Anthony Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I really like my Focus. I really do not like the transmission. I've been eyeballing the Focus electric ever since they upp'ed the range for the 2017 model year to 115 miles. My dealer has a loaded 2017 Focus Electric on the lot with an MSRP of $31,075. I'm a Ford shareholder (with 100+ shares) so I can get X-Plan. I'm not sure exactly what the invoice price is on the Focus electric, but I'll guess $750 under MSRP. So let's figure $30,250. I also get the following: $3,350 cash back $7,500 Credit for EV vehicles $3,000 Connecticut EV Rebate 0% for 72 Months Plus I figure I'll get around $8k for trade-in on my existing Focus. That brings the total price down to around $8k. (plus taxes and registration). After taxes and everything, my monthly payment would be around $130...all principal... without me taking a penny out of my pocket. Not bad for a loaded electric car with Leather, SYNC3, remote start and HID headlights. I'd also want to get a 240v charging station installed in my garage. CT offers a credit on that as well. (The smaller of 30% of the station’s cost or $1,000.) I'm seriously considering this as I've been wanting to get an electric vehicle. My commute supports the 115 mile range with tons of room to spare (I drive about 65 miles a day total). The only thing holding me back is that the Focus is one of the crummiest electric cars to get based on its range and hindered storage in the rear (because of the battery). I tend to keep my cars around 7-10 years and am wondering if it will be reasonable to expect the battery to hold a relatively good charge in that time frame. I know the electric components & battery have an 8yr / 100k warranty. Anyone have or used a Focus Electric and have any input? Thanks. How badly does the range suffer in the winter? Edited June 23, 2017 by Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcartwright99 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I may get roasted for saying this but if I were looking for an electric vehicle, I would buy a Bolt (maybe a Volt). Focus range is too low, compared to those. Now, if it suits you perfectly then go for it. I just think there are substantially better electrics out there than the Focus. I don't know if you would get as good of a deal though (probably would be close with tax deductions). Edited June 23, 2017 by jcartwright99 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcartwright99 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Nevermind....I missed the listing of discounts. Get the Focus....with all the cash back and financing. There is about an 9 grand MSRP difference to begin with. Bolts are going for about 3 grand under MSRP in my area (plus all the tax incentives). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I may get roasted for saying this but if I were looking for an electric vehicle, I would buy a Bolt (maybe a Volt). Focus range is too low, compared to those. Now, if it suits you perfectly then go for it. I just think there are substantially better electrics out there than the Focus. I don't know if you would get as good of a deal though (probably would be close with tax deductions). The Bolt has a substantially higher base price. To get all the features the Focus I am looking at, it would be well over $42k. That's a big difference. Edited June 23, 2017 by Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jcartwright99 Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 The Bolt has a substantially higher base price. To get all the features the Focus I am looking at, it would be well over $42k. That's a big difference. You're right, that's a big difference (especially with the financing). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I really like my Focus. I really do not like the transmission. I've been eyeballing the Focus electric ever since they upp'ed the range for the 2017 model year to 115 miles. My dealer has a loaded 2017 Focus Electric on the lot with an MSRP of $31,075. I'm a Ford shareholder (with 100+ shares) so I can get X-Plan. I'm not sure exactly what the invoice price is on the Focus electric, but I'll guess $750 under MSRP. So let's figure $30,250. I also get the following: $3,350 cash back $7,500 Credit for EV vehicles $3,000 Connecticut EV Rebate 0% for 72 Months Plus I figure I'll get around $8k for trade-in on my existing Focus. That brings the total price down to around $8k. (plus taxes and registration). After taxes and everything, my monthly payment would be around $130...all principal... without me taking a penny out of my pocket. Not bad for a loaded electric car with Leather, SYNC3, remote start and HID headlights. I just looked at a 2016 in your state with a similar MSRP and X plan is showing a $16K incentive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 (edited) I just looked at a 2016 in your state with a similar MSRP and X plan is showing a $16K incentive. 2016 only has a 75 mile range. Has to be a 2017. They may be rolling the credits into the incentive on the one you looked at as well so the pricing would be "somewhat" similar. Edited June 23, 2017 by Anthony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
akirby Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Forgot about the range improvement. Hard to argue with the financials. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 Have you considered a C-Max energi? It's not much bigger dimensions than the Focus and the battery is packaged a little bit better in the back (unless you want to put a stroller in it lol). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 Have you considered a C-Max energi? It's not much bigger dimensions than the Focus and the battery is packaged a little bit better in the back (unless you want to put a stroller in it lol). I have! But since I am the only one who drives the car (it is strictly a work commuter car) the packaging is a lesser concern (whereas the final price trumps it). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I have! But since I am the only one who drives the car (it is strictly a work commuter car) the packaging is a lesser concern (whereas the final price trumps it). do EV credits not apply for plug-in hybrids anymore? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 23, 2017 Author Share Posted June 23, 2017 do EV credits not apply for plug-in hybrids anymore? They do, but the CMax Energi only gets a $4k federal credit and only a $750 CT credit. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
