Need some slight help...

[Dimitri]

I am getting a new car within the coming months... I want something with great mileage and something that has room for small family (Just to give you and idea...) and it has to be American... I am thinking about the 2012 Ford Focus...any ideas

Pros and cons would be awesome guys...

[Steve Jobs]

Unfortunately American and great mileage aren't frequently seen together. If you're buying new (2011/2 onwards) Focus should definitely be top of that list! (Even though it was originally developed by Ford Europe :))

I don't really know how your budget stands, but check out the upcoming Dodge Dart (built on the Alfa Giulietta, not sold here but is one hell of a serious machine). Chrysler 200, Cadi CTS, Chevy Malibu (or Volt for serious mileage haha).

I'd say pick Dart or CTS for driving pleasure, Malibu or Focus for value/gadgetronics, Volt for pure mileage. You'll have to test them all and see for yourself though :)

[BrassMonkey]

Yeah, I was looking at that when my mom "Was" going to get a new car, and the Focus had a lot of good things about it. The price is also not that bad, well for the basic models. I wouldnt mind getting one too.

Pros:
American car, good price, stylish, little bit of room, and high tech. if you get the higher models.

Cons:
To get more high tech, you need the more expensive models.

[Steve Jobs]

Yeah, Focus Titanium in red with the 18" 5-spoke wheels. That car will keep you content if love from all else fails.

[Wakesetter03]

To be honest with you, the American cars drive like sh*t compared to European/Japanese rivals.

However, obviously you prefer American so here's my $.02 cents.

I'd recommend a Focus or a Fusion, or the new Dodge Dart (good mileage, and big enough for a small family = check).

The two competitors for this car from Chevy are the Volt and the Cruze. I personally think their current cars are unfortunately out dated.

So, Pros and Cons.

The Focus:

Pros: Well spec'd in higher levels, recently updated model, 40 MPG, Sedan and hatch, man/auto options, Ford reliability is doing well at the moment, well priced.

Cons: Small backseat, interior quality not amazing, and I couldn't find much information on safety (though I do believe its ANCAP 5 stars).

The Fusion:

Pros: Larger car, Larger backseat, hybrid option (41mpg) Ford reliability is doing well at the moment, not much more than a Focus.

Cons: Dated looks, interior quality not amazing, if you get a hybrid, it will depreciate horribly. Again, I couldn't find any safety information.

The Dart:

Pros: Awesome looking car, hatch and sedan options, many different specs (all well spec'd for each price though), interior quality, new model, well priced 10+ airbags and good safety.

Cons: Not much information on MPG, small backseat.

So too conclude, I'd personally go for the Dodge. Their spec and interior quality is really up to date at the moment, they're bringing out terrific looking cars and the new engine is apparently brilliant. Then again, the Focus gets rave reviews, and isn't a bad looking car itself, though the interior isn't like the Dodges. Also, Ford's new bumper to bumper warranty (see here for the Focus: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/2012/warranty/) can be both a good and bad thing, depending on the owner.
As for the Fusion, it's the biggest, has the best MPG (in the hybrid version) but it would be horrible to drive, look at, and be in.

Just from what I gathered personally and online.

Hope it helped :)

[Φρανκομβριτ]

advice....don't get an american car.....

[BrassMonkey]

If you were going to get a foreign car, I would get a Kia Soul. I know it doesnt have the most room in the world, but it also has good gas mileage. Its also very stylish.

[Wakesetter03]

If you were going to get a foreign car, I would get a Kia Soul. I know it doesnt have the most room in the world, but it also has good gas mileage. Its also very stylish.

They're rubbish.
Walking > Korean cars

[Dimitri]

Personally I do not have a problem getting a foreign car, I plan on it in the future but I just do not feel like dealing with my father (I still live at home and will be for some time while I am in college.)

I cannot stand the Kia Soul, looks like a tissue box on wheels...

I think I might be going with the Ford Focus.

Any other thoughts...believe me, I appreciate them, I don't really know jack about automotives.

