Ford Focus Sedan

jgrucza · November 2001

I just bought a new 2002 Focus SE Sedan with Comfort Group, Zetec engine, and moonroof in French Blue! It is sooo pretty. I can't wait to take it out this weekend.

Interestingly, there was a little note from the factory saying that my car had been randomly selected at the factory to be road tested after assembly and that 57 miles had been put on during that testing.

dtownfb · November 2001

Yes, I did know that JD is based actual owners experience. (I aoplogize that i did not explain this better in my original message) But I don't consideer JD Power as accurate because it only represents the first 90 days of ownership. If it were rating computers or some other gadget, then I would consider it legitimate and appropriate for all the press that this survey receives. As you well know cars are just a little more involved then computers. Rotors can warp after only 12,000 miles, transmissions can go within 36,000 miles, buttons can break off within a year, A/C units can break (if you buy the car in the winter time, you may not notice the A/C doesn't work until late Spring), plus a whole host of things can go wrong AFTER the initial 90 days. To me and most individual, long term reliabilty is much more accurate and applicable to our lifestyles.

Also their survey typically only takes into account 60,000 owners. Spread that 60,000 responses over the number of manufacturers and model cars that are available (and the fact I took 4 years of math in college), JD does not represent an accurate way of rating the cars. And if people would read the fine print, they would realize this. Sort of like the Motor Trend "of the Year" awards. (How they picked the GMC Envoy as SUV of the Year is beyond me? lately they have been predetermining the winners of their comparisons and the numbers don't support their findings.)

CR receives close to 500,000 surveys EACH YEAR plus they do extensive testing with one of the best, most respected engineering staffs in the world. (Check their creditials in the magazine if you don't believe me) The biggest complaint about CR that I can think of is they are too practical in their analysis of cars. They are down on SUV's. And that is where you as a consumer have to be able to read their reports and analyse how this car fits your needs. Don't let CR, JD, Motor Trend or any other magazine decide what car you should buy. These are only information sources to be use in the fashion you need them.

x100 · November 2001

I have a 2000 Focus SE (automatic with Zetec engine), and so far the experience has been negative. I got it last June and have put on 22,000 miles on it. So far, in addition to the recalls, I have had to replace the brake pads (after 18,000 miles), fix the power window (after 19,000 miles) and the ignition (after 22,000 miles). The power window took three trips to the dealership because various parts have to be ordered, and is still not fixed (waiting for another part but hopeful that it will be done tomorrow). The car also started to rattle when driven on secondary roads that are less even than major freeways. The ratio reception for AM stations is poor. Someone in the dealership commented that the materials used for Focus are not of high quality.

dtownfb · November 2001

Sorry about your problems with your Focus. As far as the radio reception, you may want to check the NHTSA web site (www.NHTSA.org). I thought they had a TSB (technical Service Bulletin) fixing the radio reception. check it out.

tiredofmanual · November 2001

http://www.bonforums.com/recalls/focus_rearbearing01b85.htm

I guess it's time to schedule my 6th visit (in 14 months of ownership)...

majorthomecho · November 2001

JD Powers survey on initial quality only focuses (no pun intended) on the first few months of ownership it is true, but JD Powers also has surveys for when cars are older.

fdthird · November 2001

As someone who has owned cars for over 33 years, I'd like to make one comment on recalls.

It wasn't that long ago that when a new car developed a problem once it was on the road it was the owners problem. I know that having to take the car back can be a pain in the back side, but at least in this day and age the car companies take more responsibility. I've owned Fords, Mercurys, and Toyotas in the past that had many design defects that were my problem. In the "old days" we really had no recourse but to pay to get it fixed as well as we could.

Yes, it would be great if they could build the cars right the first time, but at least we are not alone in the process of getting the cars fixed. To me, that is a huge advantage over the way it was not that long ago.

teo · November 2001

Yes, but still that is not excuse for lousy initial quality and reliability. Ford has had more than their fair share of embarrasing recalls, quality glitches and failed product launches.

