YACT: Mechanics and mechanically inclined folks: How bad could the Ford Focus be?

[Thegonagle]

I was thinking about buying a 2000 model, because they can had so cheap, like under $5000 for one with less than 50,000 miles. I'm tired of shifting, so I was thinking about buying an automatic. Would it really be so bad as far as maintenance goes? After all the recalls are taken care of, how bad could it be?

My other option would be a used Saturn SL2/SW2 automatic, a '99 or so, for about the same money.

I'd get a Chevy Prizm, if I found a good one, but they're generally more expensive. The deals are fewer and farther between on Prizms.

Thoughts? The name of the game is used (low resale), with A/C, and preferably, with power locks, newer (and lower mileage), small (because it's easy to park, and would get decent city fuel economy), and cheap (I'm not getting a loan). I don't care that I could buy an older, nicer car for the same money. I don't want a nice car. I want a cheap one.

 

[thedarkwolf]

Everybody on here likes to slam them but my friends have an 02 and its a nice car for what it is. Just make sure all the recalls have been fixed.

 

[vi edit]

I'd go '01 or higher myself. '00 was riddled with recalls and was the first model year. They cleaned up a lot of them in '01. '02 was even better.

 

[Quixfire]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I'd go '01 or higher myself. '00 was riddled with recalls and was the first model year. They cleaned up a lot of them in '01. '02 was even better.

As a Ford Mechanic and the Ford Recall Webmaster for the last three years I will agree with the above statement.

 

[tnitsuj]

00's have hideous resale value because they suck. I think that even with the recalls the brakes will never be right from what I understand. 01's and higher seem to be decent little cars. Handling is far superior to a stock civic, and they are pretty comfortable. Parts are cheap as well.

I think Notfred just bought a Focus.

 

[bunker]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
I'd go '01 or higher myself. '00 was riddled with recalls and was the first model year. They cleaned up a lot of them in '01. '02 was even better.

I thought '99 was the first year?

That said, my wife has an '01 and couldn't be happier with it.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: thedarkwolf Just make sure all the recalls have been fixed.

Well, exactly. I would make sure of it. I just don't want something that would have many premature problems with the engine and transmission. I would obviously change the oil, transmission fluid, and coolant regularly, and otherwise take good care of it. As long as parts aren't falling off on a regular basis, it would be fine with me.

 

[Thegonagle]

I think 2000 was the first year. Maybe an 01 would be a wiser choice, but I don't want to spend too much. Maybe there's a Saturn in my future instead, but I really like the look, supposed great handling, and the roominess (relative to a Saturn) of the Focus much better. Ultimately, a car's just a car to me at this phase in my life, but it would be nice to enjoy the look and the drive. Saturns are so blah overall, and they're noisy to boot.

 

[AlienCraft]

Originally posted by: Thegonagle
I was thinking about buying a 2000 model, because they can had so cheap, like under $5000 for one with less than 50,000 miles. I'm tired of shifting, so I was thinking about buying an automatic. Would it really be so bad as far as maintenance goes? After all the recalls are taken care of, how bad could it be?

My other option would be a used Saturn SL2/SW2 automatic, a '99 or so, for about the same money.

I'd get a Chevy Prizm, if I found a good one, but they're generally more expensive. The deals are fewer and farther between on Prizms.

Thoughts? The name of the game is used (low resale), with A/C, and preferably, with power locks, newer (and lower mileage), small (because it's easy to park, and would get decent city fuel economy), and cheap (I'm not getting a loan). I don't care that I could buy an older, nicer car for the same money. I don't want a nice car. I want a cheap one.

I bought a 2000 Wagon last year with 15K miles on it.
I've put 25K on it since then. It has been a great car. Great Mileage,It gets 30+ mpg everywhere, at 65+< or 45->, comfortable, zippy off the line, and with enough power to get around a semi when I need to.
But then I'm an adult (old guy) and don't need some chunk of metal to validate my manhood.
I've had the muscle cars, big truck, work van<gas sucking beast, and have actually survived a two year stretch without a car in the SF bay area.< eco/ socio/ activist period of my life.
I like it. I don't need someone else's opinon to validate my decision. I'm the one driving it.
I would say, go shopping, test drive it, have it checked by a third party mechanic.
Make your decison that way rather than asking a forum board.

 

[notfred]

I just got a 2001 Focus w 42k miles on it. Absolutely no problems so far. It's fairly basic but works well.

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: AlienCraft
I bought a 2000 Wagon last year with 15K miles on it.
I've put 25K on it since then. It has been a great car. Great Mileage,It gets 30+ mpg everywhere, at 65+< or 45->, comfortable, zippy off the line, and with enough power to get around a semi when I need to.
But then I'm an adult (old guy) and don't need some chunk of metal to validate my manhood.
I've had the muscle cars, big truck, work van<gas sucking beast, and have actually survived a two year stretch without a car in the SF bay area.< eco/ socio/ activist period of my life.
I like it. I don't need someone else's opinon to validate my decision. I'm the one driving it.
I would say, go shopping, test drive it, have it checked by a third party mechanic.
Make your decison that way rather than asking a forum board.

You're preaching to the choir, brother, but I?m still asking. I love hearing other opinions.