Wiggy

Wiggy,Lucky You, if i had that where i live,they would think it came from Mars. they have never seen a Cruze round here.!!I. Do wish they would leave out built in Sat Nav, or at least charge the 199 Bht its worth. Cant take it into another Car, any Old Garmin Hand is happy these days. Regarding the Perished Rubber, i feel a Condom Joke cumming on.

Oh, those good old rubber jokes . One reason for choosing it was because it's different. I really tried to like the Japanese offerings, but they are just plain boring. As for coming from Mars, well I am referred to as an alien on my immigration forms, so maybe they know something I don't . No built-in satnav in the Focus. Garmin for me, if I ever need one.

Here she is.

I'm pretty sure it only takes commands for the entertainment system and telephone, which is maybe why it didn't understand "climate". I've never had any problems with it understanding my commands when playing music or using the phone. My wife doesn't get understood 100% of the time though due to her accent, but she's getting better. I don't think you can train it to understand you - at least I haven't done so if you can. Also, I have a 3 year-old iPhone 3GS and it works flawlessly via Bluetooth while the phone remains in my pocket. It even mimics my phone's ringtone! And you can have more than one phone connected. It doesn't do SMS, but will in the future, I am told. If you have a smartphone, you can download the SYNC user guide app which has been a big help.

I have my iPod Nano plugged in to the USB in the glove box and it works seamlessly, and it charges it whenever the ignition is on. The stereo with the nine speakers is the best factory system I've ever heard in a car.

The only other thing I'd mention about the Titanium+ is the sunroof. I chose the Titanium without it as a friend had a sunroof and the rubber perished in the heat and it leaked. It was a pig to get fixed. My personal preference though. It was an older car so they're probably better now.

Please feel free to ask anything further. Cheers.

Sorry, I forgot to mention that the crawling issue doesn't happen all the time, only occasionally. Perhaps it is trying to learn.

I chose the regular Titanium without the gadgetry. The Active City Stop only works below 20kph and doesn't work for pedestrians or motorcycles. Besides, damage below 20kph is likely to be minimal, and nobody is going to die.

For the Park Assist, in 15 years of driving in Bangkok I think I can count the number of times I've had to parallel park on one hand, so no need for the assistance for me personally. Cruise control unnecessary in my view as local conditions (both city and urban) aren't conducive to its use. I would've liked the anti-glare rearview mirror, the blind spot warning and the nice headlights though.

On to the transmission - generally I'm very happy with it. I did a lot of research on it and I was also a little worried, like yourself. I've just reached 1,500km and it's now acting differently. However, apparently this is to be expected as it "learns" your driving style, but I'm still not convinced about this. The only problem I have occurs when I'm crawling in traffic. The computer can't seem to decide whether to engage first or second gear. This is the only issue. Above 10-15kph the transmission is perfect and always has been. The power is brilliant and handling is superb. I love SYNC as well.

Just out of interest, how are any New Focus owners out there getting along with their purchase? Problems? Comments?

Just Hopping Around as Usual. It called the Jumpbuck in Ozz.

I thought you had a Civic.

I drive about in most cars /trucks here.. My Fav is a Suzi Swift in the Ford Type Mini Car Range.

The Swift got good reviews by Fifth Gear in the UK. Nice little car by all accounts.

Back as a child a normal priced car came in every colour of black, only if you were better off was there a choice of 2 tone cars...

by the late 50's came many shades of white or off white, by the mid 60' Black was for funeral rides........ even here in Thailand appears that funeral rides.are Black Mini Buses and Van..

​No never had a black car, guess will be my last ride, but until then, NO, cannot see what is cool about black if you want something to get hot you paint it black, I would rather have a cool car, must be the in thing now as so many black cars and pickups about, not long ago almost all were Silver, maybe flower power will come back ?

xjeff-koons-aston-martin.jpeg.pagespeed.ic.TBZYBtz9na.jpg

You just can't do that to an Aston.

For the past few weeks I've been shaping up to get a Civic 2.0 EL Navi but now the Focus Titanium plus (sedan) is coming in as a serious contender. Figure I could get one of those Garmin navi things stuck to the dash of the Focus if necessary.