Enough is enough.

dtownfb · November 2001

I know about JD Powers other surveys. but I believe the survey you are referencing had 111,000 respondents which is a good sampling but not near as good as the 500,000 that consumer Reports gets. Plus its not the durability and reliabilty survey that gets all the press, it's the Initial Quality one tha everyone raves about. I'm not saying that Consumers is the bible regarding automobile reliability but it is a much better resources then JD Powers.

majorthomecho · November 2001

I don't think that Consumer Reports isn't recommending the Focus due to the recalls. I think they aren't recommending because it has below average reliability.

Recalls and reliability might be connected, but they are not the same thing.

regfootball · November 2001

Did a 40,000 mile long term test on a Focus wagon and had no problems....they said the car was very reliable.

teo · November 2001

So did Martha Stewart

majorthomecho · November 2001

Virtually any car maker can produce some cars that (individually) may be reliable.

In other words, just because the Car And Driver Focus was reliable doesn't mean they are all reliable.

On the flip side, just because your friend's Focus is really unreliable doesn't mean one you buy will be the same.

fdthird · November 2001

Exactly!

majorthomecho · November 2001

But the thing is that with a car that a multitude of others have found to be of low quality and unreliable, the chances of you getting one like that are increased.

seminole_kev · December 2001

message would be, buy boring because it's safe. I wish Toyota or Honda made something exciting and fun to drive in the class of the Focus, but they don't. The Civic, Corolla (especially) and Echo are not relatively fun drives. Some of us just can't drive appliances without getting bored out of our minds. Not saying it's wrong for people to buy point A to B cars, just that there are other people out there who will not.

majorthomecho · December 2001

I found the Focus SE (with the 130hp and manual transmission) to be a sedate and slow ride. This was another reason I did not buy it.

In other words, you are totally wrong in what my message is.

seminole_kev · December 2001

heh heh. Slow, sure I'll agree with that. It's as slow as the competition. Handling though, it's only rival is the Protege. The Focus and the Protege are a lot more fun than the other rivals out there. The Sentra would be next in line I guess.

I get what your message is, just that the "reliable" manufacturers right now are putting out sleeping aids on wheels.

tiredofmanual · December 2001

When you aren't going in a straight line. One of the car mags did a test of the Focus and found that it could do the slalom faster than a Corvette ZR1.

If you are looking for acceleration, there is a rapidly growing aftermarket for it. It doesn't come close to matching the previous generation Civic, but since the current Civic is a step backward in its aftermarket-friendliness, the Focus isn't that far behind. Don't want to risk your warranty? Head to the dealer and flip through the Ford Racing Catalog... Quite a few go-fast parts available for the Focus, including a supercharger.

Also, consider the styling. Love it or hate it, you have to admit that it is bold. The CD player in mine also outshines the stock stereos in the competition (Mazda MP3 is the exception). Want in on a secret? Take the 6-disc in dash changer out of the Escape, put it in the Focus and suddenly new features appear (like speed-sensitive volume).

seminole_kev · December 2001

Well the stock CD player already has speed sensitive volume. And rather than get the 6-disc changer out of the Escape. Go to Visteon (The Ford spinoff that makes the stock radios for the Focus and Escape) and you can buy a MP3/CD player that fits the stock focus opening.

majorthomecho · December 2001

I did not say that the Focus does not handle well. What I did say is that I found it to be sedate in its handling. This means that it is less fun.

My car is very reliable and your post is the first time someone called it a sleeping aid.

The styling is very controversial as is the styling of the Focus and neither one are boring in that regard.

randyrhodes · December 2001

Hi Everyone,

My wife and I just returned to Connecticut from a great week in New Hampshire. What a pleasent trip we had in the Focus. I just had major back surgery 7 weeks ago, and was pain free, unlike the '98 Escort would have been. I now have 4500 miles on the car and it gets dealer installed mud flaps tomorrow morning. I know the "Wheel Bearing" recall is on the way, but so what, at least Ford stands behind their products.

73
Randy

teo · December 2001

"at least Ford stands behind their products."

Yep, a poor excuse for flawed quality control at the assembly line. Quality Job #7 and Recalls Job #1?

fdthird · December 2001

I've said it before and I'll say it again, too bad all you owners of cars other than Focus are so bored that you feel compelled to come here and tell us what a piece of garbage our cars are. I want to thank you for all your kind words, now do me a favor....go some place else and tell them how smart you were to buy your car and how dumb we are to own what we do!

If I want to be abused, I'll just find a Yankee fan to do it to me!

Thanks

teo · December 2001

Is called the painful truth.

seminole_kev · December 2001

The recalls are the truth. The fact that a lot of us have good, reliable, fun cars is also the truth.

tazereli · December 2001

the focus was the only compact to make car and driver's ten best this year. With the only exception being the WRx but thats in its own class anyway.

That may say something about the Fcous that some owners of rival makes (ie japanese car owners) can't or won't realize. i could never understand the need to put down someone elses choice or make them see the "error" of their ways. I drive a civic but you'll never see me criticize anyone anymore on their choice. Maybe once upon a time. BTW the civic goes away in a month or so and gets replaced by the other "compact" to make C & D's 2002 top ten list

Kyle

ps it aint the focus!

dtownfb · December 2001

The Focus is a great small car. It's the highest rated small car by Consumer Repports. You have to admit 9 recalls in 2 model years is inexcusable. Now the recalls say nothing of the long term reliablity of the car. Most of the recalls were fit and finish type things. Outside of the recalls, many have experienced little to no trouble with their Focus, some have had more problems and others would like to sell it back to Ford. It appears the 2001 are much better then previous models. So it looks like things are getting better.

teo · December 2001

CR likes the Focus, but it won't recommend it due to the recalls and questionable long term reliability. Check the November 2001 Auto CR edition and buyers guide.

newdriver2 · December 2001

Does anyone change the air intake on the focus?
If I change the intake system, is that mean I also need to change the exhast system too?
Also, do I need to change the Spark plug and spark plug wire because of the new air intake is installed?

bigcompact · December 2001

Check out that web site for information on Modding your Focus. Those guys have tried it all!!!

randyrhodes · December 2001

Sounds like you need to get a hobby dude. You spend way too much time here pissing and moaning. What did you do, buy a KIA Rio or something and need to vent out on people? You really need to get a life.

fdthird · December 2001

We the stupid (those of us who bought and enjoy a Focus)hereby unite against the tirany of the smarter people who bought a Japanese car!!! Just because we are bozos and you are a 5 beta capa (??)there is no reason to rub our noses in it!

teo · December 2001

Hey lighten up! Guess who needs to get a life..?

seminole_kev · December 2001

I like most of your posts in the "News and Views" section. But you do beat to death the Focus over and over. It gets kind of old.

tomcat630 · December 2001

i want to read posts about cars, not insults!

tiredofmanual · December 2001

There are at least 5 different air intakes available for the Focus. You don't need to change the stock exhaust unless you put a 10+ psi turbo on it, but putting one on (again there are at least 5 to choose from) will give you a small gain. The plugs and plug wires are fine. You won't see any gain by changing them.

pat · December 2001

Folks, you need not respond to posts that don't interest you. And if you are going to respond, you need to remember that your Membership Agreement requires civil and respectful discourse. So I suggest that is someone's message annoys you that you just skip it altogether. That accomplishes two things - you don't violate the terms of your Agreement, and you don't give the person who annoyed you the satisfaction of knowing that - which diminishes the motivation to continue.

That said, it is indeed time to get back to talking about the car as tiredofmanual is doing.

Thanks.

Pat
Host
Sedans Message Board

djp2c · December 2001

My wife and I have a 2000 Ford Focus Wagon and it has proven as reliable, and maybe more reliable, than our 2002 Nissan Maxima.

The Focus, that my wife drives mostly, rides as good as, and rides better on bumpy roads, than the Maxima. It handles as well or better than the Maxima and, other than power (the Maxima has 255 HP) I think it is just as good.

