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Ford Focus Wagon

637 messages,  Last post on Nov 29, 2011 at 9:58 AM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Wagon



Messages Page 32 of 65

#303 of 637 Re: FOCUS WAGON QUESTIONS [carglow] by jazvan

Jul 01, 2005 (12:52 pm)

Replying to: carglow (Jul 01, 2005 10:27 am)
1. Yes the quality has improved steadily. I would recommend anything from 2002 on.
 
2. Yes the 2005 2.0 is a Mazda-design which is called the Duratec. It is manufactured by Ford in the case of the Focus and Mazda manufactures the same engine for some Mazdas. The head design is more efficient then the older 2.0 Zetec. The Focus Duratec motors began in some mid 2003 Foci and was at that time a 2.3. The 2005 2.0 Duratec is essentially that same motor but destroked to 2.0 and without balance shafts which aren't as necessary with the shorter stroke. The 2.0 picks up a few mpg which isn't a bad trade off.
 
3. My understanding is the US Focus doesn't change until 2007. The new generation Focus however is already out in Europe and the Mazda3 shares most of the mechanicals of the new generation Focus - So except for styling the Mazda3 is kind of the new Focus and the Mazda5 is kind of a big new-generation Focus wagon, but it has some poor specs compared to the US Focus wagons, like 22-27 mpg, tepid acceleration and less cargo room.
 
The resale takes a pretty good hit the 1st year, but I don't know how that is calculated because Foci typically have $3,000 rebates at the end of the year. Anyway I decided to take advantage of the 1st year resale hi and bought a low-miles one year old wagon.
 
I don't know where the rebates are now but I think they will hit 3,000 for sure if they are not already there.
 
-Jaz

#304 of 637 Re: FOCUS WAGON QUESTIONS [jazvan] by carglow

Jul 01, 2005 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: jazvan (Jul 01, 2005 12:52 pm)
Thanks for the reply, Jaz.
 
The rebates are at $2500 now, but there's slim picking of station wagons at my local dealerships.

#305 of 637 Re: FOCUS WAGON QUESTIONS [carglow] by jazvan

Jul 01, 2005 (4:25 pm)

Replying to: carglow (Jul 01, 2005 12:59 pm)
If you want to check inventory you can get on the Ford Direct site and once you figure how to play the system you can check all inventory for an area. It only does about a 20-30 mile radius per inquiry.
 
-Jaz

#306 of 637 Cargo capacity by carglow

Jul 04, 2005 (3:49 pm)

How does the Focus wagon compare to it's competition (e.g. xB's, PT's, etc ...) in cargo capacity?
 
Do the rear seats fold down flat?

#307 of 637 gas flap crap by gordon6

Jul 05, 2005 (7:19 am)

My daughter took her Focus Wagon through car wash, gas filler flap open, snapped it off. Only a plastic stub left. Anyone know how to remove and replace the door? There are two visible screws but they don't do much to get at the door. Thanks.

#308 of 637 Re: Cargo capacity [carglow] by jazvan

Jul 05, 2005 (1:45 pm)

Replying to: carglow (Jul 04, 2005 3:49 pm)
Focus wagon has 73.7 cu ft max cargo. PT cruiser is about 65 cu ft. Focus has even more max cargo then Mazda5, Mazda6 or Outback/Legacy wagon and Honda CR-V. We looked at a Focus wagon and an Outback wagon cargo bay side by side which convinced us the Focus was more useable for us. The rear seat bottom tumbles forward and the rear seat back folds down flat (well maybe it has a few degrees tilt but it is virtually flat). Some wagons fold flat without tumbling the bottom cushion forward but that effectively raises the whole floor and you wind up with compromised volume.
 
The Focus cargo floor winds up with about 36" bottom to ceiling. The disadvantage as someone pointed out is that the tumbled-forward rear seat bottom wedges up behind the front seat and if you are tall you may have to move the front seats forward, then tumble the rear and then slide the fronts back again, but in any event you get a bigger cargo volume then even bigger wagons. For me, the hassle of sliding seats is less then the cost of getting a bigger car.
 
If you really want to maximize volume you can remove the rear seat bottom (just 2 Torx bolts and 2 minutes) and leave it home. Ok, that is too much of a hassle for most folks, but you do have that option if you have a special requirement.
 
The other reason it has so much volume for a small wagon is that the shocks are mounted diagonally under the floor. Typically the shock extends up and takes up wheel well space and narrows the cargo bay. Between the wheel wells the Focus wagon is wider then the Mazda5, Mazda6, Outback and many more I am sure, and that is one reason Focus winds up with the high volume number.
 
I'd recommend going down Auto Row someday with a tape measure and check all the candidates out. That's basically what we did. We were surprised by what we saw.
 
-Jaz

#309 of 637 2002 SW owner 82,000 miles (131,966.21km) by dativer

Jul 05, 2005 (6:37 pm)

I bought a used 2002 SW in 2003. I drive approx. 70 miles (112.65408km) /day 5 days/wk. I put new tires on when I bought the car. I just put new tires on again. The first set of tire I put on were horrible in the rain. The new set Republic are great. I use the PA Turnpike for about 10-12 miles each way. I travel about 65- 80 MPH, depending on how late I leave the house. I like the ride, the acceleration, except when the AC is on max, the gas mileage, 30 mpg, the seats, the radio, the light from the headlights, the way the nose drops off for more view of the road. I have had no trouble with brakes, other than a squeak when I let off the pedal, AC, window motors, anything except.
 
The darn thing gets dirty. Both inside and out. No one seems to want to clean it.
 
I did get two notices of a recall for the cargo latch. I just haven't gotten over to the dealer yet.
 
My daughter bought a 2003 four door. It has the 2.3L engine. It has more pick up than my 2.0L Duratek. When I test drove a 2002 2.0L that wasn't a Duratek the pick up was not there. That is one of the reasons I bought the SW because all SWs have the Duratek in 2002.
 
There is not enough head room for my 6'5" (1.9555968m) son. Even with the seat cranked all the way down. He leaves dirt on the headliner. Maybe, I can get him to wear one of those hats worn in food and drug manufacturing plants.
 
Overall, I like it.
 
We are out now looking to replace our Aerostar. We tried the Ford Five Hundred. We like it, too.

#310 of 637 2002 SW owner 82,000 miles (131,966.21km) Gfawh by dativer

Jul 05, 2005 (6:44 pm)

I made a mistake. I have the Zetek not the Duratek.
 
Sorry!

#311 of 637 reliability of current model? by carglow

Jul 09, 2005 (4:38 am)

After doing some research it seems that the current model (05) should have a fairly reliable drivetrain (Mazda design), but there still may be reliability issues with other components, e.g. ac, brakes, etc ...

#312 of 637 Re: reliability of current model? [carglow] by jazvan

Jul 09, 2005 (9:52 am)

Replying to: carglow (Jul 09, 2005 4:38 am)
Compared to a Honda Civic for example I think you are correct and you are more likely to have more of the "small to medium size" problems like you stated. I think the major powertain items though are at least as good as Civic from my observations. Then again, you do get a bumper to bumper warranty and a 60/100K mile powertrain warranty with $100 deductible in my case. I'm not sure what the deductible is currently. The only downside I have is now people accuse me of going "NASCAR" becuz it's a Ford.
 
-Jaz

Messages Page 32 of 65

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