New focus.

[flipstylex]

eh, not bad, my grandma might want one

 

[CHICO2003]

The new Focus is also LIGHTER than the previous one, and MUCH lighter than the Mazda3. There is something to be said for that. I'm not terribly fond of the exterior looks, but it is a pretty good car in this segment. I'm curious to see how the magazines rate it.

Yeah well I'm pretty sure a Yugo is even lighter than the new Focus... but that dont' mean I'll be trollin ebay for one.

 

[coolmazda5]

LOL. Grandma would look cool in that thing

Now that you guys mention it, Mazda does not sell MazdaSpeed3s down there, so possibly that is partly why Ford introduced it there but not here (to avoid cannibalizing. The MS3s sell very well in US and Canada as far as I understand).

Also, for the US (and Canada?) the Focus model has never been related to performance or sportiness but more related to compact/economic/inexpensive, so badging it as a Focus may not attract too much market anyway...

 

[CHICO2003]

Seems like the same logic that has kept the Holden Commodore from ever coming stateside is preventing Ford from unleashing this beast. Hopefully the G8's massive success will help pave the way for the ST and others OUR mfrs are holding out on us.

 

[mikeyb]

LOL. Grandma would look cool in that thing

Now that you guys mention it, Mazda does not sell MazdaSpeed3s down there, so possibly that is partly why Ford introduced it there but not here (to avoid cannibalizing. The MS3s sell very well in US and Canada as far as I understand).

Also, for the US (and Canada?) the Focus model has never been related to performance or sportiness but more related to compact/economic/inexpensive, so badging it as a Focus may not attract too much market anyway...

So the SVT Focus was not a performance or sporty compact?

 

[coolmazda5]

So the SVT Focus was not a performance or sporty compact?

I agree, it is a decent car (vague reminder of the Taurus SHO sport reach approach), but I referred to what first comes to mind when you think about a Ford "Focus"...

For example, How many of those SVTs were sold during their time compared to MazdaSpeed Proteges? I don't recall SVTs standing out of the crowd like MazdaSpeeds, Subarus STIs or Civic SIs IMO (note this is a n00b comment )...

 

[mikeyb]

I agree, it is a decent car (vague reminder of the Taurus SHO sport reach approach), but I referred to what first comes to mind when you think about a Ford "Focus"...

For example, How many of those SVTs were sold during their time compared to MazdaSpeed Proteges? I don't recall SVTs standing out of the crowd like MazdaSpeeds, Subarus STIs or Civic SIs IMO (note this is a n00b comment )...

Alot of people forget about the SVT Focus. Its a great little car. I almost bought one it first came out but ended up buying a Sentra SE-R instead. I think Ford sold just as many SVTs as Mazda sold of MSP.

 

[CHICO2003]

I agree, it is a decent car (vague reminder of the Taurus SHO sport reach approach), but I referred to what first comes to mind when you think about a Ford "Focus"...

For example, How many of those SVTs were sold during their time compared to MazdaSpeed Proteges? I don't recall SVTs standing out of the crowd like MazdaSpeeds, Subarus STIs or Civic SIs IMO (note this is a n00b comment )...

Much better than decent car. If I recall, it actually beat out the MSP in more than a few comparisons...

As far as them not standing out as much from the crowd like MSPs, STIs and Civics... Civics aside, it might have something to do with the fact that the SVT didn't come in bright orange like theMSP or have gold BBS wheels and a huge spoiler like the Sti.

Shame on Ford for killin this little guy

 

[coolmazda5]

(wow), good info, so my earlier comment proved flawed after all. I've seen so few in my area compared to the rest than I thought they were not well received at all. Now, my area is boring so is not a good sample (stooges)

 

[AJ08]

i used to have a competion orange svt focus.. loved it i modded the hell out of that thing... love the recaro leather seats

 

[9Venom4]

this is the exact reason we got our mazda3 we liked our 03 focus for what it was but the mazda is just a better car all around and with the 08 redesign killing the hatchback it just got even more ugly...
it looks like and older prius or an echo

 

[coolmazda5]

this is the exact reason we got our mazda3 we liked our 03 focus for what it was but the mazda is just a better car all around and with the 08 redesign killing the hatchback it just got even more ugly...
it looks like and older prius or an echo

True, just checked the web site and there is no longer hatchback nor wagon. Yes, it was OK for what it was, but now there is nowhere to go: the front, the fake fender vents, the back, not even the wheels . At least the good old ZTS had good colors and wheels choices. Oh well (deadhorse