just bought 2000 focus lx.have a couple questions

Hi all,just bought a 2000 ford focus lx.Kinda wish I would checked out this site first,lol.I owned an 88 escort gt and never had any problems with that car so i figured the focus would be better.But man im reading alot of negative stuff about this car.Im kinda worried now,lol.I got the car for 5 grand and it has 47000 miles.It runs great and my wife uses it to commute to work.The only problem it has is when coming to a stop the breaks squeel a tad.Nothing annoying,just noticeable.Ive read that its a common thing so if it doesnt get any worse i wont worry about it.I did have one question.Ive been reading alot that this model has ignition problems.I noticed when we first drove the car it was hard to get the key in and turn it.Is there anything I can do to atleast prevent the ignition cylinder from seizing?I thought about spraying some white grease on the key to help it out.Any advice would be much appreciated.thanks for now.im sure ill have alot more questions in the future.

Well you certainly got an excellent buy on the car for only 47,000 miles!

As far as things to do, i'd take the car to the Ford dealer and get them to run it through OASIS, Ford's recall system. They can make sure all the recalls have been done on the car.

There were 6 of them, i just don't remember what they were.

As far as your ignition cylinder, i'm afraid i can't answer that one. Coongrats on the car though, nice driving car with lots of room, i enjoy them very much!

thanks alot man.im gonna take it to ford asap to have them check on the recalls.appreciate the help

No problem sir, i check here often so questions/concerns feel free to post and someone will help you out!

hi.....it's funny you mention ignition problems...right now my little green tramp is all siezed up in the driveway
the ignition is locked, the wheels are locked too....i feel like smashing the windows in, ripping apart the dash, parking on the dealership's lot, and lighting it up....
buddy...if you can, take your car back, get rid of it and don't feel bad:(
in a few months when it's someone elses horrendous problem you'll be smilin'.
I've had my 2000 focus for a year and a week
Problems to date:
-brakes...brakes...more brakes
-bearings
-mcpherson sruts
-rotted out undercarriage
-radio shorting out
-fuel pump/filter repalcement
-inside panneling comming apart
-passenger seatbelt locking up
-peeling factory tint
-rear defrost no go
-air conditioner no go
-shudders and stalls when i attemt to use a/c
-continuosly falls out of alignment
-trunk sticks shut when trying to open with a key..
-smells like melting plastic after about an hour on the road
lastly......
-IGNITION SUCKS ASS!!!!!!!!

The best part of all of this is that the service department at my dealership is on strike:) Isn't that dandy:)

GUY....RUN NOW IF YOU STILL CAN....
-

i had a 2002 and it was fine, only thing that got messed up was the truck lid cause i had a stereo in it. I drive the thing hard and it was fine.

there weren't as many recalls on the newer ones.. i think the good year started in 2002.

My ignition cylinder was also acting up and finally one day it just wouldn't turn at all. I had to have the car towed and the ignition cylinder replaced at a cost of just under $300.

I had the same problem with the ignition,(2000 CE)too. The dealer here in Germany took it out and tapped on it a few times. It appears that a piece of metal shaving was the culprit for "locking-up" the cylinder.
We run ours on the autobahn @ 100 mph (damn 107 mph govener)all the time and have no problems
Brakes always did squeak, replaced them at 35K miles and needs new ones again 70K miles.
All in all it's been a pretty damn reliable car-'Knocks on wood"

I had the same problem with my wife's 2000se, one day the cylinder just lock-up, Also I am staitioned in Germany had the car towed to the ford dealer and they replaced the cylinder for about $200. If you are having problems turning the key I would have the cylinder replaced now before you have to have the car towed to the shop

My 2000 lx deos the same. The metal piece in the ignition lock gets pulled apart. Simple way to get around it is put the key partly in, press on the cylinder (it should press down slightly) and push the key the rest of the way in. You will notice that the key wont come out easy either, just do the same, pull the key out a little, and press the ignition lock down and pull the key the rest of the way out.

I know it sounds hard but it is actually quite easy.

- Anthony

the 2000 had about 13 recalls if i remember correctly.. 01 had like 2 i think.. none after that.. i have an 03.. beat the hell out of it.. race it almost everyday.. only thing wrong with it i had a loose wire in sun roof (warrenty), hatch leaks( tho prob related to the accident).. other than that, good car..