[GapBoyPCS]

Drivesthebeast,Aug 16 2006, 10:38 AM Wrote:Mine is an 01....NO recalls, no TSB's...just a letter one time from Ford saying they will replace all of my springs if any of them fail.  I informed them I no longer needed stock ones, as I have the SHM suspension.

Despite a few hicups with wear and tear items, this car has been flawless.  When the clutch goes...it goes...I'll replace it with an aftermarket one.  If the engine goes...then I'll rebuild it as well,  but I don't see that happening anytime soon as some members (like GapboyPCS) have a LOT of km's on their cars...like 200,000-300,000 kms...all of which have been painless.

Brandon, Your best bet is to just buy a 2001-2003 ZTS sedan, and not waste time with the lower models (no offence to those who have them).  You'll be more pleased with your purchase if you score one with leathers, a 5 speed, rims, and all the toys for only a little more than the sport or SE models.

In terms of switching from a Sunfire GT, TheRCguy....awesome choice... A ZX3 premium has a lot more to offer than the Sunny.  It's got a better designed and more luxurious interior, the body is less prone to rusting, the Zetec is less failureprone (neighbours of mine have gone through 2x engines and 3x tranny's in theirs).  Also, as I'm sure you've found, you can customize the Foci a lot if you want to.

When it comes to the Focus being labled a "Cheap" car...well, it is, and it was sold as one too...thing is that the others pointed out, that's a GOOD thing for people that wanna buy one.  Everyone else can keep the BOREolla's and Cookie Cutter Nation mobiles...you'll have something different, and something that was more car for the money in the firstplace.

Oh yeah

Welcome to the board, and hope you both stick around....
[right][snapback]202582[/snapback][/right]

Actually in the mid-stream (look at sig). Guestimate 300K by next year.

The resale values were hit the hardest on the 2000 and 2001 model years mainly because of the stigma of recalls and quality issues. Most of the prices I've seen seem to reflect better for 2002 and later vehicles because of the lack of major recalls and improved quality over the years. Resale values also are impacted by the general stigma that domestic compact cars lose value and they are totally flooded via the fleet market. That's also why the Focus is a bit "cheaper" than some of its competitors when used.

As long as you make sure the used Focus has been taken care of i.e. proper maintenance, you should be okay in the buy. To be safer, getting new is always an option because of the basic bumper-to-bumper warranty (which has been EXTENDED AGAIN to 5 yrs/100K). Although the styling might not appeal to some, it's definitely becoming one of those bargains.

Ultimately, you need to drive what makes you happy. I have to admit that over my ownership experience I am...and still clocking the km's!