Ms. Lead-foot vs a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback

I have spent one day with a car that isn't mine. I feel like I have been cheating! Thanks to Denys (the Menace) at Enterprise Car Rental I was driving a 2012 Ford Focus Hatchback to work for 1 day. Built on the Ford C1 platform and it uses the 2.0L inline 4 cylinder engine (and a 6-speed auto tranny).

Here is what I thought...


First Impression?

Is that a Ford? or a Volvo C30? It looks a lot like the C30 but with a Ford price tag - nice!
It is really cute - nice curves - aggressive front grill!
This car should sell well...

Who would I aim this car at?

Young, probably female driver.

What did I like the best?

Looks and options. The options were great. Heated Seats, sunglass holder, leather wrapped steering wheel, 8" touch screen.

What was it missing?

Sunroof!

What did I like least?

Power and acceleration. I tried to merge from a 50 km/hr ramp to 80 km/hr street and found it wouldn't climb fast enough. Later I tried to merge onto the 401 (HWY) at 60-70 and climbing tried to get in front of a Chevrolet Silverado to no avail. It was a slow climb to 100-110 km/hr but when it got there it was fine (no real noise from the engine).

Would I buy this car?

Not for my lead foot. For a younger sibling? For sure, and with Ford Canada offering Employee Pricing right now, it's a great time to do it.

Volvo C30

Check out the grill on this baby!

Nice BIG wrap around lights

So cute - but it's not small!

Back-end is like other hatch's - nice wide opening for maybe a TV Box, or an exercise machine.

Hopefully this gives you a feel for the length - which is close to Wagon-length

Extra Mirror in a Mirror - which I checked does help with cars in your side blindspot.

Large, good-looking tail-lights.

Titanium edition includes: 8" touch Screen, Sony 10 speakers, Satellite Radio, Heated Seats, Puddle Lights!

Comfy fabric seats. If you have kids I recommend fabric protection.

Seats at the back drop down in a 60/40 split. Also there is a "faux" lid that hides what's in your cargo space.

Photo of the "faux" lid



Sony, baby! Not Bose but Sony is pretty good.

Heated Seats??!! And yes, there is a 12V outlet.

8" Touch Screen - fun to customize !

Leather Wrapped Steering Wheel and the controls are all in reach. The Steering Wheel is a bit on the small size and gave me a "girly" feel.

Sunglass holder in the roof! Good thing they didn't forget this small but important thing.



Nice hard plastic on the doors - will take a good beating from shoes, etc.



Sources: Ford; Volvo

Sexy Comes Standard & Imagine All the fun You Can Have in the Back

I was online reading and Mark Atkinson for MSN Autos had mentioned a Florida Ford Dealer giving away Free Fords if it rains on April 8th more than 1 inch. I had to check out the ad, so I did (only because I was hoping it would be "cheeky" and make me laugh). I think what I was hoping for was more shock-value. Being bored of the same old "come-on-down to XYZ dealer ----" I was anticipating an ad like Subaru's Sexy Comes Standard. This commercial is NOT appealing AT ALL but honestly, it is all I think about when someone mentions Subaru now - and I can't forget the slogan. Damn ad agency! Should be fired (or more like given a raise!)

The Subaru ad, though, does not compare (memorable-wise) to an old car commercial someone had sent me maybe 1-2 years ago where he mentions customers being "raped" over deals, the owner and what he'd do with their money, etc etc.  Honestly, this is the type of commercial, I think, the owner might as well have burned his money and not made the commercial. I wish there was some data that showed if this commercial actually aired, when, if it brought in business, and just how much. Seriously, did the owner/manager/someone think that people would come down and drop their hard-earned money to purchase with them???? Either way, it makes me laugh every time but it doesn't make me want to buy or spark an interest - and isn't that what commercials are supposed to do? What do I know, right?

I did find a website though that has videos of all makes and their commercials (like a data-bank). I think for the coming weeks I am going to have a field day just watching all of them...


Until next time....