Where did Focus drivers come from?

Just noticed a trend, a lot of Focus owners have come from E-series Falcons or Lasers.

Myself, I came from an EF Falcon Futura, before that I was in a N12 Pulsar.

I liked the Focus because it sorta combined the 2 together, the fun-ness and chuckability of the Pulsar (~700kg car) with power, comfort and room to move of the Falcon.

The Pulsar had an 2.25 exhaust with a sport muffler, with 48kw flywheel the thing used to scream! (it had to to get anywhere) It was a light car with heaps of weight up front. On the 13" rims I put 185s at the front and 155s at the rear and it made it have preference to oversteer, but still was able to kick up a rear wheel going through roundabouts (probably had something to do with the shot suspension). Eventually I shredded first gear and the teeth demolished all the other gears quickly.

The Falcon was inherited from my parents. Stock and boring. They still have it sitting in their garage.

[FESTEC]

I came from a 06 WQ Fiesta Zetec, and before that a 05 Mazda 3 SP23 that was stock looking but had 12.5k of MB Quart audio gear in it.

And before that my pride and joy,

A 2002 Subaru WRX that had 290kw at the wheels which had 19" wheels, hotbits coilovers , FMIC , VF34 turbo , 650cc injectors , bosch fuel pump , unichip , turbo back zorst , apexi avc-r boost controller, I had to sell her as I really could not afford it anymore. : : :

I brought the Focus Zetec due to the fact that I hated the Fiesta, it was not a bad car but just not for me, and I really like the shape and lines of the Focus, so thats me.

[Pieoter]

Im driving the focus while the Fez is out of action

[melbzetec]

Midnight Blue XD Falcon (new)
Green Mini (used)
Red Subaru DL (caught on fire after an engine mod!!) (used)
Fiat 124 CC sport (Custard Yellow with wire wheels and sunroof. I loved it) (used)
Red Mazda MX5 ( lowered eibach suspension)(new)
Black Audi A4 ( Leather interior, factory sports suspension, engine chip(new)
Black 5.6 litre 250kW Series III Tickford TE50 with optional Brembos.(new)
Silver LR Focus Zetec(virtually new)

If anybody can find a thread linking those cars then you're a better man than me!!!!

Why the Focus? The TE50 was costing me a fortune in lease payments, and I needed to find a way to fund my sons school fees. I got a demonstrator Focus cheap, fun to drive, great handling (very chuckable) and with all the aftermarket parts available worldwide, I could personalize it with out costing a (relative) fortune. PLUS easier in traffic than the TE50, cheaper to run and maintain, kids can fit in the back, fold down seats allows big flexible space in the hatch. Basically it's great fun to drive and doesn't cost the earth. My wife still has the Audi A4, great engine, but even with factory sports suspension, doesn't handle anywhere near as well as the Focus.

Wouldn't be surprised if I still had it in 5 years time.

[Marshy79]

Haha you lot arnt going to like me.....

First car: Worked LH SLR Torana with Old Auscar stroker engine
Second car : VT Berlina (the torana was too much to use as a daily driver)
Third car: VX Lumina... my bro wrote off the VT and I sold the Torana.

Now the XR5. Just felt like a change from boring commodores. Plus the VX was getting a bit tired from living life sideways.

[raymon81]

First car - 91 black tx5 turbo, loved the car but transmission went twice on me had to sell
Second car - 2004 Blue BA MKII XR6, had GT wheels, sat nav, sunroof, leather, thing was a stunner but was only getting 300kms out of a full tank and couldnt really afford it anymore
Third car - 2005 Blue Mazda 3 SP23, loved the look and power, would of been still driving it if it hadnt of got written off. Thats when i had the oppotunity to test drive the focus and fell in love with it

[FESTEC]

raymon81 what did you think of the Mazda 3 SP23 and how do you compare it to the Zetec?

Raymond, how does the extra torque of the 2.3 duratec compare to the 2.0?

EDIT: LOL almost the same q Festec

[raymon81]

Originally Posted by FESTEC

raymon81 what did you think of the Mazda 3 SP23 and how do you compare it to the Zetec?

