and don't regret the purchase whatsoever.

Favorite Features

The interior lighting is so eye pleasing, the aux jack for my ipod, gas mileage, clock and music readouts are at eye level, and great trunk space for a coupe!

Suggested Improvements

No trunk release in inside and no keyless entry offered on base model, and that's it.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Good, but not trouble free

Written by: cdj on 08/19/2008

Vehicle

2008 Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

Review

3 months and 2000 miles and we're happy car, especially with the mileage. Very surprised by the quite ride with one exception. A noise from an unknown source developed at about 1200 miles. Dealer replaced the fuel pump, but the noise remains. Apparently Ford engineers are aware of and investigating the problem so I'm not the only one having it. No solution yet according to the dealer. I’m a little leery as we discovered a suspension problem in the first Focus we took for a test drive. It’s a nice car, but my 3 Hondas and 4 Nissans have never had problems with so few miles. If not for this unknown problem I'd be very happy with the amount of car we got for the money.

Favorite Features

Sync, steering wheel mounted radio controls, quiet ride, mileage and info center

Suggested Improvements

Cancel button on cruise control, better lumbar support in seats, rear headrests. 1 cup holder in the back seat? Whose bright idea was that? Finally, rear floor mats that are actually big enough for my small feet.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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