Faults:

The only problem I have had so far is the rubber trim inside the passenger side door has come loose and is hanging. I tried to fix with epoxy... might work. If not, back to the dealer I go.

General Comments:

The Focus ST is a fantastic step above the normal focus. The 2.3 engine pulls strongly from 1500 rpm in any gear. It is not necessary to constantly shift to keep up with traffic but the transmission and clutch are incredibly smooth and easy to shift.

The car (with upgraded suspension and Pirelli tires) is a little stiffer over the bumps, but amazingly stable at 80mph on the freeway. I am having a hard time driving it cause it is so smooth and stable I find myself speeding a lot.

I will keep this site updated with any problems and general info. Good luck.

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.

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.

Faults:

Just a minor glitch with the electric folding mirrors. Fixed them at around 1500km by the dealer.

General Comments:

Appearance: Well....quite a subjective thing really. I like the shape of the car, however its slim C-pillar didn't score high marks from my styling scoreboard. Mine has got the bodykit so it looks quite nice, fat, sporty, and lower.

Interior: All the controls are within reach. Top marks for ergonomics, no awkward seating positions or "long hands, short legs". However, the materials are quite disappointing, using cheap plastic everywhere, even on the steering wheel. The leather seats are not well designed either, lacking support on the sides, due to the lack of bolstered side trims.

Performance: A 1.8L petrol mated with a 4-speed auto, and stick a 1400kg body on that, a combination made for just adequate performance. However it's quite brisk off the line, not pacey but still delivering. The suspension is well sorted, blending ride comfort with a touch of sporty tune. It will still understeer at the limit, however, the limits are pretty high for a commuter vehicle, giving good steering feedback and moderate bodyroll.

Overall there is quite a lot to like about this car, and they definitely out-weighs the minor blots on the scoring book. I will recommend this car to anyone in the market for a compact sedan with a low to medium budget.