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Ford Focus Wagon

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Comments

  • kalbo607kalbo607 Member Posts: 12
    Have 2001 SE Wagon which I bought new. Have only had a few problems with the car, most have been mentioned here already.
    The car has 32,300 miles on it. Have not made any mods to it. Looking forward to reading alll the info here.
  • jeffdavisjeffdavis Member Posts: 11
    I have the automatic. I averaged between 35 & 36 mpg on one tankful of mostly highway driving, which is quite good. City driving is around 25 to 26 for me because I live in an urban, congested area. The Mazda motor is great; quiet, smooth, refined, lots of get-up & go. And like all Focuses, fun to drive.
  • fordwagon67fordwagon67 Member Posts: 10
    Thanks! I'm going to order mine today.
  • rapidrickrapidrick Member Posts: 70
    and I've had zero problems with it. I bought an extended warranty (Warranty Direct) so that about guarantees I won't have any problems with it! :P
  • ajweeksajweeks Member Posts: 5
    Has anyone been able to get rear head restraints installed? Is this possible? I'm in no rush since the kids are still in car seats, but it would be a nice option in the future.
  • juppjupp Member Posts: 7
    I also have about 5000 miles now on my 2007 Focus Wagon. I was torn between the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and the Focus. I knew that this is the last year for the present Corolla and didnt want an obsolete car that fast. Plus side air bags were impossible to find in my area. The Honda was a good bit nicer than the Focus to me. But the dealer wouldnt budge very much, and lowballed me on my Sport Trac trade in. Plus the Honda, equally equipped was a couple of thou more than the Focus (give or take). I'm happy with the Fosus in SOME areas and unhappy in others.. Mileage, handling and acceleration are great for what the car is. I can carry as much stuff in my little wagon as I could in the big ole Sport Trac! BUT, I told my wife on DAY ONE that the first thing that would break on the Focus would be the chinsy little armrest and its already in pieces! And the biggy that I didnt notice during the test drive is that left cupholder starts gnawing into my right leg after driving more than an hour. After 2 hours I'm in real pain and must turn over the wheel to wifey. I can buy an extra 30 minutes by taking the rubber cup insert out at the beginning of the trip. I'm ready to take a sawzall to the darned thing! All in all, especially when I factor in resale value, I wish I'd sprung for the Civic. I might just dump the Focus by next summer and probably take a 6 or 7 thousand dollar bloodbath. Maybe the sawzall idea would be cheaper.
  • dan5678dan5678 Member Posts: 28
    Too bad Ford.
    Guess someone else will get my money when my Outback gasps its last breath.
    Focus was on my short list based on mpg and cargo space.
    Chasing away 8% of sales. Another bold move.
  • juppjupp Member Posts: 7
    I'd be more than happy to sell you mine!
  • fordwagon67fordwagon67 Member Posts: 10
    Even though I complained about the lack of rear headrests and side curtain airbags, I got a 2007 Focus Wagon SES auto.
    It's only got 380 miles on it so far so gas mileage is unknown.
    I have driven only small 4cyl cars since 1987, mostly Volkswagens except a '95 Saturn SW2 and a '04 Corolla, and this Focus has a better ride/handling compromise than any of them. I am a longtime VW fan, having owned 6 of them, and our other car is a 2003 VW Jetta wagon made in Germany.
    The Focus has better steering, and VW has always had great FWD steering! The ride in the Jetta is slightly better, but it's much more cramped with seats that feel like twill fabric wrapped over granite.
    The Focus drives much better than the Corolla in almost every type of driving, although the Corolla never claimed to be sporty and it was queiter than the Focus on the highway.
    If Ford had brought the Gen. II Focus here 2 years ago they would be in a much better position. If I was the CEO at Ford right now, I'd say to management; "Find a way to bring the Euro Focus here in 6 months or look for another job"
    Americans won't drive small cars? When was the last time you were driving to work and didn't see a Civic??!!
  • livefreelivefree Member Posts: 8
    Hello, fellow Focus owners. I just purchased a 2005 Focus SE wagon, still under the manufacturer warranty (at least for another year or so). The purchase was made after MUCH research and deliberation over a wagon vs an Escape Hybrid vs Toyota Matrix. Quite the range of options, I suppose, but we were looking for something with carrying capacity, good mileage, and that would be easy on the budget. It's a nice looking car, and has most of the features I would have expected to pay more for in other cars (telescopic steering wheel, steering wheel audio controls, tonneau cover, ABS). Look forward to joining the conversation more!
  • juppjupp Member Posts: 7
    Great, but keep in mind, the wagon board is pretty slow moving and will get slower as we are such a minority of Focus owners and they aint gonna make em anymore.
  • remowusremowus Member Posts: 40
    the chances are of getting Ford to change their mind about making them? The Focus wagon, I mean.
  • universe74universe74 Member Posts: 2
    I recently did this.

