den | (Reply)

From:

jim-lane.livejournal.com

Sadly, the Focus we have here is NOT the current European model, which is probably the one YOU have. Ours is virtually unchanged from when it was introduced in 2000, while the current European (and elsewhere) model is built on a version of the Mazda3 chassis, a major UPGRADE to what we have here in the States. I have a 2004 ZTW wagon, with a "one-year-only" 2.3L Mazda-designed engine and a nice German-built 5speed stick. Had a 2001 ZTS sedan (2L ZTEC/automatic) and a 2003 ZTW (same drivetrain), but when I saw that the 2004 model's vastly improved engine/tranny would NOT be carried over to the 2005 model (in fact, the sporty ZTW wagon would not even exist!) I quickly found a "left-over" 2004 model equipped like I wanted and jumped on it. It drives FAR better than the '05-6-7 2L/auto ZXW wagons I've driven, and until Ford gets off its dead ass and builds the US Focus on the Mazda3 chassis (and reverses its new decision to DROP Focus wagons from the US market entirely!) I'll probably keep driving mine. The new Edge (basically a Fusion "tall wagon") will be nice, but with a *starting* price of $25K US (around $30K equipped the way I'd want one) I won't be stepping up to the plate and swinging on one anytime in the forseeable future.

Already had an Escape (loved it!) but they don't have any more *useable* room inside than a Focus wagon, and the chassis hasn't been updated since it was introduced in 2000. Once again, Ford had a hit---and happily sat on its thumbs...

As for export-market SUVs, I don't know what Ford plans to do. I honestly don't think Ford really knows what it's going to do here in the US, much less abroad... (...sigh...)