This is my whip for the day

"If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent" (essextee) 07/30/2018 at 09:21 • Filed to: None

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Complete base model. 5-speed, manual locks, windows, mirrors. Not even cruise control. Only 60k miles. AMA about it.

Arrivederci > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 09:26

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Why?

pip bip - choose Corrour > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 09:27

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GIB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ash78, voting early and often > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 09:32

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How is this configuration possible?

facw > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 09:33

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This is my least favorite Focus, especially since I like the real 2nd-gen Focus.  

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 09:33

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My ‘09 Accent also has no Cruise and no A/C with manual everything! :D

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/30/2018 at 09:35

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I always thought the ‘second generation’ of the Americanized Focus (which was essentially just a first-gen Focus underneath) always looked....odd.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Ash78, voting early and often 07/30/2018 at 09:36

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Especially since it's a coupe. My guess is that it was a sorority chick special.

TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 09:36

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Ho w’s  the A/C?

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Arrivederci 07/30/2018 at 09:37

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I live on an island. Rather than pay $100 to take my car over on the ferry to see my sister in the hospital, someone I know lent me their spare car that they keep in a lot on the mainland.

pip bip - choose Corrour > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/30/2018 at 09:40

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it does look odd,  but it has manual windows.

something all new cars here in Oz lack

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > TFSIVTEC drivesavolvo 07/30/2018 at 09:47

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It conditions the air. Don't know what else there is to say.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/30/2018 at 09:53

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I vastly prefer manual windows to power ones....I’ve never had manual windows freeze up in the winter as long as you are gentle with them. Power windows have always been a PITA for me in the winter here...

pip bip - choose Corrour > RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars 07/30/2018 at 09:55

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that’s partially  why i still have my Lancer, i have tinnitus (constant ringing in my ears) and i find when i’m going along the highways drop the window down a bit to help cancel it out, i can’t get electric ones in the right spot

bob and john > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 10:00

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the 5 speed in these wasnt the worst. I had a 2010 fusion with the same drive train for a bit. 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > bob and john 07/30/2018 at 10:02

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It’s okay but I had f orgottten how  little fun FWD manuals were. The linkages they require just suck all the sensation out of shifting.

RallyDarkstrike - Fan of 2-cyl FIATs, Eastern Bloc & Kei cars > pip bip - choose Corrour 07/30/2018 at 10:05

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Agreed, they are a pain to get in the exact spot you want...

punkgoose17 > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 10:09

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It sounds to me like you are spoiled in a good way.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > punkgoose17 07/30/2018 at 10:12

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I think my BMW has ruined other cars for me.

Long-Voyager > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 10:20

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Gotta drive an older Mopar with the manual.

The shift cables give them a very direct/precise feel.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Long-Voyager 07/30/2018 at 10:25

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I bet!

bob and john > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 10:28

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its a commuter/spare car ....wtf do you need fun for?

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 10:42

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I came real close to buying a Focus of that gen once. It was a maroon,  SES with the black Trim and black wheels, black leather and a 5 speed manual. It also had the bigger 2.3l Zetec. I was honestly impressed by it. 

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 10:46

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We have a place like that near by. People fly into an hour away, take a cab to the ferry and then use their “isl and car” on the island. Which is usually a total POS, that isn’t registered, or had Collector plates, which never need to be renewed.

Also There’s one road on the island about a mile long,  lined with old dead cars because people don’t want to ferry them back to the mainland.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > bob and john 07/30/2018 at 11:05

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Turn in your oppo card immediately

functionoverfashion > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 11:20

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I’ve driven mine  back to back with a new-ish Crosstrek a few times lately, and that’s a harsh comparison. It does not put a positive light on what is otherwise a good car, if a little underpowered. I’d like to drive a newer WRX; it would probably make my car feel like a lead weight. 

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles 07/30/2018 at 11:26

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#islandlife

Depending on the location, the conditions on many temperate islands are good for keeping cars alive indefinitely, too. Combine that with short distances (no need for much reliability) and low speeds, there’s just not much that kills them. Driving something funky was a bit of a badge of honor when I lived on one.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 07/30/2018 at 11:32

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Ford made cars like this at least through the early-00s. This car, being an Mk1 with little more than a body/interior replacement, doesn’t surprise me. On the other hand, there was no coupe variant of the Mk1, so I don’t know what the story is here (the Mk1 came in a bunch of variants, mind you). The seats are also mysterious because they’re not cloth. So many questions.

I bet the owner got it for a song. Like $3k -4k.

bob and john > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 11:45

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if I want fun, I dont even loo k at 4 wheels. you cant lean and scrape knee on a 4 wheel. or do wheelies on command.

cars are just not fun for me now. when you seel the performance/fun/dollar a bike will give you...no car comes even remotly close.

Long-Voyager > bob and john 07/30/2018 at 11:56

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you cant lean and scrape knee on a 4 wheel. or do wheelies on command.

Not with that attitude.....

