Long-Term Road Tests - 2008 Ford Focus Coupe: Handle Problem Fixed!

2008 Ford Focus Coupe: Handle Problem Fixed!

Our craptacular solution to a craptacular problem

We're an enterprising sort around here. With the Focus' faulty door handle placement, we thought it wouldn't be too hard to correct this problem without the need for millions of dollars worth of R&D. So DiPietro and myself took a trip out to J.W. Higgins Auto Yard in Crenshaw to search for our solution. Within minutes, we spotted a '71 Cadillac Eldorado with a suprisingly well-preserved red leather interior. With little effort, we crowbarred off the chrome and wood applique that held what we were looking for. Ten minutes and a whole heap of industrial glue later, voila. We'll see if our door handle design lasts longer than Ford's.

James Riswick, Automotive Editor

Posted by James May 7, 2008 9:32 am

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Categories: 2008 Ford Focus SES Coupe

Comments

mustang5507 - May 10, 2008 11:18 pm (#17 Total: 17)

it was actually the SN-95...the new Mustang is S197 =P

canadaphant - May 9, 2008 3:02 pm (#16 Total: 17)

greenpony-
Mazda and Volvo both sell plenty of cars based off the Euro platform (Mazda 3, 5, Volvo S40, C30, V50, C70). If Mazda can build a euro-platform Focus and sell it in the US AND Europe, why can't Ford?

hoops26 - May 9, 2008 7:08 am (#15 Total: 17)

Okay...looking at that picture, most of you would rather have to reach further, and have better leverage than a closer reach with less leverage???

Think about it...

greenpony - May 8, 2008 10:15 am (#14 Total: 17)

wenhead, so you'd rather Ford have used the Euro Focus platform and the car cost you $25,000 instead of $15,000? There is no rule that says a car needs a ground-up redesign every (4,5,6...) years. Ford's been guilty of longer-running platforms. Just look at the Fox Mustang and subsequent modified Fox called S195. Ran from 1979 through 2004. 26 model years. To me, a run that long is a sign of a successful platform.

stephen987 - May 8, 2008 10:14 am (#13 Total: 17)

Hmmm. So much for the factory warranty. . .

wenhead - May 8, 2008 8:57 am (#12 Total: 17)

It kind of pisses me off that Ford saved money by using the old Focus platform to save cost. Then, they stick in stuff like ambient lighting, but don't give you a decent door handle. That is lame, but it should not be a hard fix.

banhugh - May 7, 2008 3:58 pm (#11 Total: 17)

Keep up the good work. I think you should comtinue with the rest of the fleet.

sylvia - May 7, 2008 2:08 pm (#10 Total: 17)

Sunny California but originally from Michigan

Isn't that like a mixing species?

altimadude00 - May 7, 2008 1:15 pm (#9 Total: 17)

That's awesome! Why didn't Ford think of that?

By the way, to me, that doesn't look half bad. (I know it's not real, but still.)

estreka - May 7, 2008 12:58 pm (#8 Total: 17)

subarctic north - Great Falls, MT

I'd love to see the resale value on that. lol

joefrompa - May 7, 2008 12:18 pm (#7 Total: 17)

Photoshop? Lol, I was totally taken in.

I was about to write "this is the single worst thing you've ever done to a car on this blog..."

Joe

stingray454 - May 7, 2008 11:20 am (#6 Total: 17)

That's funny that just the handle from the Eldorado is almost as long as the entire door of the Focus!

limeman - May 7, 2008 10:53 am (#5 Total: 17)

Now THAT is funny!

zjev - May 7, 2008 10:38 am (#4 Total: 17)

Ha, ha clever image placement!

bimmerjay - May 7, 2008 10:22 am (#3 Total: 17)

LOL, nice Photoshop.

dougtheeng - May 7, 2008 10:20 am (#2 Total: 17)

Niagara, Ontario, Canada

And someone in the other thread was saying that 70's Cadillacs were no good, for shame!

benderofbows - May 7, 2008 10:10 am (#1 Total: 17)

Hilarious! How about some Eldorado badging as well?