The econo rental car

[jtvang125]

My current car, 98 Lexus GS400, is in the shop right now getting a paint job. I had to get a rental as I only have one car and needed to get to work. So I opted for a "compact" which turned out to be a late model Ford Focus sedan. I thought hey, I'll only have to live with it for 3 days but now I'm starting to regret my decision.

My critique of the car:

Exterior-
Uglier than I expected. I now understand why Honda and Toyota's econo cars out sell these. Any modification will not help this thing at all.

Interior-
Everthing is plastic! The dash is like a whole big piece of plastic. The seats are way too small. Feels like I'm going to fall off and I'm a 5'7" Asian guy.

Sound system-
Ok system only because it plays MP3 CDs.

Ride quality-
Pretty smooth ride but lack good insulation to keep road noise out. Plastic interior often causes pops and cracks.

Power-
Power? What power?

Cool factor-
You won't be getting any of the hunnies in this thing.

God! I miss my car already.

 

[Alchemist99]

?

 

[compnovice]

You comparing a Lexus GS400 with a Ford Focus :shocked:

 

[cross6]

show me a car without a plastic interior

 

[akiraxtc]

Well you have a lexus i guess that comment is expected, a focus is no competition against any lexus from any year. How if a kia or yugo owner got a focus rental? i guess they'll somehow praise it

 

[akiraxtc]

Originally posted by: cross6
show me a car without a plastic interior

I think he might be referring to focus' tupperware-quality plastic vs better interior plastics out there

 

[exilera]

It's called an economy car for a reason. Not everyone can afford a Lexus. It's really stupid for a Lexus owner to bash an economy car made for college students and others who can't afford anything overly expensive.

 

[jtvang125]

Ok my critique is a bit bias as I drive a Lexus but my previous car was a 91 Acura Integra. Even comparing it to that one, the Acura still comes out on top in my opinion. It had a vinyl covered dash and door panels instead of hard plastic. Better instrumentation layout and the seats atleast gave some type of support.

 

[fbrdphreak]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Ok my critique is a bit bias as I drive a Lexus but my previous car was a 91 Acura Integra. Even comparing it to that one, the Acura still comes out on top in my opinion. It had a vinyl covered dash and door panels instead of hard plastic. Better instrumentation layout and the seats atleast gave some type of support.

That's because....it.....is......an......ACURA. READ HONDA LUXURY :roll:
Focus READ FORD CHEAP SH!T

 

[QuitBanningMe]

I like plastic interiors......

 

[desy]

My buddy who is 6 ft and 210 finds the seats quite comfortable.
No power , really? read gas mileage. . .
I had a 95 civic and it was way noisier than a Focus
Esp in the rain sounded like the water was coming right through the rear fender wells.
Compare apples to apples chief. . .

 

[akiraxtc]

Originally posted by: desy
My buddy who is 6 ft and 210 finds the seats quite comfortable.
No power , really? read gas mileage. . .
I had a 95 civic and it was way noisier than a Focus
Esp in the rain sounded like the water was coming right through the rear fender wells.
Compare apples to apples chief. . .

Hmm a 95 civic... probably be noisier than a late model focus of course.

 

[desy]

My buddy drives a 2000 focus
Noisier than that anyway, its much closer comparison then a Lexus or Acura

 

[rh71]

We got a Chevy Cavalier as a rental once. Even my Isuzu Rodeo has a nicer interior. I think it has a nicer interior than a Mustang too. :thumbsdown: to cheap plastic interiors.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

News at 11:
A $50,000 car is better than a $15,000 car!


...why the F do people even bother?

 

[NutBucket]

Fine, my 1991 Accord which had a sticker price of $12,800 is nicer then a Focus. Even in 2005 dollars they're not that far off in price.

 

[iamwiz82]

What is the fascination with soft dashes? It adds nothing to a car. I cansee if you want the door panels to be cushioned, since some people rest their arms there when driving, but who cares if the area around the stereo or vents is soft?

 

[akiraxtc]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
What is the fascination with soft dashes? It adds nothing to a car. I cansee if you want the door panels to be cushioned, since some people rest their arms there when driving, but who cares if the area around the stereo or vents is soft?

Not soft dashes- just a better, solid feel. Softness just adds a touch of class and attention to detail.

 

[BurnItDwn]

My father has a Toyota Echo, it's the most horrible car I have ever rode in.

 

[spacejamz]

just wondering if the OP did not mention what kinda of car he actually owns, would the tone of this thread be different?

 

[akiraxtc]

Originally posted by: spacejamz

just wondering if the OP did not mention what kinda of car he actually owns, would the tone of this thread be different?

The tone would still probably be "there's better car out there for the money" or "i thought rental fleets start using mazdas/hyundais??"

 

[dxkj]

try driving in a kia instead of a ford

 

[IgorFL]

Poor baby... maybe we should put a telethon together for you.

 

[CraigRT]

I hate the Focus too, but for a cheap small car, it's generally not bad.. cept the fact that it's underpowered (base engine) and poor quality control more than any other brand of compact car.

 

[akiraxtc]

I think the OP is just not having enough fun with the rental car, maybe he drove it like his own. I mean any rental car could be quite fast and agile if you start flogging the gas pedal and playing around with the handbrake if you know what i mean . He needs to have fun on the rental instead of nitpicking on the build quality