Sell my BMW for a Ford Focus?

Call me crazy or what have you but I'm thinking about selling my 1990 BMW 535i for a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 (hatchback). Does this sound really stupid to anyone? The main reason is that I need a car with better gas mileage. I'm currently getting 16.7mpg in city/highway driving. That's not awful I guess but 25/34 for the Focus sounds a lot better. And from what I've read and a test drive; I hear/feel the Focus hatch is a fun little car.

What do you think?

From what you described - its not a bad thing to do. Your current car is 13 model years old, so as a daily driver you'd probably be better off with the Focus. Its not going to be as nice as the beamer, but I bet the Focus will have all the amenities that it has.

Yeah, it makes some sense I guess. My Dad seemed like he wanted to talk me out of a Ford completly though. Reliabilty issues and all. This seems like hit and miss with the Focus though.
Its this:
C:\My Documents\My Pictures\BMW\e34\00031a.jpg

Vs this:
C:\My Documents\My Pictures\Cars\buyable\01focus.jpg

Sorry, didn't know how to post 2 images in the same post until now!

The Focus seems like a really different car. What do the new BMWs get in gas mileage? Also, expect to be treated differently at the dealership. Have you heard if reliability improved? If not, you may get even better mileage with it sitting in the repair facility a lot more.

well i have to admit straight off, i'm not a huge fan of the focus..
although it does have some balls..
i agree it's time for you to get a new car...
if it's gas your looking for..
look into a honda insight.. 70mpg.. :eek:
doesn't pack much of a punch but it's a nice little car, and well for twice the milage it would be worth it..

Ahh, I didn't mention my other prerequisite in my next car:

It needs to be fun to drive!:D

I've read that the Focus hatch is a fun car to drive and the shifter is better than the Celica GT. So, I'm liking the practicality that the Focus offers with storage (fold down seats), mileage, and driving appeal.

Its kinda a quirky styled car but I believe that it gives it some individuality. I don't really want to be one of the other millions of Civics out there. The Insight gets great gas mileage but I doubt its fun to drive.:(

then your lookin at the focus, and the 02 civic si.. i know ya don't wanta civic but the new si's aren't really popular..

I can only afford a Focus ZX3 if its a 2000 model. That puts me in the under $8k range. I doubt I can find any car that's a 2002 model for that price range. Plus, my wife drives a 93 civic automatic. DON'T WANT A CIVIC!!!!

PS Man, THE4TH, you really like being the king of this forum. You're like the last post for every single thread on this topic I noticed!

it's one of the forums thast doesn't get much attention so it's easy to get one on one's with people like yourself..
instead of 8 million people all at once..
but if cash is the case.. then yeah your zx3 idea is a good one, but i myself would not get the hatch i just don't like it..

Well, thank you for your input. I appreciate it. Things have come up and we'll see if I can do this. I have to figure out how much my car will sell for before I really start to look for a replacement. And, my current car needs work!

bring it to a dealer and tell them you are interested in a new car.. they are more than willing to work with you on the car..
it may take forever to sell it privately..
you'll get more that way .. but ya might not be able to sell it..

I did that already. Wanna guess how much they offered me for a trade in? $3000.00! Do you know how ridiculous that is! The car is worth $6000-7000 and they offer me half that. Yeah, trading in may be easier but not even worth it. Used 2000 (no arm rest) ZX3 5spd (preferably built in the spring of 2000) is my best bet and what I'm looking for. I notice that people overprice these babies quite a bit so I could get in one for as little as $6500. We'll see.

I don't know, THE4TH, I would consider the Civic more but the wife already drives one (guess what, she's convinced its the only reliable car on earth! And her last repair bill was like $300+ and this happens each year when her car fails the emissions test). I don't think much of the base models and wouldn't want to be one of millions driving that car. I like how the ZX3 is rare in my area (I see maybe 2 a day), that it handles well, is fun to drive, gets good gas mileage, and is decently powered with a 5spd. It also offers decent interior room and tall drivers compliment the seats as being great (I'm 6'4'' and my wife is 5'11''). I've done quite a bit of research on the vehicle and if I can't have a BMW, this is what I want to replace it.

by all means it is a fine vehicle.. i just don't like it in a hatch..
and i don't know what's wrong with your wife's car but i've never, ever had to replace anything but brakes on any of my past 6 hondas..
perhaps you should try a diff smog station ...
but in any event goodluck selling the bimm and goodluck with buyin the zx3.. it is a nice car you will enjoy it..

speed wise=slow
looks wise= alright
gas wise= decent


go with a 2002 civic hb si. I know its not the greatest looking car in the world but hell its quick, light and fast :)

we already had this arguement..
where i myself would pick the si..
in this situation.. he is better fitted to a zx3..

