It''s a fun car to drive.

The brakes, 3 recalls and passengers getting into the back seat (very awkward)

Although I like the car as a whole, I have had a complaint about the brakes since I drove the car off the lot. At three months I told the dealer that the brakes were squeaking more than I felt was mentioned in the owner''s manual. At 6 months, I noted to the dealer that the brakes were squeaking and grinding, they told me everything was fine, not to worry. At 15,000 miles, I was told that I needed new brake pads. The dealer''s service person told me that Focus'' are getting an average of 16,000 miles before the brake pads needed to be replaced. I think this is outrageous. Past cars I''ve owned with front brakes went nearly 40,000 before needing replacement with identical driving conditions, that I experience with the Focus. I haven''t moved or changed jobs.

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Prizm and cavalier - I had much better luck with the brakes on both of these cars (I loved the Prizm

Looks - love it or hate it; I love it. Handling - Sharp and precise Ride - smooth to a fault, good for freeways. Quiet interior - One magazine quoted noise levels on par with an Audi A6. Low volume conversations can be had at much higher than legal freeway speeds.

Stock spring rates/shock valving a little on the soft side. Could use the European "Trend" suspension as an option. Dealer service experience has been poor. Stock Zetec 2.0L needs some work. While a torquey engine, it doesn''t support the high-revving fun of a lot of modern sport compacts, runs out of breath early. Speed limiter is annoying.

The Focus surprised me from the start. My first experience was a rental Focus sedan, which I clocked over 500 miles on, including portions of California''s Hwy 1. While not the most inspiring drivetrain, the combination of smooth/quiet ride and tossable competent handling were a blast... My ZX3 only made it better. My gripes about the sedan went away. I gained a nice readable tach, a 5 speed, and got rid of the irritation center armrest. I autocross my car regularly, and it has yet to lose an event. It can typically surprise and amaze the other autocrossers with its ability. On the road course I am able to keep up with and pull away from many cars that I did not expect, and got many comments from other drivers that they did not expect to see a Ford Focus on their tail. This car is just plain fun! It is great for carving up curvy backroads and will never tire you out. The ZX3''s extra bolstered seats add to the driving experience as well. The 5 speed is a must to make the most of the definately not world class Zetec. Around town the car is fairly pleasant, even though I''ve made the car louder with an aftermarket exhaust. I recommend this car for people that enjoy carving up the backroads, and definately not the drag strip cruisers. While a large aftermarket has developed for both power and suspension, the most fun to be had is in the corners. I can''t recommend the automatic to anybody, except those with a rush-hour commute. The Focus'' 5-speed isn''t the best for San Jose rush-hour traffic.

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Dodge Neon

Handling, Design, Roominess, Utility, Styling.

High number of recalls for 2000 MY.

This is an amazing car! It is fun to drive, looks good and is well built. It''s the best car in it''s class without a doubt and is an outstnading value.

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Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Chevy Cavalier, Dodge Neon, Mitsubishi Mirage.

Handling, styling, sound system quality, ergonomics, room, comfort, reliability, fit and finish.

Heavy flywheel makes for slow revving, engine architecture should make more horsepower, foglights won''t turn on alone, the dealer sucks and the recalls were somewhat annoying.

I love this car. It is by far the most sophisticated car in it''s class and the handling is beyond reproach. I waited and waited before buying a new car and drove every car in it''s class and the Focus is the best. I bought it in June of 2000 and haven''t yet had a breakdown although I have had a few minor complaints but this is natural with a new design. I certainly haven''t had the negative experience other reviewers here have had. I believe that how the cars were taken care of played a bigger role than the build quality.

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I have driven all MY2000 competitors and a few MY2001 cars. My last car was a 1984 Audi 5000 sedan.

Handles great! I like the look of the car, the roomy interior, the high ceiling, and the comfort of the seats. It''s much more comfortable, to me, than other small cars (like the Honda civic - not comfy.) I had an 88 Ford Festiva (for 10 yrs) that I adored - it was also comfrtable, extremely reliable, roomy, economical, etc. I bought the Focus partly because I liked the Festiva so much. For the most part, I like the Focus alot.

Front suspension makes an AWFUL noise at the point of furthest separation of wheel and car. They will install warranty-covered spring sleeves next week to remedy this. I hope it works.

I''m mostly happy that I bought the Ford Focus. One problem that they are finally going to fix soon!

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Ford Festiva, Honda Civic

Good gas miles. It came with a warrenty.

