|
Review 1 of 1
Price Paid:
$0.00
from rented at Rome termi Year / Model Reviewed:
2007 Ford Focus hatchback Summary:
My wife and I just returned from three and a half weeks travelling throughout the South of Italy by car. We rented a 2007 Ford Focus hatchback, 5 speed maunal at Rome's termini station in the heart of Rome.
The car was fabulous. Anyone who has driven in the South of Italy would fully appreciate the abilities of this vehicle.
The Amalfi Coast with its inumerable super-tight hair pins along a rock cliff face falling to the Mediteranean Sea 200 ft below required great handling and agility. Press-back acceleration in 2nd gear (on these roads you can barely get to 3rd gear an the few short straight sections) allowed passing (yeah, we drove like Italians) when only seconds were a luxury.
An Italian parking spot is one that is just 24 inches longer than the car. That's 12" in front and 12 in back. The Ford Focus had the tighteset truning radius of any car we've driven and it was needed to manouver into these tight spots and to handle the "threading" of the car through small village streets where people park in "Italian Random" style.
The autostrada was another story. Left lane driving is normally for Mercedes, Audis and BMWs (andthe odd Ferrari). Not uncommon to be travelling above the 130 km limit ( 150 is the Italian translation) and have another car BLOW past you as if you're standing still. The Ford Focus held it's own in these intimidating conditions so well I don't think the locals new we were tourists.
Did I mention that it was a diesel engine? We used 220 litres to travel 3950 km. That's about 40 miles per US gal or 53 miles per Imperial gal.
The car was a 5 door model. The trunk took our two large suit cases and more.
I can have back pain when sitting in somme car seats too long but there was no discomfort during the odd 500 km day during our vacation.
This was a great looking car with styling that reflected the European image of what they like in their shoes and clothes.
Wish we could get one of these cars here in Canada. Strengths:
See above Weaknesses:
Not available in North America. What are we? Second class world citizens? Similar Products Used:
Acura 3.2 TL 2002 automatic.
Mazda 6 hatchback 2005 4 cyl. manual
Would you like to Comment?Join CarReview for a free account, or Login if you are already a member.
| 
Link to this page
4 of 5
5 of 5
