This car is extremly easy to modify. Since the purchase I have put in two 12"s with an 800w amp, interior lights and a rear spoiler. Easy access to panels, wires and fuses. A car modders dream.

The car does not like running even slightly uphill with the A/C on. With 260 A/C it does fine, but for the hilly terrain of Hawaii it has a hard time. Definatly not a car for our more "Mountainous" buyers. Not very much room left under the hood, you would definatly needs a larger hood or remove some "unnessary" parts to install a turbo or such.

I ABSOLUTLY LOVE IT! From the moment I drove it off the lot until now, I couldn't be more satisfied. The overall driving, handling, and suspension are superior (even on secondary roads). There is virtually no road noise and for a factory sound system, it rocks. The body design is airflow dynamic and sporty. For the price, even in Hawaii, you can't beat it. It's 16V DOHC 130hp Zetec engine has great acceleration and fuel economy.

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This car is like an Escort, Festiva, and a Taurus all wrapped into one with a sporty body.

ride - super smooth for such a small car, and very quiet
handling - excellent: very little roll, tight turns, responsive
speed - deceptively faster than it at first appears
comfort - this car has superb space, seats, and driving position, the interior is well designed, and I love the leather-wrapped steering wheel!
design - it's unique compared to all those bland looking Japanese imports

needs more torque at low revs
needs a few more horses because running the A/C saps performance
gas mileage is not as good as claimed, but still adequate
blind spots take a little getting used to, but manageable nonetheless
still seems a little noisy at high speed on the highway

very satisfied with this car so far. it is comfortable, eye-catching, has enough power (admittedly it could do with some more), and it is perfectly reliable so far. I needed a car that was reasonably priced but gave me some level of comfort and features too. I got power windows, remote locking, nice fat 16" wheels, A/C, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and an excellent factory stereo CD. the car has more than enough space for a 6'3" male like myself, and most people who ride with me think it feels and handles like a much higher priced sedan.

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Saabs, Acura, Nissans - the Focus compares favorably, in fact it merges the sportiness of the Integra with the comfort and refined nature of the Saab.

ride - super smooth for such a small car, and very quiet
handling - excellent: very little roll, tight turns, responsive
speed - deceptively faster than it at first appears
comfort - this car has superb space, seats, and driving position, the interior is well designed, and I love the leather-wrapped steering wheel!
design - it's unique compared to all those bland looking Japanese imports

needs more torque at low revs
needs a few more horses because running the A/C saps performance
gas mileage is not as good as claimed, but still adequate
blind spots take a little getting used to, but manageable nonetheless
still seems a little noisy at high speed on the highway

very satisfied with this car so far. it is comfortable, eye-catching, has enough power (admittedly it could do with some more), and it is perfectly reliable so far. I needed a car that was reasonably priced but gave me some level of comfort and features too. I got power windows, remote locking, nice fat 16" wheels, A/C, tilt/telescopic steering wheel, and an excellent factory stereo CD. the car has more than enough space for a 6'3" male like myself, and most people who ride with me think it feels and handles like a much higher priced sedan.

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Saabs, Acura, Nissans - the Focus compares favorably, in fact it merges the sportiness of the Integra with the comfort and refined nature of the Saab.

Power everything. Nice options with security.

Ford product! Sales persons were outstanding but service absolutely SUCKS!!! And don't forget the body shop, they SUCK too! I took the car in for minor flaws in paint. It needed a quick polish job. They polished it all right, right through the clear coat. Multiple paint burns now. They destroyed the paint. Needs repaint!

I would recommend the car to a family who has a SUV for winters and just need a second car for grocery runs.

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I personally feel car is best value overall in class.

