Popular Mechanics: Performace Test on 05 C230K SS (M271)
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05 C230K SS
Popular Mechanics: Performace Test on 05 C230K SS (M271)
There is always a risk of reposting an old article, but this is the first time I saw this official magazine test besides the one on Motor Trend a few years ago.
Enjoy!
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...31.html?page=2
Enjoy!
http://www.popularmechanics.com/auto...31.html?page=2
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'04 C230K, '94 Integra GSR "Sleeper, Suzuki GSX-R600
No matter how hard people try to trick out a focus...its still a focus.
Thats why I also have my little ricer to drive when I want something quick. Also, it was a red 230, I heard those have less HP than other colors
The only Focus I'd ever drive is something like this:
Thats why I also have my little ricer to drive when I want something quick. Also, it was a red 230, I heard those have less HP than other colors
The only Focus I'd ever drive is something like this:
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2019 C300 Wagon; '75 Triumph TR6; previous: 2004 C230 6spd sold after 17 years of driving
to make the suckers who bought a ford product feel that it is good enough to be compared to a Benz, so that they have more approval as a wanna be
Hmmm Popular Mechanics, the foremost authority on automotive journalism? It is like comparing USA Today to the New York Times
Hmmm Popular Mechanics, the foremost authority on automotive journalism? It is like comparing USA Today to the New York Times
Last edited by Boom vang; 02-01-2007 at 07:30 PM.
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to make the suckers who bought a ford product feel that it is good enough to be compared to a Benz, so that they have more approval as a wanna be
Hmmm Popular Mechanics, the foremost authority on automotive journalism? It is like comparing USA Today to the New York Times
Hmmm Popular Mechanics, the foremost authority on automotive journalism? It is like comparing USA Today to the New York Times
I heard the Focus is very popular in Europe. Can anyone comment on this?
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2002 C230 Coupe(M111)
Keep in mind the readership demographic of "popular mechanics"...be glad they didn't test the focus against the lazy 2.5V6 and 7 speed slushbox.
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2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
The Quality of Ford in Europe is like night and day vs. the North American counter part.
If this Focus was to be sold in America it would really make Civic Si, RSX-S, SRT-4s, and bunch of other "fast little" cars look bad. Not to mention the Tuning ability of this car!
Focus RS
If this Focus was to be sold in America it would really make Civic Si, RSX-S, SRT-4s, and bunch of other "fast little" cars look bad. Not to mention the Tuning ability of this car!
Focus RS
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The Quality of Ford in Europe is like night and day vs. the North American counter part.
If this Focus was to be sold in America it would really make Civic Si, RSX-S, SRT-4s, and bunch of other "fast little" cars look bad. Not to mention the Tuning ability of this car!
Focus RS
If this Focus was to be sold in America it would really make Civic Si, RSX-S, SRT-4s, and bunch of other "fast little" cars look bad. Not to mention the Tuning ability of this car!
Focus RS
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2005 C230 Sedan 6spd
Then the question is why those morons at Ford don't sell it here? They lost 12 bil, sold Auston Martin (which was profitable) and still don't get their europeand devision does much better than noth american. Something really weard, or is something new brewing in their design labs?
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No matter how hard people try to trick out a focus...its still a focus.
Thats why I also have my little ricer to drive when I want something quick. Also, it was a red 230, I heard those have less HP than other colors
The only Focus I'd ever drive is something like this:
Thats why I also have my little ricer to drive when I want something quick. Also, it was a red 230, I heard those have less HP than other colors
The only Focus I'd ever drive is something like this:
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i saw bunch of clips and full shows of Top Gear on youtube and they LOVE the focus over there. A very capable little car over there. Looks and drives like a much more expensive car. i also checked ford's uk website...dang...they still have the Fiesta! haha...but it looks much nicer! really terrible they dont bring those cars over here..shame..
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I have no idea why they wouldn't bring their European devision here, but if I were to guess.......probably have something to do with the "Image" side of the business, since North America is suppose to be the Ford's headquarter!!!, and importing cars will increase the overall cost of the vehicle, and maybe a little emissions reasons on their vehicles.