the focus has severe issues the engine has been known to stall randomly and leave drivers in the path of large trucks.
it also has amazingly BAD brakes theres cases of them failing within 2000 miles.
in addition to that they are poorly built:
the airbag deployment sys is faulty (goes off randomly)
the gas tank sometimes falls off
the engine eaily catches fire because of cheap wiring.

ford admits to nine issues with this car and did make a general recall notice for the 2000 and 2001 models:
• To correct a sticking cruise control throttle (three recalls).
• To fix seat latches – two recalls, one for the hinge pivot on some models’ fold-down back seats and the other to fix front seats’ recliner handle springs.
• To replace the A-pillar trim panel, which failed to meet federal safety design standards.
• To install a retention cap to keep the left rear wheel and brake drum assembly from flying off the car.
• To replace a wire harness at the trunk lid that was prone to fray and short out the tail and brake lights.
• To replace the windshield wiper motor gear case, which was overheating and causing the wipers to shut down.

• The rear wheel bearing failures that cause the wheels to fall off the car in year 2000 models.
• Air bag deployments that cause burn injuries and vehicle fires, in both 2000 and 2001 models.
• Inappropriate deployment of air bags in low-speed impacts – or no impacts at all – in both 2000 and 2001 models.
• Seventy-two cases of sudden stalling, in 2000 and 2001 models, that caused at least seven reported crashes.
• Seven failures of lower control arms that resulted in collapse of the front suspension, causing at least six crashes, in 2000, 2001 and 2002 models.
• Engine compartment electrical fires, in 2000, 2001 and 2002 models.

omg lol:devil:

Yeah, we decided it wouldn't be a 2000 model Focus ZX3 afterall. Maybe a 2001. There are a lot of problems with the car but on other forums I hear people who haven't had a single problem in 2 years of ownership. Its a mixed bag, really.

I do thorough investigation of a car before I buy it. We did a pre-purchase inspection before I bought my BMW. The same will happen if I get a Focus.

Get a BMW 3 or 5 diesel if you want a better gas mileage. A 525d for example doesn't consum more than a petrol Focus. I don't know if BMW sells diesels in the USA... that's the problem.
But a BMW has nothing to deal with a Focus or any Ford. You'll take a risk to be disappointed.

bmw doesnt' sell diesil engines in north america. A 318i might be a choice but the wife is convinced that BMW's are the biggest money pits in automobile history. I say its comparable to anything else out there.

Hey there. I'm new to this forum but I couldn't help notice your comments here. I have a 2000 ZX3 and most of these recalls have occured for me too. However, I also have had my rear window shatter twice within two months this past year for absolutely no apparent reason. Do you think either of these two defects you mentioned below may have shorted out the wires in my tempered glass therefore shattering the glass?

• To replace a wire harness at the trunk lid that was prone to fray and short out the tail and brake lights.
• To replace the windshield wiper motor gear case, which was overheating and causing the wipers to shut down.

I'm taking the car in for some sort of diagnostic test before I present my claim because it's getting to be too expensive to be fixing. If you wouldn't mind letting me know what your thoughts are. Much appreciated.

Rhonda

It doesn't sound crazy to me that you want to trade in your Bimmer, but for a Ford? Fords are not very good cars...looks, reliability, or performance-wise (with the exception of the Mustang).

If you want a car with good gas milage that's fun to drive, I'd have to recommend the 2002 Camry Solara convertible...I test drove one and plan to buy it when I've got the money; the 5-speed is sporty and fun, the car is luxurious and the droptop is absolutely SPECTACULAR, Toyotas are safe and reliable and the Solara model seats 5 people!

They're pretty rare too and it turns heads everywhere it goes. The V6 pulls 200HP and 212 torque, completely stock. I love this car!

The gas mileage for the V6, I think, is 19/26. For the 4-cyllinder (157HP, I think) it's 26/31 or thereabouts.

Lots of other reliable, fun sporty cars are in the market with great mileage and cute styling. The Focus is faulty and not very attractive...I would say trade in the BMW, but not for a Ford (unless it's a Mustang, gotta love muscle cars).

I'd tell you to take a Mégane II... but you'd have to buy it in South America, Mexique, (or even in Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.) :D

ARE U CRAZY...BMW's handle like dreams! WHAT EVER U DO DONT DO IT I REPEAT DONT DO THIS! The ZX3 is pure crap [i wont take any bullshit by saying this cus MY SISTER ACTUALLY HAS ONE] they have ignition problems from the get go, they are slow [but peppy in a way] and they have lots of problems....i was on the road driving it when it just stopped in the middle of a high way! this happened to me three times! and remember, ford means Found On Road Dead....just my advice

Ford =

Found on road dead
Fix or Repair Daily

And Ford Backwards =

DRIVER RETURNS ON FOOT.