2012 Ford Focus – Car Buying Tips – Brad Your Car Guy

2012 Ford Focus-

Despite being in the compact category, the 2012 Ford Focus truly makes up for its size with a library full of features. The 2012 Ford Focus is one of the best, affordable, entry level cars on the market today. The 2012 version is a complete redesign from its predecessors with regards to its interior, exterior, and performance.

Exterior and Interior Features-

Ford decided not to release a coupe version for the 2012 Ford Focus making it available only as a 4-door sedan or a 5-door hatchback. The new Focus retains the sleek and uncommon design of its predecessors which is distinct in the Focus series.

The interior, which has a passenger volume of 91 cubic feet, has a complex interior design with an instrument panel that can be likened to a cockpit with a thick center stack. The interior looks very inviting because of the stylishness of the trims and finishes. Overall, the interior of the 2012 Ford Focus is engineered way ahead of its competition in the compact car market.

Fuel Efficiency at its Best

The 2012 Ford Focus despite being heavier is far more fuel efficient than earlier models. Manual transmission models have a 26/36 MPG rating while the six-speed Powershift automatic models have 28/38. If you want even more fuel efficiency for your 2012 Ford Focus, you can opt for the Super Fuel Economy package with a 28/40 mpg rating. The SFE version is only offered for automatic transmission models though.

Advanced Electronics

The 2012 Ford Focus has a gadget count that puts other cars in the same category to shame. Depending on the edition you choose, you can have several advanced options, such as:

•  Heated leather seats,
• Navigation systems
• Climate control
•  High-end audio system with subwoofer
• MyFord Touch system.

A Short Example of the MyTouch System

Out of all these advanced electronics additions, the most appealing is the MyFord Touch system which is basically a touch screen display system that controls many of the entertainment, communication, navigation, and climate functions in the vehicle among others. A Smartphone has to be paired with the system in order to use the communication and navigation features such as calling or navigation guidance.

Aside from touch screen functionality, you can also access controls via conveniently placed buttons on the steering wheel or via voice control which makes it even more convenient for careful drivers.

2012 Ford Focus Titanium

The Focus Titanium is the top of the line all 2012 Ford Focus editions. I love the Active Park Assist system. It is a nifty little feature that lets the car steer itself into tight parking spots while you control only the brake.

Talk about “look mom-no-hands” this feature is particularly useful for drivers who find parallel parking to be very challenging. In addition cool features that used to be only available on top-end models are now available to Ford Focus buyers as options. Such as:

• Rearview camera
• Keyless ignition system
• Blind-spot warning system
• Navigation system with an 8-inch display.

Handling Characteristics: Sporty and Nimble

The 2012 Ford Focus isn’t exactly built for speed or power but considering its fuel efficiency, there really is nothing more you can ask for from the engine. Speaking of speed this author had the 2011 Ford Focus attain a speed of 110 mph with room to spare, in the Nevada desert last fall. The guy I was drafting for close to sixty miles was in a late model Corvette.

The Focus’s handling is the best in its category and even better than many more expensive vehicles. When the Sport mode is activated, by pulling the gear selector from the D to the S position, the 2012 Focus is responsive with a capital R. Adding to the feel of the road this feature can be is  especially welcome when cutting through corners or cresting hills.

Well Worth a Test Drive

The 2012 Ford Focus is compact, fuel efficient and loaded with new features. If you are considering downsizing or are in just entering the new car market for the first time, the 2012 Ford Focus is well worth a test drive.

 

 

 

Popularity: 1% [?]

How the Car Business is Changing

Change: “to make the form, nature, content, future course, etc., of (something) different from what it is or from what it would be if left alone…”

This is the first in a series of short posts on change in the car business. Some changes are obvious. Some changes are hidden. As a third generation car dealer, I believe that our business is entering a period of the most profound and rapid change we have ever experienced — and that is saying something.  Of course, we’re not alone in this. The entire world is experiencing the same thing. My hope is to help you as a consumer to understand the changes going on in the car business, so that you will be empowered to make the best decisions for your own particular situation.

Transparency

Transparency is explained by Wikipedia as follows. Transparency, as used in the humanities, implies openness, communication, and accountability. It is a metaphorical extension of the meaning used in the physical sciences: a “transparent” object is one that can be seen through.

In the car business, access to information and an increasingly efficient market is driving increased transparency.  As a consumer you have access to more information than ever before. Just “Google” whatever you drive now. A search just a moment ago for “2008 Toyota Camry” resulted in 5,580,000 results (that’s way more than the number of Camry’s sold that year!). As you know the quality of the information you have can make a big difference. Automotive consumers have more choices and increased access to information, which leads to a more efficient market. You wouldn’t pay more than the going rate for a publicly traded stock.  Until relatively recently, consumers and dealers alike didn’t have access to this kind of information that they could count on to be accurate.

I have to say all this is a good thing for our business. The car business needs to change and quickly. We have to develop new ways to do business that meet our customers’ needs.

At Doenges Toyota Ford Lincoln Mercury we talk about this all the time. We strive to be leaders in increased transparency of a car deal and upfront dealings with our customers. For an example of how this might work check out our “shopping cart” for automotive e-commerce at http://www.aidealer.com/AiDealerProduction/DealershipInventorySearch.aspx?DealershipId=28

The nuts and bolts of a car deal is just math. The real magic in our business comes from helping people.

Popularity: 6% [?]

2009 New Car Sales: What Consumers Really Want

Americans Love New Pick Up Trucks

How many times have we heard it over the past months? American auto manufacturers are suffering because they aren’t producing the fuel efficient vehicles that people really want. It is a refrain heard all across our TVs, the internet and in print publications. The reason they are doing so badly is because they refuse to build anything except for SUVs, Pick-up trucks and muscle cars but what the people really want is fuel economy. Well, guess what?

The numbers for the US vehicle sales of specific models from domestic and foreign manufacturers are in for January of 2009 and the picture sure looks familiar. Americans love their pick up trucks. According to AOL Autos the best selling domestic vehicles for January 2009 were: Read more

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The 2009 Ford Car Lineup

Here now are the new Ford cars.

Customer feedback inspired the sporty changes to the 2009 Ford Focus. The coupe and sedan are distinctively different with 17 inch aluminum wheels and a new aerodynamic design. Increased horsepower is a welcome addition as Focus continues to maintain its 35 miles per gallon rating. Focus is effectively designed to continue the 2008 surge in sales.

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Ford Focus 2009 – Compact Car of the Year

Looking for the perfect compact car with excellent performance and driving dynamics?

The European-inspired suspension of the 2008 Ford Focus not only provides great fuel economy to fight the rising gas prices, but also really delivers driving excellence at the same time.

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Popularity: 14% [?]