[Marc]

This is especially interesting for those who already pre-ordered a Fiesta

 

[FiestaFan]

If I could afford it I'd get a Focus hatch but considering the likely $2000+ premium I'll have to get the Fiesta. Not that it bugs me, the only thing I'd probably miss is rear seat room.

 

[BRGT350]

The new Focus is a massive car! I was shocked at how long and wide the new Focus is in person. The styling is awesome, but its larger size and much more expensive price tag will keep me buying the Fiesta. For the US market, the new Focus is going to seem very big, since we missed out on the EU Focus which is between the current US and the 2012 Focus.

Also, there seems to be some more stuff coming our way for the Fiesta in terms of accessories that have me very excited.

 

[PowerShift]

I have to say that I started having feelings for the new Focus sedan after seeing it so many times yesterday. But I'm already committed to the Fiesta. I kinda knew that Ford or someone else might come up with something good while I was waiting for the Fiesta, but at some point I'd just have to make a decision and stick with it. Who knows, If I wait for Focus I might see something even better from someone else.

 

[iamz]

While I find the Focus to be a very good looking car, it doesn't suit my tastes. It simply looks to upscale and refined. I much prefer the edgy and playful design of the Fiesta. And as BRGT350 mentioned, it's too big. I wanted a car smaller than my P5 and the new Focus is not that.

 

[LMTech]

I like both of them but for me to drive I want the smaller and more agile Fiesta. I might trade my wifes Focus in and get her the Focus hatch that way I could have the best of both worlds.

 

[azulejost]

I'm still thinking it will be Fiesta for me as well, but since I will not be buying until 2011 the Focus will get a strong look. I cannot say exactly what it is about the Focus' design--something speaks to me though it's not as pure as the Fiesta. I'll report back on my thoughts after seeing them in the metal over the weekend, likely do a fairly in depth design comparison of the two. Driving characteristics, available options & performance features, and some degree of practicality will play a role in my final decision as will any new information that is known for them. Ford continues to impress!

 

[Mattdoommaster]

I do find the new Focus to be kind of bit. So I don't think I would purchase one for my daily driver. I told my wife, though, that when she gets a new car in a few years we're going to check out the Focus for her. She is much more of a mid-size car person, and she really likes how the Focus sedan looks.

 

[tcl]

The new Focus is a massive car! I was shocked at how long and wide the new Focus is in person. ...

How much longer would you say it is than the Fiesta?

 

[BRGT350]

Not really sure how much longer it is, but it is significantly larger in every direction. The Focus and Fiesta were not parked next to each other so it is hard to tell. The Fiesta and first gen Focus hatch are close in size. The EU Focus is slightly larger than the first gen Focus, and the new 2012 Focus is larger than the EU Focus.

 

[Marc]

5 persons choosing the Focus over the Fiesta. I wonder if these persons originally wanted a Fiesta?

 

[golf strom]

The frustrating thing for me is that I like the Fiesta for its smaller size and likely more nimble and entertaining drive and price, BUT the bastardization that has been brought upon the US Fiesta turns me WAYYYY off...

This latest Focus seems to be almost identical to the EU version in every way which appeals to me more of course....Why couldn't Dearborn kept their dirty little paws off what didn't need to be altered on the Fiesta....grrr!

 

[golf strom]

5 persons choosing the Focus over the Fiesta. I wonder if these persons originally wanted a Fiesta?

That would be my thought....but the extensive bastardization is turning quite a few people off. After all the Transit seems to have been left alone except for DOT and EPA items.

 

[mrbirdman330]

This newest Focus is intended to have minimal changes from market to market. IE head lights, tail lights, and interior is my understanding. Other wise the Focus for sale in Germany will be the exact same Focus for sale in North America with no extensive bastardization. Making it for once since the original MK I a true global Focus. No more ''Global Focus'' of RoW gets one model and North America getting another refresher of the MK I.

 

[golf strom]

And that is the beauty of the new MKIII Focus mrbird!

I can totally understand that DOT/EPA regs must be followed and Ford has no choice...but since the NECESSARY alterations are few I can easily accept it because the goodness of the original product is not compromised.

