Going to buy a Focus 2006, good car?

[jaydee]

Hey guys, my 24 year old son is in the market for a car and has always liked the Focus hatch (has to be a hatch for his band gear and he's a student nurse so an economical 4 cyl). Budget is $7500.00 about a 2006 model with about 100-120k on the clock max.
Spotted a couple of zetecs in our price range.
No I have seen some feedback from owners complaining about the trannys being *****.
I'm trying to push him towards a MazdaSP23 or a Mazda6 hatch.
So any tips advice appreciated, apart from go for the Mazda.
Cheers,
JD

[JVC063]

Nothing wrong with transmission in these models? Is there. We have a 2007 LT Zetec manual and its fine, One owner when purchased $8000, 120ks two years ago this January. No issues at all, touch wood.

[PG2]

As JVC stated, there is nothing wrong with the transmissions in the model that you are looking at.

Like every car, individual ones can have their issues but overall they actually weren't a bad car at all.

[dazFX]

The SP23 has a few more kilowatts and torque with the same transmission and chassis.

[prydey]

My wife has a LS Focus LX manual. Fully optioned. Its a brilliant car. have owned it for 5 years and literally the only money i've spent on it, outside of normal servicing, is the alternator. Otherwise its been faultless.

My inlaws have a LS Focus CL auto, which is also a very good car requiring very little money spent on it in the 5 years they have owned it. Its not quite as refined as my wife's, but it started life as a rep's car, so probably didn't get looked after that well.

I would recommend a LS focus to anyone. great car.

[jaydee]

Thanks prydey, gives me a bit more confidence in picking one.

[kevino]

We had a 2006 focus 2 litre manual.
Our neighbour had a 2006 Mazda 3.
Guess which cost less in repair maintenance and servicing.
The ford.
Try to get one closer to 100kms as with any car round 150kms they start costing money.
The only thing I didn't like was the Mazda engine in the focus never seemed to rev freely had a 1600cc 2007 fiesta at the same time and that motor revved cleanly and freely, that fiesta is a good car. Later on we bought an auto 2007 fiesta for our daughter kept a year or so , she went off to Europe and sold it at a profit.

[pertuan]

Still have the 2006 LX hatch. Have not had a single fault on it. I drive it like I stole it. It's done 70,000kms. Only just did my brake pads and rotors the other week. Always starts first go. I'd definitely recommend it.

Looking at upgrading to the RS actually but have no funds to do so. :(

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by kevino

We had a 2006 focus 2 litre manual.
Our neighbour had a 2006 Mazda 3.
Guess which cost less in repair maintenance and servicing.
The ford.
Try to get one closer to 100kms as with any car round 150kms they start costing money.
The only thing I didn't like was the Mazda engine in the focus never seemed to rev freely had a 1600cc 2007 fiesta at the same time and that motor revved cleanly and freely, that fiesta is a good car. Later on we bought an auto 2007 fiesta for our daughter kept a year or so , she went off to Europe and sold it at a profit.

Thanks all, 2 we're looking at, one has 97k and the other 111k, so should still quite a bit of trouble free motoring.

[Mulga]

Great little car, we bought a LS, LX Manual Focus new and had it for 7 years....no problems at all.

The only thing you'll need to be mindful of is the timing chain, which from memory needs to be replaced after 10 years or 240k, whichever comes first.

[Joshmcmillan]

The Focus is great. I'd look at Mazda 3 as well, but the thing is they usually seem more expensive so just look for the best deal you can find. Having a timing chain to begin with is definitely a plus (could be like the holden viva and need one every 50,000k).

We were in a very similar situation when looking for my partners car. We ended up spending the extra $1000 and getting an 09 fiesta.

[jaydee]

Originally Posted by Joshmcmillan

The Focus is great. I'd look at Mazda 3 as well, but the thing is they usually seem more expensive so just look for the best deal you can find. Having a timing chain to begin with is definitely a plus (could be like the holden viva and need one every 50,000k).

We were in a very similar situation when looking for my partners car. We ended up spending the extra $1000 and getting an 09 fiesta.

The Mazda and the Focus both use chains (thankfully).

[theBlake]

I have had mine since new and I hate it. It costs a fortune for repairs too, most years at least $2000 for services, parts and labour.

The wife has an 07 lancer for just as long as me, and I cry everytime she gets it service, costs her almost nothing

Since I got it the pledge was always to give it to my son, after 10 years, but frankly l don't want to punish him with it.

[PG2]

Originally Posted by theBlake

I have had mine since new and I hate it. It costs a fortune for repairs too, most years at least $2000 for services, parts and labour.

The wife has an 07 lancer for just as long as me, and I cry everytime she gets it service, costs her almost nothing

Since I got it the pledge was always to give it to my son, after 10 years, but frankly l don't want to punish him with it.

What have you had to repair? You said that it costs you at $2000 for services, parts and labour. Is that because your mechanic (dealer???) is raping you each time you take it in or is there plenty going wrong with it?

