2002 Sport Hatchbacks Comparison Test

Smacksmackums

Banned
May 21, 2001
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Wow, the focus was their favorite. I can't believe that. I will never buy a focus after hearing about all the damn problems that the focus line has.
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
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Of the three, the Focus is clearly the better car and the better looking one.
 
Apr 5, 2000
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Gee that looks familiar.....oh wait that's right - Edmunds copied Car & Driver's "Hatchback Comparo". :p Bastards need to test the 03 Cobra vs a Z06 or something :D
 

mithrandir2001

Diamond Member
May 1, 2001
6,545
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The trouble with auto writers is that they place little attention on reliability. I made the mistake (well, partially) with buying a 1998 Ford Contour SE V6. From a driving perspective, it was a great car but still a Ford no less, which meant it was in the dealer monthly to fix some problem or another (often the same problems) or on recall. So now I drive an Accord, a more boring vehicle on the road but many times easier to own and operate without stress.

With the amount of recalls seen by the Focus, including the most recent one for SVT, I would not buy one. It's not worth the hassle of ownership. Out of the three, I'd have to pick the staid but predictable Civic Si.
 

Turkey

Senior member
Jan 10, 2000
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When did the New Beetle turn into a hatchback? And (significantly) the new Beetle as tested was $23,950, while a WRX wagon runs just $22,950 or so, and in Japan it's considered a hatch. Where's the WRX wagon? Oh that's right, it would have been a slaughter :).
 

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
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<< Of the three, the Focus is clearly the better car and the better looking one. >>



Yeah just make sure you live close to the dealership because every other week there's going to be a recall ;)
 

NFS4

No Lifer
Oct 9, 1999
72,636
47
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<<

<< Of the three, the Focus is clearly the better car and the better looking one. >>



Yeah just make sure you live close to the dealership because every other week there's going to be a recall ;)
>>



Haha true. If Ford were to fix the quality gremlins, I'd be set :D