Would you buy a Focus with 249,900 miles on it?

I've made up my mind, I will not buy a black or a silver car. Any ideas here, fellas?

I don't see a problem with it. If it's been well cared for why should it not run another 100k? Even with the racing. I've seen plenty of Miatas at autocross with over 200k on the odometer. If you drive it run it up to redline and see how everything feels. If the price and car agree with you then it looks like a sweet car. If the mileage still bugs you just put some electrical tape over the display

My buddy's first rally car was a 93 Impreza awd with a 1.8 and I think it rolled 226k during its first rally race.

Edit: fully agree with black and silver. It's a fun car why do you want it in a boring color? Black is too hard to car for and silver is on every other car. I kick myself everyday for settling for a silver wrx ( because silver is all I could find not beat to death )

Price is high on the first (red) one. But if you can check the service records it may be OK. Timing belt should have been replaced at least twice in the 250K miles. By now most of the suspension bushings should have been replaced also.

On the second one I would be wary. From the pics there is evidence of several modifications. The intake is a fairly common one, so not too much worry. But why would the pedals be replaced? And what other mods were done just for the sake of doing them?

http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-sale/Used+Cars/cars+between+1000+and+7000/Toyota/Corolla/Indianapolis+IN-46237?endYear=2006&listingType=used&listingTypes=used&makeCode1=TOYOTA&maxPrice=7000&minPrice=1000&mmt=[TOYOTA[COROL[COROL|XRS]][]]&modelCode1=COROL&searchRadius=0&showcaseOwnerId=57426645&startYear=2005&Log=0&showcaseOwnerId=57426645&captureSearch=true&fromSIP=B8E127D1FEF5899630BBBC293DF353C3&showToolbar=true&Log=0

Sooooo fugly, but soooo intriguing.

Doesn't matter, go destroy STF.

PS: They're faster than an SVTF.

You missed out, though. Last time your "what car" thread was alive, there was a red one with 88k miles for $4200 on Cars.com. I almost bought that E36 M3, myself.

If you're dying for a red SVT, just be patient and get the right one. It might be a while, but it'll pop.

Fwiw, the one I drove was an '04 Orange with the EAP. Awesome. Last couple days on the way home I've seen a guy driving one just like it. I still wish I'd bought that car. But back then they were asking a lot more for them, and then, like now, I'm a cheap SOB.

Tom Suddard wrote: Sooooo fugly, but soooo intriguing.

Wait... you guys got sedan XRS? Ours are all the 4 door hatches/wagons up here.

I've always wanted one, seems like a good compromise on the sporty/utility.

Hal wrote: But why would the pedals be replaced? And what other mods were done just for the sake of doing them?

Hal: If you have ever driven an SVT Focus... it is obvious.

This car has the worst pedal placement of any sporting intended car I've ever been in. You need to be a contortionist to heel toe with the stock configuration at all. It is the first mod we made to my friends car - about two days after taking delivery.

Man with the opinions in this crowd, I guess I'll never be able to sell my 450,000 and 350,000 mile first gen Neons. Hell, my 2009 Cobalt SS has 170,000 on it.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote:

Hal wrote: But why would the pedals be replaced? And what other mods were done just for the sake of doing them?

Hal: If you have ever driven an SVT Focus... it is obvious. This car has the worst pedal placement of any sporting intended car I've ever been in. You need to be a contortionist to heel toe with the stock configuration at all. It is the first mod we made to my friends car - about two days after taking delivery.

Not to thread jack (but I will) did said pedal upgrade work, what specifically was done or what mfg was used?

Pedal placement in the new Focus is just as horrendously, outrageously, inhumanly bad.

Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: Hal: If you have ever driven an SVT Focus... it is obvious. This car has the worst pedal placement of any sporting intended car I've ever been in. You need to be a contortionist to heel toe with the stock configuration at all. It is the first mod we made to my friends car - about two days after taking delivery.

I'm not talking about the pedal placement. As far as I can see in the pictures that hasn't been changed. And I agree about the configuration. But the pedal covers have been changed to something more "blingy" and not as functional IMO. Which makes me wonder about other modifications.

Yes, I drive a Focus and have driven a Focus SVT. This one(not me in the pic)and some others.

I haven't read this whole thread and I am not a Ford Focus fan and wouldn't touch one with that many miles even if I was............especially for that price. But having said that, if the current owner replaced everything according to the maintenance schedule and took good care of it bordering on obsession it may have some value. I am thinking like some previous posters here around the $2K mark. It seems even with insane care it would still be a little "creaky" as even the frame would likely be getting pretty tired. I have taken a hankering to different cars over the years that would logically not be wise and in general been sorry after I purchased them. We are all on this weird automotive journey that just can't be quenched with out taking a few hits to the groin and the pocket book. Good luck with your decision. $4500 could be far better spent on many other vehicles.

Have that silver SVT Focus be your backup option.

I wouldn't buy a Focus with 249 miles on it, so I'm obviously no the guy you want to ask. I would pay someone to not give me a Focus...man I hate those cars. Utter crap...

Jeeze...lots of focus hate on here. I loved my ZX3, great handling for a FWD car.

So... I bought it.

It drives perfectly, looks great inside and out, and I even have the owner's manual, two keys and fobs, a bankers box full of receipts, and the original signed certificate saying what number SVT focus it is. Oh, and it's loaded—i never knew these cars has such great stereos!

The price? $3500. I'm happy, and loved every minute of the 45-mile-long trip home.

$3500 is in line with what a Focus goes for around here. A stripper base model with 200K will go for almost $3K

Tom Suddard wrote: So... I bought it.

Gee. I totally did not see that coming!

I'd like to know how the car has/continues to hold up. I've been thinking about getting back in the hatchback world and looking at these vs maybe a bastard (02-05) civic si.

Hope your experience is a good one.

Ive really enjoyed the little bit of time that ive spent in zx3 focuses. I can see the appeal.

Ive also bought and daily driven many 200+k cars. With propr care and maintenance by po, there's no major suprises compared to any other used car. Hell, my crx had over 400k when I got it. Biggest issues ive had is worn bushings and carbon buildup, as well as leaks.

Congratulations. Red cars are the best (obviously, are you calling Enzo wrong?) and I think the SVT is a neat little hot hatch. What is the JDM equivalent for European cars? EDM? Either way, this is your goal:

Wow, so much hate for Focii. WTF?

I'm a past Focus owner, the only reason I don't still have it is because I was in an accident and it was totaled (I mean really totaled not just insurance book vale totaled). I love that car, great to drive, great on track, comfortable on long journeys and around town. It's was a base ZX3 not the SVT, but it was a great car. I have a friend who still has her 200K miles since new ZX5 Wagon, approx. 180K of those with the Ford Racing head, Jackson Super Charger and Torson LSD. I actually prefer the MTX5 5 speed in the regular cars over the SCT 6 speed, but others like them. Other than the trans I loved everything about the SVT. At around 40K miles I put SVT seats in my car, basically the same as the ZX3 but some changes.

They are great cars and I wouldn't hesitate to own another, even with high miles. My preference for another would be the Euro Appearance Package in the metallic orange if you could find one. All that said though, I have to agree, no matter how well cared for $4,500 is crack smokingly high for 250k

Oh, and comparing it to the Turdbota Rustrolla thing is like comparing Natalie Portman to Sarah Jessica Parker, yes they’re both actresses, but do you really want to be seen with old horse face when you can be seen in the SVT, sorry Natalie?

In reply to Adrian_Thompson:

Wait, Natalie Portman is the horse face over Sarah Jessica Parker?!?! Well, that explains our disagreement over Focus's...