budget 1.2M

[ghosthunter]

Stiff is a matter of opinion. Is it as stiff as a Civic? No. Is it as soft as a Corolla? No..

Somehow Ferman and I share the same opinion on the Focus TDCi (HB) suspension.

But I do wonder about the Focus TDCi sedan suspension. Is it the same as the hatch? Haven't driven one yet.

[gilbertp]

I doubt if you have given the Ford Focus DCi (hatchback) a test drive but a few minutes might change your mind on getting one.

True. It is brutal. The ride is brutal to anyone riding in it. The suspension is extremely stiff for a four door sedan. Driving over any road imperfections might leave you with with spinal damage.

Aside from that, the car is great to drive. The torquey turbo diesel engine matched with the dual clutch tranny makes it fun to drive through twisting roads. The only let-down is the ride quality. You can end up feeling tired after an hour over less than perfect roads.

Compared to that, the Mitsubishi Lancer EX rides smooth as silk with the smooth shifting CVT tranny and pow
rerful 2.0L (155hp) engine. Spacious interior gives the passengers the legroom you might expect from cars like the Accord or Camry.

i honestly own one dude

and a very satisfied owner

i drive everyday around 40 km per day for 1 1/2 years now and i love every minute i stay in my car. never get tired of "stiff" suspension you were talking about.

i dunno what year model you are tlaking about but current model is just fine. never ridden the previous model but i heard suspension was greatly improved on current model. i can say it is not so soft but very balanced on the roads. it handles really great on corners.

as per CVT?? err... i think that is one of lancer ex cons.

CVTs cannot handle greater torque thereby not give you sporty feel of the car.

CVT will eventually break if you will force it.

i honestly like the looks of lancer more than the focus, but i always have the smile on my face when i am driving this car thinking i can go extra mile without thinking of fuel consumption

[ghosthunter]

i dunno what year model you are tlaking about but current model is just fine. never ridden the previous model but i heard suspension was greatly improved on current model. i can say it is not so soft but very balanced on the roads. it handles really great on corners.

2009 Ford Focus (HB) 2.0T TDCi with DSG

[GTi]

Since you live in Baguio, you need a vehicle that has the chassis and ground clearance to climb the steep inclines on a daily basis and tackle the occasional rough mountain trails while still being fuel efficient. If you care for your kids, stay away from pickups, many of these have cruel backseats and exhibit a nauseating ride especially if the road isn't good. If you can convince your wife for 138k more, you get the 4x4 diesel Tucson (well she likes the Tucson right?) 4x4 is quite reasonable in Baguio, right? It will also give back in the form of fuel savings and security off the beaten path the extra money you spent buying it instead of the 4x2 gas variant. Another excellent choice is the Kia Carens which seats 7, has a powerful diesel engine and a reasonable price tag.

[Gerbo]

For a family car with the aforementioned budget, here's my choices:

MPV-type - 7-seaters are more practical. Grand Livina of you want a gasoline variant; Carens if diesel. The latter offer more torque and is bigger.

CUVs - if sedans are not to your liking due to lower ground clearance. But you essentially trade this feature with the number of seats (unless you get an AUV like the Crosswind and Innova). The Tucson here is hard to beat.

Pickups -can serve as a family vehicle. Just make sure you get the best ride and comfort this side of trucks. So the Strada is in a sweet spot.

-----
Honestly, the best family car is a mid-sized SUV with 7-seating capacity and 4x4 capability. A can-go anywhere vehicle. That is why, for such a sum, I go for a pre-owned one.

[krinkx]

hey guys... thanks for all the help... it was only last night when i checked that almost all of mitsubishi's vehicles are being sold at a discount... so, i was able to convince my wife to "TRY" to look at the strada 4x4 AT gls sport (now valued at 1.265M) and the montero 4x2 (now priced at 1.370M) ... just a little above our budget... i never really considered it since i wrongly assumed that the 4x4 strada is being sold at a price higher than 1.4M just like navara and ranger... i already knew that the AT is only available in the top of the line models...

since her mother has a montero and there was a montero in the local mitsubishi dealership we went to, she was able to assess both and compare them to the pickups/cars/small vans i showed her yesterday... and i showed her also my no. 2 choice, the lancer ex mx/gta parked there... along the way, we also saw a focus hatch (my no. 1 -- still is actually)...

