2002 Ford Focus Zetec 2.0 Zetec from Australia and New Zealand

Summary:

The best hatchback ever made!

Faults:

A faulty factory engine mount replaced under warranty.

A couple of everyday minor rattles fixed on a weekend off work by myself.

General Comments:

This is the world's best little car which makes me smile every time I drive it or look at it. I love the styling, the handling shames anything even remotely close to it and the performance is spot on for it's size and specifications. I had always dreamed of a 2.0 litre and the 2.0 Zetec manual is such a perfect combination of a great smooth strong gearbox, good ratios and a nice strong torquey engine. Everyone would be happier with a bigger exhaust and more power, but as a stock car, my Zetec is perfect for what it is intended to be. I'd have to say it is one of Australia's most underrated cars.

Long distance comfort is awesome, short distance trips only make me want to drive longer just so I can keep having fun. I'd have to say the only problem is that I have driven it so hard and so well that I have chewed through a set of tyres in 30,000km or about 14 months!!! WELL worth the extra money for the fun in my books.

If you don't at least test-drive a Focus you are seriously not doing yourself justice or being fair to you future purchase decisions!!!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 26th April, 2004

14th Mar 2011, 16:19

It's not an Australian car.

2002 Ford Focus Ford Wagon 2.0 ZTX from North America

Summary:

Good looks and handling, needs improvement in gas mileage and excess brake dust

Faults:

Most objectionable problem and most glaring is the dust from the front wheels. The brake dust that forms immediately after washing the car is just too much to cope with. I had to buy "dust shields" (that many people warned against because it would invalidate the warranty- I bought and installed them anyway when I saw the dealer selling them) and these have controlled the problem to my satisfaction.

My second disillusion is with the gas mileage. On the highway I only get 3l MPG with this wagon. My previous Escort would average 40 MPG. With today's gas prices, I long for the Escort.

General Comments:

On the plus side, this wagon is a looker! I love its styling! It is also a lot quieter inside than the Escort and has a much better sound system.

Although the engine is supposed to crank out 134 horsepower, the car is slow when accelerating from a dead stop. However, once on the highway, it does have sufficient passing power.

I have the "SE" model. I would recommend dishing out a few extra dollars and going with the luxury edition. The seats are plain gray and boring.

In short, I'm satisfied with the looks of this car, but not happy with its gas economy.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 25th April, 2004

7th May 2004, 17:12

I can't imagine paying $1.80 a gallon for gas. We're used to more like $5-$6 (depending on grade) a gallon here in the UK. You guys don't know when you're well off.

20th May 2004, 14:10

Actually, 31 MPG is pretty good for a wagon on the highway. And the the guy in the last comment, it's now over $2.00 a gallon. It has never been this high before. And you people walk to your jobs and save the cars for the weekends or trips. Us American's depend on our cars every day, getting stuck in traffic every day. You'd be surprised how fast you can run through gas over here.

21st Jul 2006, 12:54

A dealer let me borrow a Focus SE wagon overnight, for me to test drive and generally poke around. I have to say I really did like the car, in its "fully loaded" and "lady driven" condition. Driving around streets wasn't too bad. So on to the big freeway and up to 100 and 120 kph (or 60 and 70 mph), and wham... the thing started to vibrate like crazy. Steering wheel and whole front end just took on a life of their own. This would be really scary in the snow. I drive a Toyota Camry and know the roads well and it wasn't the road. I asked my daughter, and she said her friend with a car just like the one I drove, was the same on the highways. Just another shaky Ford I guess, like my 85 mustang, and the 88 Taurus I rented for two weeks once. I spend half my driving time on the highway, to the cottage, or to the ski hills, or to another town for my son's soccer or hockey. My dogs would freak out. Ford Focus, nice, but not for me. I guess I'll just have to find another $5,000, and buy something drivable.