miami1lt

For the first time since having the 6-3, I had to get a rental car. Now, the military (in an attempt to save all your money) says, "You must get a compact car"...ok, no worries.

So I show up and Enterprise offers me a Cobalt or a Focus...choices, choices. I select the Focus.

I get to the car, and am immediately impressed with the wheels and the giant speaker (box) in the trunk...the speaker itself looks like a tweeter, but the housing takes up nearly half the trunk.

I get in, and again, turn the key and "Ford Focus Premium Sound" flashes on the dash..."Hmmm" I think, this may be ok...

NOT OK! I Get on the road, and HIT IT!! And get from 0-60 in about 14 seconds. In fact, I did a highway run and in 5 seconds, it went 60-70...our car does 60-100 in the same amount of time.

They built a freaking car around a stereo system in the damn Focus ...I'm not trying to be a snob...just saying, WTF? Oh, but at least you can change the color of the floor lights and dash at night to fit your mood...I left them RED the entire time But I can see some chick having it pink or purple and saying "Look at my pretty lights, they match my mood!".

Anyway, get back home tomorrow and will immediately reunite with the C...I just feel bad that I'll probably have to take some of my angst out on it

jvanbrecht

Not all Focus's suck.. unfortunately all the ones in the US do

The new EU spec Focus RS is a monster all wheel drive beast designed for rallying... I want it.. but its not legal in the US.. stupid emissions bull****.

olszowa12

The Focus RS is front-wheel drive, not AWD.

jvanbrecht

My bad, I thought it was all wheel drive, I was originally thinking of the RS 500, but that too is FWD.. its still a monster, and still awesome, and sucks the US won't get them. although there was a guy from Texas (I think) who bought a Green one in Mexico and drove it back. Not sure if its street legal or he is trailoring it..

Questions

There is an upside to this...if you got at all used to your 63, after some time in the focus your 63 will feel new (to you) again. Be prepared for some readjustment, it'll knock your socks off. Again.

C63newdude

I never heard that the military mandates that you must have a compact car for rental. I understand the money restrictions due to the multiple wars and all that but ultimately the TDY orders per diem will dictate how much you are allowed to spend and based on your per diem you can find whatever is more convenient for you unless you got the rental done through TMO and they are the ones getting the car for you.

In most TDY's I have been we always have Vans or mini vans

Hans Delbruck

I feel your rental car pain.

I rented a Mercury Grand Marquis (Crown Vic) last week, mainly to accomodate my parents on a road trek thru middle America.

V8??? This thing has 8 cylinders?? It felt worse than a 4 banger. No power. Merge with caution. Brakes sucked, no feel. Brake early and prepare to push hard. Steering vague. Begin your inputs 500 ft before the turn.

Props to the cops and highway patrol who drive this behemoth for a living!

German cars FTW.

Sincity

I had to drive a Kia minivan during our trip in Vancouver last month. I do like the upright seating position.

Sathinas

RS 500... pffft.

I want an RS2000 Evolution.

miami1lt

At Jvanbrecht...I need to see a good one to believe it I'm sure they cram a bigger motor in some Focus...was there an SVT Focus? All i know is this thing is a chick-POS.

At C63NewDude...well, if you go with a group from a unit, usually you can justify a bigger car. but when going alone, TMO (CI Travel in this case) said, "Is there reason for us to reserve bigger than a compact?" To that, I had to say no. And, after all, I am trying to save taxpayer $$ You could always justify more (luggage, potential to carry other people, etc.). I don't push that issue.

At Hans...Ouch, Mercury, I mean Ford, I mean Chrysler, I mean...whoever they are...The Grand Marquis is riding in style...may not have power, but at least you can roll over the bumps in the road like you are on an air matress (just be careful, or else the backend will come right around while the shocks decide to lift the back end off the ground. I've never liked the "upscale" American cars...Cadillac does it ok, but most of the rest are shaky at best.

At Sin...NICE! You found an upside on a minivan

Questions

Hey lt, what's up with all the military guys lovin the C63? Seems like a popular car with that set.

miami1lt

There's a niche fir sure...but most are American muscle lovers...lots of vetted, chargers, challengers, etc. Only those of us with taste get German autos

Mort

Too true....LOL

JM

It was awesome seeing you coming out of a van! haha

miami1lt

Ok, so u were all right...coming from the Focus SES to the C63 was like a double dose of viagra--I almost called the Dr after 4 hrs of driving it

HIRO63

This Focus RS 500 is nice looking car! Want this car but only limit of 500 car in UK only? I bet its fast! Fun a mountain road and small tracks.

jvanbrecht

There is one RS 500 in the US, some guy in Texas bought it in Mexico and brought it into the US, but its not legal on US roads.

MIKE ZELL

It must be like this one....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGJFA...eature=channel

clkwork

I always end up getting a Hyundai loaner when my black is at the shop for service. At least it's free.

SebringSilver

I got an A8L as a courtesy car when I had some work done on the R8 recently.

With the C63, they gave me a B200 Turbo (it's not available in the US).

muddphuck

You are lucky, they gave me a Yaris...