Thinking about buying a focus

[maddieash]

I am thinking about buying a Ford Focus and I am wanting to know if they are good cars? It is a 2001. Any information is appreciated

Thanks

[Davescort97]

Welcome to Automotive Forums. The Focus is a great little car. It's got excellent styling, handles great, great gas mileage, has a smooth gear box and good low-end torque. The 2000-02 Focus has had problems. They have had broken springs, faulty heater AC controls, trunk latch problems, bad igniton lock cylinders, faulty alternators, Idle Air Controls causing rough idle and hard starting in cold weather. By the time the 03 rolled out most of the problems were worked out. This doesn't mean the 2001 you are looking at will necessarily have problems. Only about 10 percent of the Foci are plagued with these faults.....btw the Focus replaced the Escort and has the same engine which has proved to be very reliable. I have over 180k on my `97 and have never had to have any work done on it except normal maintenance. The Focus is a good car.