Also I could buy two Foucuses for what I paid for the Maxima. (Most of the complainers in this formum would complain about any car they had)

Also I get a loaner car from my Ford Dealer in Kingston, Ontario, but not from Nissan.

tiredofmanual · December 2001

If I'm not mistaken, the current generation Maxima uses a solid rear axle, whereas the Focus has a fully independant suspension. This would help to explain why the Focus rides better on bumpy roads. I would expect the next Maxima to get back to its roots and go fully independant again. After all, the new Altima went fully independant.

lngtonge18 · December 2001

Just a FYI: the Altima has always been fully independent. It was the only Nissan sedan to not use the solid axle. But you are right, I expect the next Maxima to go back to an independent design.

tiredofmanual · December 2001

I didn't know that the Altima has always been fully independant. I figured that since the G20 has a solid rear axle the Altima must as well.

Another reason that the Focus holds its own handling-wise is that it was designed by Ford of Europe for the European market. A car the size of the Focus is not an econobox in Europe, it is a Family car. Aside from softer shocks and springs, it would have been cost-prohibitive to change the suspension when Ford brought the Focus over here. If you want to see what Ford took out of it, look at European Ford sites and check out some features and options available there.

ehaase · December 2001

Infiniti G20 is based upon the Sentra, not the Altima.

blerner2 · December 2001

All,

Today I ordered a 2002 ZTS with the following options: Automatic, Leather, 6 Disc Changer, ABS (no advace track) and Side Air Bags.

The dealer offered up his invoice to look at immediately. The numbers were exactly what I had gotten off of Edmunds. Not only did he not try to add Advertising fees, he offered to reduce the price by the amount of the holdback since I was ordering. This was all before I presented my offer.

Here are the financial details:

Base/D&D: $14,842
Automatic: 725
Leather: 619
ABS: 356
Side Bags: 312
6 Disc Chgr: 249
Less Holdback:-222
Total $16,881

Now he did mention that besides State tax of 3% and $50 for Tags that there was a $200 Documentation fee in addition to the above cost. Is this charge legitimate, or is he trying to get back some profit here. Any comments on this deal?

majorthomecho · December 2001

Dealers have a standard charge for documentation fee. Your dealer is probably charging you what he charges everyone else. However, the charge for documentation can vary widely from dealer to dealer.

However, I never knew a dealer to charge for both tags and documentation. It seems to me that it should be both for one price.

What do others think?

fdthird · December 2001

It seems from reading these boards that many dealers in places around the country are able to charge huge documentation fees on new cars. Here in NY I think these fees are not allowed as the dealers I've bought cars from just charge you the fee for the tags and a small processing fee to do the DMV paper work.

crkeehn · December 2001

You're talking about two different things with document fees and tags. The fee for tags is passed directly on to the state, that is non-negotiable. The document fee is a clerical fee paid to the dealer for the processing that they perform on the paperwork submitted to the state.

01focusstreet · December 2001

Has anyone exited their vehicle while the engine is still running, shut the door behind them and had the door lock. This happened on my sister-in-law's 2000 SE with power locks and while the kids were in the car. The police came and finally busted the window to get in. Help...

seminole_kev · December 2001

Ok, here's the final answer on the autmatic power locks and how they work on the Ford Focus. By the way, I believe the owners manual does cover this but:

Door locks automatically after reaching 7mph. It will only do it the first time while the engine is running. Example: You hop in your car and back out of the driveway. You start down the road. You hit 7mph and bingo! The doors lock. Lets say that at the next stoplight, you press the unlock button. Doors unlock. You drive off, at 7mph nothing happens (provided you didn't shut off the engine) because it's still on the same engine start cycle. Now if you shut off the engine and then restart, drive off and reach 7mph, the doors lock because it's a new start cycle.

lngtonge18 · December 2001

That doesn't explain why this person's Focus locked the doors while parked. That is not a good feature if you ask me! I guess she needs to carry another key with her from now on as I would never trust the car again.

Ford Focus Sedan

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