but when she saw the RED strada na glx, she LIKED it so much and to add to that, my two children were literally jumping and were asking/pleading for me to allow them to play for a while at the truck's cargo bed as they were shouting "this is better than lola's car" hehe... i dont think they really understand what they are talking about... hehe... but kids are kids...

i like the strada but i never thought that the price (for the top of the line 4x4) would go significantly lower than either navara or ranger 4x4... yeah, it's quite old but still looks groovy (too 70's/80's for a description hehe)...

who can refuse a smiling wife and jumping kids? i can't... so i "gave in" like as if i am giving them a favor... they never saw that my smile was bigger than theirs as i was telling my wife that the ride is sedan-like with a few bumps...

the red strada was ordered... i acted like as if i was hesitating... haha... fooled them...

again... thanks to all the tsikoteers who helped...

(focus hatch tdci -- i will be back and i will hunt you down!!! well, not now, maybe after a few more years )

ps... we went to sm after and in the parking space we saw a lot of the cars/trucks we were considering... isa lang sabi ni misis "pangit, walang binatbat sa strada"... i just smiled....

[tidus1203]

Still one of my preferred choices besides the Navara! Congratulations!

[Starex_Gold]

So GLS Sport 3.2L 4X4 na ang kinuha mo? :clap:

[niky]

Somehow Ferman and I share the same opinion on the Focus TDCi (HB) suspension.

But I do wonder about the Focus TDCi sedan suspension. Is it the same as the hatch? Haven't driven one yet.

Well.. the 09-10 is a bit stiffer, but I didn't find it bothersome (at least, not compared to a Lancer on 18s) when I drove one for a week.

Yes. Stiff. No, not Civic stiff. Still liveable.

[krinkx]

hehe yup... thanks... sana di lemon... hahahahahahhahahaha....

[Hanren]

Krinkx: Good choice! It was worth the wait and the read (here at tsikot.com)

I'd like to see you get off that Strada soon...can't wait..hehehe

Tara na sa Manaoag!!

[krinkx]

pare... kita tayo kung kukunin ko na... hehe... kaw nagdemonyo eh.. hehehehe

[ghosthunter]

Well.. the 09-10 is a bit stiffer, but I didn't find it bothersome (at least, not compared to a Lancer on 18s) when I drove one for a week.

Yes. Stiff. No, not Civic stiff. Still liveable.

Actually, I remember the Focus TDCi 09-10 felt stiffer than the 08 Lancer EX GT & GTA we test drove. Dont you remember the pre-release version of the '09 Focus TDCi/DSG was available during COTY 2008?

[krinkx]

guys/everyone... thanks for all the inputs... especially to gerbo, sg, tidus and hanren...

just got the strada with HANREN early this afternoon... though i'm still in love with the focus (especially the new locally unreleased version) and the lancer ex, the strada is more than enough for me and my family, actually, sobrang pogi niya, i am overwhelmed... the ride may be a bit bumpy compared to my old EK... but rides like a sedan nonetheless...

saying goodbye, is never an easy thing... di bale, magagamit pa din kita pag coding... hehe...

[Hanren]

guys/everyone... thanks for all the inputs... especially to gerbo, sg, tidus and hanren...

just got the strada with HANREN early this afternoon... though i'm still in love with the focus (especially the new locally unreleased version) and the lancer ex, the strada is more than enough for me and my family, actually, sobrang pogi niya, i am overwhelmed... the ride may be a bit bumpy compared to my old EK... but rides like a sedan nonetheless...

saying goodbye, is never an easy thing... di bale, magagamit pa din kita pag coding... hehe...

It was worth the wait. It was an honor to be the "first" passenger on your new Strada. Plan na natin yung road trip next time. Thanks din sa tsikot.com and to all who helped you decide on this.

Next on your list: Bed cover and joining the strada club?

[niky]

Actually, I remember the Focus TDCi 09-10 felt stiffer than the 08 Lancer EX GT & GTA we test drove. Dont you remember the pre-release version of the '09 Focus TDCi/DSG was available during COTY 2008?

I know. But I've also done a one-week test of a production car, and I didn't feel like it was such a big deal then. I don't know if the calibration was different, or if the car felt better at higher speeds on more varied roads, but it definitely felt better.

Super-OT.