My brother totaled his vehicle and he is going to be looking for a vehicle. Budget is going to be around $3k max. He wants to learn how to drive stick and I think a Focus hatchback zx3 or zx5 would be a great choice for him. Is there anything to look out for or years to avoid? Probably would be looking at nothing newer than an 05. Also are higher miles a worry issue on these?
My wife has been driving an 03 autotragic wagon (DOHC) for the past four years. When we bought it I did the front brakes, plugs, and wires. Since then it's needed nothing except oil changes and gas. It's currently just north of 160K.
The door sills seem to be a pretty popular place for rust. In hatches and wagons there's a wire that gets pinched in the loom where the hatch closes and can cause the brake lights to get stuck on. Aside from that I've got nothing, they seem to be awesome little econoboxes.
if you find a 2.3L duratec jump on it twice. The 2.0L duratecs aren't bad either, but the 2.3L is pretty much a mazda 3 for 1/2 the cost in the used market thanks to the badge and name. Cosworth makes some nice bits for the duratecs.
Make sure things aren't too rusty in the wheel wells. The Zetec engines are pretty easy to deal with.
I love my svt focus hatch. I say go for it.
A buddy drove a 2003 SE Sedan for like 4 years. He said it was pretty reliable and only needed a thermostat once, aside from scheduled maintenance.
The very early cars had issues with the lining of the gas tank falling off and clogging the filter sock thing. They should have all been fixed by now. They also had.....EGR issues? Maybe? I forget, it's been a long time. Those are the early ztec cars. I'd look for a 2.3 if I could find one, or even better, an SVT. They command a premium, but I think it's justified.
I had a 2000 ZX3 - was a pretty reliable car. It did have an annoying issue with water on the passenger's floorboard when it rained; a modified cabin filter mount from an outfit called Focus Salvage fixed it.
http://baltimore.craigslist.org/cto/4395892500.html
duratecs are getting as cheap as ztec cars (I'd totally rock the one above)
I am the 2nd and 5th owner of a '01 zetec/autotradgic zx3 and its been a tough little SOB. I occasionally get the same problem matt is talking about, but otherwise, I change the oil and spark plugs.....thats about it.
I had a broken plug wire when I owned it the first time so I bought a used msd coil and massive speed system wires, those were still on the car 90k later.
The only real issue with the zetec is that the valve cover gaskets suck and they'll always seep a little bit, and the timing belt tensioner can fail(non issue due to non interference) I prefer the zetec over the more complex duratec with these. Not really any benifit other than slightly more power stock out of the box. 
In reply to yamaha:
One benefit on the Duratec v Zetec is that the Duratec has a timing chain not a belt, no service required. Look for a Z in the VIN to identify a Duratec.
Zetec valve cover gaskets are fine if installed properly. Timing belts and parts last a long time. Should be done every 100K miles as a maintenance item.
SWMBO has had her 02 zx5 auto for years. Has about 98k on it right now. Her mom bought it new and drove it for a couple years before she got it.
Its been good, had an alternator issue a couple years ago and I'm on round two of replacing window regulators as they break. I'm attributing both issues to the heat and dryness out here though. No other real problems with it but its recently developed an rpm drop when the ac kicks on and once in a while when shifting into park.
Great car for road trips, if I have to replace the Lancer is honestly look for a zx3 or the SVT as a replacement.
I loved my zx3 it was an 03 auto. I wish I still had it. Zetecs will all problly need timing belts done by now, tho its non interference. There are a lot of common cheap easy to fix things that you can find on focal jet or focus fanatics. They handle well and take a lot of abuse and keep running in my experience its just a shame a lot of them are rusting away
Engine choices (my ratings):
1. 2.3L Duratec
2. 2.0L Zetec
3. 2.0L Duratec
4. 2.0L Zetec (SVT) I put it here because of some differences between it and the regular Zetec which can be problematic.
Whatever you do DO NOT BUY a SOHC engine(all of the above are DOHC).
Easy way to tell difference between Zetec and Duratec: Zetec has exhaust manifold in front of engine, Duratec is behind.
I have had my 2.0L Zetec sedan since March 2001 and it has been supercharged since May 2005. I have had no problems and it has required only routine maintenance.
I've had 5 Foci between the wife and I. All have been pretty much anvil reliable including the 2 2000's we bought at the same time in late 99. I'll echo the Duratec comments. It has aluminum block, timing chain and coil on plug. Much smoother running than Zetec. Go for the 2.3 if you find one but 2.0 Duratec is good too. I would go regular Zetec and in last place the SVT Zetec. It has more power to start but plenty of little issues are common particularly when the mileage gets high. 05 and newer also have 1" larger front brakes that use a calpier bracket instead of bolting the caliper straight to the spindle/hub. These can strip out. SVT suspension kits used to be under $200 and was a cheap and easy way to upgrade and refresh the springs dampers and a bigger rear swaybar. Rear control arms can fail on some years in rustbelt areas failing at the hole for the swaybar endlink mount. Pre 05 shifters weren't as nice as later and can break the shifter base as it is plastic. Easy enough to replace as it happened on my 01 without hard shifts. Oh and Zetec belt tensioners for the serpentine fail some too.