    http://www.universe.bookerb.com/fordfocusbumper.jpg

    Can anyone tell me what parts I need to replace? It was a very low speed slide into the ditch and the snowbank had its way. Thanks.
  • universe74universe74 Member Posts: 2
    This is a 2000 Focus by the way.
  • kalbo607kalbo607 Member Posts: 12
    I guess the two tail gate arms have given out, has any one else had this problem if so what is the fix? Hard to take stuff in and out of the car, with the tailgate falling on my head. :sick:

    Thanks!
  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    these hydrulic struts do have a lifespan. They should be something you can fix your self if you get the parts.
  • kalbo607kalbo607 Member Posts: 12
    Was cover by the extended warranty, dealer fixed it so no more tail gate falling on the head.
  • jazvanjazvan Member Posts: 106
    Not only has the wagon production stopped, the focus as we know it will completely stop production at the end of the 07 model year this summer. THe 2008 Focus is a sedan-only redesign bread & butter car. No hatch, no wagon, no 2.3. INterestingly you can buy the real new generation Focus in Mexico.

    Jaz
  • lenwicklenwick Member Posts: 23
    My 2006 Focus wagon uses about 1 guart per 1000 miles.Is this normal
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    I would have that looked at while still under warrenty. You are about at the threshold where the dealer will do something about it.

    Normal is more like a quart every 5,000 miles or more.

    I change every 5,000 miles (on a Sienna) and can't tell that any oil has been consumed between changes.
  • lenwicklenwick Member Posts: 23
    I have a 7 year warranty so ive told the dealer they said wait it only has about 6000 miles it could get better?
  • jazvanjazvan Member Posts: 106
    I could never detect any oil useage at all between 5,000 mile oil changes on my Duratec that now has 30K. I'd say a quart every 1,000 miles is not normal for these engines.

    Jaz
  • orcishorcish Member Posts: 9
    I recently purchased a 2005 ZXW SES, and have been considering cargo cover. If anyone has one, how happy are you with it? Is it easy to use, moount / dismount. Any problems / concerns?

    Thanks!
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,308
    my experience is like yours. my focus has about 30k on it, also. oil changed about 4500 miles ago, it still reads full.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • jazvanjazvan Member Posts: 106
    Mine stays in the garage 95% of the time, but when I need it, I need it. It seems a decent quality unit. Takes a little compression and wiggling to get it in, not bad.

    Jaz
  • crutnackercrutnacker Member Posts: 41
    With my employer, cash back, and financing, the Focus seems like too good a deal. Are they any good? What do you like and dislike?
  • orcishorcish Member Posts: 9
    I had a 2003 sedan for two years and really enjoyed it. I traded it in on a 2005 ZXW SES because i wanted the extra room the wagon offered. I enjoy driving it emensely, and the extra room is great.
  • rapidrickrapidrick Member Posts: 70
    My 03 ZTW has been perfect, zero issues with car, just wore out the Pirellis really fast :P .
  • orcishorcish Member Posts: 9
    I bought my wagon used, and about the only option I didn't get, that I really wanted was the heated mirrors. :)

    Does anyone know if they can be added without having to do extra wiring, or other hassels?
  • cascadiaesqcascadiaesq Member Posts: 4
    Recommend the ZTW - the sportier version. Slightly bigger wheels. I really enjoy my wagon - its the SE comfort ZTW leather version. I bought it used and had almost everything on it except heated seats. I've driven the SE, 4 door, 2 door, the SVT. The SVT 2 door was real nice...it just wasn't roomy enough as my ZTW.
  • sienna8sienna8 Member Posts: 1
    I may be buying a 2005 SES wagon - my first "new" car ever. Wanted to know how other owners rate theirs. This one is basic - no extra bells and whistles (heated seats, etc.) but at $12,000 with just under 20,000 miles - it seems a good value - is it a good car? Will it withstand the rigors of city driving? Any comments? should I purchase the dealer warranty? any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
  • zxwzxw Member Posts: 10
    Hi there !