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 12:03

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I’m pretty sure these had the MTX-75, which is a pretty vague gearbox, mated to the reliable yet old 2.0L Duratec. Not really a shining example of modern FWD drivetrains. They were clearly more focused on it being cheap and reliable for commuter cars over any semblance of fun.

bob and john > Long-Voyager 07/30/2018 at 12:10

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and certianly not for the price i’m willing to pay. 

Ash78, voting early and often > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2018 at 12:14

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Looks like cheapo aftermarket pleather seat covers, IMO.

I’m just surprised because I knew the MkI was one of the rare cases Ford truly tried (and succeeded) with a “world car” concept, sharing a lot of  the R&D and engineering with the UK and Germany. So this configuration wouldn’t have shocked me back then. I guess I forgot the MkII was basically just a big facelift. This example looked like it was just a few years old. Again, I forgot the Focus ran unchanged for like, 37 years :D

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2018 at 12:22

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The engine has enough power but boy howdy does it sound bad. 

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 07/30/2018 at 12:23

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They look too well fitted for that to me, but it’s possible.

There were two Mk2 Focuses: The North American market got the major facelift I mentioned (it was the Mk1 platform) , while the rest of the world got a new platform (the Mk2 Focus outside North America was closely related to the contemporary Mazda 3 and Volvo *40).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(second_generation,_North_America)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_Focus_(second_generation,_Europe)

It wasn’t as long a run as some platforms (Panther had a long run and the B-body was ridiculous), but it was an unusually long time for a compact car. I can’t think of many that had an essentially unchanged platform for roughly 14 years.

Ash78, voting early and often > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2018 at 12:27

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Yep, IIRC because Ford owned Volvo and had close(r) ties to Mazda at the time, they wanted that additional differentiation between the various models. And, of course, to milk the old Focus for as long as humanly possible.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 12:30

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I wonder if it’s lack of maintenance or just the engine.

They’re basically the e ngine used in the Mazda 3   of the era, except manufactured in the US.

404 - User No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 12:46

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Really? I was actually quite disappointed at the shifter on my F30.

So rubbery compared to the truck transmission in my Solstice.

Eric @ opposite-lock.com > Ash78, voting early and often 07/30/2018 at 12:47

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Close ties. They basically cut ties with them when they divested, which I believe was a very foolish move considering Mazda was effectively leading their small car development. Their German engineering team worked very closely with Mazda’s team on the C1 platform/Mk2, which the Global C was based on.

The North American market is really weird. Although we have headquarters and production for domestic sale, Europe (especially Germany), Korea, and Japan are the main locations where passenger cars are engineered. All but German manufacturers offer distinctly crappier small cars in the North American market, and even they make crappier cars for our market (ex: Jetta, M-class, etc). We’re treated more like a developing country or colony than a central market like we were through about the 1960s.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2018 at 12:51

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It doesn’t sound unhealthy, it’s just garbage. Sounds really strained and un happy when y ou push it .

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 404 - User No Longer Available 07/30/2018 at 12:53

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I hear newer BMWs are very vague. I have an E39.

404 - User No Longer Available > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 12:57

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My other experience with a manual BMW was the time I was learning in a E90 328xi, but I only remember it because the engine blew that night by my other friend mis-shifting it on a highway. I kept stalling it, lol.

I’d looove to try the E39 though... maybe Tapas would let me try his, lol.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 13:10

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I hate the styling on these.  And I hate that this generation doesn’t have a hatchback or wagon option.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > 404 - User No Longer Available 07/30/2018 at 13:11

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It’s an incredibly satisfying drive. The only shifter I’ve used that felt more engaging was on our Wrangler, because the lever goes straight through  the floor into the trans with no linkage.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 07/30/2018 at 13:17

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They do look nice in top trim tho with the  black wheels and grille.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Eric @ opposite-lock.com 07/30/2018 at 13:18

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T he seats are cloth with a Ford  brand ed leatherette slip cover.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 13:21

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The top trim does look less horrible... but I just can’t stand the ugly-weird shape of the front lights and the excessive blandness of the rear.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > bob and john 07/30/2018 at 13:22

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If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly 07/30/2018 at 13:26

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Is it really any worse than anything manufacturers are pumping out today?

bob and john > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 13:29

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his knee still isnt on the gorund. 

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > bob and john 07/30/2018 at 13:30

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If I had access to a computer with photoshop you'd be eating your words right now mister

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 13:32

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Yes. That car you pictured is much better looking than the 2008 Focus.

The only car more ugly would be the old Ford Contour that they “updated” by hitting it with the Angry-ugly stick

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 14:11

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If you think the Focus is seriously better looking than that, may I recommend an optometrist?

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 14:12

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And they said mid-2000s GM interiors were disgusting. Beige/brown plastic is an unspeakable atrocity.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 07/30/2018 at 14:50

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Not just beige plastic but HARD beige plastic. The kind that echoes if you tap on it with your fingernail.

DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! > If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent 07/30/2018 at 15:41

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Looks like it doesn’t even have a texture pattern which I dare say is worse.

If only EssExTee could be so grossly incandescent > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 07/30/2018 at 15:46

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It does, it’s just very minute. Like a styrofoam takeout box.