I'm not going to need the car for everyday commutes in town, just occasional long distance drives from Chiang Mai to BKK and light city driving.

May also be looking to sell it in about 5 years or so.

My missus says the big turn-off for the Focus would be the cost of any repairs, so I'm wondering how long the warranty is on parts for the focus and if it can be extended. Also, that the Civic resale price will be better.

So which of those two cars would you guys choose in this situation?

Cheers for any thoughts.

15Peter

No idea of repair costs, but one of my main reasons for buying the Ford was the fact that they have their own body repair & paint shops dotted around the country, a list of which can be found at: http://www.ford.co.th/en/ford-owners/service/paint-and-repair. My theory being that when (not if) a motorcyclist makes contact then the colour in the subsequent panel respray is hopefully more likely to match if done by Ford. My last car's body repairs resulted in marginally (but noticeable) different paint colour. I also chose white as it's non-metallic and again easier to match. Not sure on re-sale value, but probably slightly less than Toyotas and Hondas, although as Fords become more common-spread then that could change.

Nothing to do with Ford to do with who's using the paintshops mixing system and their eye/ ability to change the manufacturers weight mix if it does not match the vehicles paint thats if they bother, hence lots of off colour panels.

Quite possible. Although there might be more chance of getting it redone if the job isn't done properly I would have thought. After all Ford should sanction the work done by their own employees, and the paint shops are located on Ford premises. TIT though.

For the past few weeks I've been shaping up to get a Civic 2.0 EL Navi but now the Focus Titanium plus (sedan) is coming in as a serious contender. Figure I could get one of those Garmin navi things stuck to the dash of the Focus if necessary.

I'm not going to need the car for everyday commutes in town, just occasional long distance drives from Chiang Mai to BKK and light city driving.

May also be looking to sell it in about 5 years or so.

My missus says the big turn-off for the Focus would be the cost of any repairs, so I'm wondering how long the warranty is on parts for the focus and if it can be extended. Also, that the Civic resale price will be better.

So which of those two cars would you guys choose in this situation?

Cheers for any thoughts.

15Peter

No idea of repair costs, but one of my main reasons for buying the Ford was the fact that they have their own body repair & paint shops dotted around the country, a list of which can be found at: http://www.ford.co.th/en/ford-owners/service/paint-and-repair. My theory being that when (not if) a motorcyclist makes contact then the colour in the subsequent panel respray is hopefully more likely to match if done by Ford. My last car's body repairs resulted in marginally (but noticeable) different paint colour. I also chose white as it's non-metallic and again easier to match. Not sure on re-sale value, but probably slightly less than Toyotas and Hondas, although as Fords become more common-spread then that could change.

Nothing to do with Ford to do with who's using the paintshops mixing system and their eye/ ability to change the manufacturers weight mix if it does not match the vehicles paint thats if they bother, hence lots of off colour panels.

For the past few weeks I've been shaping up to get a Civic 2.0 EL Navi but now the Focus Titanium plus (sedan) is coming in as a serious contender. Figure I could get one of those Garmin navi things stuck to the dash of the Focus if necessary.

I'm not going to need the car for everyday commutes in town, just occasional long distance drives from Chiang Mai to BKK and light city driving.

May also be looking to sell it in about 5 years or so.

My missus says the big turn-off for the Focus would be the cost of any repairs, so I'm wondering how long the warranty is on parts for the focus and if it can be extended. Also, that the Civic resale price will be better.

So which of those two cars would you guys choose in this situation?

Cheers for any thoughts.

15Peter

No idea of repair costs, but one of my main reasons for buying the Ford was the fact that they have their own body repair & paint shops dotted around the country, a list of which can be found at: http://www.ford.co.th/en/ford-owners/service/paint-and-repair. My theory being that when (not if) a motorcyclist makes contact then the colour in the subsequent panel respray is hopefully more likely to match if done by Ford. My last car's body repairs resulted in marginally (but noticeable) different paint colour. I also chose white as it's non-metallic and again easier to match. Not sure on re-sale value, but probably slightly less than Toyotas and Hondas, although as Fords become more common-spread then that could change.

