Fresh design, versatility, and price

Reliability, reliability, reliability!!! 5 recalls in 10 months on my model alone!!! I also agree with everyone complaining about gas mileage, poor seats material (you see every piece of dirt on them), and the damn brakes squealing!!!

I found out that European Focus has four disk brakes, which is a major plus, because American models have rear brake drums (to cut the cost) and they squeak. I have had a ZX3 since April of 2000 and I had rear brake drums looked and repaired 4 times already.

European version is much better than the American one. We are lucky that Europeans designed it, otherwise it would be another piece-of-crap-Escort-look-a-like. I have had my Focus in and out of dealership 13 times since I got it (5 recalls, in 10 months!!!) I should have gotten a Civic instead. I'd pay more for all the goodies (cd, a/c, etc.), but I would have gotten the most reliable small car in America.

Bottom line is the American Ford decided to cheapen this car from it's European version by redesigning a few things. Thus, so many recalls, I think. Unfortunately, if they sticked to a good thing, it would not be so affordable (comparable models are almost 30-40% more expensive in Germany, for example.

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Honda Civic, Toyota Echo, Saturn...

Twin cam provides adequate zip around town;really rolls on the open highway. Ultra-responsive steering gives a sports car feel.Visibility is excellent and the guages are good, although I didn't need the tach. Plenty of room inside and trunk is much larger than expected for a subcompact.Con-trary to what some reviewers have said, my Sony XPLOD system is outstand-ing.Also, with the leather interior I haven't had the lint problem others have had.Regarding those noisy brakes, I waited 3000 miles, then took it in to the dealer. All of the recall work was completed, including replace-ment of a pair of 80 cent clips in the rear brakes, which solved the noise prolem. (Be prepared to spend half a day there). I don't get the advertised 31MPG due to my penchant for excessive speed, but I'm not complaining.It's just a fun car to drive. Great for all ages.

The so-called armrest is a hard piece of plastic that should be padded and covered. The handbrake is in a terrible place and the reason why there isn't a decent armrest. The cup holders are an ergonomic disaster. There is excessive brake dust on the front wheels, and a 36,000 mile warrantee doesn't inspire much confidence.

I haven't been this satisfied with a car since my '67 GTO. I will continue to recommend it until they roll out a V-6, or it falls apart the day after the warrantee expires.

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Most of my other vehicles have been full-size types, but friends and family members have been impressed by: #1-My sound system, and #2-the roominess.

This is a great car for interior roominess. Big selling feature for me is the three 3-point harnesses in back seat. We have 3 children. Dash arrangement is very good. Easy to reach all controls. I am 5'11" and I can sit in this car without top of windshield at my eye level. My husband finds it easy to wear his baseball cap in this car while driving. Great commuter car, to run errands around town, etc.

Engine could be a little more peppy. We purchased this vehicle with 25,000 miles on it, I've only put 800 more on it so far, but also have problems with brakes squealing. Problem now with ignition switch sticking.

I would recommend this car for anyone looking for a comfortable commuter car. Seat does not seem comfortable enough for long drives. Pick the engine with more horsepower, 110 hp does the job, would be more fun with more pickup. So far I like the way the car drives, I've been driving my Suburban for two years, took a little adjustment, but it's a fun car.

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'90 Ford Probe - similar in dash design/layout. Probe moved more swiftly, but it was also a 5-speed. Focus we own is automatic.

Excellent legroom and space.
Peppy 130 hp engine that feels quicker than it is.
Ergonomics and quality feel of controls.
Styling.
American Made.

Weaknesses are small and few.On the highway my Focus requires small constant corrections to track straight.I would prefer a bit more precision in the wheel.It does not have the "tracking on rails" feel that my VW GTI 16V had for example. The brakes feel powerful when dry yet Drum brakes belong in a museum.I was not informed by the dealer at the time that rear disk brakes are available with the traction control option for about $1,200.I believe they are standard in Europe.I find it interesting that Ford USA feels this old and inferior braking technology is acceptable for Americans,apparantly as a way to save a few bucks.

At 2,300 miles this car is still my no.1 choice for the money.The controls have a solid feel and the look of quality to them.The overall feel is that of a more expensive car.The interior space is excellent for this size vehicle.It handles very well overall with very high cornering limits.I do wish for larger side bolsters on my front leather seats which are a bit slippery during hard cornering.Power is acceptable and fairly smooth with the 130hp version.The clutch is light and engages smoothly.I recommend looking at this car in particular to anyone that enjoys driving and needs an economical car with a roomy rear seat.
I downgraded the overall rating slightly because of the drum brakes.

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Jetta 1.8T,Civic,Acura GS-R.
The Jetta offers much less leg room for about $5,000 more,but is less then 1 second faster to 60 if that is important.
I had quality problems with a Civic S in the past so have avoided it.The new ones seem to offer nothing over the focus.
I also feel that the $21,000 '95 Acura Integra GS-R that I owned was not better than the focus in any way except for one.This version Integra has a more powerful engine but must be revved hard to produce that power.It was also noisy.

Excellent handling, even better brakes and tires (Continental) in both dry and wet road conditions,comfortable interior, excellent exterior/interior design, very good AC, good engine.