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I have no idea why they wouldn't bring their European devision here, but if I were to guess.......probably have something to do with the "Image" side of the business, since North America is suppose to be the Ford's headquarter!!!, and importing cars will increase the overall cost of the vehicle, and maybe a little emissions reasons on their vehicles.
There's plenty of evidence to support this. Several previous euro fords, the Capri(the first one, not the mustang clone), the Sierra(XR4ti), the Granada(Scorpio), and the last Mondeo have all BOMBED in the US market. Some, like the Capri and XR4 started out strong, then petered out when ford didn't know how to market them after the initial curiosity wavered.
GM is hoping to break this curse with several of its new Saturn's being heavily, if not entirely, Opel influenced. The new Sky is styled after the VX Lightning, a stunning european show car, the Aura is much like its Vectra parent, but with a better engine, and the Astra, which will replace the ION, is 100% Opel...even being built in Europe.
Ford is actually thinking of bringing us some euro fords again...the Galaxy- a pretty cool little van, sorta like a Bigger B-Class, but with much better styling and performance- and the new Mondeo. Problem with the Mondeo is its a better car than the new Futura, which is really a tarted up Mazda 6.
Ford is definately in the weakest position of the traditional big 3, coming in fourth last month in sales, but I wouldn't count them out just yet. They still sell 3 times as many F150's as Toyota does Camrys.
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What really surprises me is that at the end of the entire article, Popular mechanics say that "front-wheel drive nor rear-wheel drive is really better than the other." I don't know about you but I would never buy a FWD car. I won't even consider buying a transversely engine mounted car even if it powered the rear wheels or all four wheels.
In each of the cars that they tested, I would've chosen the RWD car over the other if I were to choose between one.
There's a reason why Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz (with the exception of the A and B Klasse vehicles), and BMW all only use RWD (arguably the best car companies in the world). It's simply better. Period.
In each of the cars that they tested, I would've chosen the RWD car over the other if I were to choose between one.
There's a reason why Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz (with the exception of the A and B Klasse vehicles), and BMW all only use RWD (arguably the best car companies in the world). It's simply better. Period.
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
What really surprises me is that at the end of the entire article, Popular mechanics say that "front-wheel drive nor rear-wheel drive is really better than the other." I don't know about you but I would never buy a FWD car. I won't even consider buying a transversely engine mounted car even if it powered the rear wheels or all four wheels.
In each of the cars that they tested, I would've chosen the RWD car over the other if I were to choose between one.
There's a reason why Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz (with the exception of the A and B Klasse vehicles), and BMW all only use RWD (arguably the best car companies in the world). It's simply better. Period.
In each of the cars that they tested, I would've chosen the RWD car over the other if I were to choose between one.
There's a reason why Rolls Royce, Mercedes-Benz (with the exception of the A and B Klasse vehicles), and BMW all only use RWD (arguably the best car companies in the world). It's simply better. Period.
most RWD or 4WD car would get into "ram-on" accident
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Not trying to sound like the lawyer here, but just pointing something out. However, I do agree with you that FWD cars are more prone to out of control accidents than RWD cars.
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There's a huge difference between the C230 and the Focus. Both dealers offer free car washes but MB gives you a full service wash, Ford only puts it through their quicky machine and gives you the car wet. MB gives you pastries, water, coffee, internet access, 50" plasma TV to watch, Ford gives you lousy coffee. So clearly, MB wins but Fords getting very close. Chevy won't even wash my car when it's in for service (both local dealers) so don't know if I would buy another one, it's very dirty right now.
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
There's a huge difference between the C230 and the Focus. Both dealers offer free car washes but MB gives you a full service wash, Ford only puts it through their quicky machine and gives you the car wet. MB gives you pastries, water, coffee, internet access, 50" plasma TV to watch, Ford gives you lousy coffee. So clearly, MB wins but Fords getting very close. Chevy won't even wash my car when it's in for service (both local dealers) so don't know if I would buy another one, it's very dirty right now.
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2002 C230 coupe , NOt THE AVATAR!!
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Sure, but FJ gives you Starbucks, MB of LN gives you dark brown water that's warm but they make it up with pastries if you get there early, they are gone by 9AM, haha. Starbucks is not as good as McDonald's coffee but it's free so why complain.