So what's wrong or right with a Ford focus?

And don't say it sux because it's a Ford.
I'm looking at the 5 door. What's that Z motor?
I'm not askin' a salesman

[crazyray]

I was given one to drive for a few days last year while my car was being fixed. I found it to be a surprisingly comfortable small car. The steering wheel is small; my wife found the steering too "quick", probably because of the small wheel. She also complained about the effort required to steer.

The Focus has generally gotten positive reviews in the automotive press. However, there have been a couple of areas that have been problematic. There have been some who have called for extensive recalls. Since I do not remember the details, my "heads up" will have to do. I suggest you do a search on the net and see... good luck.

[Bushmaster]

NHTSA FOCUSES ON FOCUS
Already recalled eight times, the Ford Focus is now being investigated in
two separate cases by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA). The NHTSA says that 72 people have reported engine stalling; seven
reported crashes as a result of the potential defect, which could affect about
575,000 2000-2001 vehicles. In the other case, 2000-2002 Focuses are being
studied for control-arm fracture, which seven owners have reported and implicated
in six crashes.
Ford's Focus appears to have set a record in the US – with six National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) investigations begun into the model this year alone, according to Associated Press (AP).

AP said NHTSA officials have opened two new investigations into the Ford subcompact after complaints the engine can suddenly stall and the front suspension can collapse.

NHTSA spokesman Tim Hurd told AP he could not recall the government's ever having as many investigations into one vehicle at the same time.

According to AP, 72 people complained to the NHTSA that the Focus stalled while they were driving, including seven who crashed. Seven people reported the front suspension control arm fractured while they were driving, leading to six crashes, AP added.

AP said that the investigation into engine stall involves 574,700 cars from the 2000 and 2001 model years, the first two years of production while the suspension investigation also includes the 2002 model year.

The Focus, the country's fifth-best-selling car, has been plagued with safety problems, AP said, and has already been recalled eight times for problems ranging from faulty seat latches and windscreen wipers to a throttle that can stick open.

AP said that two of NHTSA's other still-open investigations involve possible air bag malfunctions, while the others were prompted by reports the rear wheel bearings could fail and the engine could catch fire.

I would avaoid. A friend of mine leased one and she gave it back after the 2nd trans died.

Go here and run the make and model of car you are considering and see what pops up. http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/

Ho boy...

Oh! well Car and Driver disagrees.. Geeze tho the one I looked at is more than 13k... But they seem to like it.

Here is the one I like http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...Focus&class=43
http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caran...ford_focus.xml
Ford Focus

BY CSABA CSERE
January 2002
Page 1 of 1

Surprise and delight are two of the most important words in the success of any product, but they are particularly significant in entry-level cars such as the Ford Focus, with prices starting below $13,000.

Conditioned to expect little in such inexpensive cars, we are delighted by the roomy cabin and high level of interior finish in the Focus. Such details as the fully adjustable steering column are rare in this price segment, as is the standard status of its tachometer and leather steering wheel.
Even rarer is the unflappable chassis that deals effectively with potholes and mismatched pavement slabs while also delivering responsive handling and plenty of cornering grip. This is one of only a few economy cars we look forward to driving.

This year the Focus lineup, which already included three- and four-door sedans and a five-door wagon, is bolstered by the addition of a five-door sedan with a rear hatch that enhances its ability to accept large packages. Then there's the new 170-hp SVT model, which comes with all the goodies to do battle in the expanding class of hot hatches. If your automotive taste and budget are best described as small and light, your salvation is named Focus.

[Bizkitkid2001]

Its ugly

[Bushmaster]

Of course C&D like it. The same way some of the "un-named" hardware review forums prefer AMD over Intel, or vice versa.
Who do you think pays the bills with advertising.

[draboo]

ask Ed_S

[Ed_S]

Well... I'm kinda torn on the Focus. Haven't seen the service probs mentioned, but that sounds to me like very few occurances out of 575,000 vehicles - even allowing that more were likely unreported. I see most "recalls" as good things in that they indicate the maker wants to correct things not discovered until "real world" usage happens. Most are voluntary, few are mandated.

Honestly though, I don't deal with our mechanical shop much. I deal mostly with body shops, I see the wrecked ones & the repair costs involved.
Put it this way, that's one expensive little car to fix!!


<edit> LOL, good timing, draboo! I was typing when you posted!

[Xeroid]

My brother-in-law had one that he was able to unload because of the Georgia lemon law. Ford never could fix the airconditioning from leaking on the passangers side carpet. He had other problems but the leak was addressed 3 times without being solved so he forced Ford to take the car back.

Mike

I test drove a Focus ZTS when I was looking for a car (before deciding on the (un)Grand Am). I really liked the way the car handled, accelerated (for a mini-car), and braked. But I HATED the gear box. It was like someone tossed a paint brush in a can full of water and painted numbers on the can's rim that you had to aim for with the brush. HATED. That alone kept me from buying the car.

Have you driven one yet, Surreal? I've driven a 5-speed Contour (I'm not sure that the SE Sport and the SVT use the same gearbox, but it can't be that much different) and you will probably have the same feelings towards the Focus' shifter.


Oooh, I've just found that they make an SVT Focus.

Base model is 110 HP 2.0 liter single port injection/overhead cam motor. The Z cars have a 130 HP 2.0 Zetec (dual overhead cam) motor (which is the same one they put in the 4 cylinder Contours, I believe). The SVT comes with an SVT tuned Zetec that throws 170 HP. That's as much HP as my car makes with a 3.4L pushrod motor, in a car that has to weigh almost 1,000lbs less.

"Also new for 2002 is the Focus SVT ($17,505). Based on the three-door ZX3, it has been modified by Ford's Special Vehicle Team (SVT) to produce 170 horsepower. SVT boasts a Getrag six-speed manual transmission, SVT-tuned suspension, special trim including a rear spoiler, and more."

Unfortunately you said you were looking at the five door, which limits you to the ZTS for a performance model apparently. I can't find any evidence to support this, but I believe that your car had a Getrag five speed, so the shifting would be somewhat similar in the SVT Focus.

Still, if I have to choose between a Focus, and say, a Cavalier... I'd pick a Tocoma...