Ford Focus – Taking my own advice

It’s been a long time since I’ve had a chance to post here. My days of driving a different rental car each week have all but come to an end.  Therefore, I’ve had little opportunity to share new driving experiences over the past year.  However, one of the key elements that motivated me to start this blog was to allow me to keep notes on cars should i need to purchase a new one some time in the future.

Fast forward to the future [now].  I’ve recently taken my own advice, and followed up on some of my notes regarding small, economic cars and decided to purchase a 2014 Ford Focus which replaced my very well used, trusted travel companion 2001 Mitsubishi Galant.  Side note, when I traded the Galant in on the Focus, it had 248,000 miles on it!

For a couple of years, I’ve recommended to people who would listen, they should explore the Ford Focus as it provides a great small car driving experience.  Handling, power, and styling are all pretty good, and the price is right.  So when the time came for me to part ways with my Galant, I opted for the Focus.  The car has been everything I remembered, and noted in earlier blogs. I have enjoyed the drive, and with it’s nicely loaded Titanium package I’m looking forward to many miles of driving enjoyment.

One key point I should raise though. The 2014 Ford Focus did have an issue with the transmission, or more precisely, the software managing the shifting of the transmission.  On acceleration, the car would exhibit a very noticeable and annoying “stutter” as it struggled for shift/find the right gear.  After a quick trip to the dealer, and a software update, the car is performing perfectly, hitting shift points very cleanly and without the annoying stutter.

Here’s to a brand new relationship, car and owner, and I can only hope for the same level of performance and satisfaction I had from my previous car, may my Galant rest in piece. 🙂

If you have Ford Focus experience, please share, the good or the bad.

Until next time, enjoy your time from the driver seat!

New, new to me, car time

I have to say that there are many times when I enjoy working on my cars and motorcycles. However there comes a time when the amount of work needed to keep the cars on the road exceeds the “fun factor” and I need to start thinking about a new, well new to me car.

My poor 2001 Mitsubishi Galant has been great! It safely and successfully got me back and for between Charleston SC and Atlanta Ga for many years as I did my Air Force Reserve duty in Charleston. We’ve logged a lot of miles together. Over 230,000 so far!

Then there is our family Suburban. To say it has been a work horse would be an understatement. Currently, it has given us about 170,000 miles of service. But unfortunately it is starting to suffer from old age. It is a little loose up front, it has a few electrical problems and sometimes, it just doesn’t start. When it does run though, it makes us forget about all of its quirks.

I’m doing my best to keep these vehicles safely on the road, but I fear the end is near for one or both. Ee’ve had some great times together and it will be difficult to replace either. And really, who wants a car payment anyway?!!