Not reliable, Vaule is nothing, Not enough light to see in the back seat

This is a very bad car. I don''t recommend anyone buy a focus. I had to find out the hard way why there was a young buyers program on this piece of junk. Before I really had the chance to place my license plates on the car it broke down on me on the side of the road and I had to wait 3 hours for a tow truck my pregnant sister was with me on this day. My car was in the shop for 2 weeks. Ford replaced the battery, Alternater, and a computer chip. My second major complaint was when my key would not turn in the ignition. Again I had to have my car towed. Another ford shop had my car for four days. My ignition cylinder was replaced. Another time I was left without a car for days was when they replaced a cylinders. The last major thing I had done was just this week. They had to replace my transmission. I have just over 30,000 miles on this car I hate it with a passion. I wish I would have never brought the car. Other things that were replaced were: Back passenger window, rolled down half the way then fell down the rest of the way; I had to have my breaks replaced, I need new brakes again which is going to cost me $335. I have a new raido. I had problems with the weather stripping around the doors. My back passenger door would not open. I just want my money back plus the money I paid for my plates. This car is not reliable all. The only thing this car is good for is breaking down on you. What ever you do Plaese do not buy a Ford Foucs. I wish someone would have told me. I''ve also had many recalls that most people know about except Atchley ford because most of the time they tell me there is nothing wrong with my car. I know when there is a problem I drive this car eveyday except when it''s in the shop. I know I miss many other problems I had with this car because I have a stack of repair work that was done to my car.

Space, Comfort, Style, Price, Reliabilty, ect...

For those with major brake problkems dont drive like a race car driver and if you must 2 words "Down Shift" hopefully you bought a manual trany."If you drive like that.

I bought the car march 18 2001 rite off the truck it was built in feb 01 so i guess they worked out all the problems before they made my car because I have had NO recalls i love this car. The dealer was amazing I will recomend them to anyone at all. great sales staff and great price #1 resone I baught there. By the sounds of it the Zetec is having all the problems. I did got all the options except the zetec engin, I guess it was a smart move. The best car I have owend.

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Chev Cavalier. Pontiac Sunfire, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic, VW Jetta, Mazda Protage, Toyta Carolla and Echo, Dodge Neon.

Great power, gas, looks amazing, handles well, over all great car!

The break dust can be a problem at times, but that is no big deal.

I love this car! It has been so good to me compared to all the other cars that i have had. I have had it for over 6 months and I can''''t find one thing that I do not like about this car. When I went out that day to buy a new car, the Focus Zx3 was the first car i drove. And keep in mind that I drove at least 10 other cars after that one. I drove the new Mustang, a Civic, and others. Then I went to another dealership and drove more cars. I drove a focus there as well. The whole time while driving other cars I just wanted to go back to the Focus. It was the car for ME. I have never been so proud of a car in my life. And it goes to show that if you take of your car it will take care of you as well. I have taken it all over the place and not one problem while going out of state or town. I guess what it comes down to, is this is just a great car.

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Honda Civic, Eclipse.

As an employee at a national car rental company, I have to say I''ve never had a more problematic car to rent. It is the only car I will leave on the lot to avoid renting out for fear of dealing with a breakdown later. And even when it doesn''t break down, people return it (and the Explorer) frequently in lieu of carpooling or walking. I can hardly wait until the next generation Escort so it too can sit on my rental fleet lot- if it were up to me I''d never chip a fleet deal with Ford again.

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Rent all cars in same size and price category. Every other vehicle is acceptable rental transportation for most people.

Looks Great.

The whole thing is a weakness. DON"T EVER BUY A FORD FOCUS. Don''t let the test drive fool you. It is a piece of crap. There are so many recalls and many things that are wrong with they deam as normal wear and tear. STAY AWAY FROM FORD!

I don''t even know where to begin. I HATE this car. I have had so many problems with it. I too, like many other buyers, bought this car because it looks great. It is a rather crappy car though. I had to have the brakes and tires fixed @22,000 miles. The half shaft just went this weekend at 42,000 miles. The wind noise is aggrivating. The transmission slips. The breaks squeal when it is rainy or the ground is wet. The clear coat on the paint is coming off so the car is looking dull. The radio does not read correctly anymore. You have to chose where you want the air to come out. You can''t have it from two places at once or you get alot of noise and no heat from either direction. ALL THE RACALLS. I pulled that stupid ignition out 5-6 times before they replaced it. The piant scratches soooo easily. I won''t even talk about the break dust. This has been the worst car I have ever owned and can''t wait to get it off my hands. I would urge anyone who is thinking of buying a Focus to turn around and run for your life. Don''t waste your money on this safety hazard or you too will suffer from the all the headaches it will cause you the second you drive it off the lot. This is a horrible car and Ford is the bottom of my rankings. I would never do business with Ford again. I would even have to say I would refuse A Ford if it was given to me as a gift. I would pay you to take it away. I HATE THIS FORD FOCUS.

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I had a 97 Ford Festiva that I loved. It was the cutest thing and never had a problem with it until I totaled it on black ice. I would still never buy a Ford again. This Focus ruined Ford''s integr