Just wondering what former Focus owners are driving today. I had a 2001 ZX3. Liked the car a lot, for its fun to drive feel. After lots of recalls and a few warranty fixes, it was quite reliable. A few things could be better. The Zetec was slow to rev and then revs would hang. The transmission was hard to shift on winter, mostly into first when rolling. I owned it for almost 14 years when lots of issues quickly added up that were not worth fixing due to the cost and vehicle age. Sadly due to the serious issues with the new powershift transmission (wanted an automatic after decades of manuals), I could not buy a Gen III Focus. I purchased a 2 year old Honda Fit and like it a lot (it is 10 now).
What are you driving now?
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I'm still rolling around in an '07 ST. I know that's not the point of the post and I've admittedly not owned it as long but after I sold my original ZX3 I really missed it. I've also got a real base F-150 work truck and an '05 Mazda 3 that's getting some spooly action shortly.
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Had a minty 2014 SE manual sedan....it got totaled by a huge truck rear-ending me. Got a 2016 Jetta after that....got very sick following COVID and was out of work for awhile so sold that and got a 2010 Aveo MTX with 43k miles. Far from a Focus but it has a.....sweaty charm. And still only 54k miles. I work from home so don't drive much but I've been entertaining the idea of getting another mk1 Focus.
Mk1's can be had for really cheap and the 08-11's are really nice as like an SES manual.
Ditto - People just don't want them anymore. I picked up an SVT with a ton of mods (needed some work) from a member here in 2020 for $1,500.
In need of a motor? Sounds like it's time for a 2.5L swap
Bought an 03 SVT in 2013, tuned it up and rebuilt the suspension to stock and drove it for 3 years. What a blast.
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Handed it off to my son and bought a 13 SE MT in 2016. Handed that one off to my other son in 2017.
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Bought a 2015 Ti MT in 2017 and still drive it today.
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Don't put many miles on the 15 Ti due to working from home now. I won't be happy when the time comes that I can't get a fun to drive MT car.
The SVT is what hooked me on these cars.
Handed it off to my son and bought a 13 SE MT in 2016. Handed that one off to my other son in 2017.
Bought a 2015 Ti MT in 2017 and still drive it today.
Don't put many miles on the 15 Ti due to working from home now. I won't be happy when the time comes that I can't get a fun to drive MT car.
The SVT is what hooked me on these cars.
My daily is still my 2004 ZX3 2.3.
Over 340,000 miles, never had so much as a valve adjustment, and still burns no oil between 10,000 mile changes.
I'm actually curious just how long this thing will last. LOL
I did change the intake due to rattling tumble flaps, and replaced the A/C compressor when it just flat wore out.
Replaced the shifter too when it was getting sloppy. Still on the original clutch.
Also had to change an ignition coil, but beyond that just normal maintenance.
Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.
Over 340,000 miles, never had so much as a valve adjustment, and still burns no oil between 10,000 mile changes.
I'm actually curious just how long this thing will last. LOL
I did change the intake due to rattling tumble flaps, and replaced the A/C compressor when it just flat wore out.
Replaced the shifter too when it was getting sloppy. Still on the original clutch.
Also had to change an ignition coil, but beyond that just normal maintenance.
Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.
Wow! That is really impressive, especially the original clutch.My daily is still my 2004 ZX3 2.3.
Over 340,000 miles, never had so much as a valve adjustment, and still burns no oil between 10,000 mile changes.
I'm actually curious just how long this thing will last. LOL
I did change the intake due to rattling tumble flaps, and replaced the A/C compressor when it just flat wore out.
Replaced the shifter too when it was getting sloppy. Still on the original clutch.
Also had to change an ignition coil, but beyond that just normal maintenance.
Hopefully I didn't just jinx myself.
It's probably because I have a complete low mileage spare drivetrain from my wife's ZTS.
Murphy's law, the part you have spares for will never fail. LOL
It's so true - two is one, one is none 😄
Interesting replies and good to see so many Foci are still out there being driven, I should have included them in my post. When the Euro designed Focus was first sold in the US in 1999, I took it for a test drive and was impressed. It would be perfect for my inexpensive commuter car needs. I waited a year for bugs to be worked out while driving my 13 year old Escort GT (liked that car too). There were still lots of recalls but it was a totally new model in a new plant south of the border. The handling of the ZX3 was very good for it's class and a lot of fun to drive. I wish Ford replaced the Powershift and continued on with the model, but I get it that they make much more profit on more popular trucks and SUVs.
Yes, I was VERY disappointed to see the 2-door and 3-door models disappear.
The chassis is definitely more rigid, and a 2-door is somewhat lighter as well.
If they'd offered the RS in a 2-dor I'd likely have jumped on one of those. I just can't stand the thought of driving a 4-door granny's car, even a quick one. LOL
My 2004 ZX3 2.3 Duratec is still going strong with over 320,000 miles. Still on the original clutch, and only a couple accessories like the A/C compressor, a couple ignition coils, and a halfshaft are not original. Oil changes every 10K miles, and no noticeable oil consumption in between. Been a really great little car.
After having 3 Focuses, I am now driving a 2021 Ford Ecosport. My last Focus was a 2012 Focus that I waited 6 months for a TCM to come in from backorder. I cried when I sold it because after 105,000 it did not owe me a dime. I really hated to get rid of it. Here is a pi
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cture of my 2006 Focus which I also cried when I got rid of it.
cture of my 2006 Focus which I also cried when I got rid of it.
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