27th Dec 2006, 16:35

Just traded in my 2001 Honda Civic LX for a 2006 Ford Focus. I bought the Honda brand new on 1/2/2001. I put 92,000 miles on it. I experienced a number of problems: Torque converter needed to be replaced at 35,000 miles - car wasn't shifting properly, the throttle positioning sensor was replaced at 57,000 miles - again transmission not shifting, the catalytic converter was replaced at 79,000 miles - exhaust leak. At my last service appointment I explained the transmission was slipping. I was told that the transmission needed to be replaced. I explained how disappointed I've been with my Honda Civic and the service department's attitude. I averaged 27 mpg over the six years that I owned the car, but I expected to average at least 30 mpg. It was the most expensive car to maintain that I have ever owned. And I have been driving for 30 years.

27th Dec 2006, 23:09

I too am a salesman at Ford and would recommend anyone buys a Ford Focus. They have a sweet design from 1999 that bests Toyota's Corolla; and I think we have taken care of all the recalls and fires that used to plague our cars.

28th Dec 2006, 13:07

This is the Ford Focus that is now a TEN year old design, right? After all, the Europeans are the ones who have the 'real' Focus while we in America are stuck with this ancient crap.

I should know. My family owned a 2000 Ford Focus and it was in the shop so many times we knew the service people by name. I will never buy an American car again, and certainly not an unreliable ten-year old design.

Bet you get a lot of experience saying "they all do that"

29th Dec 2006, 06:49

I maintain after 2000 my family has had issues we never saw before. Whats with Honda transmissions? I remember only buying clutches in the past.

12th Nov 2007, 12:35

I have a 2001 Honda Civic that just lost the transmission at 132,000 miles (we've been having explained problems for about a year) and Corporate refuses to help on the $3500 bill, not even parts. Also, front right and left bushings have been bad for three years, but nobody could find the problem - that means my bill is $4200. I won't get it fixed and am buying a new car (not a Honda) instead and junking this money-sucker! The window has trouble rolling back up and that's an ELD (Electronic Load Distributor) problem ($75 fix). Forget it!