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13-01-2007, 03:01 AM | #1 | ||
Starter Motor
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 6
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Ok, I know, before anyone starts on me, I only got one because my other half wanted one, but my question is this. Those of you with autos, do you wish you had an extra 1 or 2 gears in the box like the Falcons for that little bit extra get up and go, especially when overtaking.
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13-01-2007, 08:20 AM | #2 | ||
Focus on my Focus
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Canberra
Posts: 820
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The only reason why I ended up getting the manual is because the auto box only had 4 gears. Would be great if it was a 6 speed like the Golf.
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Now: 2006 Ford Focus LX Manual in Satin White Wife: 2013 Kuga Titanium in Frozen White Then: 1990 Ford Laser - Assasinated by a 76 year old man who failed to give way. Now normally when we have these races, Jeremy goes in the car and says "Powerrr" alot.... - James speaking about Jeremy (Top Gear S7 E05) American parts... Russian parts... ALL MADE IN TAIWAN! - Russian guy in Armegeddon |
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13-01-2007, 09:06 AM | #3 | ||
This is really me :)
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Ryde
Posts: 57
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the ford 6 speed isnt really 6 speeds there just a couple of extra overdrives
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13-01-2007, 09:16 AM | #4 | ||
Noobie
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Brisbane
Posts: 525
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I wish the auto was a 6 speed. We were looking at the golf and the auto & extra safety gear almost swayed us to pay the (significant) extra.
The 4 speed is a slug. In the end my wife was happy with the manual for it's zippier performance and we saved the money and got the Zetec.
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BrisVegas WS Fiesta Zetec 3dr NM Pajero TD LWB LS Focus Zetec 5dr - gone WS Fiesta Zetec 5dr - gone |
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13-01-2007, 09:31 AM | #5 | ||
Non-Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,040
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Kenny its still called a 6 speed. Going with that logic the Fiesta manual is only 3 speed because 4th and 5th are overdrive
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13-01-2007, 01:13 PM | #6 | ||
Mr Focus
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Brisbane, southside, Redlands.
Posts: 575
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I wish we got a manual to get better km on fuel.
The Focus auto is fine with me, just drop it into 1 and rev it to 6000rpm then 2nd then drive. been doing this for over 2 years and probems so far. When you have it in Drive and you want a bit more power, your power band starts at 2,500rpm, so just under 2,500rpm is where I floor it and it'll rev hard. I don't use the overdrive, you only get like 200rpm
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Cosworth: 2.5" high flow exhaust system, piston & rod 8.5.1 Ford Racing: Tail lights, engine cover, racing wing, cnc'd head, manifold, 70mm tb. Lentech: Torque Convertors with 23 spline input shaft, valvebody Oz racing: WRC OBX: 4-2-1 race header SCT: xcal3, dash scan. |
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13-01-2007, 09:11 PM | #7 | ||
2007 Ford Focus Zetec
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 431
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I'm guessing you all have the LR model.
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14-01-2007, 12:03 AM | #8 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 268
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I wish there was a better auto in the Focus for sure.
Shift quality is average, some kickdown situations it's a little sudden, IMHO. According to the brochure there is "Grade Control Logic", however I've never experienced it. The tiptronic function is pretty good though. My main quibble with the Focus auto is that it only locks up the torque converter during cruise, which leads to a lot of inefficient energy loss via the torque converter during normal driving. Get a lot of flaring in revs when you floor it and much less control than a manual, even in tiptronic mode because the link between the engine and wheels is via fluid. A Golf's 6 speed would be ideal, actually the Golf 2.0 FSI powertrain would be ideal. Driving a Golf with the 6 speed auto vs the Focus 4 speed auto makes a world of difference. The Golf feels reasonably strong in gears 1-4, whereas the Focus starts to tail off by 2nd. Golf basically goes noticeably harder and uses less fuel in my experience. Personally I think the Focus auto combined fuel consumption is very hard to achieve, unlike the Golf's. I lay the blame at the feel of the torque converter's programming. During cruise it's far easier to achieve good consumption figures as the torque converter is locked, but in the city, it can be quite disappointing. |
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14-01-2007, 12:06 AM | #9 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 268
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Quote:
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14-01-2007, 01:25 AM | #10 | ||
2007 Ford Focus Zetec
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 431
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Its actually good if the torque converter is locked, if you are coasting, the injectors will shut off using no petrol, however if the torque converter unlocked, the car will go to idle and will continue injecting fuel to keep the engine running.
