I did a bad thing today.

"Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey" (dingersghost)
10/29/2014 at 20:09 • Filed to: None

So today I had to make a run to a parts store to pick up an oil filter my Dealer's Parts Dept. didn't have. Well, when I went to get a car we were all out of loaners. So that meant I had to pick a used car to use. After the first Focus I picked was completely dead, I decided to just grab the car I have been wanting to drive.

The car in question is a 2012 Focus hatch. 2.0 4 cylinder, 5 speed manual, red. Pretty much the exact way I'd get a Focus, unless it was an ST (and let's be real it'd be an ST.)

The car has been on the lot for a while, but I haven't gotten a chance to drive it. And sure, it's nothing exciting, but if I was looking for a car it would most likely be something similar. I also wanted to see how a manual focus was, I hadn't driven one yet.

Well, I shouldn't have picked that car. I've fallen in love with it. The bad thing is, it's entirely impossible to afford a car. Besides, I need to get my own place before a car, so that's more of a priority.

Although I admit, I'm not exactly Colin McRae when it comes to driving a stick, I can at least drive one fairly competently. The transmission, while somewhat vague-feeling, was smooth and shifted well. I'm familiar with the 2.0 at this point, so I like how it runs. And I really love the Focus as it is, so I thought it was comfortable.

I shouldn't have grabbed that car. But now I know what to look for down the road.

DISCUSSION (10)

WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
10/29/2014 at 20:13

Jealous. I'd love to work at a dealership just to have that option. I'd be so spoiled though.

Ducky > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
10/29/2014 at 20:18

having driven the FoST and FiST at the ecoboost challenge they're both great cars. very tossable, very fun, and they give my miata a run for its money in the fun department with the advantage of being infinitely more practical

deekster_caddy > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
10/29/2014 at 20:18

No employee discount???

SonorousSpeedJoe > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
10/29/2014 at 20:28

I DD a 2012 Focus SE and can see where you're coming from regarding the somewhat vague transmission (I'm assuming you mean the shifter?). What did you think of the clutch?

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Ducky
10/30/2014 at 16:11

I have yet to drive either of the ST's, my dealer hasn't had any since I started there. But! I definitely want to first chance I get.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > deekster_caddy
10/30/2014 at 16:12

Employee discount, yes. Money, no. The discount is why I would definitely look at our own cars first.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > WesBarton89 - The Way to Santa Fe
10/30/2014 at 16:12

It is definitely fun. I love driving the Super Duty trucks. They're so cool. They're big but they really don't feel big (and I'm used to my Ranger)

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > SonorousSpeedJoe
10/30/2014 at 16:16

I do mean the shifter, to me it just didn't feel precise. It did the job but it certainly didn't feel like it would really notch into a gear. I just kind of found them.

As far as the clutch, I didn't mind it. On the lighter side, which helps a beginner like me learn. Engagement was a tad high on pedal travel for my liking, but maybe that could be adjusted. Even though I haven't driven too many manuals, I certainly have used worse clutches.

Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
10/30/2014 at 16:18

Plus, ALL THE TORQUE

SonorousSpeedJoe > Dingers Ghost, Champion Jockey
10/30/2014 at 19:40

I agree that the shifter could use more precision - I've found that moving it in a more deliberate manner (not slamming it, but not simply nudging it either) makes for a better shift throw, at least.

I learned stick on the Focus, so I can also attest to the clutch being conducive to that. I do wish the Focus had a bit more low-end grunt, but it's otherwise a nice car in terms of driving dynamics. About my only complaint interior-wise is that the placement of the heated-seat controls in the regular 5-speed Focus is poorly thought out IMO.