Are people still liking the Ford Focus?

[Arkaign]

It's alright. However, it handles too much like the second gen it replaced. Not that it's a bad thing but it's basically the same car with a different body IMO. I felt they could have tweaked it be a little less heavy feeling.

Heheh, it's heavy feeling because it's extremely heavy. Who knew

I see you are in Canada, which explains I think why I was confused by your post at first. Here in the states we had the MK1 from 2000-2011, with two facelifts, but the same chassis and underpinnings. I actually prefer the MK1 to the C1/C1+ models (what you think of as second gen and beyond) because it's a basic lightweight car without too much equipment. For compacts, I like them to be as basic as possible, and light. I sort of feel like the Fiesta is more of the spiritual successor to the MK1/MK1+ Focus. The Euro/Global '04+ C1-based Focus gained a crapton of weight and got a lot of sophisticated options that I don't really care about in the Economy segment. I don't think Compacts should be any more than 2800lbs tops. I've witnessed a mildly modded Focus SVT embarrass a Cayman before on a track, I just don't see it with the ST.

 

[RedRooster]

I've rented a few new Focus' for up to a month at a time the last couple years. I love the tech, but that transmission and heaviness of the steering just doesn't do it for me. Its always a treat to get back in my Mazda 3, the thing just freakin goes where you point it and feels way more nimble. At least the Ford is quiet though, I'll give it that!