[Infidelitas]

If you were going to get a foreign car, I would get a Kia Soul. I know it doesnt have the most room in the world, but it also has good gas mileage. Its also very stylish.

Pile of shit. Kia are infamous for lack of reliability. I auntie had a 2007 Kia Rio, and had to replace the engine twice.

[xChrisVx]

So that'll explain the 7 yr warranty????

Do you get vauxhall/opal in America?

If so, I'd recommend a used Vectra or a new insignia.

[Steve Jobs]

So that'll explain the 7 yr warranty????

Do you get vauxhall/opal in America?

If so, I'd recommend a used Vectra or a new insignia.

They're repositioned as a luxury car and sold as Buick (under GM alliance). The Insignia is sold as the Buick Regal and I believe the Vectra is the Verano. Overpriced, very luxurious, probably out of the budget for a typical college kid unfortunately.:mad:

To be honest with you, the American cars drive like sh*t compared to European/Japanese rivals.

However, obviously you prefer American so here's my $.02 cents.

I'd recommend a Focus or a Fusion, or the new Dodge Dart (good mileage, and big enough for a small family = check).

The two competitors for this car from Chevy are the Volt and the Cruze. I personally think their current cars are unfortunately out dated.

So, Pros and Cons.

The Focus:

Pros: Well spec'd in higher levels, recently updated model, 40 MPG, Sedan and hatch, man/auto options, Ford reliability is doing well at the moment, well priced.

Cons: Small backseat, interior quality not amazing, and I couldn't find much information on safety (though I do believe its ANCAP 5 stars).

The Fusion:

Pros: Larger car, Larger backseat, hybrid option (41mpg) Ford reliability is doing well at the moment, not much more than a Focus.

Cons: Dated looks, interior quality not amazing, if you get a hybrid, it will depreciate horribly. Again, I couldn't find any safety information.

The Dart:

Pros: Awesome looking car, hatch and sedan options, many different specs (all well spec'd for each price though), interior quality, new model, well priced 10+ airbags and good safety.

Cons: Not much information on MPG, small backseat.

So too conclude, I'd personally go for the Dodge. Their spec and interior quality is really up to date at the moment, they're bringing out terrific looking cars and the new engine is apparently brilliant. Then again, the Focus gets rave reviews, and isn't a bad looking car itself, though the interior isn't like the Dodges. Also, Ford's new bumper to bumper warranty (see here for the Focus: http://www.ford.com/cars/focus/2012/warranty/) can be both a good and bad thing, depending on the owner.
As for the Fusion, it's the biggest, has the best MPG (in the hybrid version) but it would be horrible to drive, look at, and be in.

Just from what I gathered personally and online.

Hope it helped :)

Having driven both the Focus and the Fusion, and also the Alfa Romeo Giulietta which was the base of which the Dodge Dart was developed..

The Focus was partially developed with Ford Europe. As such, the driving is noticeably sportier and has better feel than the Fusion. The Fusion is a well-built car, roomier, but has been in the market for longer and it's age is noticeable. You'll be losing out on technology, innovation and the pretty darn good engine that runs in the Focus. You'll definitely find comfort, at the expense of driving pleasure and agility of the Focus (and aesthetics?)

Forget the Hybrid. The technology is such that it will not pay off for most of us, and in reality many hybrids arguably do worse for the environment than good. You might want to read up on the materials used in construction, as well as the disposal of these products.

Dodge is definitely looking to its better days - since its parent Chrysler was taken over by Fiat, we're seeing a lot of its European technology come in, like the MultiAirs and tranny being adopted. It shares its underpinnings with the Alfa Giulietta which is one hell of a car, as I mentioned. I don't think you'll ever find a car of that segment which drives better.

Pile of shit. Kia are infamous for lack of reliability. I auntie had a 2007 Kia Rio, and had to replace the engine twice.

Kias have almost transformed in the last 2-3 years. Kias in the old days were infamous for being unreliable.

[YOUNGFLYGUY]

I had a fotd focus I LOVED IT! Its grat on gas

[YOUNGFLYGUY]

*great*