2003 Ford Focus

I have fallen in love with this car!!!

By Sexican71373 (LA) on Tuesday, June 18, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 125,000

Pros: "great gas mileage,performance & power"

Cons: "no middle arm rest for driver."

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"This is the best car I have ever had!! I absolutely plan on keeping my car on the road as long as possible!!! I have never had any major problems out of my car! I have continually stayed current with the upkeep and even when times were tough and I had to stretch the oil a little over the recommended changing time & "Black Betty" has kept up all the way! She has carried me all over the south and the ride has always been comfortable! LOVE LOVE LOVE"

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Good gas mileage

By awhitebird (OK) on Thursday, June 13, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 89,000

Pros: "fun to drive, great gas mileage, spacious"

Cons: "two doors, no center console, no keyless entry"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Nice gas mileage, speedy dependable car. My Focus is a great car and I love driving it. It is a great first car because it has good gas mileage and is safe."

1 person out of 1 found this review helpful

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2003 Focus ZX5 has been a very reliable car

By Sue (AZ) on Wednesday, June 12, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 51,000

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"I just made a decision to put a new transmission in my focus rather than buy a new car. This car has been so reliable and fun to drive that I just couldn't give it up, especially since I just discovered that Ford does not make this model anymore...what were they thinking? It is in great shape and many of my friends would love to buy it from me! I drove it off of the dealer's lot 10/30/2002. At that time I got a friend and family discount and paid $15,600. Since then I have replaced the air conditioner, 2 electric windows, and now the transmission. I hope to get another 10 years out of it! I drive 2 miles round trip to work and park in a garage out of the sun, so this might just be possible. :)"

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Reliable Car - Great for first time drivers

By FleetFocus (PA) on Monday, June 03, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 88,500

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 10

"We used to drive Mazda's. Now have a fleet of four Focus'. We put both our kids in a Focus when they first got their driver's license. Both were dependable vehicles; easy to drive and maintain. They held their value and gave my kids the confidence they needed to be good drivers. They were great college cars!"

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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Great Car

By Ralph (MI) on Wednesday, May 29, 2013

I own this car - My approximate mileage is 182,000

Pros: "runs great-looks good-good on gas"

Cons: "hard to recharge A/C-poor insulation"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 9

"Love it-thought I would hate it,but this is a fantastic little car ! It runs great and has been very dependable. I REALLY WISHED FORD STILL MADE THIS CAR !!!"

4 people out of 5 found this review helpful

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DO NOT BUY THIS CAR...

By GM46 (NE) on Sunday, May 26, 2013

I owned and sold this car
Reason: Blew the head off of motor - My approximate mileage is 116,000

Pros: "Interior, Handling,"

Cons: "engine will drop a valve seat "not might" will!"

Likely to recommend this car? (1-10): 1

What a lovely milky color!!

"Don't believe me simply Google the following phrase. Ford Focus 2.0 SPI valve seat problem And watch the hits roll in. I purchased this car under the guise that it was reliable under all of the review sites. Purchased it @ 97000 three oil changes and 20k later it gives me a check engine light. So I take it to auto-zone their diagnostic shows a #4 cylinder misfire, so I buy plugs and wires figuring it's time for a tune up. On the way home from auto-zone a 14 block trip "residential streets" the valve seat drops effectively smashing the piston and cracking the head. The 8th vin digit indicates engine type for a Focus if that digit is the letter P "do not buy it" unless the dealer or seller has documented proof that the valve seats have been changed out with the improved design valve seats. No matter how much you baby a stock vin P Focus it will leave you with a white cloud of antifreeze mixed with engine oil in the block. Ford should have recalled this disaster that has affected thousands of drivers and growing daily. According to other disgruntled owners of this engine type expect it to happen any time after 78k. Better yet if you currently own this car be proactive and swap the valve seats out with the new design which eliminates this fiasco & make sure you keep the paper work as it will help it's resale value to any knowledgeable car buyer. I hardly even knew you 01 Focus SE but you left me feeling bitter and estranged regarding the ford design dept. The only thing good that came from this is my 2011 Yaris which unlike the Focus has gone 140k and climbing on regular maintenance without issue."

23 people out of 25 found this review helpful

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