Any opinions? I'm thinking of getting one as a daily driver. I rather have a n F-150 truck, but with the way gas prices are going, the 4-banger looks tempting. My other option would be a 4-cyl Ranger.

 

im not against it. i kinda like those little foci :P

a four banger ranger would be cool too, plus u can haul stuff...

 

A Focus feels really plush inside, and they drive nice especially with the stick.
If you can find an XLT with the 4-banger that'd be a pretty good looking truck, I don't really like how the XL looks.
I don't think theres much difference in gas mileage from the 3.0 V6, that'd be a nice little getter too.

 

My kid just bought an 05 Focus ZX5 and he loves it. Rides and handles great with plenty of pep, They gave him employee pricing AND $2500 cash back.

 

they are like tin cans inside, they dont last much longer than 70k miles. Uncle has one as a company car, they are pos's, dont buy one.

 

you think so? i rather like em. if i had to buy a second econo car, and had the $$ lol, i'd spring for one. maybe a slightly older SVT one... but i still like the new ones :P

 

I hear both extremes myself. Some say they are really good, some say they are really bad.
A guy I knew called his Focus a Fu**us
I drove a friends 2005 Focus, and I thought it was a nice little car. It shifted and drove nice, and I bet if you take care of it making it last won't be hard.
Saying they don't last over 70k miles may have only been true on that occasion, it really depends on more than just the car, but on it's use and care.
I have yet to hear of a good company vehicle btw, they are the most neglected. :notnice: Too bad it happened to be Focus, to give you a negative view on them.

 

I owned two Focii, a 2000 ZX3 with a 5 speed and a 2001 ZX3 S2 with an automatic, POS's they were NOT!

The '00 had it's share of recall and campaign issues, but never failed to bring a smile when running it hard all while getting 26+mpg and was as reliable as an anvil!

The '01 was just as reliable and got slightly less fuel economy but still fun to drive.

If you are considering an '05 or '06 the only problems we really have seen with them is the lousy Delphi radios! On another note they do not have the charm of the earlier cars-the interiors are kind of bland in a Honda fashion.

As far as a Ranger-another vehicle that we have few concerns with. Either way you would be making a good choice.

 

I have a ZX3 - '05 - tinted windows, aftermarket rims (16 in), (OEM 50 series 16 in tires) and blazing cooper. I even get looks and comments from women - and I'm over 50. It's got the Sony system in it. The heated seats are more confortable than my Honda Civic - has more pick up than the Civic. Mileage in town is 26.5 - never had it on the highway for a highway mileage test. It's my daily driver with 9100 miles on it since Feb 05. I put anti-sway bars on it. Waiting for the Steeda strut tower brace - the '04 from Steeda will not fit. With a different gearing and a sixth gear, I think in town mileage would be over 30. It's my second Focus. It's not prettiest car from the back, but it works.

 

A 2005 would give you the best deal. The 5 speed ZX3's are really spunky. I love them.

 

I'd opt for a 4l V6 Ranger. I can't stand compacts but if I were to get one, it would be a Focus because it's a Ford and it is the only cool looking hatch on the market. It shouldn't have a problem since most of thoose earlie issues were solved by 01'/ 02'. I don't think you should jump on the Focus just yet. You said you wanted an F-150 right? Why the heck would you jump from wanting a huge pick up to a Focus? Have you tried driving a Crown Victoria LX Sport? Thoose cars run on regular and can easily get 20mpg in mixed driving and have all the space/ carrying room of a large SUV. They handel fairly well too and are super smooth. I should know, I own a Marauder which is pretty much the same thing.

 

We have 3 as company cars, not one of them has less than 130k miles on it, and they have never needed any work done except service items (brakes, clutch etc).
70k miles? I do not think a car manufacturer would keep any credibility if their cars only lasted that long.

 

Have you considered the Mazda 3? I think that's what I would buy if I wanted an economic reliable daily driver.
I like the focus too but prefer the Mazda's exterior and interior.

Ranger is useful, I drive one right now, but I would not make it my daily driver for too long. I mean it's a truck: it doesn't hande or brake as well as a compact, in other words I do not consider it a very safe car. I guess it depends what your commute looks like.

 

You're in Europe James, there is big different.
My uncle's Escort in Serbia was really good car, while my Escort in the States was junk.

 

good point, the euro foci have are much better cars from what i hear.


too bad they arent bringing thosre across the pond...

 

HAHA, I guess Rite Aid inventory managers are pretty hard on their cars At 78k miles his back doors wouldnt open, my uncle's fungus's doors are jamming now at 68k miles. he also hit a wall head on at 5mph and smashed the front end, the radiator support was destrioyed and the fender was twisted. he put it in D instead of R in a parking space and drilled the wall in front of em wide open.... . almso 4k in damage He goes through tires every 8k miles and shocks n struts every 5-10k miles.

 

well obviously that has nothing to do with the car's quality. it sounds much more like driver error and abuse there, and any car will start to buckle after a lot of abuse. plus if he hit a wall, i'd explect there'd be some damage.

none of the probs you listed were a problem that came factory dude. dont be so hard on the Focus

 

 

I bought the loss leader from a local dealer ('03 focus 5-door) thinking it was going to be another escort. You know, just a commuter. Boy was I wrong. The car was tight, handled well, peppy enough for what it was, and returned close to 30mpg. I was so impressed, 6 months later I went traded it for a 5-door svt with everything. Man, what a car. If I hadn't test driven a new Mustang GT, I'd still have it.(I've had 8 mustangs, so I had to) Sold it to my brother-in-law in Canada. You know the car is good when your willing to risk alienating family by selling them a car. He loves it too! Highly recommended, especially since they are devalued in the used car market.

 

I've owned two Foci as daily drivers and they are great, no issues. My current Focus is an '05 ZX4 ST with the 2.3L and it is quite peppy for a 4 cylinder. The interior is quite nice and everyone who rides with me comments on how nice the interior is and how nice the car rides. Foci certainly aren't POS. Just my $.02