14th Jun 2010, 07:00
Just a quick update on the car with 100,000KM on the clock.
Still no issues with it really. My last trip returned a pretty good 38MPG on the highway, 6.1L/100KM @ 70-75MPH (110-120km/h). This is with occasional use of the AC as well.
Very impressed with this car.
14th Jun 2010, 16:20
Very impressed with this car.
We were incredibly pleased with our 2001 Focus ZX-3. Never a single problem.
29th Jun 2010, 17:59
It's popular to bash Toyota lately, and to some extent they deserve it. However, it's a bit strange that those that have praised the Ford Focus forget that it was an essential lemon in its first four years of production. It was so glitch - ridden, that it set a record for recalls. One expert on new and used cars claimed that it would even stall, and break down when driven through a puddle. When owners complained, Ford told them it was their fault for driving through wet conditions. These cars were plagued with problems of premature tire wear, and their fuel economy was greatly exaggerated.
What 'ten worst' list is the Yaris on? I have its predecessor, a 2005 Toyota Echo. I've had it for five years, and it has over 100 000 km on it. It has had not one single problem, and it's very fuel efficient. I would never trade it for a Focus.
1st Jul 2010, 11:54
I owned a 2004 Ford Focus myself. Surprisingly, my Focus was fairly reliable. It did go through brakes and tires quite frequently however. The gas mileage was terrible. I could barely manage 28 MPG in all highway driving.
I realize now how poorly built the Focus is. And I'm amazed at how well mine performed. It was (and is) the only domestic vehicle I've ever owned that made over 100,000 miles, and did it without any major repairs.
1st Jul 2010, 17:08
Our 2001 Focus was anything BUT "poorly built". Never a single problem with it. And if I ever owned ANY domestic that had ANY issues before 100,000 miles, I'd be pretty upset. Even the warranty on new domestics is that long. I seldom even do brake jobs on domestics before 100,000 miles.
"Poorly built" would be a good description of our Honda Civic, which was VERY poorly built with incredibly flimsy materials. It went to car Heaven before 100,000 miles. It started falling apart very shortly after the puny little warranty ran out.
2nd Jul 2010, 16:53
I'm the commentor you responded to. You and I are in the minority. My Focus WAS very reliable. Only real problems I had with were frequent brake pad replacements (about every 30,000 miles. Worst I've ever seen) it needed tires a bit more frequently than any other car I've owned, despite the fact that I rotated them every 6,000 miles, and I got deplorable gas mileage considering the size of the engine and car in general (28 MPG on the highway is unacceptable for ANY 4-cylinder in a car of this size).
In reality, the Ford Focus was plagued with serious issues and had dozens of recalls. I was amazed to find this out, especially considering this was the ONLY domestic vehicle I've EVER owned that made more than 100,000 miles, 143,000 to be exact. And it did it without any serious issues.
As for your bad luck with imports, well you're also in the minority. I've had great experiences with every import I've owned. All of them made over 250,000 miles, some even more (the ones that didn't I sold before they got the chance. I imagine most them did though). All of them were Honda's. The "puny warranty" was never needed on any of them. My Focus had the same puny 3 year/36,000 mile warranty that all my imports came with.
3rd Jul 2010, 12:44
"My Focus had the same puny 3 year/36,000 mile warranty that all my imports came with."
I've really never needed warranties on my domestic vehicles. I've never had a single required repair during the warranty of any Ford, Chevy or Chrysler since I bought my first new car (a Plymouth) in 1972.
4th Jul 2010, 16:24
To comment 12:44:
I wrote the comment you responded to. My Focus was the ONLY domestic vehicle I've ever owned to not need any warranty repairs done, so in that sense I will agree with you. As for my other domestics, I was VERY thankful for the warranty.
With the exception of my Focus, the only vehicles I haven't needed the warranty for were imports.
10th Nov 2009, 08:42
I could call it semi frugal driving LOL.
First problem today: A heatshield under the car is coming loose. I'll pop a few rivets in it at the next oil change.
I also have a small issue starting the car every 4-5th time. Seems like a fuel delivery problem. It turns over 15-20 times before it fires up. If I wait 10 seconds or so so after turning the ignition on, there's no problems. Almost like there is a delay getting the gas to the engine.
Stock tires are bald now, I would guess they lasted around 65000KM. Not bad. They will be replaced by another touring tire, maybe Continental ContiPro.
Still very satisfied with the car overall for its low price, cheap upkeep, good handling and honest comfort.