-beats walking
-it looked good (but know when i see it i feel like vomiting)

-vibration
-smells everywhere of cheap plastic (probobly cancer causing fumes)
-vibration
-vibration
-squeeky rear window washer
-vibration
-alignment(comes undone every month,probobly because of the vibration....duh!!!!!)
-queeky breaks
-ticking from engine, rough start up and idle, and crappy acceleration
-vibration
-7 flats in 6 months. because the car won't stay aligned, causing vibration, resulting in poor tread ware...FORD are you listening?
-molding comming off
-buzzing seatbelt warning keeps going off even if when i have my belt on!!!
-vibration
-cheap flimsy bumpers that break when you're just washing them!
-locks feel flimsy
-vibration
-recalls, recalls, recalls
-FORD......am i gonna die in an exlosion if someone were to bump into my car??????????????
-vibration
-noisy
-mpg
-

OK...I'm gonna keep this short and sweet. Ford customer service sucks! i had my tires replaced (read weaknesses)and they took my very well maintained rims and replaced them with crappy, scratched, dented, dirty ones with the enamel flaking off. i notced this immediatly and reported it to the sevice manager. he said that it was impossible for this to happen!!!! and argued with me untill i just gave up. Now i'm stuck with crap! i've had my car for six months and actually had to get a spare, spare! i was driving around on two donuts because two of my tires blew out!(read weaknesses). i don't have enough room to list all that has happened. but please! Don't buy this car!

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there is nothing similar! this car doesn't even compair to cold war era trabaunts! maybe a bumper car at an amusement park! i feel like a clown driving down the street!

Has a great stereo. Great sound and base. A
nd most of all its great on gas

None

Its a great car. Never had a problem with it. Shifts great. Has a lot of power. Handling is great. I would buy another one in a second over a Honda civic. Its a great car to hook up. Enough room in the trunk to put a phat system in it. You can also put a supercharger in it.

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None

Very Economic, handles nicely, almost like a honda!

Very Economic, so you do compromise performance.

Really simple wich makes it nice. It is an economic car but still pulls it's weight. It fills up on gas with 15 bucks! It's very best feature is how simple this car is to drive and maintain. Overall a fun car.

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Hmm, I've had econo cars(Honda Prelude and Dodge Colt)before and this one beats them in all categories.

spacious trunk.

transmission slipping
wind shield wipers make lound noise when on (in shop 3 times)
doors squeak when opened
A/C smells like fish
rust all over liner and under seat (I think it was resold after a flood), radio turns off and on by itself (2 x's in shop)
gas milegae overrated(20 mpg on highway)
recalls, recalls, recalls
seat beat in back seat don't work (and i have a 2 year old)
numerous other problems

I hate this car. I will never buy a Ford again. They don't want to fix the problems and I think I should have invested in something better. I have had it in the shop 10 times in a year and going in tomorrow. I would not recommend this for anyone.

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GM cars are the best.

cheap

not enough power transmission slipping no tilt wheel very slow

smells good rides nice and very in expensive for a brand new car

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none

Cute little car with big room. Great gas mileage. Great pep for a 4 cylinder engine Good looks. Good car for anyone and any age.

5 RECALLS!!!!!...plastic on console falls off constantly...PAINT IS CHEAP...Wind shield cracked with defrosters on(not covered)Breaks wear fast and lots of brake dust. Carpet toggle difficult to use and mine broke Material on seats are hard to clean(everything sticks to them) If you have a dog forget it!! Radio not loud enough with windows down or going fast Lots of road noise..a contant sound of making popcorn under hood when you go fast,mechanics can't find where noise is comming from

I haven't had any engine problems except for ocassional transmisssion slip..thank goodness. Ford customer service is horrendous in West Islip. TOO MANY RECALLS and forget about getting a free rental....even though I bought The "best extended warranty". POOR trade in value FROM FORD!!!!! Even they don't want it back!!The car isn't soo bad. What makes me want to sell is the attitude I get from the repair shop...like they are doing you a favor for fixing your vehicle and oohh wait doesn't anyone else find it inconvenient that you can only get your oil changed by them unless you buy your own filters...nobody else ever has them in stock. HOW CONVENIENT FOR FORD!!!!!

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Toyota camry I like this car much better than the camry more room and more reliable