Sell my BMW for a Ford Focus?

[THE4TH]

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

[dollarauto]

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.

[BlOOe46]

omg lol

[dLocke]

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.

[Stefanel1]

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.

[dLocke]

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.

[troublerm]

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

[wasted_ready]

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).

[Stefanel1]

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.)

[Afrokid]

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

[BMW_4.4i]

Ford =

Found on road dead
Fix or Repair Daily

And Ford Backwards =

DRIVER RETURNS ON FOOT.