In regards to the golf 6spd auto vs focus 4spd auto, The focus will have lower gear ratios while the golf has longer gear ratios causing it to constantly change gears which will cause the golf transmission to have a shorter life. |
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14-01-2007, 02:06 AM | #11 | |||
LPG > You
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Sydney, NSW, Australia
Posts: 4,277
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Quote:
The rest are 0.95:1 in 4th. Which is technically O/D, but ehh...
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LPG Lovers Association President & Member #1. : |
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14-01-2007, 04:23 AM | #12 | ||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 138
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I reckon that 4 speed autos are a little outdated, I mean, my last two cars were 4 speed automatics, from 1988 and 1994, a 2007 model car should be better than that!
I wonder if the Mk3 Focus will have any automated manuals in the vein of the Golf's DSG gearbox, even if just in the higher versions? Then again, my current car is manual, and my next car probly will be as well, I just don't see the point of buying a small automatic when the manual is not only more fun to drive, but more economical as well.
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14-01-2007, 01:31 PM | #13 | ||||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 268
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Quote:
Aside from being kinder to the gearbox fluid, better fuel economy, there's also greater control from the driver's perspective, as there's more of a direct link between engine and wheels. E.g. lift off the throttle (unless, very suddenly and the car holds gear) and the revs will hold at speed, as opposed to just going to idle. On a twisty road, this is very important to me, especially in terms of adjusting the car's balance through corners via the throttle. Quote:
Turning your argument around though, given the Golf is more likely to have the correct ratio, it's arguably less likely to hunt between ratios. Actually, I'm willing to bet that the Focus actually changes through ratios more than the Golf. Why? When you lift off the throttle in the Focus once rolling beyond a slow pace, it just goes straight into top gear, however the Golf won't go into top gear until ~60km/h. Further to this, the Golf locks up its torque converter most of the time, unlike the Focus. So the Focus' transmission fluid is arguably going to wear more than the Golf, as its torque converter is slipping most of the time, unless in cruise. I've driven thousands of kays in Golfs and Focuses, so I speak from experience. |
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14-01-2007, 03:15 PM | #14 | ||
Non-Regular Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,040
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Lagom if you want that level of control buy a manual don't pretend with an auto.
As for the golf, you get what you pay for and the golf is more expensive then the focus and I would expect it to be better. Why don't we complain that the interior isn't up to 7 series BMW standard? |
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15-01-2007, 09:51 AM | #15 | ||
FF.Com.Au Hardcore
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 551
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Be thankful it's not like the Renault 4 sp Auto in the Scenic. It's so hooked up with sensors and electronics it makes shift point and shift quality choices on it's own and can do unexpected things.
On the plus side I can't remeber it ever being in the wrong gear.. maybe there's something to it afterall. |
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15-01-2007, 10:42 AM | #16 | ||
2007 Ford Focus Zetec
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Sydney, Australia
Posts: 431
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I'm thinking that Lagom's focus is different to mine.
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15-01-2007, 11:16 AM | #17 | ||||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 268
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Quote:
What I'm saying is that gearbox programming in the Focus forces compromises that need not be there. Quote:
But I just had to respond to the point about the Golf's gearbox more likely to have a shorter life than the Focus'. FWIW, VW only charge $300 more than Ford for an automatic gearbox. |
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15-01-2007, 11:19 AM | #18 | |||
Regular Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Victoria
Posts: 268
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Quote:
I've driven almost 20 Focuses, so the traits that this one displays are not unique amongst Focuses. |
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28-01-2007, 12:08 PM | #19 | ||
Yes, laminge changed me
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Sydney
Posts: 26
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Yeah I must say, the focus seriously feels like it could do with a 6th gear on the manual... Also my friend who drives a manual zetec just like me, has a totally differnt feel to his clutch than I do... LOL... go ford Quality Assurance!! ;)
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