 

[BRGT350]

The frustrating thing for me is that I like the Fiesta for its smaller size and likely more nimble and entertaining drive and price, BUT the bastardization that has been brought upon the US Fiesta turns me WAYYYY off...

This latest Focus seems to be almost identical to the EU version in every way which appeals to me more of course....Why couldn't Dearborn kept their dirty little paws off what didn't need to be altered on the Fiesta....grrr!

Bastardization of the US Fiesta? Holy Crap dude! Did you even bother to read my review and see what improvements they made? The EU Fiesta is not the perfect car you think it is. It is a good car, but it really needed some improvements. Driving the car in the winter I learned all sorts of things that I did not realize in the summer. Talking with the Ford engineers directly, I found that they also noticed all of the issues and fixed them. The only things on the US car that suffered is the size of the lower air intake on the front bumper, lack of some of the glove box features, and projector headlamps. The interior is much improved, the seats are outstanding, and even the suspension is improved. There are also tons of little things Ford did to improve the car. You are completely off base with your half-ass comments about the bastardization of the Fiesta. If you want to see a basterdized car, compare the 2008 US Focus to the EU Focus.

You clearly don't like the Fiesta, so find another spot on the internet to type your factless BS.

 

[iamz]

Golf strom, you have become very tiresome and boring with your ridiculous comments. You clearly are no longer interested in the car and you are clearly not going to buy one, so, move on.

 

[Mattdoommaster]

The frustrating thing for me is that I like the Fiesta for its smaller size and likely more nimble and entertaining drive and price, BUT the bastardization that has been brought upon the US Fiesta turns me WAYYYY off...

This latest Focus seems to be almost identical to the EU version in every way which appeals to me more of course....Why couldn't Dearborn kept their dirty little paws off what didn't need to be altered on the Fiesta....grrr!

Don't feed the troll!

 

[golf strom]

Sorry the Ford PR members don't like my observations...but that is tough. AS long as this is a truly OPEN forum I'll be here.

The bottom line is that the EU Fiesta was just fine for the extremely demanding Europeans and minus the REQUIRED MODS for EPA/DOT it should have been left alone by Dearborn. Instead the US gets a car that shared only 60% content of that excellent model...

As I stated earlier, I am heading over to Europe soon and will be able to drive an 09 EU Fiesta and then compare it with the product we get in the USA. I am still willing to give it a chance but I'm not keeping quiet about my dissatisfaction with what Dearborn did to the car.


I still have yet to hear comments from Ford about why the Transit came over almost untouched, yet the same couldn't be done with the Fiesta. I'd be very interested to understand.

 

[azulejost]

In order to get this discussion back on topic, here are the measurements, in inches, of 2011 Fiesta and 2012 Focus released by Ford thus far. First, the 5-door comparison:

Length: 160.1/178.6
Width: 66.8/71.9
Height: 58.0/57.9
Wheelbase: 98.0/104.2

4-door:

Length: 173.6/178.7
Width: 66.8/71.9
Height: 58.0/58.1
Wheelbase: 98.0/104.2

The wheelbase to length numbers tell the story as to why the Focus sedan looks so proportional yet the Fiesta seems to have a huge rear end. The Focus sedan has a 6" larger wheelbase but is only 5" longer than its Fiesta counterpart. On the other hand, the Focus hatch is wagon-like measuring only 0.1" shorter than the sedan.

Finally, I put at least most of my thoughts together from the NAIAS on my blog (Link). I'll warn you that it's quite a long post where I ultimately conclude the Focus has moved above the Fiesta to the top of my personal list for next car to buy. As I said in my previous post in this thread, several factors are impossible to know at this stage which could further influence me.

I expect a minimum of $3,000 premium for a top line Focus over the top Fiesta, maybe as much as $5k with the MyFord Touch being an unknown. That should keep a top line Focus around $25,000. Performance models of either could sway me or price me out of consideration though I'd love to see both models have at least a Sport model offered.

Of note, nothing about any EU to US changes have influenced me to go from Fiesta to Focus. Color choice may additionally favor the Focus as it seems likely to be offered in darker, more subtle hues than the bright Fiesta.