My family has had a '00 ZX3 since new, currently in my care. It's pushing 200k with negligent maintenance and abuse at the hands of a high school driver (my sister), Chicago commuting/street parking (both of us), and general hooning (that's me). It's had no major issues, won't get under 28pmg (I've tried), and has generally been reliable as a hammer and just as useful.
That said, as much as I loved the SVT my girlfriend and I had for a brief period, I wouldn't get another one. The SVT motor has a massaged head that's decked to the extent that it's interference, and the timing belt pulleys are known to let go catastrophically without warning. Ask me how I know.
In reply to GTwannaB:
There will still be tensioners/guides that probably wear.
I'm at 130k now, never bothered with a timing belt.
In reply to iceracer:
I was referencing how the VC will always appear somewhat "wet" I gave up trying to completely fix that.
I have had an SVT for 8 years and just shy of 100k miles. It's at about 125k mi right now. Over that time, mileage hasn't been great, at about 25 combined mpg with requirements for 91+.
It has left me stranded once, for an AC compressor that died. Otherwise, it has been reliable, giving plenty of warning for things that need to be repaired and/or replaced. The timing belt replacement is no fun, but I completed it without issue, despite never doing the job before.
My interior is still in good shape, and after changing mounts/front LCAs/front and rear swingarm bushings and links, it rides really smoothly and quietly.
The SVT models have slightly better interiors than other models, but I would still look at a D2.3 first.
This is one I might look at for my brother: http://fredbeanslincoln.com/Philadelphia/For-Sale/Used/Ford/Focus/2003-ZX3-Base-Silver-Car/26303900/
The mileage isn't perfect but its local, good Carfax, stick shift and manual options and it looks alright. Is it worth to go after if I can get the price down?
Hal wrote: Whatever you do DO NOT BUY a SOHC engine(all of the above are DOHC).
Any particular reason why? Other than the power?
My friend here at work (and you know where I work, all), bought a SOHC one brand new in 2001. Still runs great, still gets great gas mileage. The car's issues have nothing to do with the engine....
It does it's job pretty well. He even used to autocross the car with the old CVH 2.0l. This after stopping autocrossing a 5.0 Mustang he still has.
alfadriver wrote:Hal wrote: Whatever you do DO NOT BUY a SOHC engine(all of the above are DOHC).Any particular reason why? Other than the power?
I know several people who have had ones that gave good service for a number of years, but I also know 2 people who have had valve seat problems that ended up trashing the engine. Since the other engine options for a Focus are more plentiful and IMO better engines I won't recommend a SOHC.
92dxman wrote: This is one I might look at for my brother: http://fredbeanslincoln.com/Philadelphia/For-Sale/Used/Ford/Focus/2003-ZX3-Base-Silver-Car/26303900/ The mileage isn't perfect but its local, good Carfax, stick shift and manual options and it looks alright. Is it worth to go after if I can get the price down?
One other thing that has not be mentioned: Make sure you get 2 keys for it. Reason is: If you have 2 keys you can get another one, get it cut at the hardware store, and program it yourself. Usually for less than $30. If you only have one key you will have to go to the dealership to get a new one and have them reprogram the PATS for ~$100.
2006 until the new body have near Zero suspension options. They went to a wider front strut and stopped making the SVT that year. I guess Koni et al said screw it.
If someone knows otherwise please fill me in as I have been looking for years.
pushrod36 wrote: 2006 until the new body have near Zero suspension options. They went to a wider front strut and stopped making the SVT that year. I guess Koni et al said screw it. If someone knows otherwise please fill me in as I have been looking for years.
True but the Focus ST had the exact same suspension as the SVT except the springs were taller and the rate barely softer. The dampers,rear bar were the same as SVT. Since springs are interchangeable you can have SVT suspension on 05 and later. The SVT suspension is excellent and is well controlled and balanced. You can trail-brake into tail out looseness or drive more conservatively depending on what you prefer. Good street ride and since it lowers it a little you gain a little neg camber which helps not kill the outside edge of the front tires.
As I mentioned the 05+ get 1" larger front rotors and caliper brackets vs caliper bolted right to the spindle. You can swap to the older style spindles so your aftermarket choices open up to all pre 05 stuff. I don't know if the bearings/hubs were improved but it is an option. For anything less then serious track car I don't think it is needed.
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