Anyone have experience with 2009 Ford Focus, probably SE?

[AndrewR]

I've done the comparisons among several manufacturers, and I am probably looking to buy a Focus in the next week or so. I've looked at and test driven the Yaris, but I didn't like a few things about it. I'm going to test drive the Hyundai Accent, but the lackluster power is probably a deal breaker. Honda is too expensive (standard, right?). Nissan's small entry fails to inspire, and GM fails for a variety of reasons.

So, anyone own the Focus? I'll be driving it through mountains (I-68 in WV) so I'm curious about hill climbing ability on a highway. My parents rented one and said it did fine on their trip through Yosemite, but I thought I'd solicit other experiences.

Also, could I get an idea of how you paid and what options were included? I've received some price quotes from dealers and have the KBB invoice pricing, but this will be the first straight car purchase I've done (previous ones involved employee or military pricing).

 

[drum]

I know there are a couple people who recently bought a focus in The Garage forum. I'd do a search there. I've heard good things about them

 

[CptCrunch]

<-- Garage

 

[nickbits]

I have a SES that I bought in Sept., overall I'd rate it 9/10. Only option I got was ABS. Not sure how it does on hills as this entire area is flat. I financed over 3 years at 3.9% I think. I don't remember exactly the purchase price but I used the partner plan discount (which isn't that good though).

 

[Turin39789]

nice cars. should be in garage.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

A female friend fell asleep at the wheel drivin hers about a month and 1/2 ago.

 

[Kalmah]

I have an 04 focus.

Problems I've had:
Breaks suck. For some reason, no matter how new or old the breaks are, they squeek. And you have to push the pedal to the floor with leg muscle to get them to do anything. I've had the breaklines bleed and a bunch of other things.

Had an air-hose of some sort melt causing engine to stall. I was told stock hoses where cheap. Replaced with $5 hose.

Alternator died. The alternator is located between the engine and firewall. Not on top or bottom of engine, it has engine components above and below it. It took a crow bar, hours of cussing, bleeding fingers and knuckles to get the damn thing out.

For no apparent reason, it started leaking engine coolant. I dump it in, it poors right back on the ground. I don't remember exactly the cause, but I did have to replace the coolant container.

Heater sucks. It takes 40+ minutes for it to even start to blow air warmer than the 15 degree air inside the car. And then it stays luke warm and no better.

No power in this thing. I've had metro geos beat me from a dead stop.

The sony special edition head unit sucks. Volume knob is whacky. Turn it up, and sometimes volume goes down...

The dead hooker in my trunk is really starting to stink. Not enough trunk ventilation.

It has about 130,000 miles. I don't know anything about cars so my problems might be of my own.

 

[rbV5]

Breaks suck. For some reason, no matter how new or old the breaks are, they squeek.

This was an irritating issue with my 2000 focus as well. Les Schwab and I had a falling out because after 3 attempts it still sounded like a school bus stopping...surely thats been fixed by '09

good car otherwise if you ignore the numerous recalls for that particular model year (1st in the US..I think)

 

[KeithTalent]

Originally posted by: CptCrunch
<-- Garage

This.

KT

 

[SnipeMasterJ13]

I drove one briefly because I'm in the market too. All I can say is that it is SMALL. I'm 6'2" and about 210 lbs. There was enough room if I had the seat all the way back, but then the steering wheel was not in a comfortable position. That is all I can say.

 

[TangoJuliet]

I just bought a 2009 Focus Coupe SES about a month ago. I was surprised about how much I actually liked it when I test drove it. I hardly ever see anyone on the road driving one like mine.

I got it for $17,600 with 0% financing for 36 months. I think my original thread is in the Garage somewhere....check it out!

 

[AndrewR]

Originally posted by: SnipeMasterJ13
I drove one briefly because I'm in the market too. All I can say is that it is SMALL. I'm 6'2" and about 210 lbs. There was enough room if I had the seat all the way back, but then the steering wheel was not in a comfortable position. That is all I can say.

Good thing I'm smaller than you, I suppose!

Thanks for the replies, except for the sanctimonious topic weevils.

 

[Arkaign]

I have an '08 Focus S Coupe 5spd. I'm very happy with it, and I'm a big guy (6'3" 230lbs). Stereo is excellent, handling is excellent, low noise, decent power, outstanding fuel economy, runs cool even in hot Texas heat, and was very comfortable/capable on a 2000mi round trip in Sept.