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| 2005 Ford Focus Review | |||
| Whether you're about to spend $40K on a brand new car, or half that on a used car, it is always important to learn as much as you can about the used car. Read these car reviews to learn about all aspects of the vehicle. Each of the usedcar reviews cover interior and exterior features, options, road tests, and more. | |||
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Introduction
| Road Test
| Inside & Out
| Other Thoughts
| Last Word
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| Other Thoughts | |||
With a sedan, a wagon, and two hatchbacks, the Focus is tops of body count. Each has a code: ZX3 = 2-door hatch, ZX4 = sedan, ZX5 = 4-door hatch, and ZXW = wagon. Compared to the 2-door hatch, the sedan costs $605-610 more, the 4-door hatch $1,315 more, and the wagon $2,325 more. Note to Ford: hatchback-hating America doesn't need two hatchbacks and this ZX5 is especially unsightly, not to mention a rip-off. Please reshape a Focus body to make a new ZX2 coupe! Note to consumers: Focus hatchbacks are now built in Michigan along with the others.Those trendy body names aren't to be confused with the trim lines, which are separated this year for clarity's sake. They go through S, SE, SES, and ST. There is no S wagon and the ST is a sedan exclusive, but otherwise all bodies and trims combine. S models lack power windows and locks - rare these days even among base models. You can get air conditioning for $910. A ZX3 S marks the cheapest Focus at $14,010. The $1,515 upgrade to the Focus SE ($1,520 on sedans) buys air and the power toys, keyless entry, variable wipers, MP3 capability, front armrest, overhead console and map lights. After SE, the $1,110 upgrade to the Focus SES buys 16-inch alloy wheels (15 on the wagon), a rear stabilizer bar in the suspension (all wagons have one), color-keyed bodyside and decklid moldings, fog lights, cruise control, 6-disc changer, telescoping leather steering wheel with radio controls, tachometer, and black instrument cluster. Finally, the stick-only ST sedan costs $1,520 more than an SES, adding the bigger engine, firmer suspension settings from last year's Focus SVT, antilock disc brakes, traction control, sport seats, heated power mirrors, satin grille, and chromed and sport-tuned exhaust. An automatic costs $815 everywhere, antilock brakes $400, side air bags $350, traction control $115, a moonroof $625, leather $695, and Audiophile stereo $455. I'd pick an SES sedan with the first three, which nets me $18,810 worth of car. Not counting rebates, the Focus's close cousin, the Mazda 3 i (which is based on the new Focus we don't get), runs hundreds less with similar options. What happened to competitive Ford pricing? Maybe the Focus's price isn't too out of whack. Remember, this car is fun. Things like visceral steering, tail-out good times, and constant communication are rare at this price range and much appreciated. The interior is in desperate need of help, but to drive the Focus is to make an ironic discovery: there's only one cheap compact car out there that's brimming with rich European flavor, and you won't find it at a Volkswagen dealership. |
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