Update: That link appears broken, so when you click on it, click on "Body Paint and Body Repair" under the "Ownership" column. That should take you there.

For the past few weeks I've been shaping up to get a Civic 2.0 EL Navi but now the Focus Titanium plus (sedan) is coming in as a serious contender. Figure I could get one of those Garmin navi things stuck to the dash of the Focus if necessary.

I'm not going to need the car for everyday commutes in town, just occasional long distance drives from Chiang Mai to BKK and light city driving.

May also be looking to sell it in about 5 years or so.

My missus says the big turn-off for the Focus would be the cost of any repairs, so I'm wondering how long the warranty is on parts for the focus and if it can be extended. Also, that the Civic resale price will be better.

So which of those two cars would you guys choose in this situation?

Cheers for any thoughts.

15Peter

No idea of repair costs, but one of my main reasons for buying the Ford was the fact that they have their own body repair & paint shops dotted around the country, a list of which can be found at: http://www.ford.co.th/en/ford-owners/service/paint-and-repair. My theory being that when (not if) a motorcyclist makes contact then the colour in the subsequent panel respray is hopefully more likely to match if done by Ford. My last car's body repairs resulted in marginally (but noticeable) different paint colour. I also chose white as it's non-metallic and again easier to match. Not sure on re-sale value, but probably slightly less than Toyotas and Hondas, although as Fords become more common-spread then that could change.

Just out of interest, how are any New Focus owners out there getting along with their purchase? Problems? Comments?

Just Hopping Around as Usual. It called the Jumpbuck in Ozz.

I thought you had a Civic.

Just out of interest, how are any New Focus owners out there getting along with their purchase? Problems? Comments?

All sounds about right, mines the New Civic 1.8 Navi with an Eco Button thingy. Just buggers up the Kickdown far as i'm concerned Yet it does save fuel I'm told. Too old to care about 20 MPG or 50 Mpg, but it matters to many here.. Ford in my experience never get it right, Range Rover , BM and Benz returns what they say generally but never miles off like Ford /Mazda.Why so many Prunes here use 4 By 4 Trucks at 9 to the Litre amazes me. They only bounce to Big C and pray for floods .

Hey Wandrinstar probably because diesel is cheaper and they need the ability to haul stuff. On the other hand, maybe their in my boat and they have a car and they need another vehicle which is robust, can cope with pot holes/flooding and go off road and isn't too pricey.

Who can argue with that ,except my Petrol is cheaper.I have no desire to go Offroad , or venture into Floodwater. A nice small Car isnt Pricey . Truth be known 90% of the time its for a Loose Face thing for Er in Doors. Wimpy Ferangs, just like Me. Be honest, a wee Car is all we rely need.

A "wee" car is the most practical, and is really what we need as you say, but the Civics, 3s and Focuses (Focii? lol) are all nice. As we're seemingly agreed on the units as km/l, then for the record my 2.0 Focus returns around 9km/l in Bangkok and 14km/l outside. Reasonable.

Will the all new Mazda 3 be a better option......... Skyactive engine test reports = 6.2 lt per 100 km..

2013mazda3-w.jpg

The all new Mazda 2, already in production in Japan? or is the present one with the Skyactive engine = 3.3 lt per 100 km

Wow. 3.3 lt per 100 km for the Mazda 2. That's 85mpg (UK). Must be a diesel, in which case it almost certainly won't be available in Thailand. Mazda 3 at 6.2 lt per 100 km is on par with the Focus.

Post 103........ quote: The only downside is that I'm getting nowhere near Ford's urban fuel consumption specs of 30mpg (9 litres/100km). At best I'm getting 21mpg (13 litres/100km).

I think you never get those specs.. I know I dont. But its the same for all cars.

Correct.

Will the all new Mazda 3 be a better option......... Skyactive engine test reports = 6.2 lt per 100 km..

