New Guy

[2000gm]

Hello all. I am very interested in picking up a Fiesta (sedan most likely) for a practical yet fun work commuter for my 110 mile round trip 3-4 times a week. I have a 2007 F-150 supercrew 4X4 and 2006 Eddie Bauer Explorer, so as you can imagine I get a little nervous whenever it looks like gas prices are heading up again!

One question I've been trying to look into is wether or not any sort of center arm rest will be available. I can't even find any decent pics of the area between the seats, to see if making/adapting something would be possible. I know it's a small detail and is something I'd get used to not having, but to me it just seems it will feel like somethings really missing there without it.

I also have to voice my displeasure with no manual shift mode on the automated manual. It seems like a glaring omission on a car that is otherwise supposed to be so sporty in nature.

[iamz]

I'm going to make an arm rest that slides into two of the three cup holders between the driver and passenger seats. I mainly want something to rest my elbow on. Should be pretty easy to fab something up that's functional and looks good.

As for there being no manual mode on the automatic, get the 5-speed.

[2000gm]

That's a good idea about the cupholders, especially since 99% of the time I'd be the only person in the car.

Most likely I would in fact go with the manual. It's just that with the heavy Boston traffic I sometimes have to deal with, it would be nice to just have a regular auto mode so I can just "go to my happy place" which keeps me from exploding in a fit of rage at all the idiots, and then use in a manual mode the other 50% of the time. I think the VW/Audi DSG is ideal (but I'm just not a VW guy) so I was hoping the Fiesta's version of the technology would include a manual mode.

[bcbunn]

For what it's worth, I've owned a Focus for over 5 years without an armrest, and I've definitely gotten used to it. I only really miss it on very long drives where it can get somewhat tiring not to have something to lean on. On the positive side, I think I tend to keep both hands on the wheel more often because I'm accustomed to no armrest, even when I drive other cars with armrests. Also, there is no storage area to keep useless junk.

As far as the transmission, I respect the dual-clutch automatic, but I would never buy anything other than a traditional 3-pedal vehicle (personal preference).

[iamz]

I would not be surprised if Ford added a manual mode on the 2012 Fiesta. I have no insider information but it just seems like a logical option to have. My current car was a first year model and only came with a regular auto tran. The second year they added the manual shift mode.

[BRGT350]

I don't think a manual auto mode is coming. It was said in a meeting I was in that the flappy paddles were not well received as an option. I tend to agree. If you want a manual, you buy a manual. The DSG transmission is a great peice of engineering, but so was the CVT. Neither of which provide the joy and interaction of a true manual. Eventually, the true manual gearbox will go away and be replaced. I will only have flappy paddles when there are no cars produced with a clutch.

[2000gm]

I don't even want the flappy paddles. I'd just like to be able to slip the floor shifter into a manual mode like VAG's DSG. No it's not at all as good as a true manual, but it's a decent compromise.

Hell, I'd be Ok with a traditional auto where you could manually drop it back and/or hold a lower gear, like you've been able to do for the last several decades. Not having any control whatsoever over what gear its in, except placing it in "D" would drive me nuts no matter what the other benefits of it were. I think that would bug me even more than the slower responses of a traditional auto trans.

I will not ever, if I can help it, buy a car with a CVT. I don't want my car to drive like a snowmobile.

[Reddog99]

There is no center armrest. I believe that an aftermarket one is available here: WOOD COMPANY ITALY - Armrests and storages for auto - High quality auto interior accessories

[2000gm]

Originally Posted by Reddog99

There is no center armrest. I believe that an aftermarket one is available here: WOOD COMPANY ITALY - Armrests and storages for auto - High quality auto interior accessories

That would do the trick, thanks! A bit pricey, but worth it. Free shipping to the States as well!