2006 Ford Focus ZX4 SE review from North America

After having the car for less than a month, I had to take it back to the dealership because the parking brake wasn't working. The dealership adjusted the parking brake, as well as manually adjusting the rear brakes. About a month later, it had to go back for the exact same issue. That time they found that the parking brake cable was wrapped around the exhaust system. How that can happen is beyond me, but the dealership rectified the issue, and there hasn't been a problem since.

A few other things include an engine knock that the dealership will not address, as my bumper to bumper warranty is up and all that's left is the powertrain warranty. The guy at the dealership said that I should just wait for the engine to just blow up, then they'll fix it.

The CD player will spit out a brand new, just out of the plastic wrap CD and say "Bad Disc" on the display, and the fuel economy is nowhere near as good as I was told.

Overall, this has been a good car. When I first purchased it, I was driving roughly 100 miles a day, 5 days a week, and the car proved to be up to the task. I've purchased the car exactly one year, and seven days ago and have put just under 30,000 miles on it. I plan to put at least that many more on before I trade it in.

The stereo, despite the occasional issue with the CD player, is fairly good - though I wish it had the steering column controls.

The seats are fairly comfortable for long distance driving, and the climate controls are easily accessible.

The original tires lasted me to 54,000 miles, and I have upgraded to a set of H speed Yokohama's.

The A/C works wonderfully, as does the heater. I love that the drivers seat adjusts up and down, as well as forward and backwards, as I'm 5'10" and my partner is 6'3".

This is our second Focus, as we also have a 2005 Focus ZX4 SE with all the same options. I would recommend this car to anyone.