Places to Go

My 2012 Focus

Unfortunately, this car was totaled on February 9, 2012 when a 17-year-old driver turned left in front of me at an intersection as I was driving straight through at around 45 mph. Fortunately, no one was seriously injured. The car performed flawlessly, sacrificing itself to protect my son and me. The front crumple zones worked exactly as designed, the correct air bags deployed (causing no harm to either of us in the process), and the passenger compartment was not malformed from the impact at all. The MyFord Touch system even dialed 911 automatically after the crash. Thank you, Ford, and thank you, Focus, for a job well done. RIP Focus Titanium #1. I am extremely grateful for your sacrifice.

On October 29, 2010, I pre-ordered my 2012 Focus Titanium (#1) 5-door hatchback in Kona Blue with the Titanium Handling Package, which includes attractive 18" 5-spoke wheels and suspension tweaks. On April 13th, I received my VIN and estimated build date of April 25th. I took delivery of the car May 24, 2011 with 11 miles on the odometer.

Here is how it was configured:

• 2012 Focus Titanium Hatchback in Kona Blue
  • Some cool standard features on Titanium:
  • Rear disc brakes (instead of drums)
  • 6-speed PowerShift transmission with manual shift mode
  • Real metallic interior trim
  • Rear spoiler
  • Dual zone climate control
  • Overhead console storage
  • HD Radio
  • Intelligent Access with Push-button Start
  • SYNC with MyFord Touch
  • SIRIUS Satellite Radio (6-month subscription)
  • Sony 10-speaker sound system with subwoofer
  • Universal garage door opener
  • Power one-touch up/down for all windows
  • Perimeter anti-theft alarm
• Package 401a (Titanium Premium Package)
  • Electrochromatic auto-dimming rearview mirror
  • Reverse sensing system
  • Rain-sensing windshield wipers (I love these on my RX-8)
  • Leather seats
  • 6-way power driver seat with manual lumber
  • Rear armrest with storage
• Titanium Handling Package
  • 18" wheels
  • Low profile summer tires (P235/40R-18)
  • Optimized sport suspension (I have since learned that this includes different dampers, springs, and thicker anti-roll bars)
  • full-size spare tire
• Power moonroof
• Voice activated navigation
• Remote start

Additional options I did not want are

• Parking Technology Package
  • Active Park Assist (the car parallel parks for you)
  • Front parking sensors
  • Rear view camera
• Titanium Winter Package
  • All-weather floor mats
  • Heated front seat cushions
  • Heated exterior mirrors with security approach lamps

I got the Ford X-plan, which was the only way I was going to get a discount on this brand new car when I had to pre-order it. I should also get the $500 technology instant rebate for pre-ordering before February 28, 2011 (see Ford's website for more information).

MODS AT THE TIME OF THE CRASH

• I got the windows tinted. Hatch and rear door windows are tinted very dark, while front door windows are the lightest offered by this brand (Johnson Window Films). It dramatically reduces heat transmission through the windows, keeping the interior of the car cooler and allowing the A/C system to work less hard to maintain a given temperature.
• I have been using 93 octane gasoline. According to the Ford Source Book, the car will make use of higher octane to advance the timing and make more power. With a 6 octane boost, I should be getting between 5 and 10 hp more (I hope). The car seems peppier with 93 octane gas, but that's probably just the placebo effect.
• On October 27, 2011 I got winter wheels (Drag DR-9) and tires (Michelin X-Ice Xi2, P215/50R-17) installed.

PLANNED MODS

• I want to get a good set of stainless steel brake lines to try to firm up the brake pedal a bit. They're also safer than the rubber coated OEM brake lines.
• I want a larger rear anti-roll bar. This has been a good and inexpensive mod for every front wheel drive car I've owned. The car's Torque Vectoring Control system does a good job bringing the back end around, but the car still feels nose heavy and understeers, especially before the TVC system kicks in. I can actually feel it working, and it would be nice to reduce some of the inherent understeer with a thicker rear anti-roll bar.
• I want to get a cat-back exhaust for more power and more sound. I will almost certainly go with either a FSWerks or Ford Racing.
• I will probably want a high performance, but reliable, aftermarket intake system, again, either from FSWerks or Ford Racing. I will not ever do a true cold-air intake that sits low in the chassis again, after shorting the MAF sensor in my Mazda3 by driving through a puddle at high RPM.
• Perhaps, after the powertrain warranty has expired, I might consider an ECU re-tune via FSWerks. They are the masters of Focus tuning, and I could get some good power out of the car. More importantly, I'm hoping they can tweak the programming of the PowerShift dual-clutch transmission to get better fuel efficiency in "D" mode, and more sporting behavior in "S" and manual modes.
• When the OEM dampers need replacing, I'll look for some good aftermarket spring/damper setup. I would want something that won't drop the car much, if at all. I don't know yet if the Titanium Handling Package includes a lowered suspension. Most likely I will stick with the OEM springs and get some KONI FSD dampers. The KONI Sports I had on my Mazda3 performed incredibly, but were too harsh for our beat-up Michigan roads (at least, when I've now got a separate sports car--I want my daily driver to maintain reasonable comfort).