2002 Ford Focus ZX5 from North America - Comments

The thermostat housing broke at 81,000 miles which is apparently a common Focus problem. It costs $65 and was a pain to fix.

The brake pistons got stuck and completely messed up the engine from running properly. None of the Ford Dealers could figure it out (It cost over $200 for them to even look at everything) and the car just sat for awhile until I decided to change the brake pads and noticed it, then the car started working again.

Now my Alternator light is coming on, hopefully my battery or alternator isn't dying.

The CD player also doesn't work. It ate like 3 CD's and I got them out, but it still doesn't play. Frustrating, but I just listen to my iPod hooked up to the car.

*****UPDATE*******

Car finally died from the alternator light, won't idle at all. Be warned, you'll spend mad money on repairs if you buy a Ford vehicle.

This is my first car and it has had its ups and downs. I love the way it looks and I've never been ashamed to drive it or anything, the car looks beautiful. Mine is in CD Silver and it's a ZX5. The inside is very comfortable, but during turns and stops you do move around some, maybe that's just from the way I drive haha. It has a pretty good amount of power and I feel like I can speed past somebody whenever I feel the need to. If you can I would pick the manual over the automatic because the transmission problems with the auto can get costly and it seems like it just doesn't go as fast. No matter what I do I always get good gas mileage which is great. With highway driving plus city driving its about 32.5mpg and with just city driving its about 25mpg. I love all the features like the 6 disc CD changer, power windows, moonroof, power locks, and cruise control. The hatchback models are great for storage pretty much whatever you want. For example a dryer fits in perfectly, or 7 people laying down, or 18 bags of mulch, or an HDTV. I know people who have tried all of those and have been successful fitting them the hatch. The back seats are great, and fold down for extra space. Three adults can fit, but only two will be comfy. I recommend this car to anyone looking for a good ride for a low-cost price. I also think that you should test drive the car before you get it because different Foci have different build qualities, mine is fine as are most of the 2002 and up models. Please don't buy anything older than 2002, those were the models with all the recalls and problems. Other than that, this is a wonderful first car and just a wonderful car in general. I love it, but my next car will be something else.

I don't know about you, but if my car's alternator light were coming on I'd probably -- oh I don't know -- bring it in to get looked at before the vehicle died completely. That right there speaks volumes about your credibility.