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News, analysis, commentary, social trends, culture, politics, government, books, movies, travel, cycling and other stuff
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T H E T E R R Y R E P O R T 2012
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Facts first, logic always, truth before everything
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CAR AND DRIVER MAGAZINE is out with their ten best cars of the year. Aren’t you glad? They put the new Ford Focus on the list and I understand why. I drove one in California a couple of months back and it was more or less the base model from a rental car company. It was, however, a great little car. One problem that developed is the automatic transmission gearshift had to be pushed all the way up to the dashboard for reverse and park. This is not a good thing if your traveling companion happens to be tuning the radio at the same time (Ouch!). But, if I buy one, I will be getting a stickshift, so that won’t be much of a problem, I suppose. You may go to Car and Driver’s website for the full llist. I am putting their review on here as a preview and to add a little color to the otherwise excessively political and analytical TerryReport. ‘Bout time, you say? I like this car. It seems one of, if not the, best cars in its size and class.
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Two boxing terms seem appropriate here: the “rope-a-dope”Alis ploy to sit on the ropes getting beaten for what seemed like a decade, then come out swinging once the other guy was worn out”and punching above your weight class,€¯ its meaning obvious. The Ford Focus so embraces these two concepts that it ought to be wearing silk shorts. After nearly a decade of waning significance, the Focus comes off the ropes with several unexpected combinations: a sensational ride-handling balance, an admirable power/mpg index, and fantastic materials and utility inside. This is one of the best front-wheel-drive chassis on the road right now, supple yet precise, and it allows the Focus to get around many more expensive, more powerful, more overtly sporty cars on a twisting stretch. It’s as much sports sedan as economy sedan. Still, like most prizefighters, it has its vices. No, not pet lions or a taste for ear meat. The Focus’, at least, are avoidable: No version should be ordered with the frustrating MyFord Touch infotainment system. And no serious driver should purchase a Focus with the clunky-yet-somehow-squishy PowerShift dual-clutch automatic. We recommend the Focus SE with the slick manual transmission and the SE Sport package. It’s the sweet spot of the Focus lineup and a staggering bit of sweet science.
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