Van Bortel Ford Experience
Thread Starter
|
Junior User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Van Bortel Ford Experience
I picked up our new Focus last night and I wanted to share the experience.
Highlights: Absolutely no problems with Jeff and the sales experience. The financing was taken care of same day over the phone. The paperwork was quick and efficient. The weather was bad so Jeff pulled the car into the shop so I could inspect. Jeff, tell Kitty from my daughters "A++ on the root beers and SpongeBob on channel 3."
Gripe: Minor fit problem between the front passenger side quarter panel and the bumper trim. Jeff offered to set up an appointment within the next couple of weeks to have it fixed in the body shop (plus anything else I discover between now and then). I have no doubt it will be taken care of to my satisfaction.
The Focus: While I'd prefer driving an F-350...truly awesome handling, stereo (sony) kicks ***, good leg room, poor placement of CD storage, good power, good gadgets, could not turn off the traction control system so if I can't figure that out I'll be back to VBF, overall pretty good looking interior and exterior, comfortable driving position for a compact. Overall product is head and shoulders above similar GM (including Saturn), Chrysler, and Nissan offerings. Just as good as Toyota and VW for much less money. We'll see if it lasts as long as my sister's civic. (Almost 200k when she traded it for a Pilot)
Other comment, When I told co-workers what I was getting, the standard response was "Why would you buy a Focus?". Ford needs to get it's marketing in gear. Last time I looked they were still losing marketshare in thier own backyard....no excuse for this.
Highlights: Absolutely no problems with Jeff and the sales experience. The financing was taken care of same day over the phone. The paperwork was quick and efficient. The weather was bad so Jeff pulled the car into the shop so I could inspect. Jeff, tell Kitty from my daughters "A++ on the root beers and SpongeBob on channel 3."
Gripe: Minor fit problem between the front passenger side quarter panel and the bumper trim. Jeff offered to set up an appointment within the next couple of weeks to have it fixed in the body shop (plus anything else I discover between now and then). I have no doubt it will be taken care of to my satisfaction.
The Focus: While I'd prefer driving an F-350...truly awesome handling, stereo (sony) kicks ***, good leg room, poor placement of CD storage, good power, good gadgets, could not turn off the traction control system so if I can't figure that out I'll be back to VBF, overall pretty good looking interior and exterior, comfortable driving position for a compact. Overall product is head and shoulders above similar GM (including Saturn), Chrysler, and Nissan offerings. Just as good as Toyota and VW for much less money. We'll see if it lasts as long as my sister's civic. (Almost 200k when she traded it for a Pilot)
Other comment, When I told co-workers what I was getting, the standard response was "Why would you buy a Focus?". Ford needs to get it's marketing in gear. Last time I looked they were still losing marketshare in thier own backyard....no excuse for this.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 113
Likes: 0
I think a portion of the population has been brain washed to think that any import is better than a domestic vehicle. Part of this is due to poor domestic quality in the past. All you have to do is look at the quality ratings short term, long term, or by segment to see that isn't true.
Yes - hats off to Toyota especially their lexus brand for great quality, but at a price. The big 3 have made huge strides in the last 10-15 years to where there is little difference in quality between them and the imports. In fact the lowest quality cars are by import brands. European name plates are now of lower quality than US brands. About the only manufacturers that are consistently higher quality then domestics is Toyota - and to a lesser degree Honda.
Yes - hats off to Toyota especially their lexus brand for great quality, but at a price. The big 3 have made huge strides in the last 10-15 years to where there is little difference in quality between them and the imports. In fact the lowest quality cars are by import brands. European name plates are now of lower quality than US brands. About the only manufacturers that are consistently higher quality then domestics is Toyota - and to a lesser degree Honda.
