what you mean by defects? there should not be any defects on new cars correct?
the only thing is get to know about the DCT characteristics from many forum posts here. If you think you can adapt to the mild juddering at the beginning and the grinding noise during low gear transmission, absolutely go for it. its a good value car for the money compared to it's competitors.

bank just called me yesterday to verify that i applied loan for the focus.

the wait is unbearable

finally, so green light is finally visible?

I'll take the loan approval letter as the green light. for now it's still red.

decided to change back to Black instead of midnight sky LOL

True that - did they tell roughly how many more days before the loan agreement is ready? mine took about 2 days from the verification to the collection of the LA.
Black is another nice colour - in fact, all the colours for the Focus are damn nice, it's hard to not admire when you see it!

Would there significant difference in handling/fun between hatchback and sedan?

Sounds like "kruk kruk kruk" can be heard by anyone in car as if something is falling apart. Yes at low gear on slope n can hear louder on slope turning at low gear. Slight vibration n this sound apparently the characteristic of the TCM part. *sigh*

Yes, the "kruk kruk kruk" sound when the car is accelerating at low speeds as if something is falling apart. In most situations the sound is very soft, and sometimes louder. The "kruk kruk" sound is most audible when the vehicle is on steep slopes, in which most owners have concurred on the same experience.

Currently gear changes on my vehicle are not too jerky. But sometimes it can get more jerky. Funny, as if the car has got its own mood to be more jerkier or less jerkier. Will continue to monitor on this.

Just a minor defect on the steering wheel whereby there is a slight friction sound when the steering wheel is turned left or right. Will need to arrange to go to the service centre sometime next week to have this looked at.

To me, there is a difference in handling between the hatchback and sedan. It is very obvious, even though I have only test driven the hatchback only once in a short route less than 10km, and the sedan which I own now. The handling of the hatchback is more precise, just sharper handling. You can feel it either in the corners or on the straights. The difference in handling characteristics is mainly due to the body of the car, one short and one long, and the size of the tyres, 16" vs 17" wheels apart from the normal suspension vs sports suspension in the hatchback. If handling is important to you, then the Sports hatchback would be the one. If more family-orientated with long journey drives, the sedan will be more appropriate with the boot space and more comfortable ride.

S
- stiffer suspension; able to take high speed corners better
- larger rims; 17", slick-looking rims
- lesser body roll; hatch vs sedan
- semi-leather seats in black
- manually controlled driver seat controls

Titanium
- softer suspension; more comfortable ride
- smaller rims; 16", better FC with thicker tyres for improved protection against potholes (205/60)
- more boot space; sedan vs hatch
- full leather seats in beige (dark brown trim on dashboard and panels)
- power assisted driver seat controls
- blind spot information system indicators on side mirrors (+ version only)

the "kruk kruk kruk" sound also happened on my friend's fiesta.... hahaha.. so this is Ford.


1.38% is just nice promo

This post has been edited by ah_fui: Dec 19 2013, 03:14 PM

Ic. I didn't know S has stiffer suspension. All I know is the different size rims, and other bits and bobs. In S, is it considered "too stiff" for older passengers to be comfortable? Read from other reviews that it handles the uneven road surfaces very well. Does that apply to the S model too?

The hatchback Sports model has stiffer "sports-tuned" suspension, as described both in brochures and also sales advisors. As for whether it's too stiff for older passengers, that will depend on the old passengers themselves as different folks have different expectations. Personally I wouldn't get the Sports if you plan to ferry older passengers in the back seat. The suspension is stiffer and the dark-colored fabric seat makes it look like the space is smaller compared to the light-beige leather seats of the sedan.

Handling of the hatchback is indeed superb. Test drive one and find out for yourself. But the gear transmission can get a bit erratic at low speeds when compared to the smoothest transmissions around particularly those from the Japanese makes.

It's not about Ford, it apply to all cars with Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) or some called it Automatic Manual Transmission (ATM), and usually the continental car makers like to use this transmission for the benefits of better fuel consumption and also the less power loss compared to the traditional automatic transmission (AT), and nothing comes free, the price tag is "kruk kruk kruk"

What's this TCM?

I also have the steering wheel sound when turning, not sure it's considered as a defect?

As for the "kruk kruk kruk" sounds, it's a norm for me as I've been driving my friend's fiesta, and when the sound system is on, one could hardly hear this noise. or should I say, neglect-able?

Hi guys, after I lock my fofo, there's a red blinking "i" in the middle of the dashboard. I've checked the menu, messages, and it says system is normal. What could be the cause of the blinking red i?

Just to add on, before the system went to normal, I was getting this message "ford keyfree switch ignition off press POWER”. Which after pressing the POWER button, the system went back to normal (as stated in the menu, message), but after locking my car again, the red blinking i still appear...

Did ambank really took out Focus and Kuga from their Ford year end low interest promo? I was informed by the officer that they only have low interest for Fiesta

I had just driven the Focus up to Genting Highlands yesterday. One word. Fabulous handling and power up the twisty steep road. I briefly switched between D and S several times and found that the S mode is the way to go. The engine is free-revving and after exiting from a sharp bend, the instantaneous power delivery is excellent as the vehicle accelerated effortlessly on the straights up the steep slope. Rpms are kept high throughout the journey up the steep gradient mostly 4000+/- in S mode and sometimes above 5000 on the short straights.

It is just pure fun to manouevre the Focus around the twisty bends as the vehicle kept its composure well enough. Some of the vehicles I overtook when on the way up are my previous car which I have sold, the Nissan Sylphy(poor handling) and Mercedes Benz.

At some sections near the top, there are some very steep sections especially on the inside of a sharp bend, and usually vehicles will choose to go on the outer side of the bend since those path are less steep. Some vehicles were hogging the entire road, choosing most of the outer side of every bend. I overtook some vehicles using the inner side of a bend that is the steepest portion of the bend, and although the power came in slowly when the vehicle accelerated up the steep gradient, it gained momentum after a while, and the overtaking process is relatively effortless. I am particularly impressed not only by the handling prowess of the Focus but also the power that it has in spades. It is surely fun to have the Focus on these challenging driving conditions.

When I reached the multi-level car park, I have to go round several times as mostly all are full. When I was about to park the vehicle, the display suddenly showed transmission is heating and requested to switch off for 5 minutes. I guess the transmission had been working hard as the driver was having too much fun in Sports mode.

When going down Genting, I used Sports mode throughout but occasionally changed to D on the flatter/less steep sections or the straights. The rpms shot up high several times in S mode, and I guess the engine braking is at work when the vehicle was gaining speed at those steep sections. At several sections, areas with gentler slope and long straights, D is preferable as the acceleration is more uniform with the rpms kept lower. In S, the acceleration is somewhat restrained by the engine braking and high rpms. When switching between S and D, I accidentally changed to N twice, but quickly switched to D when I realise that.

This time, I was overtaking each and every vehicle during this Genting Highland trip, both going up and coming down. During my last Genting trip in the Nissan Sylphy earlier this year, almost every vehicle was overtaking my vehicle, even some of the large double-decker buses. This time, the table was turned. :-) When exiting to the Karak highway, again, just a great feeling taking those curving roads in the Focus.

Lastly, no issues with jerking or grinding sound during the whole trip. Overall I am satisfied with the handling and power of the car. Just a slight plastic friction sound of the steering wheel which I will bring up to the service centre soon, though the performance of the car far outweigh its weaknesses.