2005 Ford Focus z3 ses 2.0 duratec(mazda)

Summary:

Hi performance handling and fun to drive economy car

Faults:

Nothing is wrong, or has gone wrong with the car.

General Comments:

Good fuel economy.

Steering is so smooth, the handling of this vehicle is phenomenal. The small compact wheel allows for great response.

The Mazda designed duratec engine runs very smooth and quiet with lots of pep.

This is the same engine in the Mazda3.

Really good view and seating arrangement, I like the upright position of the front seats.

From what I have researched, this is a much better car than the original focus. Much more reliable.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 19th August, 2005

2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST 2.3 Duratec 23 DOHC

Summary:

A peppy and fun to drive Ford

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong. The car is brand new. I will be updating this review every few months.

General Comments:

Wow! Things are certainly off to a good start. I am very impressed with the performance, ride, and handling of this little car. The dealer was a pleasure to work with and the employee pricing along with my trade in made for a good deal. The Focus is a blast to drive. And the level of equipment is very nice for this class - leather, power moonroof, 6 disc in-dash CD changer, power everything! This is my 3rd Ford, the past 2 have been long lasting cars and I hope the trend continues.

No problems to report as of yet... stay tuned for further updates.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th August, 2005

2005 Ford Focus S 2.0

Faults:

Nothing seriously bad has happened to my focus as of yet. The only bad thing is I can't insert any Cd's, like the motor is dead. gonna take it in and have it fixed while they give me a loaner car, which I think is very nice. and oh yeah I hate how I don't have a rpm gauger thing... that really sucks... on a rare occasion my mind slips and I forget to change gear. that rpm thing would had made it a lot better.

General Comments:

For 8,000 thousand dollars I am very happy with my car. it has enough power to pass by traffic and overall good acceleration . it held up to five people on the way to a casino the other night. these people weren't petite by any means... they all said there was enough room and they could have gone for hours the way they were. the ac is ice cold, the seats are comfortable, it has 6 cup holders, and there is quite a bit of trunk space. everything just looks very spacious for such a small car.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 4th August, 2005

14th Aug 2005, 19:22

The rpm gauge is called a tachometer and you can have one installed (although not in the dash like the factory would) for relatively cheap. It is not a hard job to do. Good luck with your Foci.

25th Aug 2005, 01:23

Would you happen to know where I can get that tachometer? and where would it usually go do you know? Thanks.

2005 Ford Focus ST 2.3 DOHC

Summary:

Vast improvement of the Focus!

Faults:

The shock tower was bent and making a horrid squeaking noise at only 2,000 miles. This was fixed quickly and for free at the dealership.

My 6 disc changer quit reading my Cd's. This was also remedied quickly by Ford and wasn't their fault, it was Sony's. Also taken care of at no cost to me in a timely manner.

General Comments:

This car definitely packs more power than the 2000 Focus LX I had previously and definitely handles well.

The ST is the definite way to go, it has all the perks of a luxury car (leather, moon roof, 6 disc Cd changer..) for a lot cheaper.

It's very fuel efficient.

The one downside is the traction control will kick in around turns if you're going too fast and will drag you down.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 16th July, 2005

26th Aug 2005, 15:33

Sounds like the ST's pretty nice; too bad it's only offered as a sedan : (

12th Nov 2005, 15:29

What is the engine like for refinement and sound? Is it torquey?

28th Jan 2006, 00:42

"What is the engine like for refinement and sound? Is it torquey?"

Feels more powerful than the horsepower and torque numbers would lead one to believe. The car pulls smartly and smoothly and consistently from dead stop. Good passing power (ST model with the 2.3L), too.

Engine revs willingly and smoothly all the way to red-line. Not as quiet and refined as - say - a Honda Accord (4-cyl), Toyota Camry (4-cyl) or a VW GTI (sharing GREAT turbo motor with A-4 Audi), which I consider about as good as any four-cylinder can get, for ANY amount of money. The Ford engine sounds "sportier" in its exhaust note, but not unpleasantly so.

The Ford Focus line are using exactly the same motors that one finds in the Mazda 3 series. Compared to most Japanese makers, Mazda seems to go for the sporty side - snappy throttle response and a little "adrenaline" in the exhaust note. Ford, FYI, owns a controlling share in Mazda, for whom I have a great respect. Their cars seem consistently more fun to drive - if a little less polished - than equivalent Hondas or Toyotas. That Ford is using their wonderful motors in the Focus is a great plus as far as I am concerned.

Why not get the Mazda 3 instead of the Ford Focus? A matter of taste. I prefer the European styling to the somewhat overwrought Japanese look of the Mazdas, and the European-style interior proportions are just more comfortable for my 6'4" frame.

30th May 2006, 05:54

UPDATE FROM ORIGINAL POSTER!!! So, here we are, about a year after I bought my Focus ST. It has 23,000 miles on it (what can I say I do a lot of driving) and this is by far the best car ever. Not one problem, except standard maintenance. This little car hauls, and gives all the little Hondas and Scions a run for their money! I am a female driver, and I do know a lot about cars, and this is definitely the way to go!

9th Feb 2009, 14:43

Well I am glad you are enjoying your car... well I am looking at a red 2005 Ford Focus ST :) It's loaded with sunroof, Sony system, leather and much more.. but it has 71k miles on it :( Is it worth 6600 :)