2013mazda3-w.jpg

The all new Mazda 2, already in production in Japan? or is the present one with the Skyactive engine = 3.3 lt per 100 km

Wow. 3.3 lt per 100 km for the Mazda 2. That's 85mpg (UK). Must be a diesel, in which case it almost certainly won't be available in Thailand. Mazda 3 at 6.2 lt per 100 km is on par with the Focus.

Post 103........ quote: The only downside is that I'm getting nowhere near Ford's urban fuel consumption specs of 30mpg (9 litres/100km). At best I'm getting 21mpg (13 litres/100km).

Correct, but if you read carefully you'll notice that was referring to urban consumption and I also said that I hadn't taken it on a run out of town. I since have, and it returned 6.4 during a run to Bang Saen and back.

Will the all new Mazda 3 be a better option......... Skyactive engine test reports = 6.2 lt per 100 km..

2013mazda3-w.jpg

The all new Mazda 2, already in production in Japan? or is the present one with the Skyactive engine = 3.3 lt per 100 km

Wow. 3.3 lt per 100 km for the Mazda 2. That's 85mpg (UK). Must be a diesel, in which case it almost certainly won't be available in Thailand. Mazda 3 at 6.2 lt per 100 km is on par with the Focus.

So if a VIP Bus hits you up the Arse the NCAP will make a difference over a Nissan. Both nice but a rating makes a marginal difference, look round a wreckers yard for proof..Ever seen the Video of a Renault 5 hitting a Volvo Estate . Renault 1. Volve 0.

That's another reason i bought the Focus and not the Almera - so I can go faster than the bus.

To me that would be the only reason, plus being Hen Peckled,my Wife says they "Got Duck Bottom., meaning the rear end and the tiny light cluster. To me the Mazda has the looks, Ford the Power.

I agree to a point. I preferred the rear-end of the old Focus 5-door/hatchback. I'm not quite so keen on the new rear-end, that's why I opted for the 4-door saloon/sedan. Would prefer with rear wiper though. The Mazdas do look nice.

So if a VIP Bus hits you up the Arse the NCAP will make a difference over a Nissan. Both nice but a rating makes a marginal difference, look round a wreckers yard for proof..Ever seen the Video of a Renault 5 hitting a Volvo Estate . Renault 1. Volve 0.

That's another reason i bought the Focus and not the Almera - so I can go faster than the bus.

I finally got off the fence last week and ordered a white Focus Sport (not Plus) hatchback from Pattaya Ford (Chonburi Top Car Co. is titled on the vehicle booking form). Thanks, in part, to happy owners who posted above.

Freebies: first class insurance, window tint, various mats and liners, window wind deflectors, license frame plate (woohoo!), 500 baht gas, free service coupons.

Decided to finance in part so I don't have to throw a million baht on the table all at once. But put down a big downpayment. Interest rate of 2.6% on remainder over 36 months.

Arriving in one month, "2 months max."

Must say the young male salesman, who I talked to at least three times over 2 months, was very knowledgeable and helpful. As were others every time I visited.

So it should be here sometime after mid-April. (How's that for an open-ended statement?)

If my experience is anything to go by (even though I got the 4-door Titanium, not plus, so same spec as yours) you'll love it. The white is the best choice of colour in my opinion as, man, it is super-white. Good choice. Enjoy.

Looks bloody awful IMO.The Almeira looks like it's in a higher group.

Looks are all a matter of opinion. I was stuck between the Sylphy (not Almera) and the Focus, but I prefer to be in a robust vehicle in the event of an accident and not something that will fold up on impact, hence I chose the Focus as it has an NCAP 5-Star rating.

Oh, and it looks better IMO.

Well, things are moving fast. I deposited 5,000 baht on 14th. Got a call this week on 19th to come in for document check and that I'll get the the new baby Ford next week. I figure that to be, oh, 2 weeks! Hmmm, could it be that putting more than half the price down accelerated the arrival? My friends think so. 555.

Could be. I put 500,000 down and it arrived in three weeks. Quicker for serious buyers, perhaps?

I finally got off the fence last week and ordered a white Focus Sport (not Plus) hatchback from Pattaya Ford (Chonburi Top Car Co. is titled on the vehicle booking form). Thanks, in part, to happy owners who posted above.

