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Detroit, 7:42 AM
Wed Dec 2
30 posts in the last 24 hours
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09/02/09
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the 1st gen Focus designed in Europe? Yes, it was. Then Ford let FoE and FNA do their own thing with the platform. FoE did a major redesign that FNA didn't want to support, so now they have two Focus chassis, with NA getting the short end of the stick.
Also, single-platform global cars from Ford include the Transit series and the 1st gen Mondeo/Craptour/Mistaque.
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09/02/09
No one's really sure if a higher-priced (as it invariably is) diesel option would actually pan out, or if it could even be reasonably priced considering our poorer-quality diesel and stricter emissions regs. Diesel emissions-control technology is not cheap.
That said, I'd love to get 50+ mpg and have 200+ lb-ft of tire-shredding torque in a sleeper econobox.
09/02/09
The difference to me is the Jetta is already charging a pretty large premium compared to the other compact competition. I think then the buyers are therefore more likely to up the cost with the diesel as they aren't the typical econobox buyer?
09/02/09
Maybe they could even tout them as "Hecho en Mexico, just like VW!"
09/02/09
09/02/09
Hmm. Focus RS vs Raptor at border. I think I'd pay to see that.
09/02/09
09/02/09
Quit raining on our parade.
09/02/09
Lets make sure it fails by trying to get Ford to build a FocusChero.
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09/02/09
I will disagree with the price point notion, though, at least as far as the Pontiacs are concerned. Both of them were exceptional values.
09/02/09
Does it taste like chicken?
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09/02/09
And I blame car enthusiasts for the same failures. The automakers made the cars available to us, but we didn't buy them. Most of the reasons are lame (too expensive, bland styling, didn't come with a certain must-have option, etc).
Car enthusiasts are always their own worst enemy. Always. We'd rather complain about what we don't have than support what we do. We demand a certain product then refuse to buy it.
ASH's perspective is 100% dead on accurate.
09/02/09
09/02/09
Too heavy
Fail Wheel Drive
Too expensive
Image/Mullet Issues
It's not a BMW
It's not a used BMW
It's made in Mexico
C4C is to blame
Some Accord tossed taco salad all over its face
I gotta go send back my lunch order, I didn't want it to be this delicious.
09/02/09
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09/02/09
And can anyone say SVT Focus?
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09/02/09
I'd put my money on a Focus SHO nomenclature.
/ checks pockets and jar next to the washing machine, sighs heavily.
09/02/09
In my extended family, there have been eleven new car purchases in two years. All but one of them have been domestics, and four of them were die-hard Toyota fans that converted to GM or Ford. We now have two Malibus, a Fusion, a Mustang, and Enclave, a Flex, a CTS, two F-150s, and a Charger. The other wound up being a Mazda5, but only because the Chevrolet dealership that my cousin went to really dicked her around when she was trying to buy an HHR, so she got pissed off and bought the Mazda instead, which is in fact the better car.
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09/02/09
Hopefully the Chevrolet Orlando (terrible name, by the way) will step up shortly and knock one out of the park. But in the meantime, I admit that I very much like her little Mazda5. She bought it because she and her new husband opted to adopt a kid. I have been known to volunteer for extra uncle duty (I know it's technically cousin, but in our family it's uncle) for the chance to take it for a spin.
09/02/09
09/02/09
@vwminispeedster, pronounded Si-trow-in: If I start seeing those at Pep Boys in the next few months, I am totally blaming you.
09/02/09
The only one I influenced was the CTS. My Uncle Charles was going to buy a 530i, but I pestered the hell out of him until he test drove a CTS. He was impressed by the car and the fact that it was less expensive than the BMW for the same quality and performance, so he bought it.
09/02/09
09/02/09
Not saying I don't agree with his decision (I do), just curious.
09/02/09
CTS is really only a 3-series fighter in price. Sizewise it's a 5. There is a 3-series sized Caddy coming.....
09/02/09
Here are the dimensions of each (in inches):
BMW 530i:
Length: 191.1
Width: 72.7
Height: 57.8
Wheelbase: 113.7
Cadillac CTS:
Length: 191.6
Width: 72.5
Height: 58
Wheelbase: 113.4
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