Still looking for a commuter car for me to bomb around the city and stuff. Going to look at an '07 Focus tonight. Plain model (not the SVT), 5 speed, just under 100k miles. Looks like it's in decent shape from the pics. Won't know much until I drive it. Anything specific to check or warnings to walk from it? I know there were two different engines offered in the Focus, one better than the other, but don't know the years or if it was specific to any trim (like the SVT). Isn't there something, also, about dropped valves?
I'm without a car at the moment and sharing with the wife while I job hunt. It'll just be a cheap commuter for me, some limited freeway use and mainly around town, depending on where I land a new job.
2007 Ford Focus
Too bad I need a reliable DD because this is tempting: https://austin.craigslist.org/cto/d/austin-mazda-323-gtx-3k-obo/6941991072.html
-Rob
My wife had an 08 when we got married. It’s the later body style but afaik it’s the same car underneath. Even with some neglect it was very reliable. I put struts, strut mounts, and a PS axle in it around 100k and that was it. Sold it at 130k.
My daughter has been driving one for almost 3 years and I've been maintaining it. Hers is a ZX5 with the 2.0L and the automatic. Good, solid little car, though a bit buzzy and loud. I put the Focus SVT shock package on it last year, mostly because it was the same price as doing something like Monroe, so I figured why not? I did a full tune-up when we bought it, which even included the air filter, supposedly a lifetime item. It's in a sealed box down behind the left headlight, so you have to crack it open, wash the foam filter, and put it back. I was able to find coils cheap enough on Rockauto or Amazon (can't remember) that I just replaced them all. Hers has a refrigerant leak somewhere, so I have to add R134 every spring. That's a moderate PITA, you have to pull the RF wheel and fender liner to get to the fill port. Biggest issue (this being Michigan) is rust, though when she hit a deer last fall, I was able to replace the rustiest body part, the LF fender. Body parts are dirt cheap and easily available, by the way.
We bought it with around 125k on it, it's getting close to 140k now. She starts college in a few weeks, and there's no reason to think the car won't get her through all four years.
In the early years, there was a choice between the Zetec and the SPI. The SPI is the one that drops valves. I think it was phased out by 2004. Around that time they also started putting the Duratec I4 (basically a Mazda engine, nothing to do with the Duratec V6) in the PZEV cars, and by 2005 that was the only engine offered, albeit in two sizes: 2.0 in most cars and a 2.3 in the ZX4 ST sedan model. 2008 was the end of the 2.3 as well as the hatchback but it's the only generation in the US that offered a 2-door coupe.
Long story short, the one you linked is a 2.0 Duratec and the only issue I can think of is that they're rough on alternators, and that the flaps in the intake manifold for low-end responsiveness can wear out and chuck plastic bits into the engine. (but there's various ways to prevent that issue)
Also: they handle quite nicely for a cheap FWD car and are fun to drive with the 5-speed. And if you ever find yourself looking to rallycross, I think people like to use them for that too. And the 2.5 from the early Fusion swaps in fairly easily.
(I think I've spent too much time on Focus forums.)
we had a 2003 zx5 8 or 9 years ago.
even with the 2.0 and auto trans it was fun to drive, handled nice. its really similar suspension wise (or the same) as a mazda 3.
watch the rear tire wear on the inside edges.
if you end up getting the car (and need them) i will send you a set of new kyb rear shocks still in the box for dirt cheap. Like maybe just pay for shipping or close to it. Get them out of my garage.
I've had two '01s, two '06s and an '09... they are great cars. Zippy enough to be fun and they handle decent. Rear suspension actually uses some sort of bushing that increases camber as it compresses if I remember correctly.
Essentially all the same underneath (some minor suspension changes in '05). The common problem these cars have is the rear hubs / wheel bearings, and rocker panel rust. Check under the plastic rocker covers if it has them.
The Duratec in the later cars ('05+) is pretty much bulletproof, has a timing chain rather than a belt. It was available as a 2.3L PZEV as well as the common 2.0L. The MTX75 manuals are decent too but I did manage to wreck the 2nd gear syncros in one. They do experience problems with the cables stretching, but they can be adjusted.
Thanks for the replies. I wasn’t sure if it was a timing chain or belt, so good to know once less thing to worry about. It really is just a commuter for me, but glad to know it’ll be fun enough to not be boring.
I’m not too worried about rust down here in Austin, but will check. If I get it, I’m sure I’ll go over it with a fine toothed comb when I get it home.
On the intake thing, would a 2007 model still have it? Looks like some folks just remove the plastic flaps with no issues and others get codes. I’m sure I’ll dig into it and find out.
-Rob
I think the 2007 still has the flaps, yeah. If it's not making any noise then they might be alright for a while, otherwise, seems like a tune will remove the CEL after removing the flaps. Or some said remove the bar and flaps but leave the thing that controls it plugged in to avoid the CEL.
My son has an 05, and if it can survive him it’s plenty tough to do the job.
Missed it by >< that much. Halfway there to look at it, the owner texted me it was sold. Oh well. I’ll keep looking (and probably have another “Learn me”
-Rob
Hate when that happens! At the prices I see them going for, it’s a heck of a car.
In reply to rob_lewis :
I saw your posting earlier today via my phone and intended to write some from the laptop tonight. It may be too late for that one but here I go anyway for maybe future Focuses you might look at.
The one you linked to was so basic that it did not even have cruise control but other than that missing, most all are the same.
I had a '00 4 door and a '07 5 door. They are basic and good. The 2.0L has a habit of being hard on the motor mount over near the alternator belt. If the engine shakes a ton, that is likely the problem. I had some challenges with the knob that directs the airflow of the HVAC. This is the knob that goes from face vents to floor vents to defrost/window vents. If the knob becomes hard to turn, forcing it will bust the cable on the other side of the knob (plastic connection.) This requires a new knob but the real resistance is happening closer to the gas pedal, in the center stack of the dashboard. The best method is to never jam the knob 100% to one direction or the other.
Some of my Focus experiences are in these threads:
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/grm/airbag-light-in-00-ford-focus/117090/page1/
https://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/cars-sale/solid-basic-transport-07-focus-zx5/135528/page1/
Sorry that you missed this one. Could have been good for your needs.
Here is a Hyundai Accent that might fit your needs too. Says rebuilt title. That alone is not enough to scare me off but see what good details you can get about before and after condition if there was accident damage.
Interesting Celica Convertible too
I saw the Hyundai, but I'm pretty sure it's sold because I've contacted them about it a couple of times. Plus, I was kinda spoiled after seeing the Focus, especially with a clean title v. the rebuilt on on the Accent. Not too hip on the Celica.
There's a Fit with 200k, for $2400, but that many miles seems high, even for a Honda. Again, the Focus had half the miles and was less expensive. Dangit! Didn't even see the Focus in person and it's ruined me....
My search continues. Not in a huge rush, per se.
-Rob
