|
|
|
|
IntelliChoice Value Rating
The chart above shows the purchase price versus ownership cost for each car from a specific vehicle class. The cars with better than average ownership cost/purchase price correlations are the best values, and these best value cars are represented by the dots below the curve. (i.e. the cars that have a lower ownership cost compared to its purchase price.) Those cars, which are worse than average or poor values, appear above the curve.
One way to view the graph is to draw a vertical line through any purchase price. You may see several dots that fall on this line - each of which is a car with a similar purchase price. However, notice the difference in ownership costs of each car represented by the vertical position of the dot. Two cars with the same purchase price can have thousands of dollars difference in ownership costs. This is what separates "good value" cars from "poor value" cars.
What is a good car value?
A "good car value" is one whose cost to own and operate is less than expected. The lower the cost to own and operate a car compared to what is expected, the better the value of that car.
But how do we know a car's "expected cost"?
For each car in the class, IntelliChoice plots the car's purchase price against the total five-year cost to own and operate it as determined by IntelliChoice research. Each dot on the above chart represents a specific car. Generally, we find that as the purchase price of the car increases, the cost to own and operate that car increases. This is why the dots on the graph tend to rise upward and to the right. This phenomenon also makes intuitive sense - as the purchase price rises, financing costs tend to rise, as do insurance, depreciation, taxes, and most other car ownership costs.
This is an important concept. It's normal for car ownership costs to rise as purchase price rises. Therefore, we can't just establish one "average" ownership cost number for each class, since cars in the class have different purchase prices. (This is why the "Relative" shown on each chart is different for cars in the same car class.)
Using statistical techniques, IntelliChoice "connects the dots" to form a curve that defines, for this car class, the relationship between the car's purchase price and car's ownership costs. This curve is our "expected cost" curve. The curve defines, for any car in the class, the five-year ownership cost that we would expect to see at each possible purchase price. If every car in the class were an average value, then all the dots would fall exactly on the curve. However, it's rare that any dot is exactly on the curve. Some dots are a little higher or lower, and some are a lot higher or lower. The dots that are a little lower are better than average car values, while the dots that are a lot lower are excellent car values (A dot that is a lot lower than the curve has ownership costs much lower than expected for a car of its purchase price). Conversely, a dot a little higher than the curve is a poorer than average car value, while a dot that is much higher than the curve is a poor car value.
Value is a relative term, not an absolute term. It is performing better than the logical expectation.
So is a Mercedes-Benz E320 expensive to own and operate? Certainly in an absolute sense. Most other cars cost less. But, when its cost to own and operate is plotted against cars with comparable invoice prices, the E320 costs less. So the E320 is not expensive to own and operate - it is a good car value. The Mercedes does not have low ownership costs, but it has low ownership costs for its invoice price.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ford Focus Recalls
| Recall Date: |
MAR 23, 2006 |
| Component: |
EXTERIOR LIGHTING |
| Model Affected: |
FOCUS |
| Units Affected: |
61944
Recall Details
|
Recall Date:
MAR 23, 2006
Model Affected:
2003 FORD FOCUS
Summary:
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Consequence:
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy:
PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
Units Affected:
61944
Notes:
PRO-A MOTORS, INC.
| Recall Date: |
JUN 13, 2006 |
| Component: |
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE |
| Model Affected: |
FOCUS |
| Units Affected: |
58640
Recall Details
|
Recall Date:
JUN 13, 2006
Model Affected:
2003 FORD FOCUS
Summary:
CERTAIN AFTERMARKET FUEL FILTERS SOLD UNDER THE PUROLATOR BRAND NAME, P/N F65277, SHIPPED FROM JANUARY 16 THROUGH JUNE 2, 2006, FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INCORRECT DESIGN, THE QUICK CONNECTORS MAY NOT FULLY SEAT WITH THE TUBE INTERFACE, EVEN THOUGH THE PERSON MAKING THE CONNECTION MAY BELIEVE THAT THE QUICK CONNECTOR IS FULLY ATTACHED.
Consequence:
FAILURE OF THIS CONNECTION COULD LEAD TO FUEL SPILLAGE AND, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, A FIRE COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
UFI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE FILTERS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 4, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT UFI FILTERS USA AT 800-230-5876.
