2006 Ford Focus ZX5 from North America - Comments

Gasoline backs up and shoots out of the gas filler while fueling, requiring me to squeeze the handle gently while fueling.

My 2006 Focus ZX5 is fun to drive and economical.

However, if you're over 6'2" you'll not have adequate leg room. Also, the air conditioning is terrific, but with the air system turned off, you still have air coming through the air vents... there is no way to completely shut the air vents.

I hate to tell you this, but any car's gas tank will shoot out gasoline when you overfill it. As for your vent problem... simply close them. That's what I do on my '00.

You know what? I'm 6'6" and 300 lbs - and I drive a 2006 Focus ZX4 ST. I fit just fine, once I get my large frame inside, and I find it very comfortable for long rides taking my daughter back and forth to college. I also have a 2004 Focus ZTS with the 2.3 automatic, and it has been a great car as well, although it doesn't get the gas mileage of the ST. Only comment I have for Ford - BUILD A 2-DOOR SEDAN - older guys don't want to drive a car that looks like a sneaker and it would be much nicer looking and easier to get in and out of!

As a follow-up... my Focus is in the shop having the fuel filler neck replaced. It was found to have been damaged i.e. "crimped" when originally installed. As a result, the gas tank could not properly vent once fueling began, thus causing the fuel to shoot out (immediately with tank empty). The dealer tells me there will be no charge and should be ready in a day or so.

And dealing with such problems in such a amnner is what will create loyalty.

The individual that stated he is 6' 6" and can fit comfortable in the Focus is very entertaining.

I am 6' and with the driver seat set to the max space my knees are rubbing the lower plastic dash; very tight & uncomfortable!

The back upper seats are suppose to fold-down flat in front of the back lower seat.

However, if one has either of the front seats in the max space position the latter is not possible.

I thought the rear brakes were disc, Ford is still using Drum brakes on the S and SE model, the ST may have 4 wheel disc...

Last week I ran over a street pot hole and cracked the white aluminium control arm.

Ford replaced the part, but when I viewed the broken component it was extremely cheaply made; casting reminded me of those old Chinese toys in the mid 70s.

I slammed the hood yesterday and it bent, this is one of the cheapest vehicles I have ever owned.

How this vehicle ever received a good safety rating is beyond my understanding, if my car was to get in an accident with a mid size car I would probably be trapped tightly inside like a skin on a sausage.

The air vents blow outside air regardless if they are on or off, I freeze my butt off at night.

I would never tell someone to buy a car like this for their son or daughter, it is a pile of cheap paper thin metal.

Today, fuel cost may be a little high, but one's life has to be worth something...

I'm looking at buying one of these cars... so I appreciate all the reviews from everybody. However, regarding the "continuous venting issue" - If you select the "recirculate" setting won't that stop the air from coming inside? Most cars have a overall setting of either "vent" or "Recirculate". If you select the "vent" setting then air will always come in even if the fan is off (your forward motion allows air to enter the system and eventually into your cabin). If you select the "recirculate" setting then that should prevent any air from entering the vehicle, since at this setting, you would be recirculating the air (the intake for the system comes from inside the car with this setting) if the fan was on. But when the fan is off, then it should prevent air from going through the vents...

We bought a 2001 Focus ZX-3 in 2001. I'm also a big guy and I had not the slightest complaint with being crowded in it, nor did we ever have a single problem with the car. The quality was top-notch and the performance was great. If you're going to obsess about not being safe in a small car, go buy an army surplus tank. Otherwise, I'd recommend the Focus to anyone looking for a reliable, well-built car.

We rented a 4 door Focus sedan last month and were impressed with the amount of passenger space. At one point we had 4 adults in the car:

1. Driver: 5'2" and very plump female (seat almost all the way forward)

2. Front passenger: 6'6", male (seat pushed almost all the way back)

3. Left rear passenger - 6'1", male

4. Right rear passenger - 6'1", male.

All 3 men said they had enough leg and head room and I was very comfortable as the driver.

My only complaint was not being able to see the hood made me feel as though I was driving a van. A very odd sensation.

Actually a person's physical proportions are really what matter in the seating comfort of a car. People with very long legs will have more problems that people who are tall, but have not quite so long legs. I'm a big guy, but my legs are not too long, so I'm totally comfortable in most any small car. We had a Focus and I had no problems fitting in it and driving comfortably.

I have an 07 Scion TC and I have the air coming through the vents as well, so I don't think the problem is exclusive to Ford. It freaked me out at first because I was paranoid about things not working properly in my brand new car, but now I'm used to it and actually don't mind it. I will try the recirculate button now though.

To "15th Aug 2006, 20:45", how about having your son or daughter get a job at the local supermarket buy their own car like a respectable parent, rather than spoiling them and buying them an SUV or whatever you have in mind?

To the real tall guys who like to entertain. I remember the times when people in Europe drove FIAT 500's and Austin Mini's. These were challenging to the tall guys. Some converted them into 3-seater's by taking the driver's seat out altogether!