Sure wouldn't want to take a drivers' test in a new Focus and have to parallel park in a tight space, look out the windshield, even as tall as I am, and can only see an empty space. Head restrains on the drivers's and passenger side, not adjustable, are so far forward you head wants to peer down at the floor mats. One salesman said, this is done for your safety, another more honest one said, people remove those.
Now if some guy rear ends you and your head snaps back, breaking it, try and collect an insurance claim if you removed your head restrains. That was enough for me not to buy one. And Ford is always doing crazy things.
Didn't check to see if the new Focus is also using that crazy subframe design, nice for production entire steering suspension, engine and drivetrain is mounted to it. To do any minor work, have to remove all the cables, hoses, recover the AC system, lift the entire body off the subframe to get any access to the engine.
Ford does strange things like on timing marks on timing chains or belts, have to buy specialized tools to align the cam and crank shafts. GM and others use timing marks. Struts use a single bolt U clamp to the yoke, extremely difficult to remove, GM uses too easy to remove bolts. Crazy EGR bypass valve, always leaks vacuum, valve closes to block that vacuum to enable the EGR. But if a tad of carbon keeps that valve open, your exhaust valves burn out. Ford always has been a bit sloppy on interior items, like door handles that end up in your hand. Just a bunch of stuff like this that makes life a bet more miserable for maintenance. Found GM a bit more concerned in these aspects, like not having to drop an engine to change a water pump.
Ford was always my most favorite car, that is until 1948 when Henry Ford the first died. He had tons of common sense his kids never inherited. The had no engineering courses, strictly business and making money. Ford is hiring women engineers now for those ideal touches, like variable height brake and clutch pedals, cute, and nice, but certainly another not really necessary item that can give you major headaches if they freeze up.
Toyota and Honda were great cars in the 80's, but since 1992, far more interested in making money, and they rust out faster than any domestic vehicle. Still have a high resale value based on the 80's, most folks haven't wised up yet. No MSRP on parts, can really get screwed blue depending on which dealer you go to. And those parts do wear out.
