Yeah. You really need a 2-seat bugeye sprite or something completely opposite end of the spectrum now.

Had a loaner Focus through my insurance last winter. Interior was great, Ford infotainement was alright,. but the shuddering... omg. I’m sure this would have been a decent car with a manual. 14K miles on the odo. Wow.

DIY>dozens of different techs, IMO. Less variation in quality.

(Assuming the DIY-er is a reasonably intelligent human, which I’d try to assess during the purchase talks).

I think fan controllers are just a normal Mazda thing on V6 vehicles. I had an 06 6 3.0 with that problem. I posted a comment to the main article about my 05 6 (also Lapis Blue, which I’m assuming yours is). 2.3 auto with 319k miles :) 

This is my 2005 Mazda 6i Sport hatchback. Granted I bought it used, it’s got 319,000 miles on the original engine and transmission. I bought it from the original owner last August for $400 with 293k. Cleaned it up (it had sat for 3 years), put some CX7 18s on it, and have driven it ever since! It’s only had minor work…

I’m kind of in love! Nice k-9 strainer too!

I too had a 2003 Vibe and it was very practical. The GTI has almost as much interior space but not quite and the vibe seats with their plastic backing and fold flat are perfect. Front passenger seat folded forward too and make for the perfect windsurf hauling vehicle

The Vibe was severely underappreciated. 

Those overlays are great. Thanks! 

I don’t understand the fastback hatchback trend. Why is Volkswagen the only company that “gets it”? 

been 30k since my SEL’s first DCT pooped out, I’m beginning to hear/experience shuddering again, good times. The transmission has a court ordered 100k warranty on it, though, so can’t complain too hard. I’m dropping the damn thing like a brick before I cross that line. It’s been a solid 8/10 experience, transmission…

Lol, unless you get the 3cylinder Ecoboost. It comes with a real 6-speed automatic 

Stock up on Beanie Babies while you’re at it. 

My 2012 Fiesta transmission is hilariously bad.

...and before the transmission starts making bad sounds.

I keep hearing this, and I don’t know why. Have 40,000 on a 2016 Fiesta with the DCT and have had zero issues. Now, my brother had a 2013 Focus and that transmission was a pile, but I more attribute that to user error, honestly.

If you buy one, park it, wait 80 years, then you can sell it for so many dozens of dollars more than you paid! Collectors item! Only Focus DCT without shuddering!

I get people not liking it just as an immediate reaction and saying “no”
But from a manufacturing perspective I get it: It’s now two metal panels separated by a plastic one instead of one large panel, making it cheaper to make and repair.

that actually looks better.

the new one kind of looks like an anteater