The Ford Focus (Trend) seems to have come out tops in lots of studies of similar size / prices cars.
There seems to be a long wait list for a sedan, but not a hatch.
Are hatches more popular and they make more or what's happening?
Any other thought plse?
Anna
you know the Focus is fully imported?
Ford closing FALCON assembly has no impact on FOCUS cars.
It wont affect imported Fords or locally built Fords for that manner for the next 3 yrs.
They are now made in Thailand; but so are most cars
except the Cruze
Parts are still most likely built in Asia and assembly elsewhere
you do know that there's been no car built in australia with all 100% australian content
Hmmm, yes heard that, but am assuming that it won't affect me too much. Mind you I have not put a deposit down as yet, so hopefully the price quote won't change in the next week or so.
I have personally seen the latest ford focus trend. It is an accomplished car. It has just the right amount of features you need, including reverse camera. The interior looks a bit out dated, but thats just my personal taste.
The sedan comes in automatic only, whereas hatch comes standard as manual. Not sure why sedans are more popular though, but I think if the price is the same, then people might want a bigger boot of the sedan.
I think at ~24.5k for an auto, it is the most expensive of the 3 economic small cars compare to Mazda 3 (22.5k) and corrola (no ideas how much that cost). But if you are looking for a change, the focus trend is a good car to buy.
Forget about the factory shutting. There will always be people doing car services. The trend is made in Thailand so parts should be cheaper, but also at the same time chances of quality issues is increased.
I negotiated w' 4 dealers. I originally wanted a demo to save some $$. But as I'm not rushing out today to pick it up, I 'll have to go w' a new one. Got the price down to less than the price Ether mentioned (and that 24.5K was originally quoted). Also, putting it on a credit card for a flight later.
Good idea… I never thought of that (not that I have a credit card that can take 20k).
If I didn't get persuaded into buying something expensive, I would've bought a focus trend too. There are less of them on the road than the corolla or the mazda.
Hope you get a good price. Good luck!
Don't you have to pay a 2.5% fee for using a credit card?
Even 2K on a credit card earning ff points is better than a poke in the eye …
I'm not paying a fee (2.5% is huge surely no one would agree to that, even w' AMEX).
I'm paying on M/C (didn't even try w' AMEX as the vendor would probably not accept).
The 2 vendors that I told my offer was dependent on a cc at no fee, both agreed to it. It's actually about .5% I think(?)
Anyway, I was asking about a Ford Focus Trend and still wish to hear any more info on the car if anyone has any thoughts.
If a cc payment is part of the offer do the research and then make the offer after sounding out a few.
I've been shopping around for my Mum for the past few weeks (yes it's trying my patience) and after research an actually going around sitting in the cars took her out to drive the Mazda 3; Hyundi i30; Focus Trend; and Corolla Hatch.
It seems a lot of others seem to like the i30 and are buying it (my aunt and my Mum's neighbour just bought one) and you can really haggle them down on the higher models - which you need to get to get alloys, cruise control and a couple of other bits. If you are looking at autos I noticed the i30 transmission wasn't as smooth as any of the others (Corolla smoothest with a 7 spees gearbox; followed by the Trend imo. It still seems like the old Hyundis and I know RAC said great car but they have bumped the price up so people think they are better cars. They still give a 5 year warranty to ease buyers' minds.
Mazda3 was next of the 4 we drove. It doesn't seemed to have changed much since I was looking in 2006 except for newer styling and the standard upgrades these days. Mum didn't like the drive as much as the Trend or Corolla (neither did I) but liked it. Still a nice car if you really want one.
The Trend was my favourite. I have a 2005 Zetec which has a lot of common parts as the Mazda an Volvo S40 because Ford used to own huge slices of both. All facets are now Ford after sell offs and Ford is now making money around they world again, it's just to expensive to make the Falcon and Territory in Oz. Mum was impressed by the drive and so was I. Seems to be the most solid car of the 4 in my opinion, although you have to pay for a few of the extras (haggling will get you past that). After having the Zetec I would go an ST but love the styling of the Trend, the handling, comfort, smooth drive. Only let down is the front cup holders are still average (and what is with the Comfort Pack??. Oh yeah, as with the previous 3 only a space saver for a spare not a full tyre.
Mum liked the Corolla and I have to say so did I (but would go the Focus personally). She had her last Corolla for 17 years and is only just replacing it. The features on the Ascent Sport that she is buying are similar to the Trend. The drive was great but a 1.8L vs Trend's 2.0L if you care. Focus is slightly less economical but still really good. One thing I like about the Corolla Sport is the rear view camera rather than the sensors of the other models and a full spare tyre rather than a space saver. It was probably the most expensive of all 4 by about $1k but when you buy a car once every 17 years pfft.
Hatches seem to be the go in all of the above models (i30 only comes in a hatch). I think makers are following demand as all the dealers say the hatch is the most popular. It also seems the most current models are hatches (I know Focus and Corolla sedans are still last years model). The Sedan vs Hatch all seems to be about being the boot space and accessibility. They are also about 20 cm shorter just in the body length so it seems like they are smaller but the chassis are the same size.
Sound choice the Focus Trend in my opinion. Nice work on the credit card thought and your haggling. Apart from floor mats, what else are you trying to get thrown in?
psych
Thanks that's very informative and more or less what I was finding. The i30 was originally quoted to me at 30K and I more or less walked out the door thinking that they were cashing in on years of media talk up saying what a great car it was at the price and all that servicing thrown in etc etc. Besides, I wasn't that keen on it anyway and couldn't waste my time w' the negotiation.
I have driven the Trend and still like it. I suspect a hatch is better for potential resale, but having my old Fiat for 25 years, as you say a 1K here or there is pfft. The sedan has a wait of 4 weeks so I assumed that they were not very popular (not that conversely they were highly in demand). I'm looking at a sedan to keep things cold in the boot in hot summers and carting moo poo (and other rubbish), which is not so nice inside the car. But, I could easily go w' a hatch.
Is the Focus sedan due to get a new shape in the near future do you know or maybe they won't bother too much as it's not that much in demand?
What else should I ask for besides floor mats as I have not paid a deposit and can still ask for more 'upgrades'!
I think the Hatch is the latest model, the guy at the dealer said they were releasing a new Festiva in August so not likely in the near future.
I didn't look a the sedans so not sure if they are exactly the same (unlike Corolla, whose sedans are 2012). I would guess you're right about demand driving production of a new model sedan. I think they are bringing out a new Mondeo which would slow down he need for a new Focus sedan.
If you're worried about keeping things cool in the boot of a hatch you can always push a seat down. I've never had any real issue with smell coming from my hatch if I have the cover on and moving around moo pooh in the hatch would be easier. If you prefer a sedan I would wait. My opinion you buy cars because you want them for certain things.
I was asking you on the extras. Still negotiations to be done for Mum's Corolla and trying to think of what to ask for.
P.S. if you like my post +1 vote would be helpful. I'm new to posting
I just drove a Focus Trend hatch and had to look back over my left shoulder to merge and it felt to me like a blind spot almost - very uncomfortable. Thanks to you, I'm now a wake up to extras - floor mats, bonnet protector, scuff plates front, luggage anti slip mat etc etc. I wonder what you would suggest they might through in as I have not agreed a price? I went to the spares dept and got an excell print out of all the things that come as extras and there are very many of them.
I'm looking at a Corolla on Monday, it was way too busy today, much busier than Ford which was empty.
I wonder if VW is almost giving away Golfs yet seeing as they have a touch of adverse publicity currently. Maybe it's 'Unsafe at Any Speed' as Ralph Nader wrote about.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-23/ford-to-close-geelong-…