twintornados Posted June 23, 2017 Share Posted June 23, 2017 I would be interested in your story if you buy it... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpd80 Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 So how would you go with a lease, is there any advantage in not being locked into seven years finance? Just wondering if Ford is open to doing a killer lease deal on that loaded Focus to get the sale... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sullynd Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 I personally don't like the idea of buying electrics at this point. Leasing seems like a much better deal. The tech is new, the resale is crap. Being able to hand it back to Ford in 2-3 years and eliminating the worry of a potential battery replacement if its shot, or just degraded, would be worth the lack of equity imho. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 So how would you go with a lease, is there any advantage in not being locked into seven years finance? Just wondering if Ford is open to doing a killer lease deal on that loaded Focus to get the sale... A lease could be even better. Looking into it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzymoomoo Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 When you do order it if you decide to, if it's built on nights I'll be the one to install the passenger side door panels 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 24, 2017 Author Share Posted June 24, 2017 I just found out the Ford rebate is not $3,000........ it is $5,500 in addition to 72 month 0%. Ridiculous. Total rebates and tax credit on the car would be $16,000 and still get 0% financing. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02MustangGT Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 Wow that is crazy. So around $15k total investment. I may just add to my collection of vehicles since I have access to no cost charging stations at my place of employment. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blazerdude20 Posted June 24, 2017 Share Posted June 24, 2017 I'd say screw X-Plan and check local deals... most focus Electric can be had significantly under MSRP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mackinaw Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 .......How badly does the range suffer in the winter? You should listen to the June 9th “Autoline After Hours” (episode 381). Go to the 55’ mark. They have an interesting discussion on whether it’s worth buying an electric car. The topic of cold weather driving came up. The general consensus was that electric cars are not a good choice for this who live in cold climates. Major reduction in driving range compared to driving in warm climes, such as southern California. Plus, depending on where you live, the cost of electricity may be more than the cost of gasoline. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ice-capades Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 Anyone even thinking about an EV has to realize that the mileage ratings are a best estimate and totally dependent on the driver and driving conditions. Drive it hard and the range drops, turn on the A/C and the range drops, go up hills and the range drops, etc. Even with the 115 mile range, I doubt our store will ever stock more than one Focus EV as there's just no interest or demand for it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harley Lover Posted June 25, 2017 Share Posted June 25, 2017 (edited) I've been on vacation and just saw your thread. I own a 2013 Focus Electric. Really like the car. The mentions of cold weather mileage are key for you in your location. Using the heater kills the range. You can preheat the cabin if you have a level 2 charger, so that will definitely help. All that said, my best suggestion is to get on a couple of discussion groups for the Volt and Leaf (and Focus) and look for members that live in your (winter) climate. Their real world experience will be priceless as you consider what to do. One other point to address: any possibility your employer will allow you to charge at work? Even if you have to use the 110v adapter, that could go a long way to eliminate range anxiety for your commute. Edit: one other point - driving style absolutely affects range (as you would expect). If your commute is such that your driving is dictated by those around you (to keep pace, etc.) that will at least play a role in your range. Edited June 25, 2017 by Harley Lover 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anthony Posted June 25, 2017 Author Share Posted June 25, 2017 Thanks for the input guys. I do a lot of stop and go driving. The car would be garaged year round. I do have access to a charger across the street from my office until my office installs a couple (promised by end of year). I don't want to rely on either for my calculations in case they are not available. It does get cold here in CT during the winter. Average January daytime temp is in the mid 30's and can get down the single digits every so often. I'm going to do a bit more research before jumping in. After all, my 2014 Focus is paid off, but I don't have the warm fuzzies about keeping it for 8-9 years with the Powershift. If I am going to get rid of it, I'd rather do it while I have a minuscule amount of equity to put towards something else. If I don't get rid of it this year, I'm just going to hump it out and keep it for as long as it will go because after I hit 4 years old / 50k miles it won't be worth much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mustang_sallad Posted June 26, 2017 Share Posted June 26, 2017 I'm in a similar situation to you - I have a 2012 Focus (manual, hatchback) and looking for a second car for a commuter, and definitely want it to be electric. Beyond just the range, I think the Bolt would also be the best bet just in terms of having the latest and greatest in battery and powertrain tech. I have more faith in GM than anybody else in terms of battery durability - they really coddle those things, and Volts are fairing really well. But as nice as all that sounds, it's hard to justify the extra $10k or so over a Focus which has enough range for my daily commute. My biggest complaint about the Focus is the space under the hatch. It would be annoying for my own use on a regular basis, but probably worse than that would be having to explain to everyone that looks under the hatch that, "no, not all EVs have such terrible packaging". The other car I'm having a look at is the Hyundai Ioniq. Even a bit more range than the Focus, and has a totally flat cargo area. It's a brand new, clean slate design by a company that is clearly committed to the platform (vs shoehorning a higher capacity battery into a model that is clearly not long for this world). The eGolf is also really nice with similar price and specs, though a bit smaller than the Focus. I'm also a bit more convinced of VW's commitment to electrification even if they're sort of being forced into it at this point! But I keep coming back to the Focus because it's just a bit cheaper, and the 0% financing is pretty sweet. I'm just worried I'll be kicking myself in a few years for not spending a bit more and getting something a little less dated. Too bad the 2017 refresh wasn't a bit more comprehensive... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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