Base model ZX3, 5 speed, 2.0L zetec, yadda yadda. 3 issues with car; needs new windshield, doors suck at closing (I would think sagging pins?), and one headlight doesn't always like to come on. Otherwise, 100K miles on it, runs perfect. Wants $2k for it. I can't find any recalls or TSB's that are really worrysome, some appear kind of aggravating but only happened to a few vehicles.
Well....my last employer had 4 focus's.....pretty reliable..
get beaten on daily. had brake recalls. 1 stearing column. 1 egr valve. 1 car started a tranny slip, but then stopped. for $2k its a cheap, uncomfortable car.
reason not to buy one:
You have a penis (I assume).
Bought a Kona ZX3 Focus new in 2000. It currently has over 120K miles. Other than a 250.(discounted) SVT suspension kit, it is stock. It still runs and handles very well, no issues other than a recall fix to the fuel pump years ago. It is still a comfortable, reliable DD that routinely returns 35mpg.
93gsxturbo wrote: reason not to buy one: You have a penis (I assume).
Last time I checked... lol
Anyways, I guess if we are going by coolness factor, I don't really think the '94 rusty civic that burns oil that I am driving at the moment is giving me any mad street cred y0. Coupled with the fact the Civic has 250,000kms on it (160,000 miles) and I can sell it for how much the newer, lower km car would cost me it seems win win, no?
Nah they are okay cars. Quite a few of my friends have them and are happy with them, but they are pretty unspectacular overall. Dont do anything well, dont do anything bad.
HiTempguy wrote:93gsxturbo wrote: reason not to buy one: You have a penis (I assume).Last time your girlfriend (or mom) checked... lol
I fixed it for you and gave you an option too.
pete240z wrote: Last time your girlfriend (or mom) checked... lol I fixed it for you and gave you an option too.
Woa woa woa, where's the Christmas spirit? There was no reason to bring his girlfriend and mom into this, even if they do know ;) All said and done though, everyone will know in about 4 hours whether its mine or not 
Let me know how that works out for you. I'm thinking I might buy a Focus in a couple of months to serve as my appliance car.
I bought a 2000 Focus ZX3 new. It was a great car.
93gsxturbo wrote: reason not to buy one: You have a penis (I assume).
You know, this is the most tired, lame-ass comment evAr, and you have made similar comments before. What are you, 13? Not all cars can live up to your standards of manliness, but guess what? I know a lot of people who would call a '93 GSX turbo a candyass girl's car. My sister-in-law drives one, in fact. So how about we leave the fag/hairdresser/girl comments alone?
Especially since A) it's no crime to be female, and B) there are some great females on this board.
Duke wrote:93gsxturbo wrote: reason not to buy one: You have a penis (I assume).You know, this is the most tired, lame-ass comment evAr, and you have made similar comments before. What are you, 13? Not all cars can live up to your standards of manliness, but guess what? I know a lot of people who would call a '93 GSX turbo a candyass girl's car. My sister-in-law drives one, in fact. So how about we leave the fag/hairdresser/girl comments alone? Especially since A) it's no crime to be female, and B) there are some great females on this board.
Seriously, 'cmon guys... he isn't buying a Rabbit vert or a Miata ferchrissakes. We can all chip in, get him a hooker for xmas and he will come around.
Merry Christmas from Duke!!one!1
Woa woa woa, where's the Christmas spirit? There was no reason to bring his girlfriend and mom into this, even if they do know ;)/>
I apologize, you are right. It just seemed funny in my head.
I think any car is a good car if the price or opportunity is right. I drove a Taurus for 6 months because it was a FREE car from my employer and they had it sitting around unused. Who cares?
Merry Christmas and enjoy the Focus.
<<<>>
test
I have two SVT Foci - my stock DD did very well at HPDE and surprised a lot of pretty expensive non-beater cars. It did so well that I picked up an abused SVT to build for track duty so I could gut it and get the safety gear in. The chassis is excellent, and mods are cheap. The standard Zetec responds well to FI but the car is a blast to toss around even without FI (Nats FSP won by a Focus, I believe). Straights will be Miata-boring so the tighter the track the more fun.
