2014 Ford Focus: Three Cylinders (US), Style Updates (US/EU/ETC)

[Rotary Junkie]

Interestingly the Mustang is built entirely with unionized labor (=pricey) and is pretty dang well screwed together. Some of the plastics are a bit crap but it's far from horrible.

I'd say it's on par with or better than everything else in its price class and even a few above it.

 

[Stotty]

I just checked the Ford UK site, and a base Focus ST2 is a shade under £20k... so £21ish with metallic and a few extras... that's $31,500 at a 1.5:1 excahnge rate.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Which would be circa 26k here as we don't have VAT. Sounds about right.

 

[Stotty]

You do have a sales tax though don't you?

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Depends entirely on the state; it ranges from nothing to about 8.25% and generally speaking on vehicles it's charged when you title the vehicle.

 

[Stotty]

OK, that would explain the price difference!

 

[YSSMAN]

How do Ford make money if they sell Mustangs for $22,000... unless the quality is paired back to Korean levels?

Between the crazy sales figures and the off-the-shelf parts, yeah, they're able to push them out the door for pretty cheap. If the rumors are true that they're merging the Falcon and the Mustang together for 2014 (the 50th anniversary of the Mustang), there stands a good chance of seeing the car go global once again.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Anyone know when Ford plans on unveiling this car in the USA? Detroit show in January?

Edit: The ST model...

 

[YSSMAN]

Probably in Los Angeles (November)or Detroit (January). Los Angeles seems like more of the kind of show that'd fit the ST, but even then, we haven't had the officially-official North American debut of the Focus yet.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I've already started saving my pennies to get one, so just wondering when they will hit the show circuit so I can go look at one and make sure I really want it.

 

[Eric.]

These sort of cars should never be more than $24k here unless its a "premium" brand like a GTI. Mustang wins by a mile here. If you can afford the hot Focus you can afford the hotter V6 Mustang or probably even make the stretch to a new 5.0.

 

[Northstar]

These sort of cars should never be more than $24k here unless its a "premium" brand like a GTI. Mustang wins by a mile here. If you can afford the hot Focus you can afford the hotter V6 Mustang or probably even make the stretch to a new 5.0.

I would rather have a '12 Focus than a V6 Stang, it's more practical(i.e. people can actually sit in the back and can get in/out without doing the annoying seat moving thing) and not everyone has them.

 

[CodeRedR51]

I would rather have a '12 Focus than a V6 Stang, it's more practical(i.e. people can actually sit in the back and can get in/out without doing the annoying seat moving thing) and not everyone has them.

This.

Plus the company I work for I have good connections to be first in line for modifications.

 

[Bones Brigade]

These sort of cars should never be more than $24k here unless its a "premium" brand like a GTI. Mustang wins by a mile here. If you can afford the hot Focus you can afford the hotter V6 Mustang or probably even make the stretch to a new 5.0.

People pay 40k for Lancers and Imprezas all the time. And, when comparing base models, who in their right mind would take either of those two over the Focus?

This kind of mentality is baffling to me. And understand I'm not comparing the ST to an Evo or STI. I'm just curious as to why/how this whole "hot hatches based on cheap econo-boxes shouldn't be more than X amount" kind of thinking exists. What have Subaru and especially Mitsubishi done differently?

It isn't heritage. Unless you claim that Fords success in rally or other other forms of racing falls very short of the others.

It could be that, at least for the Evo, it's not really based on the base eco car. Except that now, the 10 does share the same platform. And the STI always has.

All that's left is perception; you're perception that a compact American car you don't want, should remain cheap even when altered significantly. You're perception that small equals cheap. Maybe 27k is a bit steep, if there aren't any great standard features. But I'm going out on a limb and guessing that if there was a 300hp, AWD Focus priced around 34k, that would be overpriced too. Despite being exactly what it's competitors cost.

 

[The Vanishing Boy]

-> I'm with JCE, since few stripper performance cars are on the 'endangered spiecies' list. Ford can really milk in the oportunites thay can have!

Ford Focus ST Comp-Pkg = Similar to the Evo VIII RS, but with optional A/C, no P/W, no P/L, no P/M, no luxo-🤬. USD$21-23K.

Ford Focus ST Base-Pkg = Just a bare necesities. USD$24-25.

Ford Focus ST Premium-Pkg = All the luxo 🤬, SYNC, moonroof, ambient lighting, douchebag-enhancing gimmikery. USD$27-30K for all I care.

^ But if Ford NA doesn't want to pinch their Precious Mustang...

Ford Mustang V6 Comp-Pkg = USD$21-23K.