Freebies: first class insurance, window tint, various mats and liners, window wind deflectors, license frame plate (woohoo!), 500 baht gas, free service coupons.

Decided to finance in part so I don't have to throw a million baht on the table all at once. But put down a big downpayment. Interest rate of 2.6% on remainder over 36 months.

Arriving in one month, "2 months max."

Must say the young male salesman, who I talked to at least three times over 2 months, was very knowledgeable and helpful. As were others every time I visited.

So it should be here sometime after mid-April. (How's that for an open-ended statement?)

If my experience is anything to go by (even though I got the 4-door Titanium, not plus, so same spec as yours) you'll love it. The white is the best choice of colour in my opinion as, man, it is super-white. Good choice. Enjoy.

Looks bloody awful IMO.The Almeira looks like it's in a higher group.

Looks are all a matter of opinion. I was stuck between the Sylphy (not Almera) and the Focus, but I prefer to be in a robust vehicle in the event of an accident and not something that will fold up on impact, hence I chose the Focus as it has an NCAP 5-Star rating.

I finally got off the fence last week and ordered a white Focus Sport (not Plus) hatchback from Pattaya Ford (Chonburi Top Car Co. is titled on the vehicle booking form). Thanks, in part, to happy owners who posted above.

Freebies: first class insurance, window tint, various mats and liners, window wind deflectors, license frame plate (woohoo!), 500 baht gas, free service coupons.

Decided to finance in part so I don't have to throw a million baht on the table all at once. But put down a big downpayment. Interest rate of 2.6% on remainder over 36 months.

Arriving in one month, "2 months max."

Must say the young male salesman, who I talked to at least three times over 2 months, was very knowledgeable and helpful. As were others every time I visited.

So it should be here sometime after mid-April. (How's that for an open-ended statement?)

If my experience is anything to go by (even though I got the 4-door Titanium, not plus, so same spec as yours) you'll love it. The white is the best choice of colour in my opinion as, man, it is super-white. Good choice. Enjoy.

Been in a few minor fender benders here and is always the same...

Call the insurance tell them what happened and they send our one of their agent on a motorcycle

If the other guy has insurance, they do the same

In 2 cases, the other person had insurance, so neither of us did any talking. Both insurance reps took pictures, filled out forms and gave to me to take to the garage for repairs ( free of cost)

In the other 2 cases, the other driver did not have insurance... Once was an old pick up and other time motorcycle

In both cases, insurance sent their rep to the scene

For the old truck, the insurance guy gave the other driver 2 options go to the police station to full out the report or they could pay the insurance guy 2000 thb... They chose to pay insurance guy 2000 thb. Insurance gave us paperwork to get car fixed at the garage ( free of cost)

For the motorcycle, it was pretty much the same ad above, the insurance guy gave the other driver 2 options go to the police station to full out the report or they could pay the insurance guy 1000 thb... They chose to pay insurance guy 1000 thb. Insurance gave us paperwork to get car fixed at the garage ( free of cost)

In each case when calling the insurance company, they advise not to say anything or admit any fault and their rep will come to the scene to sort everything out

So it is really simple... You do not need to say or pay anything...

Just call the insurance company and wait for them to come

If the other person wants to talk, you only have one answer to any question:

"just tell them that your insurance rep is coming and insurance company advised to just wait and say nothing till they arrive and that they can discuss with your insurance company once they arrive"

Sent from my iPhone using ThaiVisa app

Sound advise..

Spot on. Call your insurance company and say nothing at the scene. I'd suggest taking photos of the scene and try not to move the vehicle(s) unless you're causing traffic mayhem. I've had a few knocks and my insurance company has sorted it out every time. This is done either by the two insurance reps (theirs and mine) working it out, or my insurance guy getting money from the other party in the event they don't have insurance (assuming it's their fault). I just make sure my guy ticks the "tuk" (Thai for 'correct/right') box and not the "pit" (Thai for 'wrong') box on the claim form (if indeed I am in the right). Just learning to read these two words can be a big help.

Flew from Phitsanulok to Bangkok a while back and didn't see the ground during the whole trip due to smoke. TIT.