Units Affected:
58640
Notes:
UFI FILTERS USA
| Recall Date: |
FEB 01, 2005 |
| Component: |
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH |
| Model Affected: |
FOCUS |
| Units Affected: |
589932
Recall Details
|
Recall Date:
FEB 01, 2005
Model Affected:
2003 FORD FOCUS
Summary:
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES WITH FOUR OR FIVE DOORS AND ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, A BUILD-UP OF CORROSION AT THE PAWL PIVOT AREA OF THE REAR DOOR LATCH CAN CAUSE A BINDING CONDITION OF THE PAWL THAT MAY AFFECT PROPER ENGAGEMENT OF THE PAWL INTO THE CATCH. THE OCCUPANT MAY EXPERIENCE DIFFICULTY OPENING OR CLOSING A REAR DOOR, AND EVENTUALLY THE REAR DOOR MAY NOT LATCH PROPERLY.
Consequence:
IF NOT LATCHED PROPERLY, THE DOOR MAY OPEN WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. IF AN OCCUPANT FELL OUT OF THE VEHICLE, PERSONAL INJURIES COULD OCCUR.
Remedy:
DEALERS WILL HAVE A LOWER ROCKER SEAL ADDED TO THE DOOR AND HAVE THE REAR DOOR LATCHES EVALUATED FREE OF CHARGE. A LATCH THAT PASSES THE EVALUATION WILL BE LUBRICATED TO PREVENT FUTURE CORROSION. A LATCH THAT DOES NOT PASS THE EVALUATION WILL BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, A STICKER WILL BE AFFIXED TO THE REAR DOORS ADVISING THE OWNERS TO USE THE RECOMMENDED LUBRICANT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 9, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT FORD AT 1-800-392-3673.
Units Affected:
589932
Notes:
FORD MOTOR COMPANY 05S27
|
2009 Ford Focus RS to Debut at London Motor Show
BRENTWOOD, July 4, 2008 – The legendary Ford RS performance car brand is returning in the shape of the exciting new...
07/07/2008 | 20:07 PM
|
|
Small Ford Focus Grows while Ford F-150 Production Gets Cut
DEARBORN, Mich., June 20, 2008 - Ford Motor Company today said it is making further reductions to its North American...
06/23/2008 | 23:06 PM
|
|
American Idol's Surprise Guest: 2009 Ford Focus
DEARBORN, Mich., May 13, 2008 – The hot-selling Ford Focus debuts anew coupe version for the 2009 model year...
06/04/2008 | 07:06 AM
|
|
2009 Ford Focus RS give High-Performance in Europe
Ford has confirmed it. 2009 will mark the return of the fast Ford compact to European lineup....
12/27/2007 | 16:12 PM
|
|
2008 Ford Focus expands in European Market
BRENTWOOD, Essex,11 September, 2007 - Winner of more than 80 awards and the only vehicle in the world to be named Car...
09/11/2007 | 17:09 PM
|
|
|
2003 Ford Focus Serpentine Belt
I have a 2003 Ford Focus 2.0 DOHC zetec. I am trying to replace the serpentine belt. According to my Haynes manual for...
05/18/2007 | 22:05 PM
|
|
|
Ford Focus with vapor lock?
it could possibly be a fuel pressure problem, possible bad fuel pump check valve, fuel pressure regulator etc......
07/26/2006 | 17:07 PM
|
|
|
2001 Ford Focus ZX3 With Low Miles For Sale
2001 Ford Focus ZX3-white, 37,500 miles, A/C, very good condition. $6,000 OBOcontact: 520.777.5795 Ext. 201"...
05/27/2006 | 10:05 AM
|
|
|
2006 Ford Focus
Has anyone bought a 2006 Ford focus? If so how much did they pay?...
04/17/2006 | 11:04 AM
|
|
|
2000 Ford Focus start-up sputtering
I have a 2000 Ford Focus Zetec DOHC. Upon some start-ups(not all the time) it sputters and jerks violently untils it...
12/05/2005 | 15:12 PM
|
|
2002 Ford Focus ZX5
First Test: Do you like the looks and packaging of the Focus ZX3, but need the convenience of four doors?
more
|
|
|
|
|
|
2009 Ford Focus RS
Europeans get a 295-hp version of their already-fun Ford Focus. Color us green with envy.
more
|
|
Ford Focus SVT
The SVT Focus is almost here, and we're excited. You might expect the announcement of a hopped-up Focus would get lost in the flood of Japanese horsepower due to hit our shores in the next few months....
more
|
|
|
|
|
|