Considering Ford Focus SEL Hatchback to replace 27 year old Honda

[Paula Sims]

Hi there,
Well, Gertrude has served me well, but it's time. She needs a new transmission and other engine work. Not cost-efficient to repair at this point.

We're looking at the Ford Focus SEL Hatchback (2012). We need leather (or even pleather) seating to help me get in and out with my bad knee and my husband wants a moon/sun roof (he gets so few things in life). Any comments one way or another? It'll basically be a grocery store, church, hubby 15 miles to work car that will be garage kept. I pray it'll last like the Honda (which has 136k and a bit of rust). I hear Ford no longer stands for Found On the Road Dead or Fix Or Repair Daily. I just want something solid.

So any support, comments, whatever, would be appreciated. It's not cheap, we don't have much money, but thanks to what hubby's Mother left us, we can swing this one (especially if we qualify for 0% interest).

Thanks for your help

Paula

[dsc]

1. I own a Focus which I adore

I have over 130k miles and have only had to due routine maintenance with the exception of the alternator.

[Godhumor]

2. 107,000 on my 2003 SE. when it probably dies for good after the next Buffalo winter

I will be getting whatever the current model year of the Focus is on the market.

[MannyGoldstein]

3. We have a Focus, 2004? w/ 120k+ miles

Reminds me very much of our old Honda - super reliable, firm handling, great car. Would buy another.

[FarCenter]

4. Haven't looked at the blogs lately, but the dual clutch automated transmission had teething troubles

The manual should be OK, but look at the most recent reports on whether the automatic's issues have been fixed.

Transmission Woes Addressed by Ford, but Too Late for Consumer Reports

[TheDebbieDee]

5. I wonder, did you disconnect the odometer of that Honda to only have

136,000 miles after 27 years? Wow!

[postulater]

14. I wondered that too.

My Saab had 250k when my wife had it towed away. It was 22.

[IDemo]

18. I've got 63,000 on my '93 Toyota

It will likely be the last 4-wheeled vehicle I own.

[magical thyme]

19. I've got 215,000 on my 16 year old honda

are you sure you don't mean 236,000? I've heard of them going 250K easy...

[Paula Sims]

23. OK, more like 136,254 (or something like that). . .

Nope, got it new to use as a commuter car before I got married. I take the train to work and hubby takes the station wagon to work. He, however has been through a 1987 Mazda (75k after 3 years and needed new trans), 1990 Volvo (almost 300k -- LOVED the V70 -- cried when we had to get rid of it), and now a 2003 SAAB 9-5 (about 135k).

We've pretty much settled on the Focus since I don't want anything bigger than my current Honda (which is about as big as today's Civics). Yes, it's a grocery store, church, parents, around town car. In the past 3 months, because of medical issues, we've driven it only twice, and that was about 3 miles max.

So yes, I'm looking for a small, cute, but dependable/reliable car to replace da Honda.

To replace the SAAB, WHEN we win the lottery, I think we'll take up Volvo's offer to fly to Sweden and pick up another V70 wagon. Now THAT was a SWEET ride. . .

Thanks again for the advice. I just love the DU


Paula

PS Now hubby has got me thinking about the VW Jetta. I hate having ADD!!!!

[bongbong]

6. Fords are good

My relatives' Ford macro van is about to turn over 300,000 with no rebuild-type engine work & little oil burning.

[al_liberal]

7. 27 or more years with Ford.

I have a 1993 Ranger that I purchased new and it has about 175K miles on it. Sure I've kept up the maintenance on it over the years but it has never let me down. Based upon Consumer Reports assessments of Ford vehicles these days, I don't think you can go wrong buying a Ford. Besides, the Focus is manufactured in Wayne, Michigan at the plant that used to make the biggest gas guzzlers, the Navigator and Expedition.

[ellisonz]

8. I've driven my sister's 2006 sedan focus...

...and found it to be a zippy little car.

[SmileyRose]

9. I have a 2010 and love it

Sold my 1987 Escort to a neighbor kid. Hope this Focus lasts as long but I drive more now so we'll see.

[kestrel91316]

10. Ford Focus is an excellent car these days. It's the German engineering.

[safeinOhio]

11. Have a 2012 focus with 10K on it.

Very happy.

[Initech]

12. UAW built, gets 40MPG, has some really cool technology, how can you go wrong?

[taught_me_patience]

13. I'd suggest a used Ford 500

You could easily get a 2007 with leather and 50k miles for 6-8k. They are big, easy to drive, decent mileage (22-25) and good reliability. It would be much better value if you intend to keep it for a long time. The only downside is the resale value is horrible.

[flvegan]

15. Drive it.

Ford no longer stands for either of those. You'll do well with that.

[bhikkhu]

16. Its a good car - but make sure they don't up-sell you to a low-profile wheel package

That's more and more a problem theses days. The stock wheels are 16", which aren't too hard to find, aren't too expensive, should last well and give a good ride.

If you go to a 17", 18" or other option, you'll pay more up-front and more in the long-term, and get nothing you want really.

[madrchsod]

17. here`s the best site on the web for car info...

http://www.carsurvey.org/

not a lot about ford`s focus

we just bought a certified 07 honda accord which of is a great car for the money. we are a bit biased since everyone in the family has owned and still owns a honda for the last 25 years.

[Brickbat]

20. We've had two Foci and they're awesome. I highly, highly recommend them.

[kctim]

21. My advice

is to buy what you can afford without financing.

[trotsky]

22. We had a Focus for 2 years before trading up to a Fusion this year.

No complaints whatsoever - our kids were just getting too big to comfortably sit in the back seat. It was a great car, handled amazing for a smaller vehicle, and the ride was smooth.

We had been loyal Saturn owners until GM tanked the brand. I decided to try a Ford - that Focus was the first one I had ever owned and I was not disappointed.