    My first Focus was a 2005 ZXW SES model with several nice options, but no cargo cover. While I would NOT recommend the dealer I purchased it from (Pacifico Ford in Essington, Philadelphia) :mad: I would wholeheartedly recommend the Focus wagon with a cargo cover, but if purchased separately from a dealer just look at the cover before you pay for it as they tend to warp in storage. My first wagon was Arizona Beige, my '07 is an Aqua Blue ZXW, and it was one of the last ones built. I drove all the way to Bob Davidson Ford, in Baltimore Maryland some 100 miles away from home after locating Big Blue on line, and they were fantastic to work with. :)

    ZXW Robb
  • zxwzxw Member Posts: 10
    HI There:

    There was an engine upgrade in '05 that made the difference for me. Mine actually was a PZEV engine that put out 130 vs 136 hp, not a big diff. I needed a car fast as my then current 13 year old car was dying fast. Mr Arizona Beige was totally reliable in city and highway. One of the best rides of my life. The one you've located sounds good, but shop a bit more if you have time to avoid any buyer remorse. Used Focus wagons are scarce, I will have to advise you.
  • zxwzxw Member Posts: 10
    I do love my wagon as well, the ZXW '05 was my first. The wagons were never available with larger than 15" tyres however, if I recall. I would have preferred 16" but as far as I know they would only be available as an aftermarket item?

    ZXW Robb
  • orcishorcish Member Posts: 9
    I love my wagon, I got it with 28,000 miles and it has been rock solid. I have not had problems in town or on the highway. I am in a rural area though so I can't speak to real City driving. The warranty may depend on your driving. I drive for two of my jobs, so I rack up the miles. Because of when my car was put into service, I had almost 18moths of warranty left, but only just over 7,000 miles. I had a 2003 sedan, and put almost 45,000 miles in just under 2 years. For me, adding another 4 years and up to 100,000 miles made sense. Your situation may be different. Btw, the only reason I sold my sedan was I wanted some extra room. I really liked that little car and would not have sold it if I hadn't found this wagon.
  • zxwzxw Member Posts: 10
    Good to hear about your gas mileage and dependability. With each Focus I've owned my mileage gets better ... I had one recall for the driver side air bag switch that was a potential hazard for opening at the wrong time. Since then, nothing but joy. One Arizona Beige, one Liquid Grey (color was a bit too tame for me however) and now Big Blue (aqua blue metallic). city driving is about 28, highway is close to 40 but one trip back from Lancaster to home, which is about 150 miles, I was able to get 42 mpg ! Really amazed me. I can see Big Blue making it to 100,000 miles with no problem ... continued good luck with your great ride !

    Robb
  • rapidrickrapidrick Member Posts: 70
    Yes, Grasshopper, heated mirrors will require wiring :P
    I doubt it would be worth it, although, when I was up in North Dakota, I sure was glad I had that option...for those few times the Silver Bullet wasn't in the garage... :shades:
  • lenwicklenwick Member Posts: 23
    Hi the dealer was right for a change. I had the oil changed at 7000 now at 11000 it ha-sent used any oil.I have never had a car as good as the Focus.It has been perfect up to this time
  • explorerx4explorerx4 Member Posts: 19,308
    maybe it was not filled up all the way originally. a nasty little trick is to overfill it. next time the oil is changed, check it yourself. then check it every 1000 or so.
    2023 Ford Explorer ST, 91 Mustang GT vert
  • scole1scole1 Member Posts: 4
    Greetings from the great white north.

    After 6 months of (intense)research and test drives I just bought an SES wagon. I must say I am very happy so far( 1000km).
    It's sort of the perfect compromise car, scores well in a lot of areas though not at the top. Space wise it's quite comparable or better than a lot of Suvs In Canada the environment groups give it top marks. Crash ratings with the side air bags are ok, gas millage good so far. Average reliability (and even average these days is good) Nice feel on the road and fun to drive(though some air and road noise). Price good. I read lots of negatives on the interior, can't say it bothers me and I drove Accords etc. Thought the interior better than the Corolla I tried and anyway if it's too nice inside I wouldn't feel comfortable filling it with dogs.

    Anyway this board has been very useful, I thank you all. I did lots of reading on potential problems etc. before buying. So I will add anything I can as it comes up.

    I write this having just come back from the lake with the dogs. Used the run to mess with the bug deflector which vibrates at 140km/hr. Not that I drive at that speed all the time but it bugs me when stuff doesn't perform. I put some foam wedges in and it seems better. Anyway it's taken one for the team already so I'll keep it. Around here( Northern BC) wagons are pretty cool.