Just asking so when someone reads this thread they are spooked for the right reasons.

[kevino]

Also depends how many kilometres the car has done if it is over 150000 yes it will cost money.
My 08 diesel focus is cracking on 230000kms and it has 4K spent on it this year but if you keep the car too long that's what you expect.

[theBlake]

Originally Posted by PG2

What have you had to repair? You said that it costs you at $2000 for services, parts and labour. Is that because your mechanic (dealer???) is raping you each time you take it in or is there plenty going wrong with it?

Dont be silly who uses a dealer.
I use the same mechanic as for my wifes car, and as said the cost difference long term is enormous. I don't remember ever replacing a part on her car.

things replaced last 4 years, include
rear shocks
front inner arm bushes
exhaust sensor
alternator
front shocks

Despite being built in South Africa its essentially a Euro market car, thus all parts are expensive. Thats what I am told anyway.

I forgot how much I had to pay for a wiper blade but I nearly flipped me lid when I was told. even Super cheap auto wasnt cheap!

[marko]

Originally Posted by theBlake

I have had mine since new and I hate it. It costs a fortune for repairs too, most years at least $2000 for services, parts and labour.

The wife has an 07 lancer for just as long as me, and I cry everytime she gets it service, costs her almost nothing

Since I got it the pledge was always to give it to my son, after 10 years, but frankly l don't want to punish him with it.

Mate they've seen you coming! Our 2010 XR5 costs under $400 for an A service and under $600 for a B service! Takes more oil and 1 extra spark plug being a 5cyl! My Focus ST is cheaper again!

Sent while boosting ....

[SSVPom]

Originally Posted by theBlake

I have had mine since new and I hate it. It costs a fortune for repairs too, most years at least $2000 for services, parts and labour.

The wife has an 07 lancer for just as long as me, and I cry everytime she gets it service, costs her almost nothing

Since I got it the pledge was always to give it to my son, after 10 years, but frankly l don't want to punish him with it.

You hate the car and you've kept it nearly 10 whole years ??

[Rs31markie]

Wiper blade refills from fords $20 for both front blades.

[Neale]

The 4cyl Mazda 6 & the focus are the same car with a different body. So mechanically there is no difference.

I have a manual 07 zetec with 160k & it has been a great car. Dad & my uncle also have one each & they have been great.

I drive mine in all conditions; city, country; dirt, snow, mud, tar & race track, it goes every where.
I even cleaned up a wombat & only had cosmetic damage, so they are pretty tough.

In the 150,000 kms only thing that has needed to be replaced apart from the consumables is the front shocks.

Some parts can be expensive, like the power steering fluid. It must be made from liquid gold or something, & I don't use cheap engine oil.

But I other than that it isn't too bad.

The wiper blades can be expensive if you buy them from ford & they convince you to buy the whole wiper blade arm.
But if you are a bit handy, you can take the end caps of the wiper & slide the good old fashioned cheaper wiper blade in the end.

[jaydee]

Thanks all, test drove the Focus, drove really well, handled great, but what's with the key into the Ford badge on the grill to open the bonnet.
Then we test drove an SP23, bought it then and there, $500 more but galaxy's apart in finish, power' looks etc and it was a year older.

[Fast Eddie]

The requirement to use the key to open the bonnet is something that Ford hasn't changed right from the beginning of the MKI Focus. I don't find it a hassle and mine hasn't malfunctioned at all in 12 or so years of ownership.

[marg99]

just so long as you remember to refit the plastic shaft from the key lock when removing the front grill!

[theBlake]

Originally Posted by SSVPom

You hate the car and you've kept it nearly 10 whole years ??

Of course. The plan was always to keep it for 10 years. Selling it sooner would have been an extra cost to me. Plus I always hoped that surely more things won't go wrong with it. Last service only cost $320 first time in memory that nothing was busted.

Originally Posted by marko

Mate they've seen you coming! Our 2010 XR5 costs under $400 for an A service and under $600 for a B service! Takes more oil and 1 extra spark plug being a 5cyl! My Focus ST is cheaper again!

Yeh that sounds about right for a service, perhaps mine are a bit less. It's the repairs that add up.

[DRU842]

I understand that there is a significant mechanical difference between The Focus & Mazda 3 of these era (up until 2013??) - Independent Rear Suspension on the Focus.

[Syndrome]

I purchased a brand new 2007 Focus sedan for my parents. Not a bad car but very mediocre. Better cars can be purchased for similar money.

[DZFord]

Originally Posted by DRU842

I understand that there is a significant mechanical difference between The Focus & Mazda 3 of these era (up until 2013??) - Independent Rear Suspension on the Focus.

The Mazda 3 and the Focus of this era are almost identical cars underneath:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ford_C1_platform

[DRU842]

Control Blade rear suspension in the Focus versus 5 link Mazda set-up I believe.

[DZFord]

Both are multi-link, designed by Ford:

Focus:


Mazda: