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comment by tacocat

I know a guy who had a Focus. I'm 5'8" and the front seat was cramped. He's six something and I don't know how he drove it.

I drive a Chevy Spark which is in the same class as a Smart Car and people are usually surprised by its interior size. In the front. It has a back row in theory more than practice





WanderingEng  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I've never driven a Focus, admittedly, but I like the size. I had a two door Civic that was small for my height but sort of just right. I think I could manage a Focus.

kleinbl00  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Focii used to be German Ford ('member Merkur). Then they were German Ford design, assembled in Korea. Nowadays? Who knows.

WanderingEng  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Does Ford refer to more than one Focus as Foci? What about Nissan with the Leaf? If I went to a dealer, would I ask "do you have many Leaves on the lot?" I've always wondered this. I assume they'd say Leafs, but I kind of hope it's Leaves.

goobster  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

The salesman wants to see them leave, so he calls them "Leaves".

=)

Sorry. I'll see myself out...

veen  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

I had my driving lessons in a Focus. My grandparents also drove one for years. Easy riders, never a hitch. The newer ones seem more focused on being hip and trendy instead of being the safe option though.

tacocat  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Drove a 2000 I bought when it was a year old. The interior seems to have shrunk

katakowsj  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

My wife and I are looking this weekend at the Chevy Malibu. So far, from online research it looks pretty solid. Anyone have any personal experience with it?

She's getting rid of her 2008 Saturn Aura. It's been a great car, and only now is starting to show it's age in terms of now costing us some bucks in repairs to keep it in top shape.

b_b  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

The new malibu is very different from any previous version. I'm actually surprised they didn't change the name. It's a fantastic car. I drive one for a year, and I loved it. I would recommend the 1.5L engine. They also make a 2.0 (both are turbo), but I never found I needed the extra power, and the milage is a lot better in the 1.5 (I averaged about 33, but I drive like an old person). It drives much more like a perfomance car than you would expect for a mid size sedan. For what it is, I'd give it an A, for sure.

katakowsj  ·  2183 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Thanks man. In our research online, finding the Malibu's limitation of a 4-cylinder engine looked like a stopper for my wife. A car with a 6-cylinder, or larger, engine was on her short list of deal breakers to begin with. Some extra anecdotal evidence should help us keep an open mind when we test drive them.

b_b  ·  2183 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Have to remember it's a 4cyl turbo. That's totally different than your mother's 4. 2.0T engines are in performance cars from the WRX to the Evoque to the ATS, etc, etc. It's a very popular engine because it's fast when you want it to be and fuel efficient when you aren't in a hurry. The Malibu's 2.0 makes 250hp, which on a car of that size is more than enough. Taste is one thing, so you may or may not like the car as much as I did, but I highly doubt you'll be disappointed by the performance.

kleinbl00  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

Drove an Impala for a week in the tundra and was pleasantly surprised. Tbink the Malibu is the same but less pretentious.

OftenBen  ·  2184 days ago  ·  link  ·  

    Chevy Malibu.

I've got the hatchback version and I really like it. Reliable, good in snow with the proper tires, 32-33 MPG highway if I tease it just right. YMMV but I find it a pleasure to drive.