    Cheers
    Simon
  • lenwicklenwick Member Posts: 23
    I have 11000 miles on mine now it hasn't used any oil in the last 5000.We have had no problems just oil changing.Its fun to drive and easy on gas.If they still made them i would buy it again
  • maryawmaryaw Member Posts: 22
    Greetings from Southern Iowa! Good to hear of someone else who drives a wagon for the purpose of filling it with dogs. We always have one car we call the "designated dog-hauling car" and it is currently an 8-year old Ford Escort wagon. When it dies, it will likely be replaced with a Focus wagon, which is why I'm reading this Forum. So far it sounds like the Focus has been a good reliable car for folks.

    My big question is LOADS. Sometimes I do overload my wagon a little bit. Our own dogs wear harnesses and seatbelts but sometimes I transport for the Humane Society which means stuffing the wagon as full of dog crates (and cat crates) as I possibly can. The back end has already had to have replacement springs once. How does the Focus do with occasional overloading?
  • mschmalmschmal Member Posts: 1,757
    Past tence.

    Lets all have a moment of silence to mark the passing of the Ford Focus Wagon, and for Station Wagons in general :(
  • scole1scole1 Member Posts: 4
    Hi,
    Well first off if you want a wagon know that they are not making them anymore I believe production stopped in the fall of 2006, so you will be restricted to what you can find on a lot.

    I would think you would have little trouble finding one but perhaps not with the options you want. I was adamant about side air bags (poor ratings without them for side impact) so that restricted me to one of the SES models as they were only available with that configuration. That also gave me heated leather seats etc.(great for my arthritic Golden.)

    The sticker on the door says 825 lb load is max. So that roughly 12 Golden retrievers and a driver(that sounds like fun). I can fit 2 medium sized dog flight kennels on the back seat. Interior cargo space with the back seat folded down in c 73 cubic feet. The shape of the back is very square so you can actually use most of the space. I had it loaded up with close to max with peat moss and dirt on the weekend it felt fine, it didn't bottom out or anything, but I was cautious.

    Springs are kind of floaty compared to my previous car makes for a nice cushion from bumps(for nervous cats) but I suspect would reduce the load the car can take?, seems like a lot of focus owners put stiffer ones in,(I am assuming perhaps incorrectly that one of the characteristics of performance springs would be greater load capacity) I would be tempted to do this.

    I use seat belt harnesses for the dogs and a cover like a big blanket that clips on to the front and rear headrests.

    For the dog owner the only negative would be that it could be a bit of a jump for an old dog to hop in as the seats are high. I read somewhere that the Honda Fit was voted most dog friendly in that regard.
    Super car so far.

    Cheers from sunny(hot) flood warning in effect BC
    Simon
  • fomoconafomocona Member Posts: 19
    I can confirm that for the 2008 model year, there will not be a production Focus Wagon. The reasons behind the decision are numerous but we are still interested in your comments. If you would like to give feedback on any Ford product, current or future, please go to customersaskford.com and type-in "Product Feedback". Thank you again for your loyalty.
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Ford should have canned the sedan as it is an just another entry in a crowded segment. They should have kept the wagon - it is unique. The wagon has everything the sedan does plus better looks and much more room. It is a no brainer.
  • orcishorcish Member Posts: 9
    I don't know, the sedan was nice. I owned one before my wagon. I just needed the room. The sedan was a little quieter and the separate trunk was nice. I know that the cargo cover would help with that, but its not the same. What I would have done is stop the 5 door hatch. The 3door would still go for the sportier crowd that want a little extra cargo or at least a larger opening. I have seen a photo of a european focus that is like a cross over between a wagon and an suv. It looks nice and I would definitely check it out if it were available here.

    orc :)
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    Not saying the sedan isn't nice, but it has to compete against the Civic et al. The wagon is unique. Excellent handling and room.
  • carthellcarthell Member Posts: 130
    ....between a Focus and a Mazda3 Wagon? The Focus platform is a shared one, right?

    I rented a Focus waay back in 2001. It was a roomy ride, and had the length I was looking for in a compact wagon. The number of recalls, unfortunately, made me hesitant about buying the vehicle.

    -d
  • dudleyrdudleyr Member Posts: 3,469
    They handle similarly, but the Focus has much more room being a true wagon. The Mazda is really a hatch. The Mazda does have a nicer interior in my opinion.
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