2007 Ford Focus 4 from North America

Summary:

The car is acceptable and fair as a first car for a teenager, but besides that age group...awful

Faults:

1) Car shakes when driving

2) When shifting gears while driving the car pauses before moving (scary on the highway).

3) Gas mileage is not good

4) Lights are not bright (especially in fog and rain)

5) Lights in car never work

6) Seats are not comfortable

7) Car handling is terrible, whenever driving on a bumpy road the car just turns violently to the right or left.

General Comments:

I wouldn't recommend this car to anyone, honestly. It runs very similarly to the 1998 Ford Taurus I had previously. I expected a 10 years younger car to run much better, but that's not the case with Fords, apparently.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? No

Review Date: 7th February, 2008

21st Aug 2008, 07:23

This was a very strange "review". You've given a reliability marks of 0/10, but what has actually gone wrong with this car? The stated list under what has gone wrong doesn't contain a single "real" issue, just minor things that obviously irritates you. And most issues are things that you should have checked out before you bought this vehicle.

22nd Aug 2008, 22:50

Yes, this review is strange indeed. Having owned a 2001 Focus ZX-3 I can honestly say it was a very good car with good ride for a small car, great handling and very adequate power. It never shook, the automatic always shifted flawlessly, and the entire time we owned the car we never had one single problem with it.

I also am dismayed by a comparison to the much larger and heavier TAURUS. My sister-in-law has a 14-year old Taurus that has run flawlessly and it has a very good, reasonably smooth ride. I can't imagine any comparison to a sub-compact like the Focus.

As for gas mileage with our Focus, I thought 34 was pretty good.

23rd Aug 2008, 12:04

It sounds like the review is exactly as described --- a teenager who was given this as his first car, and he's mad that he wasn't given something nicer. The complaints seem to be of the type that would have been noticed by the average new car buyer who had done their research and done a test drive. Somebody gave him the car, he doesn't like it, and has no recourse but to talk bad about it.

Gee, I wish somebody would give me a new car. I promise not to complain about niggling little non-issues, and will thank you profusely.

2007 Ford Focus ZX 5 SE 2.0 Duratec from North America

Summary:

I have been recommending people consider one for their next car purchase

Faults:

I have had no problems with the car thus far.

General Comments:

This is the first Ford vehicle that I have owned, and I am very impressed with it. I have owned several Volkswagen's, Audi and Subaru cars, and must say that this car rates very highly in build quality, design, comfort and style.

I am 6'1" and have no trouble fitting in it. I find the seats very comfortable and the adjustments useful. I do have back problems and the seats are very supportive.

Visibility is very good, and the rear window defogger and wiper are great standard equipment on such an inexpensive car.

Rear seat room is quite good for adults, and in my case, child seats. The trunk is very roomy.

My prior car was all wheel drive, and I was concerned about how this car would handle winters here in New York. I found myself driving home in a whiteout on unplowed streets last week, and the car was absolutely wonderful. Stock Hankook Optimo tires perform!! Worries unwarranted. Traction control is an option on the Focus, but does not seem to be needed as in my case.

This car was made in Michigan. That kind of makes me feel good.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd December, 2007

23rd May 2008, 15:38

I have a Z3X with 24k miles. I find that it isn't that good in snow being so light. However, I am very impressed with the vehicle overall. Avg almost 34mpg, lots of room for 2 plus a lot of luggage room with the rear seat folded, easy to maintain, peppy performance with the 5 speed. It is my company car and if I changed jobs I'd be tempted to buy one for a daily driver. This vehicle changed my mind about Fords. Easily this is a better choice than a more expensive Japanese economy car with equal workmanship. Great value. I can see why they are so popular.