Currently driving a sedan Subaru, love it, been completely reliable, enjoyable and safe drive but I need a wagon (2 large dogs). I am increasingly concerned about the amount of gas used and since I live in a big city and have to commute to work via car, it's important to me the get the most distance from a gallon (litre, Canada here). Not many options on fuel efficient wagons, Subaru's are not bad on gas but one can do better.
The Focus wagon. I've heard good and bad about the Focus, so guess I'm looking for pointers. I've heard '03 and higher are better, more power. I've of course heard much about 2000 and the recalls etc.
So, '03 or '04, how is the electrical (any bugaboos to look for?), anything I should make a point of checking out? I'm used to the old Subaru now at 200k and not a thing has ever gone wrong, what are the odds of getting a good 150k out of a Focus?
First off the Focus is only Freont wheel drive as opposed to the AWD of the Subaru. Also 07 (or is it 06) is the last year for the Focus wagon. As of 08 there will be a 2 door coupe and 4 door sedan only.
I would avoid a 2000 at all costs and due to high milage possibilities I would probably look for 02 or 03+ wagons. The electronics are fine with the car and I haven't hear of any electrical problems with any year focus.
I think the 04 wagon is the only one with the optional 2.3L in it. If you find a 04 with the PZEV 2.3L motor take it. The wagon in 03 and 04 also comes in 2 other motors the 2.0L SPI(SOHC) and 2.0L Zetec (DOHC). If it has the SPI(SOHC) I would keep looking as that motor is underpowered for a wagon. Get the Zetec or the 2.3L. for 05+ the only motor available is the 2.0L duratec which has 5 more HP than the Zetec. The Duratec is a better motor but the Zetec is good as well. The Duratec just has more technological advances on it and it's an aluminum block and head. THe Zetec has steal block and aluminum head.
The focus in general handels really well right off the factory line.
Hopefully not but the Focus does have the capability of having problems. One thing to remember is the Focus is still an entry level car where as Subaru is not an entry level car. There is about 10grand more of non braking parts on the Subaru. But with regular maintenance and care the Focus should not have many if any problems.
We have had two Focus wagons--2002 and 2006. Both are good value vehicles. Fun to drive, reliable and comfortable. The 2006 has a quieter ride and more pep from a smoother engine. No all wheel drive available, you might miss this from the Subaru. Mileage in Imperial gallons from mostly 60% city, 40% highway is 27 to 28 mpg. The 2006 is slightly better. Can reach mid 30's on strictly highway. Long term reliability looks promissing. 2007 will be the last year for the Focus wagon--not a very good decision on the part of Ford.
Thanks everyone for the feedback. I think I'll be test driving one this week, 2003 ZTW , all power, sunroof; have sunroof now and just can't give it up
AWD is amazing, certainly in snowy Canadian winters but living in Toronto I only have major snow issues a few times a season and AWD does eat gas.
i heard in europe they made a turbo diesel focus wagon that had power out the wazoo and was very very light on gas. y'all don't get goodies like that in canada do you?
____________________ 04 ZY ZX3/2.3L PZEV/K&N Typhoon CAI/FS race exaust/SVT suspension/black 18" L8 rims/FS front stress bar/steeda STS/black projector LED headlights (HID)/black alteza taillights/smoked side markers/euro upper front grille/euro LED 3rd brake lights/
No way....I think Europe is waaaay ahead of North America in that way.
Was in Germany and rented a couple of small cars, fantastic drives, small, powerful, great gas mileage. The European Focus is a much better looking car than North America's.
Testing a Focus wagon this coming weekend, we'll see.......You know much about auto vs manual? Heard the manual Focus was kinda clunky....had a Mazda, 5 speed years ago, was fantastic, smooth shifting. Have heard from a few that auto Focus is better.....?
I own an 01 and had a 00. Also drove regutarly an 02 and than 03. All manuals and none seem clunky. The manual tranny is also biefier than the auto tranny. I also owned an 83 3/4 ton truck 4 speed and now an 87 toyota 4x4 truck 5 speed and neither seemed clunky. My 68 3/4 ton truck 4 speed (aonly drivin a little bit) wasn't clunky either. Ya the 3/4 ton trucks have a shifter throw that is like 10 yards long but both shifted fine with over 180k on them.
My 01 has a B&M short shifter in it and its due for a fluid change but the shifting is solid. Is that what you mean by clunky? The 00, 02 and 03 all shifted like a worm buttah knife through butter. The MTX75 tranny I beleve was used in the Escort for a few years and is still the tranny of choice Ford uses for the Focus.
fx3 wrote: The MTX75 tranny I beleve was used in the Escort for a few years and is still the tranny of choice Ford uses for the Focus.
Yeah, if you can find one. They can be pretty rare. My '02 ZX3 is a 5spd, and IMO/IME isn't at all "clunky." The car is easy to drive smoothly, is noticably faster, and gets significantly better gas mileage compared to the automatics. Add to that the fact that the 5 spd manual is a very stout transmission.
The only problem to which I have alluded, is that most Foci built have automatics, and finding a manual - new or used - can be a problem.
BTW, I agree with your earlier comment about the sunroof. I got my 1st one in 1990, and haven't had a car without one since.
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