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Ford Focus Sedan

2013 messages,  Last post on Jan 23, 2012 at 7:12 PM

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What is this discussion about? Ford Focus, Sedan

Messages Page 202 of 202

#2006 of 2013 08 Focus questions by carfreak09

Oct 05, 2010 (11:20 pm)

My trusty old 95 Integra GSR sedan was stolen last night and I depend on that vehicle for my job. I would like to know what 08-10 owners think of the reliability of their Focus? I'm looking at an 08 Focus SE coupe with automatic and 21k for 11998 from Carmax. Yes, it's not the cheapest price, but their cars are generally well picked and I'd be buying from a friend that helped me when I was in need. This car would be used for delivery so I would be putting about 3000 miles a month on the car. Can the Focus handle being used in this way? My main concern is the automatic. I know Ford auto trannies from the 90s were pure junk. How has the auto held up in the Focus? What's the recommended fluid change interval? Does the engine use a timing belt? If so, when does that need to be changed? Are there any specific problems I need to look for on the 08? Was ABS standard on the SE or optional?
 
Does anyone have any knowledge of general lifespans for the alternator and AC compressor on the Focus? My Integra managed to last 160k with the original alternator and AC and I know that rarely happens with American cars. Basically, I can't afford a car payment and big repairs so I need something reliable. Would this be a good car for me or should I look elsewhere?

#2007 of 2013 Re: 08 Focus questions [carfreak09] by creakid1

Oct 08, 2010 (6:34 pm)

Replying to: carfreak09 (Oct 05, 2010 11:20 pm)
http://townhall.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef6c2da/1236#MSG1236
 
As far as I know, by 2005 all the Focus' in this country have been powered by Mazda-designed 4-cyl engines, while Mazda auto tranny was used since dawn...
 

#2008 of 2013 press request by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Oct 14, 2010 (9:17 am)

A reporter is interested in talking with owners of the Ford Focus who are also parents. If you are interested in commenting on your experience, please reply to predmunds.com no later than Saturday, November 20, 2010 and include your city and state of residence, the model year of your vehicle and the age of your child/ren.
  
Thanks for your consideration,
Jeannine Fallon
Corporate Communications
Edmunds Inc.

#2009 of 2013 Focus III by creakid1

Oct 23, 2010 (1:42 am)

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/gallery.php?id=401770
 
"The seats offer lots of comfort and support, although they are
a little wide for most Europeans. The Focus is a global car, so it has to suit larger US customers as well as slimline Brits."

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/front_website/gallery.php?o=0&id=401767
 
Not much subjective has been said, except:
"And Auto Express is the first magazine to experience the new Focus on the road. We’re at the firm’s notorious ride and handling centre at Lommel in Belgium. The hatch is travelling way too fast on a blind, tightening corner, with Edwin Vliem, Ford’s steering dynamics engineer, at the wheel, chatting away without a care in the world. We’re clearly going to crash, but no – he lifts off the throttle, brakes, and the Focus simply and calmly tightens its line into the bend.
 
So the new car handles 
brilliantly – no surprises 
there. Ford’s best-selling 
family hatch has been the 
standard bearer in the sector since its 1998 launch...The ride on the artificial lumps and bumps of Lommel seems firm, but positive, with a sense of competence and grip."

#2010 of 2013 Focus III no leg room! by creakid1

Nov 25, 2010 (10:36 pm)

I was just at the LA Autoshow. This pre-production Focus has no leg room on the passenger side, contrary to the prototype I sat in about a year ago at its focus group.
 
It looks like Ford wanted to score higher on the crash test, so the right foot well was moved so far back that the passenger-side leg room is now even less than the driver side -- almost as bad as the passenger-side of the Impreza, which still has more driver-side rear leg room than the Focus III.
 
Now, the Focus III has the #1 "most cramped overall rear leg room" in its class to remind you of the expensive Lexus IS sport sedan -- nice try, Ford, the IS is a RWD 6-cyl car. The Fiesta is only slightly worse than this, plus worse rear headroom.
 
The new inexpensive Jetta has amazing leg room almost good enough for basketball players, but the rear seats are too low for comfort even for me (5'11").
 
I like the current Golf VI, which is only a little less in rear leg room than the new Jetta, but the rear seats are higher, & the driving position also fits me better. New Jetta's driving position is pretty bad, especially the low door armrest.
 
The reliable (per Consumer Reports) 5-cyl made-in-Germany Golf VI (w/ std rear A/C ducts on the 4-dr) hardly costs more than the "torsion-beam rear suspension" new Jetta 5-cyl -- what a bargain!

#2011 of 2013 2002 Focus ZTS by 2002focuszts

Jan 22, 2012 (10:31 am)

I just purchased the car for $3300; 90,000 miles; appears to be in clean to excellent condition.
 
Any suggestions as to modifications ("shim kits", etc.) which I might do now, and that will help me maybe avoid some of the recurring headaches (tire wear, etc.) that are posted by owners of this car will be appreciated!
 
Bob

#2012 of 2013 Re: 2002 Focus ZTS [2002focuszts] by markus5

Jan 23, 2012 (6:54 pm)

Replying to: 2002focuszts (Jan 22, 2012 10:31 am)
This forum as you can see, was very busy several years ago as I bought my '04 ZTS in Nov. '03. CR had just put the Focus at the top of their list subsequent to my purchase. My decision was motivated substantially on "connecting" with the Ride and Dynamics of the vehicle, this came through clearly on a test drive.
Today, 115,000 miles later it still "all there". This is quite remarkable, especially when considering that it has never been garaged through 9 North-East winters w/ salt sand and so forth.
The only modification which I made was to buy narrower 15 inch rims with aggressive snows for the winter months after the O.E. all-season tires had two winters on them. This allowed me to to go for more aggressive summer rubber for the rest of the year. But be careful here. Based on this experience, I suggest that you do not use soft "directional" tires on the 16" rim. If you do, you may find that unless you stay on top of moving them front to rear every 2000 miles, there will be excessive wear on the rears. Because of the dynamics of Fords' proprietary IRS design ( Control Blade), an assymetrical tread tire seems to work best here.
Did you get a History of your Car? There may have been some recalls pertaining to the 2002 models. By 2003 most of the issues had been taken care of. Enough in fact for the C.R. to not only recommend but also give it a top rating.
Enjoy your ride.

#2013 of 2013 Re: 2002 Focus ZTS [markus5] by 2002focuszts

Jan 23, 2012 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: markus5 (Jan 23, 2012 6:54 pm)
Thank you for the reply, Markus5.
 
Yes, I did get a complete history of maintenance. Your recommendations on tires is appreciated, and will be put into action.
 
Tire wear seems to be a trial for many owners of the early-years Focus.

Messages Page 202 of 202

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