Faults:

My wife, the primary driver, has remarked that the Focus had been running rough in the 40mph to 50mph range for the past couple of weeks. Finally the (yellow) engine warning light on the dash came on. The on-board computer codes defined the problem as a defective vacuum sensor. The problem was diagnosed and fixed while I waited the next day.

When the Focus was in for the defective sensor, the service manager noticed that the trim on the trunk lid was starting to rust. This week the Focus is in the body shop because the color coat of the paint on the trunk lid has been affected by the chrome trim.

General Comments:

Our extended family has been purchasing Ford products on A Plan for over 20 years. Most of the Ford products my wife and I have owned have been ordered from the factory, so we have driven what we wanted to drive, option-wise.

I have a bad back. If Ford extended the plastic of the center console so that the driver's right knee had something to lean against, this would make for a much more pleasant driving experience.

Again, because of my bad back, the seat bottom needs to be adjustable. I need to be able to raise the front edge of the seat up and the back edge of the seat down. This helps to take the body's weight off of the spine. The addition of a lumbar adjustment would also be appreciated.

Faults:

Shortly after buying the car (around 1,000 miles) the suspension went out and the whole car groaned with every sudden move.

After around 25,000 miles the Drive-train grew corrupt and the shifter refused to work.

Around 30,000 miles the electrical system went out and all electronics went crazy.

General Comments:

Ford may be known for reputation and quality, but in the case of the Focus ZX3, they could have put a little more emphasis into the durability of the vehicle.

I will give them credit for ride and comfort, just so long as you drive like an old lady.

Faults:

My vehicle experienced an oil leak for an unknown reason at 23,000 while I was driving home from work on a very busy highway.

Because no warning lights illuminated, the vehicle lost all engine oil.

The engine seized causing the vehicle to lose power.

Manufactures warranty was not honored for new engine by dealer.

General Comments:

Vehicle is unreliable when it is needed.

Faults:

Nothing. It was a great car that had no problems ever in the 2 years I had it. It's a car you can count on that is tough and zippy. I plan on getting another one in the future.

General Comments:

This car stops on a dime. It can out- accelerate most V6 cars. The handling is exceptional also. I live in a cold climate and this car always started right up on the first crank no matter what the temperature. Whether it was 5 degrees Fahrenheit or colder it never had a problem. It also goes well in the snow because of the front wheel drive. It gets great gas mileage and is extremely reliable. It is a quality car and is fun to drive.

Faults:

Found scratches on the alloys at the main dealers and a ding in the rear bumper (from where they park the cars too darn close in storage). Main dealer replaced all 4 alloys with new ones and took out the ding and made it as good as new (which was supposed to be). They also threw in all round Window Tints for the hassle. (I never asked, and they offered).

General Comments:

We have a MPV which the wife uses to take the kids around, and I use the focus for 10 mile round trip to work. 10 mile is just enough time to enjoy this car so I often take a longer route for the heck of it. When I need to take everyone in the car, 3 kids and the wife and I all fit comfortably.

I love the silver finish on the center console, it sets the whole dash out.

The 6 CD Stereo (taken from the Ford Mustang) is an awesome factory fitted system.

The feature that increases the volume as road noise (speed) increases, and conversely reduces the volume as you slow down it great. With 7 levels, you can configure it to your choice.

Auto Gear Box - I'm in a Brit in the US (have been for 3 years, but going back to the UK in 5 days), I got the auto because I am lazy. The shifts are responsive and hardly noticeable.

If you are gentle with the pedal, it pulls away at a sedate 1.0L Fiesta pace. When you boot it, its responsive and each shift is smooth and hardly noticeable.

Overall, this is probably the best car I have ever owned. For just over 14,000 USD, its also the best bargain I have had on a new car.

If I could ship it back to the UK, I would. But now I have an excuse to get the RS Focus.