Buying a used Ford Focus

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

edit: 11 year old necro --- WITH PICS! See end of thread for update. Original post below.

Here's the car.

Price $9,290 + tax/title = ~$10,150

Ford Focus 2005 ST
Body Style Sedan
Mileage: 46,125
Exterior Color: Pitch Black Clearcoat
Interior Color: Charcoal Upper/Charcoal Lower
Engine: 2.3L 4 Cyl
Transmission: Manual
Drive Type: 2 wheel drive - front
Fuel Type: Gasoline
Doors: Four Door
Stock No. BCG27169A
VIN 1FAFP38Z15W102766

Air Conditioning, AM/FM In-Dash 6-CD Player with MP3, Bucket Front Seats, Cloth Upholstery, Cruise Control, Fog Lights, Front Center Console with Storage, Intermittent Wipers, Leather Seats, Overhead Console, Power Door Locks, Power Mirrors, Power Moonroof, Power Steering, Power Windows, Privacy Glass, Rear Defogger, Rear Folding Seats, Rear Spoiler, Remote Trunk Release, Shift Knob Leather, Steering Wheel Audio Ctrls, Steering Wheel Leather Wrapped, Steering Wheel Tilt and Telescopic, Tachometer, Traction Control

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Here is Edmund's take for a similarly equipped Focus.

4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
Trade-In Private Party Dealer Retail
National Base Price $8,885 $10,207 $11,289
Optional Equipment $765 $851 $1,025
Leather Seats $298 $331 $399
Power Moonroof $268 $298 $359
Sony Audio $199 $222 $267
Color Adjustment
Black $-11 $-13 $-14
Regional Adjustment
for Zip Code 44646 $15 $17 $19
Mileage Adjustment
46,000 miles $-955 $-955 $-955
Condition Adjustment
Clean $0 $0 $0

Total $8,699 $10,107 $11,364

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

No opinions?

 

[thespeakerbox]

You have "buying" and "ford focus" in the same sentence. Thats where i think you went wrong.

 

[clickynext]

Decent. Seems right where it should be. The 2005 focus should have most of the earlier issues worked out, but still, it's a Ford. I'd go for a Civic/Corolla/Mazda3 personally, even though it's going to cost a bit more.

 

[Whisper]

I wouldn't mind having a used Focus, although I'd probably try and talk the person down a bit if possible. Then again, with all those options, it's not a bad price to begin with.

 

[CrackRabbit]

You got the 2.3ltr, best motor available for them.
Don't mind the haters the Focus is a fine car now, should last you many many miles. 🙂

 

[AlienCraft]

The Zetec engines have lots of mod and performance parts now.
I have the DPI motor, less beefy and less aftermarket stuff.
I paid more than I should have, but was in a hurry to get wheels under me.
Is this on a lot, or private party?
I would have a mechanic go over it < standard used car line.
Oh, and don't be in ahurry :Q

 

[thedarkwolf]

Can't you get a brand spanking new one for a little more then that? After the difference in interest it would get really close if you are making payments anyway. I'd rather go a year or two older and knock another $5k off the price myself.

 

[foghorn67]

Go for it. Post 2003's are just fine. The only thing that is burden's the 03-04 in reliability is the ignition switch. They fixed it in 05.

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf
Can't you get a brand spanking new one for a little more then that? After the difference in interest it would get really close if you are making payments anyway. I'd rather go a year or two older and knock another $5k off the price myself.

With these options, I'd be looking at $17+ out the door for a new Focus. That is a big difference. Besides if I were getting something new, it wouldn't be a Focus. I'm going for something relatively new that's already taken a big depreciation.

 

[George P Burdell]

Originally posted by: KnightBreed
Ford Focus 2005 ST
Mileage: 46,125

LOLLERSKATES

Originally posted by: thespeakerbox
You have "buying" and "ford focus" in the same sentence. Thats where i think you went wrong.

:thumbsup:

 

[teckmaster]

I have an 04 ZX3 with all the same options. If you can get them down a couple hundred more dollars I'd say go get it. The 2.3l engine is mighty powerful in the little Focus. I love mine.

 

[ch33zw1z]

Doesn't look like a bad price. I drive a stripped down '00 Focus, good on gas, small, gets the job done.

 

[MetalMat]

I would rather a Fusion. Also, that is ALOT of mileage on that car.

 

[spaceman]

we used to have an '01.
aside from an annoying recurring problem with the key getting froze in the column and a couple weird door shutting problems, the car was very reliable thru 90k.
I also liked the the headroom/interior/comfort for the size car it is, and iirc it was very good on gas.

 

[TheAdvocate]

Originally posted by: thespeakerbox
You have "buying" and "ford focus" in the same sentence. Thats where i think you went wrong.

How about: "I'm buying a real car, not a Ford Focus."?

 

[DougK62]

Ford Focus of that year is a fine car. I think the sedan is a bit ugly compared to the hatch, but that's no big deal.

 

[Ryan]

Should have got the Hatchback 😛

 

[Kev]

Why would a man buy a ford focus? My friend got one and I'm just like... yech...

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

I've been meaning to necro this thread. I had the Focus in the OP until last October. I gave it to the dealership for scrap value and came home with a 2015 Focus Titanium. In case anybody wondered what a Focus looks like with 250,000+ miles and lots of salt covered winters:

 

[Mr.IncrediblyBored]

And the car I replaced it with:

 

[BD231]

Needs truck nuts.

Yah nah no way getta benz E320 for same or less.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I guess since I also posted in this thread way back I'll add I ended up buying 2013 focus hatch 5 speed myself a in 2015 mine is just an SE though. Hard to beat the used value on these things.

 

[tsupersonic]

Glad you got the manual! The autos in the Fiesta / Focus are too troublesome (so many stories on the internet / forums)