Ford Focus : GOOD or BAD car?

Question

I want to purchase a 4 doors Ford Focus but people have told me that Ford Focus auto parts are very expensive and Ford Focus are not good car.

Answer 1

Not the most reliable car but not the worst. What would steer me away is that they had problems with their brakes up to 05. Brakes are not something I would mess around with. Try a Toyota Corolla or Honda Civic.

Answer 2

Well, according to Consumer Reports, the Ford Focus has maintained an 'average' reliability record, so while the earlier models had several recalls and issues, you are really taking a 50/50 chance.

Usually, the worst cars to get are the first year of any new or newly (and extensively) redesigned models, because they are more prone to having 'kinks' or 'bugs' that will need taking care of. For example, the Mini Cooper was troublesome on its first year, and reliability has improved with each succeding update.

So with that in mind, the Focus has been riding around in the same platform, however outdated, for a while, so I would say you are safe in getting one...if you can get over the cheap-looking and feeling interior.

Unfortunately, the new Honda Civics, as well as other car makes & models out there are prone to the same problem (cheap plastic dashboard and door panels that will eventually rattle), but if it were up to me, I'd still consider it over a Focus anytime. Also, the Toyota Corolla is much better built, and reliability is superior. The Nissan Sentra is also another great buy, and so is the Mitsubishi Lancer (from personal experience, I've owned one for 4 years without problems)

Answer 3

Parts are not expensive on the older ones (remans are available, driving the price down...this is true for all popular cars), for example:
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?parttype=11&ptset=A&searchfor=Alternator
http://www.partsamerica.com/ProductList.aspx?PartType=230&PTSet=A&SearchFor=Master%20Cylinder

They're pretty well-regarded cars by people who actually know anything about cars, not these FORD SUXORS LOL retards. You can get some damn good deals on new ones, and they depreciate pretty quick, so low mileage new ones aren't hard to find for a good price.

That said, the only focus I ever drove (a 2000), I LOATHED. Body roll, tires squealing in every corner...the thing handled worse than my 1989 Plymouth Colt WAGON (higher center of gravity, and ELEVEN YEARS OLDER), and it was a sedan.

Take a look here:
http://carsurvey.org/modelyear_Ford_Focus_2002.html
Reviews are pretty good. Just ignore all the North American reviews if you're in Europe, and vice versa.

The Euro Focus was essentially the same car until...what, 04, 05? North America just got essentially a lower trim level. The new Euro Focus is an all new car, IIRC, on the same platform as the Mazda 3. The North American Focus is just an update of the old Focus platform.

Answer 4

2002 Ford Focus Parts

Answer 5

I been selling cars for 30 years and consider the Focus fair value, its easy to say buy a Honda or Toyota , with the same money you will be paying for a Focus should you decide Honda or Toyota you will end up with an older model than the Focus and much higher mileage and this is where homework on your part will decide whats best for you.

Buying a car is all about knowing the process and taking the time to learn the steps , its sad most consumers dont find the time with this fast paced world we live in and many end up with a lemon in their driveway,,, take 20 minutes out of your life and go to my website http://www.usedcartips.org/ and study the 10 steps its free with no strings attached I simply enjoy helping others as a hobby being retired

Answer 6

The parts are not expensive.

Focus is a good car, however, it is a dated design. The Focus really hasn't been updated in 7-8 years.

Ford is coming out with a new Focus for 2008, wait for that one.

Answer 7

Unfortunately Ford has become one of the worst car makers in the world. They are losing more money every year than anyone else and that is despite the fact that 40% of their sales are directly to rental car companies. Rental car companies unload their cars long before the warranties run out, so they don't care about long term reliability.

If you are looking to buy new, are not going to put a lot of miles on the car (12k a year or less is considered average), only going to keep it a couple of years, and don't care about resell value, than this car should be fine...or any other car under those circumstances.

If that is not your situation, run away!

Answer 8

people are going to tell you all this horse **** about Focus being a ford and how Fords suck. I agree with them but! Honestly though not with the Focus. I was vacationing in Germany at the time Germany introduced the design to the branch of Ford motor vehicles in Europe. I have the German newspaper for proof, it shows how it's a German designed vehicle, so its not your typical Ford. Its a great car. Take a chance on it.

Answer 9

i own a repair shop,and actually the focus is a pretty good car to own if you take care of it,there not as bad as people say they are ,and they do tear up like any other car does,but over all i know some of these cars are going well over 150 thousand miles and not giving any major problems at all, but they are good cars ,id just go drive a few different ones and see for my self ,you might like it,and you might not,and you may even see one you like a lot better also,in my opinion the ones i have seen are pretty good cars,good luck i hope this help,s.

Answer 10

My sister bought one of these this summer - and took it back the next day. It doesn't ride well, didn't feel "solid" and the gas mileage for a small car is not what it should be. They are cute from the outside - but feel and drive like an "economy car". If I were you I would keep looking.

Best wishes!