- Stylish interior - makes other cars' interiors pale in comparison - Fully loaded (power, AC, CD) for the price of a base model Japanese car. - More head room and side room than any car in its class, including the Civic. I have fit guys over 6' in the back who have marvelled at the room they had. - It's cheaper overall to repair since it is American, but performs like a Civic (Note: Since I bought it I have only spent money on my oil changes and basic scheduled maintenance)

- I have experienced the break squeaking. When I took it in for my 20,000 mile maintenance my mechanic said the break pads were fine (at half life) but since visiting this site I know now to get the steering knuckles checked. - I have also experienced the ignition key sticking on rare occasions - Sometimes the hatchback power button sticks - Rear view window is small - due to the car's styling - but I always look over my shoulder before turning anyway - I HATE that damn warning tone when you drive off without your seatbelt on. - The gas gauge & idiot light were schizophrenic for a while and weren't registering a fill up. Seem to have remedied themselves. - The car has trouble accelerating sometimes when the AC is on. (Note: I have not experienced the smell people have mentioned) - The one and ONLY time I took the car in to the dealer my brake light fuse when AWOL....hmmmmm....

I am shocked by all of the negatives I have read on this site about the Focus. We all know how much the press and the trade magazines love this car, and I admit I do too. Although now having read these reviews I can see I do have problems with my car, and I see them as minor compared to a lot of Focus owners. I am very happy with its performance overall and I would recommend this car to anyone needing a basic compact. I first heard about the Focus in Italy where it was named Car of the Year in Europe for 1999. So I don't consider the 2000 US version to be a new release. I went on the ratings I had seen and heard in Europe and as an owner I still believe them to be true. I bought the car in Oct. 2000 and have had no major problems with it since. It's not a Mercedes, so don't expect it to be one. Yes, when you buy economy you get plastic moldings and pleather interior. You get the basics of a compact car. But at least with the Focus you get some unique styling and a little more zip. And folks, those of you complaining about repairs should know better than to go to the dealer. They will always screw you and tell you something is wrong when its not and then charge you up the wahzoo. Better to find a friend's recommended mechanic.

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I thought it looked sporty. NOT any more.

Holy Cow, I can't talk about it anymore.

Let me first state that my dealership is #1. No complaints there. BUT this Ford Focus is 100% Lemon. Seems many have the same experience. 1st 3 months, A/C leaked (flooded) the passenger front floor and burned up. Replaced A/C & all floor carpeting under warranty. 8 RECALLS!!! Unbelievable. When the windshield was taken out for the faulty safety frame, they broke (another dealership) and cracked all the plastic framing inside car. Needed new disc brakes. Broke down - large battery cable caught on fire and burned up battery (thank god nothing else). Now??? Broke down again. Remember, folks, this car is only 2 years old. Problem? Replace fuel pump - $616 at dealership. Can't get parts, they have to be ordered specifically from Ford. Very expensive. Too expensive to justify my bargain car purchase. Too much noise. Had to get new tires. I have to get rid of it now before the transmission goes. THE POOREST CHOICE OF CARS I'VE MADE IN MY LIFE!!!

I'll be getting rid of it soon!

Too many to specify.

This car is a joke. Apart from it's unique (i.e. hideous) styling, it is made like absolute crap. Eight recalls and counting. Everything I touch seems to fall off in my hand, it is made like a toy. I've had too many problems with this car to delve into specifics but let me warn anyone considering this car that it is an utter lemon. Not to mention that dealing with Ford has been a consistently infuriating experience. They are either completley incompetent or simply do not care, probably a bit of both.

will fall apart fast

squeaky interior engine light came on at 10000 miles leather stiching sucks

I own a Zts focus fully loaded ever since I got the car i have had problems. The squeaky interior plays more music than my cd Player.

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all ford product's

Style, economy, space,great sound system and surprising "zip" for a 4 banger.

Smell from A/C. No padding on armrests. Steering wheel uncomfortable shape. Road noise a little excessive.

Got what I expected- not displeased. Plenty of car for the $.

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none

I love this car, sporty yet economical. I have a new baby and I can get him in the back with no problems. I can almost stand up in the back seat! It gets great gas mileage. It came with a 6 disk CD player, alloy wheels, moonroof, the WORKS!

Lots of interior room. It can be loaded with 4 big pieces of baggage for 4 adults that you need 2 Carolla(s) to do the same job. The fuel economy is about 10 KM/L (23~24 MPG), lots better than SUVs or 4-door trucks that used to transport the same passangers and baggage. Brakes are working good too.

Need more horsepower. Engine sound is loud when idle. Noisy when travel at high speed. Strange noise from inside and outside after 3 month of driving, sounds like the build quality is not so good -- somewhere not screwed tight enough. By the way, the dealer charge me $75 CND for oil change plus some points of inspection, isn't it too much?

You can't find any other domestic vehicles that offer such plenty of interior room at that price and MPG. I will buy it again as long as I am in need of a wagon.

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93' Toyota Carolla, 93' SAAB 9000, 95' Ford Taurus, 96' Ford F150, 00' Toyata Camry, 02' GMC 2500HD Crew Cab.

Excellent acceleration (without the AC on). Excellent steering package. Very little roll around curves (at 70mph). All controls are within easy access of the driver. Excellent trunk space for a small car. Safety latch inside the trunk space. Front and side airbags.

Lacks acceleration from a stand still with AC on (after that its fine). Cup holders are too far forward under the dash. Shifter is a little stiff until broken in. Back seat has little leg room if front seats are moved back. Visors are vinyl, could have been upgraded to fabric at the very least. Power door locks are a bit loud when locking and unlocking.

I love this car. It accelerates quickly with plenty of power from the ZTEC engine. Handles like a top end sports car around corners, with great manueverability in traffic. Has plenty of head and leg room in the front seat (im 5'9 330lbs) with room between the driver and passenger seats. The stereo system is more than enough for a small car and comes with a 6 cd changer. The engine noise is minimal and wind noise is not readily noticed.(could be due to the stereo).

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I can fit alot of people in it. The stereo is great, that is if you can here it over the brakes.

I have had nothing but problems with the car. I have had it at the dealer at least a dozen times. The dealer has been unable to figure out why my car loses power when driveing. They said I was making it up. I have been in there 4 times plus 1 time for brakes, and wheel bearings.

I will never buy a ford again. This car was great for the first ten miles and everything after that went into the toilet. I still don't undestand how so many people buy these cars.

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89 Dodge Daytona, 86 cavalier, 92 cavalier

Pretty car

Had problems from day 1. Ford dealership does not know how to fix problems. Too many problems.

Junk,Junk,Junk

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