The SP23 looks better and goes harder than the focus but thats where it stops. The drive, the handling, the quality dynamics, the roomy cabin, the comfort and most importantly the stereo :P is where the focus beats its rival. Its a much more rewarding drive and FORD aint talkin shiit when they say its SMOOTH AS. Oh another thing the focus is also value for money, pity the sp23 doesnt come with cruise control. I would have preferred the zetec come with abit more power, but im not too fussed i only have 1-2 demerit points left anyway ehehe. I think John Bowe has a focus upgrade package if u want to add abit more power. Ask your ford dealer about it.

[FESTEC]

raymon81 I think that the power differece between the SP23 and the Zetec Is not that noticable maybe of the line but thats it . I was the other way on looks I was not a huge fan of the looks of the SP23 but the Zetec I love the look off. The interior I think the SP23 wins, it was a little nicer and I think as roomy as the Zetec and just a little nicer with the dash layout, I loved the instrument cluster, but the zetec is still very nice don't get me wrong but yea the cruise would have been nice on the SP23 not that I use it now on the Zetec. You are correct about the diving side of things the Zetec wins hands down smooth as hell and handles a truck load better. The only thing I hate about the Zetec is the 5 x 108 PCD as there are hardly any nice wheels out there that will fit. Other than that if I had to choose between the two again the Zetec would still be my buy... (just my opion though) GO THE FORD!!!!!!

[raymon81]

Originally Posted by FESTEC

raymon81 I think that the power differece between the SP23 and the Zetec Is not that noticable maybe of the line but thats it . I was the other way on looks I was not a huge fan of the looks of the SP23 but the Zetec I love the look off. The interior I think the SP23 wins, it was a little nicer and I think as roomy as the Zetec and just a little nicer with the dash layout, I loved the instrument cluster, but the zetec is still very nice don't get me wrong but yea the cruise would have been nice on the SP23 not that I use it now on the Zetec. You are correct about the diving side of things the Zetec wins hands down smooth as hell and handles a truck load better. The only thing I hate about the Zetec is the 5 x 108 PCD as there are hardly any nice wheels out there that will fit. Other than that if I had to choose between the two again the Zetec would still be my buy... (just my opion though) GO THE FORD!!!!!!

Yeh i agree with ya about the dash and instrument cluster. The interior does look better in the sp23 but i just found the focus interior more comfortable dats all. As for the room, i still believe the focus is much roomier and can fit 5 adults easy as for the mazda, the backseat would be abit more crampy. Alot of car reviews agree on that too, i know thats one positive they like about the focus. Yeh the 5X108 PCD is a problem, if you find a nice wheel, your gonna have to get the holes drilled. One reason why i just stuck to the standard 17s and polished em up

[WASP]

Although I bought the LS Zetec, it's actiually for my wife. Her last car was a Land Rover Freelander..lol. Before that however she had a Mazda Astina, Ford Laser S and a Ford Metor so you could say the love afair with small Fords/Mazda's helped her choice.

[Zetec20]

N13 Nissan Pulsar, 2 inch exhaust, springs chopped 2 1/2 coils

bright yellow sigma, piece of **** 3 speed auto

Daihatsu Applause, 17 inch roh adrenalins, dropped on kings superlows then chopped coz it wasn't low enough, decent stereo 4inch splits, 6x9s, 12 inch sub, 2 inch exhaust to 4 1/2 inch cannon :P good time

Daihatsu mira, stock as ******!

[Stugots]

1st car - 1977 Toyota Corona CS
2nd car - 1988 Toyota Corolla Séca CS-X
3rd car - 1990 Toyota Corolla Séca SX
1st bike - 1999 Honda VTR250
2nd bike - 2002 Honda CBR600F4i
4th car - 2006 Ford Focus LX

I've only ever had Toyota cars and I thought I'd be Toyota for life until comparing the new Corolla with the Focus.

Everything is true about the Focus being chuckable compared to others in the class. My previous car was lowerd 1.5" with King Springs, Monroe GT shocks and Whiteline swaybars/bushes and that thing drove like it was on rails and the focus surprised me with it's sharp handling. The new Corolla I drove handled like a boat.

[Zetec20]

i'm liking the sound of some of these cars, i think people should post pics too...

[zetec]

WB Festiva Trio S - White manual with a kickass little Sony CD Player and 6-inch Kenwood splits in the front, stock speakers relocated to the rear. Great little car, never skipped a beat and took everything I threw at it.

