Faults:

The car is small, but not entirely cramped.

The back and trunk of the car are very high compared to the rest of the car, and this makes looking out the back window a little difficult; it's do-able, but not for smaller people.

The car will leak. There is a problem with something under the cowl by the wiper blades, and rain water drips through into the passenger seat floor.

I've had the car for almost a month, the car is 6 years old, and the back passenger side door is jammed. The automatic locks don't unlock and it can't be done manually. It's a real pain for the people in the back.

General Comments:

The car doesn't accelerate very well, but can go fast.

Good steering.

I'm not a fan of the brakes, I feel they're too stiff and I have to actually put some force into braking.

Faults:

Brake master cylinder replaced at 60,000 miles.

Valve cover gasket replaced at 80,000 miles.

General Comments:

This car is probably the best example of a compromise between cost, comfort, ergonomics, safety, handling, fuel economy, and performance.

It is fun to drive -- you really feel one with the car. It's not fast, but you always feel in control.

The wind and road noise gets tiresome.

AdvanceTrac is great!

Faults:

At 50,000 valve gasket leak - easy fix $15.

Transmission cooler went too; not so easy. $260 dollars at a dealer.

My fog lights and cruise control no longer work; living without it for now.

Tires are expensive when need changing with 16 inch rims.

General Comments:

Other than the things that have gone wrong above, and the typical brake issues, my Focus is very reliable.

It could do a little better on gas however because I can only get 250 miles on a full tank with mixed driving. Maybe it needs a tune up.

I love my Focus's styling; very sporty in the Pitch Black, and surprisingly on hot summer days it still has a new car scent.

I think it handles really well; it feels like you're driving a bigger car and the sound system has A lot OF BASS! It's a 2001 and people ask me if it's new. I would recommend a newer one with less miles.

Faults:

I blew a head gasket two weeks after I bought my Focus.

I had small problems after that with the air conditioning and the radiator.

But I bought the car used.

General Comments:

Although I had these problems, the car runs great. I drove it to San Diego, and from where I live that is 600 miles. So the car is great, and with the manual transmission, it is even better on gas and more fun to drive. It is great for college students to afford to buy and drive.

Faults:

When I bought the car, the driver's side rear window didn't work. A couple of days ago while at school, I hit the button for the opposite rear window and the window slid down, and now it isn't functioning properly (I guess it may be off track) the car vibrates, sometimes to the point that I will turn up the radio to drown it out.

The great thing is the fuel economy. I drive over 400 miles a week, and the Crown Vic I had before would have bit my wallet.

Also I can only open my trunk with the key or the key fob.

General Comments:

It handles good, except in windy or wet weather.

The vibrations are extremely annoying.