[2001 ZTS]

If you absolutely must have a AWD Ford compact I'd start with an Escape and work backwards from there. As an example a Forester is the same as an Impreza.

What I mean is get an Escape drop it, shave all the offroad crap off, wheels, some body work, basically clean it up. That would be cheaper than grafting 4WD Escape parts to a Focus body.

I believe you even see the occaisional Ford Ranger pick up in high level SCCA rallies.

Edit: a manual tranny is not offered with 4x4 Escapes so a manual 4x4 Ranger is the only North American Ford with manual & 4WD. Maybe someday the 500 will be offered as 4WD & stick? Until then you could by a Jag I guess?