4 ms·

I bought a 2014 Focus, which I think has developed quite a reputation for expensive and frequent repairs. Fortunately, the primary (overwhelmingly so) candidate

I bought a 2014 Focus, which I think has developed quite a reputation for expensive and frequent repairs. Fortunately, the primary (overwhelmingly so) candidate is the transmission.

dragontamer 10y ago
This played into my decision when I got a 2014 Focus as well. I got a manual transmission. Its much harder to screw up a manual. The Dual-clutch thing is somewhat innovative, but the Focus's engine is high-rev / turbo-charged (getting the most power at 4000+ RPM). At the low-end, the engine is jerky and everything. Its much smoother when I rev the engine higher (maybe 3000+ or even 4000+) before shifting up. I'm not really sure how the "automatic" DCT of the Focus is supposed to manage the engine without things getting shaky. I definitely recommend the 2014 as a manual car. Very simple driving behavior fix to just rev the engine a little higher.
- soylentcola 10y ago
  We've got a 2012 Focus as our sole car (my other car is a motorcycle if I'm looking to go all "bumper sticker" with my phrases). I believe this was the first year that they switched the US Focus to be the same as the European version which was a different, superior vehicle in past years. It's also a manual and it's the base model so the interior trim is boring black plastic. Stereo and all that are very basic and there's absolutely nothing exciting about the car. That said, It was under $15k new in the late summer of 2011, hasn't had any major issues or maintenance other than scheduled visits, oil changes, and the like. Granted we've only had it for 5 years but the thing is paid for and for $15k, it's been a fine commuter car and for the few longer trips we take every year. Previous car was a used (forget the year) Jetta with fancy heated leather seats, 6 speed, sweet stereo, moon roof, and all that fun stuff. The damn thing was in the shop at least two or more times per year during the few years we had it before we threw in the towel and traded it in on the Focus. Sure, I sorta liked the perks and that 6 speed, 6cyl was a hell of a lot more fun to drive but it wasn't thousands-more-per-year more fun to drive. The car was also not new when we got it so it's not a fair comparison to a car purchased new. If anything, I think I learned that buying a new (or newer) car that's simpler with a lower base cost can still be less spendy than going used when you add in maintenance costs.
  - dragontamer 10y ago
    The Mk3 Focus (2012 and later) has a surprisingly perky engine above 4000 RPM. I'd say its one of the funnest rides under $20k brand new. As you note: there are plenty of low-end models that are ~$15k for a completely brand new car. The Mazda3 manual transmission has slightly better low-end torque and a solid transmission. Its only slightly more expensive, but I personally didn't like the layout of the interior and the placement of the windows. Otherwise, great car with a superior engine to the Focus.

I bought a 2014 Focus, which I think has developed quite a reputation for expensive and frequent repairs. Fortunately, the primary (overwhelmingly so) candidate is the transmission.

dragontamer 10y ago

This played into my decision when I got a 2014 Focus as well. I got a manual transmission. Its much harder to screw up a manual. The Dual-clutch thing is somewhat innovative, but the Focus's engine is high-rev / turbo-charged (getting the most power at 4000+ RPM). At the low-end, the engine is jerky and everything. Its much smoother when I rev the engine higher (maybe 3000+ or even 4000+) before shifting up. I'm not really sure how the "automatic" DCT of the Focus is supposed to manage the engine without things getting shaky. I definitely recommend the 2014 as a manual car. Very simple driving behavior fix to just rev the engine a little higher.

soylentcola 10y ago
We've got a 2012 Focus as our sole car (my other car is a motorcycle if I'm looking to go all "bumper sticker" with my phrases). I believe this was the first year that they switched the US Focus to be the same as the European version which was a different, superior vehicle in past years. It's also a manual and it's the base model so the interior trim is boring black plastic. Stereo and all that are very basic and there's absolutely nothing exciting about the car. That said, It was under $15k new in the late summer of 2011, hasn't had any major issues or maintenance other than scheduled visits, oil changes, and the like. Granted we've only had it for 5 years but the thing is paid for and for $15k, it's been a fine commuter car and for the few longer trips we take every year. Previous car was a used (forget the year) Jetta with fancy heated leather seats, 6 speed, sweet stereo, moon roof, and all that fun stuff. The damn thing was in the shop at least two or more times per year during the few years we had it before we threw in the towel and traded it in on the Focus. Sure, I sorta liked the perks and that 6 speed, 6cyl was a hell of a lot more fun to drive but it wasn't thousands-more-per-year more fun to drive. The car was also not new when we got it so it's not a fair comparison to a car purchased new. If anything, I think I learned that buying a new (or newer) car that's simpler with a lower base cost can still be less spendy than going used when you add in maintenance costs.
- dragontamer 10y ago
  The Mk3 Focus (2012 and later) has a surprisingly perky engine above 4000 RPM. I'd say its one of the funnest rides under $20k brand new. As you note: there are plenty of low-end models that are ~$15k for a completely brand new car. The Mazda3 manual transmission has slightly better low-end torque and a solid transmission. Its only slightly more expensive, but I personally didn't like the layout of the interior and the placement of the windows. Otherwise, great car with a superior engine to the Focus.