Faults:

Found scratches on the alloys at the main dealers and a ding in the rear bumper (from where they park the cars too darn close in storage). Main dealer replaced all 4 alloys with new ones and took out the ding and made it as good as new (which was supposed to be). They also threw in all round Window Tints for the hassle. (I never asked, and they offered).

General Comments:

We have a MPV which the wife uses to take the kids around, and I use the focus for 10 mile round trip to work. 10 mile is just enough time to enjoy this car so I often take a longer route for the heck of it. When I need to take everyone in the car, 3 kids and the wife and I all fit comfortably.

I love the silver finish on the center console, it sets the whole dash out.

The 6 CD Stereo (taken from the Ford Mustang) is an awesome factory fitted system.

The feature that increases the volume as road noise (speed) increases, and conversely reduces the volume as you slow down it great. With 7 levels, you can configure it to your choice.

Auto Gear Box - I'm in a Brit in the US (have been for 3 years, but going back to the UK in 5 days), I got the auto because I am lazy. The shifts are responsive and hardly noticeable.

If you are gentle with the pedal, it pulls away at a sedate 1.0L Fiesta pace. When you boot it, its responsive and each shift is smooth and hardly noticeable.

Overall, this is probably the best car I have ever owned. For just over 14,000 USD, its also the best bargain I have had on a new car.

If I could ship it back to the UK, I would. But now I have an excuse to get the RS Focus.

Faults:

Blown brakelight bulb.

General Comments:

I took this car over from another employee last year, and it's been a good relationship.

The car is superb, apart from the horrible old 1.8 turbodiesel (designated TDdi) engine which dates back to the 1992 era Escort. If you're spending your own cash, PLEASE go for the TDCi engine - it's in a different league.

Performance is actually OK, with the usual massive turbodiesel midrange, but it clatters and vibrates like an old Transit van at idle, and sends a horrible boom through the cabin as soon as the revs pick up. It's frugal though and can easily crack 50 mpg.

Reliability has been good too. Nearly 45000 miles in just 11 months and nothing has gone wrong mechanically. Just a bulb that cost a whopping £1.40 to replace.

The Focus is superb in all other respects. Comfortable, well made, superb to drive and with reasonable standard kit. It's fun to throw about on a twisty lane, and has probably the best power steering setup of any car I've driven. It oozes feel, and is very well weighted. The gearbox is slick (and I use it often to keep the din from that tractor-like engine to a minimum) and the seats are all-day comfy.

Dealer has been brilliant with courtesy car provided when asked for, and the work completed to a high standard.

Says a lot for the overall car that, despite the small matter of hating its truly woeful engine, and the fact that I do nearly 1,000 miles a week, week in, week out, I still love driving it, and wouldn't hesitate to buy another.

Faults:

Belt squeal on start-up that dealer calls "normal"

Sloppy shifts from auto transmission.

Radio has needed to be replaced three times (single-CD player)

Poor gas mileage for a car of its size/mission (24/26)

Poor panel fits; driver's door rubs front fender when opened.

Very poor resale value.

General Comments:

The car rides very well for its size, and is very comfortable.

However, it is obvious that the Focus was built to a budget, and Ford tries to squeeze every cent it can out of this somewhat flawed design.

I love my car, and this is good as I have to put up with it for at least one more year. I will then likely trade out of the Ford product line.