Faults:

Faults on intermittent setting on front wipers and tailgate latch, both fixed under warranty with no argument. Paint bubble next to tailgate handle, 60% paid by Ford as goodwill gesture.

General Comments:

It's a smart looking medium hatchback and, whilst I think it looks better than it's replacement, I do think that it will eventually date.

Mine is the Ghia trim - alloys, chrome trim, electric windows all round, CD player, air con, heated front screen, driver's armrest, black ash trim on doors & dash.

The seats are quite comfortable even over long journeys. The car handles well, but I wish ABS was standard on all cars. Petrol consumption was OK - about 300 miles on 3/4 of a tank - considering I do 50 miles a day to and from work on the motorway and a fair bit of urban driving.

Performance isn't bad, but it struggles on some steep hills, especially heading into the wind.

The car has some nice touches, such as the locking bonnet, illuminated foot wells, theatre lights, global window closing.

Negatives : lack of ABS as mentioned above; the dash display isn't as bright as I'd like at night, even with the adjustment turned to maximum.

I'm changing the car this month (March 2006) but only because it's become too small for my needs now and I need the better economy offered by a diesel engine.

Would I recommend one? Yes. Never mind what anyone may say about the badge or the minor negatives I've mentioned, this is a good, honest car that does what it says on the tin.

Faults:

Transmission problem.

General Comments:

It's a wonderful car for a small compact wagon. I'm happy I got the extended warranty since I commute daily to and from work.

Faults:

My focus leaks water into the car on the left side from the roof. Six months ago the Dealer had it for two days "testing". Couldn't find a problem. Replaced the stained headliner, which was my proof that it had been getting wet. Now It's raining real bad and water poured form the front of the headliner, by the windshield, onto my lap and the dash. Somehow, though I drove only about 20 minutes to the dealer today after the leak spouted, the headliner had dried. The dealer offered to test it again, or I can bring it to them when the problem pops up again. I'm opting for choice number 2.

Had to have the front right axle and c/v joint replaced at 21k. It had been getting progressively worse, until the dealer couldn't deny the problem any longer. I had initially noticed the clicking noise at 10k.

Brakes were shot at 30k, but I like to brake late.

Tires (pirelli P6's rated at 4k pounds, on a 2800 lb. car) were so bad I spun the car changing lanes at 50mph. Laugh all you want, but it was the tires. The Kumhos I have on now stick very well.

The interior is beginning to shake itself loose and squeak.

Faults:

Nothing cosmetic.

Engine whines like a cat being strangled all the way through the range.

Brake discs warp.

Over-steers.

Camber had to be manually rectified.

General Comments:

I originally bought this car because I thought it would be fast, both off the line and up right through the range. Infact what I assumed would be a hot hatch turned out to be no more than tepid.

When first driving this car I did give it some respect, basically because I thought the engine demanded it. I was sorely mistaken. I could happily sit in this car with my foot to the floor, and watch most things go sailing right past. Maybe this is a car for an eco-warrior, or a priest, not anyone with any serious intent on having fun. I mean, I've seen hearses that go more than this and I'll probably be in one before I see anyone get this car to be rapid.

Steer clear, like you would with a parrot with the bird flu, this thing talks the talk, looks fine, but will seriously annoy you!

Period. Word. One.