Nothing at all.
I had a 1998 Plymouth Neon Highline Sedan with 85,000 miles that I traded in for a sharp silver ZX5 with an automatic transmission. The Neon was a really good car up until I traded it in. The reason for trading the Neon in was that I know 2 people that have a 2005 ZX5 like mine, and love it. I have had mine since January, and I must honestly admit that I love the car a lot! I am a nurse and have 2 kids, and need a peppy and economical car for work. Trust me when I say this, but this car is the perfect fit for any single person looking for "cool wheels". It is also perfect for any college student or any 16 year old student who is just starting to learn to drive. This car is way quicker than the old Neon. Plus, it's much more comfortable and easier to drive. Just one test drive, and you will buy one quickly like I did.
Congratulations on your Focus. As a mechanic, I've owned and driven cars from all domestic manufacturers and several foreign models. In spite of millions of dollars spent on advertising hype, I can assure you that the Japanese have no better quality than Ford, GM or Chrysler.
In the past 30 years we've owned over 30 cars. I usually have two (a car and a truck) and my wife has one. All, but two have been U.S. made and NONE has EVER had a major problem...EVER.
We currently own two GM vehicles (GMC and Pontiac) and one Ford. None has ever seen the inside of a service department except for scheduled maintenance.
We owned a 2001 Focus and never had one second's trouble with it. I hope you have the same sort of good luck. My only reservation about Ford is their HORRIBLE service departments. Our experience has been that GM service departments are the best.
As of 7/24/06, Ford is offering 0% financing on all 2006 models AND paying customer's gas until 2007. Let me know when Honda does the same.
I priced a new Honda Civic (which is nowhere NEAR the quality of the Focus) and I almost fell out of my chair laughing when they gave me a price quote!!! They wanted $5000 more for a comparably equipped car!!! I don't think so!!! $20,000 for a CIVIC is ludicrous!!!
Granted, the Focus is cheaper than the Civic, but what price do you put on 4 stars vs. 5 star crash results when my 16 year old is behind the wheel?
4 to 5 star crash results have absolutely no bearing when a 20 ton brick emporium truck decides to push his way into your lane...
Your little feeble Toyota or Focus will fold up like a cheap can of American beer.
I worked in a junk yard for many years, the majority of vehicles that we piled on top of one another were all small sub-compact vehicles; people die very easily in the latter vehicles!
The above can only withstand a very low level bump, any accident occurring at 40-55 miles per hour would usually result in death.
To survive the above accident would be a miracle!
How a mother or father could place their son or daughter behind the wheel of a sub-compact is beyond my understanding.
Additionally, the latter *New* drivers (recently received their license) are still learning!
That's the kind of fear and stupid thinking that perpetuates this love obession with bigger vehicles. Everything is gonna keep getting bigger and bigger. It ridiculous and its gonna end up with us in m1 abrams tank sized corollas and cobalts in a few years for "safety".
I also love the load of crap about bigger being safer. A bigger vehicle that has a much higher chance of rolling, can't handle nearly as well, and has a much higher braking distance is no where near as safe as you think it is.
If you teach your kid how to drive right, it shouldn't be that much of a problem as far as "safety stars" go when you buy a car.
It is a lot more likely that someone would get seriously hurt or killed in a wreak because they were driving a sub-compact then because their car rolled over. I would much rather take my chances having a larger car or SUV that is a little less maneuverable, but is big enough so when that dumb-ass kid street racing a jetta smashes into me I'll have a better chance of surviving rather then just hoping I will be able to get out of the way when that runaway car comes flying toward me.
If bigger is better, you need to check out the crash test ratings on a bigger vehicle. OK, lets see here, you can get a perfectly equipped Focus or subcompact that is brand new is side airbags and all for what around $17k. Good on insurance and gas right??? OK lets see if you can find a truck that is around $17k with a lot of cargo room (not including a bed) that gets great MPG and don't flip it has insurance that is cheap. Um oh yeah, that is right, you can't find one.
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