Went to Sydney Motorshow in 2002 and fell in love with the Red 3 door Zetec sitting there. As soon as I sat in the driver seat, I had made up my mind to buy one. 5 months later I was driving away from the dealership in my first new car. 80,000km later I'm still loving everything about the car.

[b2tf]

I used to be one.....

EFII Futura
LR Focus CL
AUIII XR8 Ute (current toy)

[Blue_ST170]

I came from the big blue mercedes........first car was my focus......

[Martyvan]

I had a MkI Escort in Bright Canary Yellow, Then went to a Toyota T-18 which had previously had a S/C engine in it, so it braked really well, motor was back to the original when i bought it though, then I had the strut towers go through the bonnet on the speed humps on the ring road at Griffith uni (man it was fun though), and my dad decided that we should stop fixing it, and buy a new car, so bought a NEW laser (96) Then When i got married, bought a 'family' car Current Corolla Wagon(02), and then when it became necessary, i bought my LR Focus Zetec(02)... Which may become a LS Focus LX in the next few months, working on the wife now...... Damn jewellry didnt work... lol

[More revs]

Immediately B4 the LS Zetec was a........... AU Fairmont.... no kidding !

I HAD to get out of that thirsty lumbering battle cruiser and very nearly went for a Renault Megane. Then the local Ford dealer called me up and offered a test drive and I was hooked.

I would say only my old WRX comes close to the Focus for a great steer. I drive it every day, it's a freak of a car - in a nice way.

Just needs a little more power... Sooo I went to John Bowe Performance and left them a message to see if they can help..

[Fast Eddie]

My first car was a Mighty TF Gemini "Shaggin Waggon". Second was a brief drive with a 86 Crapolla and my last drive was, according to the dealer, the last Camira Wagon that was ever built. It was a fairly decent thing but it wasn't running well after only a few thousand kays. After a lot of examination by various dealers they couldn't find anything wrong but it took a mechanic mate of mine to discover the cam belt was out 20 degrees. We don't know whether it was fitted incorrectly from the beginning or it "just slipped". After it was put back together it ran like a dream.

My '03 LR LX Focus is a brilliant drive and I'm still in love with it.

[raymon81]

Originally Posted by More revs

Immediately B4 the LS Zetec was a........... AU Fairmont.... no kidding !

I HAD to get out of that thirsty lumbering battle cruiser and very nearly went for a Renault Megane. Then the local Ford dealer called me up and offered a test drive and I was hooked.

I would say only my old WRX comes close to the Focus for a great steer. I drive it every day, it's a freak of a car - in a nice way.

Just needs a little more power... Sooo I went to John Bowe Performance and left them a message to see if they can help..

Could you please let us know how much they quote you and how much extra power u get of it. Aslo what modifications they do. I was offered the John Bowe XR sports package (i think thats what its called) when i bought my car but i really never asked much about it.

[More revs]

Will do but it looks like the product isn't ready yet whatever it is... Prolly just an exhaust and inlet which you can do yourself..

[Talldude]

First car 79 Sigma, the thing was crap!
Second 85 VK commodore i hated that thing
Thrid 02 Focus zetec best car ive owned so far........not hard really
Project car Datsun 1600 (its in pieces one day it will be whole again)

[FRA]

1976 Mazda 808
1984 Nissan stanza
1988Toyota camry
1994 Toyota spacia
2005 Focus hatch
Lorraine.

[amlohac]

My car before the focus was my first, it was a VT holden ute. Had a collumn shift auto!

[FOCUSonTHIS]

First car: 1989 Laser TX3 Turbo 4WD
Second car: 1989 Laser TX3
Third car: 2003 Focus Zetec

[Martyvan]

Originally Posted by FOCUSonTHIS

First car: 1989 Laser TX3 Turbo 4WD
Second car: 1989 Laser TX3
Third car: 2003 Focus Zetec

How hard are those TX3 4wd's to find now... I was looking at one for a project potential... and they are incredibly difficult...

[orsest170]

Datto 180B (with a SSS engine apparently _ )
Holden *cough* Commodore *cough* VB SLE worked 308 :
Ford Falcon EFII XR6 (slightly modified)

Ford Focus ST170 (midly modified)

Ford Focus XR5 turbo (Stock...but not for long :Up_to_som )

[20focus05]

first car- 76 toyota corona
second car- ford xf
third car- eb11 wagon, 40thou rebuild, ef cam, handed down to son
now CL focus silver 17" alloys