For EVERYTHING about Foci visit focaljet or focusfanatics. Huge support on these forums means every question has already been answered and every problem already solved.
SVTF wrote: For EVERYTHING about Foci visit focaljet or focusfanatics. Huge support on these forums means every question has already been answered and every problem already solved.
+1 And also the aftermarket support for the Zetec engine is super. Anything you could think of is available.
If you are thinking about modiying it the first thing to do is port the stock TB. Very easy DIY that requires some JB Weld a Dermel tool and a couple evenings of your time. It make quite a difference in the throttle response of the car.
The only issue I know of with Foci is the placement of the soft fuel line going from the firewall to the intake - double check that it's not rubbing, and if it is, reroute it, as when it rubs through, it will spray fuel all over your hot exhaust manifold. I haven't heard of any catching on fire, but I'd hate for you to be the one it finally happened for.
Salanis wrote: Let me know how that works out for you. I'm thinking I might buy a Focus in a couple of months to serve as my appliance car.
I think it makes the perfect appliance already! One of the smoothest highway cars I've ever been in to say the least.
The car definitly needs some work though, which is making me debate whether I should sell the civic and put cash into the focus, or put minimal cash into the focus to make it look its best and everything works then sell it for a $1k profit.
The door's aren't latching properly, they have to be SLAMMED really hard to get them to latch. I think I saw a TSB on this. Also, I believe most of the struts are toast, along with the thermostat (it wouldn't go above the big white bar on the left, once I got off the highway it instantly went up). This in turn lead to fairly poor gas mileage. Almost half a tank to go 200kms on the highway. Definitly not civic mileage. I am sure the check engine light that came on AFTER I bought it (only at highway speeds) may also have something to do with the gas mileage... I'm thinking misfire.
So, to make the car perfect, I need 4 struts, a thermostat, windshield, fix the door handles, plus spark plugs & wires and thats about it. I don't really care about the struts, but I am budgeting about $500 to do this. If I can keep the repairs under $500, I'll keep the car. Over and its gone. I will say though that I was super impressed with the handling. The flywheel is HEAVY on the car, which majorly kills responsiveness. Its meant so grandma who takes 10 seconds to shift can do it smoothly. Lots of low end torque from getting away from lights, and the clutch is light which is nice in stop and go traffic. So we'll see how things go. I have just under 2 weeks to whip this car into shape.
HiTempguy,
The 2000 cars had various recalls (as you've noticed) and various teething issues, but as long as they've been taken care of, the 1st gen Focus is fundamentally a good car. (I've currently got an '03 SVT 3-door as my semi-daily and track car.)
If the one you're looking at needs dampers, I'd look into an SVT suspension kit (dampers, springs, sways). It's cheap and very nice. My personal opinion is that it is the best compromise of handling vs. comfort this side of an M3. Although someone above said it was discontinued, Capaldi Racing's web site seems to still have them at roughly $260.
Salinas,
You seem to have similar car tastes to my own (Miatas, S52-powered BMWs, etc.). If I were you, I'd look for an unmolested SVT for your appliance. They're pretty cheap and are actually very nice to drive. Once I get my new (to me) track Miata up and running, the SVT is going to become my appliance, and I'm looking forward to it. Shoot me a PM or start another thread if you want more info.
as billy says, the early cars had some issues. Buuuuuutttt.. the car has made it to 100k. so its probably OK... I like the look of the hatch, always have.
Billy, you are the MAN. That damper kit? $166.75 for the SVT stuff 
I can't buy jobber struts that cheap! I can't bother with actual performance stuff's for this car unfortunatley. I have this love hate thing with VW's, and since I sold my '04 Golf while going back to school, I need to pick a newer gen audi or vw up before I head to vegas in the summer 
This however should make a good appliance until June.
Don't be a cheapskate--get the springs and sway bars, too. You know you want to.
billy3esq wrote: Don't be a cheapskate--get the springs and sway bars, too. You know you want to.
"Here kid, the first hits free"
Damn you!
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