Ford Mustang GT 5.0 Comp-Pkg = USD$24-26K.

^ Back to square-one I believe...

 

[eSZee]

I would rather have a '12 Focus than a V6 Stang, it's more practical(i.e. people can actually sit in the back and can get in/out without doing the annoying seat moving thing) and not everyone has them.

I don't understand how you can cross-shop a focus and a mustang. Yes the focus is more practical, does that mean you should buy it over a mustang? If you're looking at mustangs or camaros or challengers, practicality is not at the top of the "WANTS and NEEDS" list. Why would I base my buying decision on how many people I can fit in the back? If I have a family and am looking for a main car, I'm obviously not looking at a Mustang.
I'm gonna go buy a fx50 now cause a ZO6 isn't practical enough for me.

 

[Tornado]

All that's left is perception; you're perception that a compact American car you don't want, should remain cheap even when altered significantly.

This would be a valid point, except for one thing:

Despite being exactly what it's competitors cost.

$27,000 is not what the Focus ST's competitors will cost. So it basically throws the entire idea out the window.

 

[De-JaY]

I think the Focus gets uglier by every generation.
The Mk1 was lovely.
Mk2 was okay before the facelift. After the facelift, not so much.
And the Mk3? Well that one looks just hideous.

I'd rather get a Renault Mégane, Opel Astra or a Golf.

 

[Northstar]

I don't understand how you can cross-shop a focus and a mustang. Yes the focus is more practical, does that mean you should buy it over a mustang? If you're looking at mustangs or camaros or challengers, practicality is not at the top of the "WANTS and NEEDS" list. Why would I base my buying decision on how many people I can fit in the back? If I have a family and am looking for a main car, I'm obviously not looking at a Mustang.
I'm gonna go buy a fx50 now cause a ZO6 isn't practical enough for me.

Did you even see the post I was responding to?

 

[Philly]

$27,000 is not what the Focus ST's competitors will cost. So it basically throws the entire idea out the window.

They're pretty close though. The GTI is $25k, the MS3 is $24k and the WRX is $26k.

 

[eSZee]

Did you even see the post I was responding to?

Yes I did, and? I used your post cause it was the last in the line of mustang/focus cross shop posts.

 

[homeforsummer]

I agree with dave_sz that people are unlikely to cross-shop, but then putting Focus next to 'Stang does highlight how expensive the Focus could be.

In the States, I'd go for the Mustang without hesitation.

Given the choice of the two over here, where the Mustang would be lumped with scene tax, actual tax and hefty fuel bills, the Focus would make much more sense.

I wouldn't buy it though because it's a yob's car and several other manufacturers offer much more tempting propositions

 

[CodeRedR51]

Configurator is online. Looking a bit pricey?

http://bp2.forddirect.fordvehicles.com/2012-Ford-Focus#page=/Style/

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

That configurator doesn't work.. Curse of blue oval strikes again.

 

[SlipZtrEm]

Worked fine for me... I always use "90210" for zip codes when I'm playing with US configurators

Hmmm... it's not too bad, you have to remember the two higher hatch trims are factoring in the price of the dual-clutch transmission. I priced out an SE with the second-most expensive convenience package, and the Sport package, and it was very slightly more money than a base Mazda 3 5-door (both manuals). The Mazda has a bigger (thirstier) engine, and four-wheel discs to the Focus' rear drums, but in terms of creature comforts the Focus has the comparison sewn up. If they've kept the much-hyped chassis magic from the euro mk2, I think I'd take the Focus, and I'm a huge fan of the current 3.

 

[Joey D]

Wow that does come out to be a bit on the pricey side, I just spec'ed a $27k Focus. Although you can spec a Golf to $27K and Mazda 3 as well, which are similar cars, so it's probably in the ball park. I guess all new cars just keep going up in price .

 

[Jim Prower]

I just got about everything I could want for $24K. What's your problem? XD

 

[Prosthetic]

I think the Focus gets uglier by every generation.
The Mk1 was lovely.
Mk2 was okay before the facelift. After the facelift, not so much.
And the Mk3? Well that one looks just hideous.

I'd rather get a Renault Mégane, Opel Astra or a Golf.

I agree with this, except I'd rather just keep my Mk1 Focus that I love

 

[Tornado]

These option packages are stupid. If I want to get the second level stereo system (AM/FM/CD/MP3 and 6 speakers, no satellite radio), I have to get steelies and I have to lose the Sport Package? Why?

 

[Philly]

I just got about everything I could want for $24K. What's your problem? XD

That same price could get me everything I want in a base GTI...