Need to have the locking system reprogrammed. Have to keep the lock button on the key pressed for a couple of seconds for the windows to be shut. Lack of options on domestic market (I wanted ESP (Advancetrac in the US) but they said I had to wait another month). For some reason single CD player isn't even optional here. Optional CD Changer far too expensive ($600!)

I would definitely recommend this car to anyone with any size of bank account. The Ghia package is far superior to the Ambiante version. Power windows allround, remote control and alarm, power/heated side mirrors, velvet upholstry, ABS, EBD, etc...
No recalls on this side of the pond yet (at least since I've bought it).
The breaks do not squeak. The car breaks like a Porche! I sometimes hit the breaks just for the fun of the decelleration.
No mechanical, electrical, physical, mental etc.. problems whatsoever.
By far the best choice among all the cars I've tried.

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VW Bora (Jetta in the US): definitely not worth worthy of the $3500 extra cost; Peugeot 206 Roland Garros: Not even comparable; Seat Toledo: much less reliable brand. Besides the interior is ripped off of the Audi A3; Nissan Primera: Japaneese interior design. Stiff accelarator; Opel Astra, Opel Vectra: both seem to be lower class cars compared to the Focus Ghia.

Great head room (I'm 6foot 5), great sound system. The most new millenium
look of all automobile manufacturer. The heater/blower is good for
cold temperature. The paint is glossy and scratch resistant. Very quiet ofr an economy car. Power is satisfying, best at highway speed.

Gas mileage is bad. This 4 cylinders drinks like a V-6. The real comsumption is far more than the one advertise. The dealer said that ot should get better when the odometer shows 10000km (6000km) but I dont think it will improve by double. The other complaint: the car is difficult to keep straight on the highway, you will always fiddle to keep it where you want it to go. Went for an alignement, without effect.

Good economy car (price speaking). Like gas too much.
Too bad it is very good looking.

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Swifter,quieter and roomier than my 1990 Civic but far less economic.
It is my 34th car!!! Should have buy a Taurus or a Mustang.
Lord I miss my 1991 Bmw 318is,

overall appearance,standard features,roominess,engine acceleration,the ride of the car

gas mileage fine in summer but winter see the needle drop pretty fast summer 31mpg in city winter 21mpg in city.

overall i am very happy with the car but the gas mileage stinks

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Lots of bang for the buck. I'm very pleased with all of the options I got for the price (everything except the traction control). It's also fun to drive, and feels like a much bigger car on the inside. I have lots of room (I'm 6'1) and especially like the arm rest that came with the premium group. It's quiet and drives well, and the stereo/CD works great. I absolutely love the sunroof!! Initially, I was not fond of the way the dash looked, but it has really grown on me and I actually think it looks pretty stylish. I also like the feel of the pedals and clutch (I have a five speed). Has more than enough power, and the cargo area is deceptively large (though not SUV class obviously)

Shifter feels a little stiff, but it probably just needs a little breaking in...certainly doesn't feel broken or out of whack.

Would have no problem recommending this car. I know others with the car, both hatch and sedan, and they absolutely love it as well (part of the reason I got it). Was initially considering a VW, but I'm convinced the Focus blows it away in terms of price/performance. I've enjoyed every minute of driving it thus far.

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Compact ecomony car. Good on gas.

One major weakness with my car is that it shuts off at high rates of speed and my steering wheel locks up. Numerous attempts to correct problem and problem has not been fixed. Some occasions car would not crank. I have had work done to this car over 5 times in less than one year.

My experience with Ford had been a horrible one. As I stated above my car has shut off at highway speeds, my steering wheel locks up and all my dashboards lights are on. On several occasions I have almost had a collision. I have also had a water leak that has been repaired. On several occasions my car would not start when I attempted to crank it up. I have taken my car back to the dealership four times for it cutting off at highway speeds in less than one year and it has yet to be repaired.

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Used to driving Honda. Ford does not compare.

It's a nice car for the price; Smooth Ride, Good Handeling (for an economy car), and enough HP to get out of it's own way, (Note: I have the 16-Value Zetec Engine). I really like the free 3 year road side assistance in case your car is F.O.R.D. (Found On Road Dead). :-) But, it's a classy touch for an economy car.

A little too much Plastic in the interior. Switches and Knobs are low cost parts. For Example the Power Mirror Knob has no retaining screw and pulls off to reveal a plastic control shaft. The Map/Dome Light switches feel and sound cheap and easy to break. The Rubber Gasket on the trunk key lock is simply stuck there with glue.. (As opposed to fitted). These are little small complaints, and I can't really complain, it's not a BMW.. There are few other little things, but the up side is these parts are fairly cheap to replace.

I think it's only fair to say, I have the SE Sedan with the Comfort and Sport Packages, ABS, AUTO TRANS, and Side Air Bags. The SE Model comes standard with a lot of important options... CD Player, 15" Wheels, Power W/D/M, etc.. Since the bigger engine and 15" Wheels equate to my "happy handeling for the price", I can't recommend the LX Model. I was a little disappointed that (in my area), 2001 Models seemed to come fully loaded or bare bones. Either way, If you go with the SE Model and choose the Sports Package, I think you'll be satisfied and enjoy the ride.

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I've driven several economy class cars... I think each year they, (the car dealers in general), are getting better at deciding which parts need to be high quality and which ones can be 'cost cutters'.