'05 Ford Focus ZX4 wAuto Tran - Good/Bad Comments Requested

Hi,

I've had credit problems after 2000 because of poor health. So naturally when the dealer started telling me that he could get me into a BRAND NEW Focus, I started to get very excited.

I would have preffered a Ranger. I've had 3 of those over the years and they have NEVER let me down! I wish I could have gotten one this time around, but they have become very expensive, a little beyond what my credit would allow at this time.

So the dealer started talking to me about an '05 Focus. Between the rebates, my trade-in, and what little money I could put down, they could approve the financing.

At first, I thought these might be like the old Escorts were, a small "economy" car. But when I test drove it, I was unexpectedly suprised. The seat goes BACK, which, for a big guy like me, is a big deal. It even reclines, like my ol' Ranger did. It's also got power everything, auto tranny, and, what do you know, a CD / MP3 player.

I was also suprised by the handling. The car takes off without me! This is a step up from the lumbering Buick Century that I'm trading in. And, yeah, it is a small car, but it seems to me to HUG the road. The steering wheel seems small to me, and there's no tilt steering, but then I'm used to the Buick.

I found the car zippy and, yes, I gotta admit, even FUN to drive. The dealer said that he was sorry he couldn't put me into a Ranger XLT. But he suggested that I could drive this for a year, and then next year trade it on up to the Ranger. But after the test drive, I told him that I just might fall in love with this little "Punch Buggy", Herby Luv Bug kinda car.

So what's your experience with the Focus? Is this the good little car it seems to be?

I'm going with another Ford because I have never had a problem with any of the Rangers I've had over the years. But this will be the first "lil' car that could" that I've ever had.

Thanks for your comments.

--ShaunMac

The Focus is a great car, just as you said:) It's reliable, fun, and always puts a smile on your face, even at the pump. Enjoy!:)

I too just bought (today) a 2005 ZX3 SE with all the bells and whistles, AT, Moonroof, alloys, fog lamps, etc. I will no longer be browsing the Taurus page.

Like S-Mac I am very impressed with the car.

Well, I DID have to go back to the dealer for a minor thing. A screw holding the splash guard on in the drivers side rear wheel came off. No damage, just no screw. So suddenly I started hearing this flap - flap sound. They replaced the screw and I was back on my way after 90 minutes or so (the service section was Monday Busy, so that ain't too bad considering.

The gas pump part is REALLY great! That Complimentary First Tank Of Gas went over 300 miles, and there was still about 1/8 tank left! And it took less than 20.00 to refill it! In this day and age, that's JUS' FINE!!!

More later, when I got time. See carsurvey.org, maybe later today.

I worry that the engine is a TINY 2.0 L 4 cyl. I try not to beat it up on the hwy, but the impression is that it always wants to go faster than I want to. Hey, Herby! Watchout for that COP up there, WILLYA! Ya trying to get me a TICKET or something!? Heheheh ;-)