Faults:

Not really any major problems with it yet, apart from it sounds like the front offside bearing is going and may need replacing soon. Apart from that, you cannot knock it one bit.

General Comments:

I think this car is just stunning. I have the 3 door version, in radiant red. It has got Lexus smoked rear lights and still got the standard 16" wheels. Its definitely a head turner.

The car is seriously quick upto around 90 - 95 and then slows down quite rapidly, but will easily cruise at 110 all day. Managed to get 122 out of it, when quoted 125 in book.

The best gear is 3rd in the car, its pull really well in it. Does around 65 in 2nd which is quite good I reckon. However, it has problem keeping up with rivals as 130 just is not enough.

People may say the 2.0 Focus is a hot hatch... but its not, but yet not far from one.

You can drive 400 miles and still feel like you have drove to the shops. The seats are comfortable, the pedals are layed out well and the driving position is spot on.

The traction control system is great aswell, especially when thrashing it on a country road. It will handle like its on rails. The car has never let me down either, starts first time every time.

The tyres are needing replacing within the next 1000 miles. Checking from previous invoices, the tyres are lasting between 12k - 15k. Suppose it does eat them.

The fuel ecomony isn't brilliant around town, you are looking at 200 miles around town, but when going on a long run it surprises you with 350ish to one tank. Obviously the harder you push it, the worse it is. From a full tank and hard driving all the time around town, I managed 148 on one tank.

Faults:

A half a dozen recall notices.

First, sound proofing in passenger side rear wheel well was missing rivets.

Interior paint near climate controls is peeling off.

I know carpet is a wear & tear item, but the carpet has already worn out on the drivers side.

More recently, ignition tumbler failed. Had to have ignition drilled out and replaced.

Poor quality of wires connecting ignition coil to electrical harness, wires cracking and breaking leaving car dead. Had to scour junk yard to find a replacement ignition coil plug, replaced wires. This wiring issue has twice left he car immobile for more than a week. Before dying, the car would run on 2 cyl, sputtering, jerking, back-firing, stalling.

For the first 40,000 miles, gas mileage was quite a bit off from what was advertised. Was getting only 25 mpg. Replaced spark plugs and spark plug wires, and switched to synthetic only oil. Gas mileage has improved to 30 mpg.

General Comments:

This is a frustrating little car. It handles very well and is fairly fun to drive (would be outstanding with more power).

The hatchback is very useful, lots of space.

My 2001 ZX3 has quality issues that leave me worrying, What will break next?

I won't buy another Ford. Unless there is some sort of substantial quality revolution with the American auto makers, this Focus is most likely my last American branded car.