The particular model I was thinking about was really nice for what it was - a compact fun-type sedan (I just don't recall the specific letter designation). I don't know, it just appealed to me. But you can see the others I was also thinking about.

I don't have much in the way of brand loyalty but I will most always consider American first because... well, I'm an American. However, I buy what I want at the time I'm in the market regardless.

I chose the TL for several reasons, but it was close between the TL and the CTS-V, I can tell you. However, I am still quite pleased with my '04 manual TL and have no plans to unload it any time soon.

 

I always meant to look into how 'american' American brand cars are. Most electronics are manufactured in Taiwan. The TL and CTS are assembled in the USA but the ford focus I believe was designed for the European marked in Europe (prononced Yurp for southern people ).
The svt focus is pretty cool I think that's the one you're refering to.
I totally understand shopping for cars in different cost brackets, I did too. But no American cars for me I owned a 5.2L V8 grand Cherokee and although I loved it, it was a total POS mechanically and electronically and the plastic on the dash was lesser quality than disposable cups. Although the exterior styling of some American cars appeals to me, the interior always looks pretty sad.
On the flip side, I would have loved if Joe Bob built my BBQ, tool chest, and various other things around the house, unfortunatly it was Xing Zhou that built them, and yes I did shop around. Actually I'm spending now about 20% more on some American made cabinets, but buying an American car, sorry I just can't.

Okay on topic of the thread, I think I am search retarded. The other day I was trying to find 2 threads I know I saw with pix of suspensions and another with exhaust comparaisons and I could't find them.

 

Hey, I was just ribbing ya. But nice group of cars. I was going from a 1989 Toyota Supra that I had bought brand new and driven for 15 years, looking at TL, Volvo, BMW 5 series, and Corvette (single,no kids). TL was by far best bang for the buck.

 

Did you search in the performance forum? That's probably where they are.

 

It wasn't an SVT Focus. I'm familiar with them and I once owned an SVT Contour (2000) which was hands down, the best handling car I've ever owned.

Three of the four Fords I've owned have been great. In fact among the most reliable cars I've ever had and very high on the fun factor list. But I fear my choices are growing more slim each model year because I just will not buy an automatic for my personal driving machine.

 

Yeah, I figured as much. But I can tell you, five years ago a few members were anything but ribbing me.

 

This was a very strong thing for sure. One of the things that was holding me back a little with the TL was this. I had owned a '94 Honda Accord EX manual and it was not the best thing to have. It leaked puddles during heavy rain in the front passenger foot well. The clutch tended to shutter every two or three weeks as though it had rust on the flywheel. And there was rust on the seat front seat rails. There were a few other things, too. So two years later, I traded it for a '96 Contour SE which I ordered. THAT was a fun car and rock solid.

 

I think your a European car kinda guy the contour is a mondeo which was built for the European market and was and still is hugely popular there. The also did great in British and Australian touring championships.

About American cars, now I see all these GM commercials going on how their vehicles have better fuel economy than the Honda equivalent. Did anyone here drive one to get the actual economy, not the EPA estimate. Those numbers can be off quite a bit. My brother inlaw and I went on a trip with 2 cars, me with mine and him with his G35s sedan 07 model and I averaged 27 mpg and he did 23. Quite a difference considering our EPA estimates are
almost the same.

 

I tend to gravitate towards cars which have acceptable accelerative abilities with handling taking a second seat to that. So I am drawn to Corvettes and Mustangs and other of the more serious performance machines. But I do break out of that mold when a car comes along that gets my attention for whatever reason. Fuel economy has not been a factor in my car decisions yet, though I fear sometime in the future we may all be forced in that direction.

 

Gentlemen, we've all gotten a bit off topic from the OP's original post and I am certainly as much to blame as anyone for this. So to the OP, we're sorry if we took over your thread and we hope you are satisfied with some of the responses you received.

 

lol..

 

LOL we should start another thread and instead of "why can't people answer a simple question" it should be "why can't people stay on topic".

okay, i'm done derailing this thread, over and out.

 

Again thanks for the help/suggestions guys. I usually do a search in the specific forum I figure the info should be. I don't think I have narrowed it down to the garage section. I will also try to use google since it does seem to lead her alot. Ok I'll try to refraim for posting questions that have been answered a million times before. Sometimes you just want some new reassurance on a product.