I'm going to do my reviews of new and maybe used cars here in this thread instead of the Makeshift shoutbox.
Let start off by saying I am not a professional reviewer and this is my opinion.
So.. as some of you know from the Makeshift Shoutbox that I occasionally transfer cars for my local Ford dealer. They also have a Chrysler,Jeep, Dodge,Ram dealership but as of today I have only swapped for Ford.
Today they needed a 2011 Focus to go to Pa and in return I brought back a 2001 Fiesta.
My thoughts are as follows in no particular order.
2011 Ford Focus SE 2.0l engine, 4 sp auto.
Wasn't expecting much here as it was your basic commuter car but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised with the Focus. I had forgotten how much fun a front wheel drive car could be in the snow (we had snow today 2-3 in). The engine was plenty peppy and I needed to remind myself that this was not my car and mashing the gas to pull out of a slush induced drift could result in damages. The 4sp auto was adequate but if optioned I'd have gone for a 5-sp manual.
The car started out a suede white color and was handed over to the Pa dealer a slush brown. Hope they have lots of soap.
The general appearance of the car is pleasing if not a bit nondescript. It's a commuter car.
The interior was roomier than I expected. Let me also preface here that I am not a small person 6'2" in the morning and over 300#. I found there to be more than enough head room and getting in and out was uneventful. Leg room to the pedals was short for me but if you are under 6' and of a more normal body size I think it would be acceptable for commuting. Room for 5 is a pipe dream and I want what ever the advertising team for Ford is smoking. Realistically 2 adults in the front and 2 pre-teens in the back for anything over a 10 minute ride.
All the controls were easy to get to and all the buttons, knobs and levers that I played with all worked. Materials seemed to be of a good quality for the Focus' price point. Sirius radio was installed and made the ride though the Pa Dutch country enjoyable. The ambient noise with the radio off was also quite acceptable.
Car handled quite well and I found myself thinking that with a beefier engine and a manual I could imagine naming the car "Ripper".
Gas mileage was climbing as I drove (mid 20's) and if I remember the sticker said mid-thirties Hwy. Empty snow covered roads, figure less
Out of 5 thumbs upI'd give it 4
Now for the disappointment. 2011 Fiesta 1.6l ( if memory serves) 4 sp auto.
Color was a steel blue metallic grey and about the only thing I liked about this car.
Engine was nondescript and ran fine though I believe there was a loose heat shield under there somewhere. 4 sp auto shifted so quickly I was in 3rd gear at 15mph. Must be a gas mileage thing (which by the by was good) I was getting over 32mpg when I got back and it was still climbing. On the hwy I was doing about 70mph in both cars.
The Fiesta is ugly, weird little triangular windows all over the place and I kept thinking it would fit nicely next to the Pontiac Aztec someday in the Ugly Car Museum.
The interior was extra tight and the gas and brake pedals were so close I seriously thought I might need to take my sneaker off so I wouldn't ride the brake all the way back to NJ. Leg room is non-existent for anyone over 5' 8". Head room was barely there and ingress and egress was bothersome with my 6'2" frame, wanna count the bumps on my head? The ride was harsh and noisy. It did come with Sirius but the speakers were so tinny it just sounded horrible. Seats were unsupportive and uncomfortable but for all of the shortest of trips. The materials used on the interior were cheap and looked it. Mind you this is a fairly inexpensive car and it shows. My advice is unless you are less than 5'8" tall and weigh under 150# save your money and upgrade to the Focus. My score for the 2011 Fiesta 1.6l 2
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Originally Posted by SC Cheesehead
