Ford Focus: Focus opinion

chet wrote: 
I have a 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 (not the best year for this model). It has
been quite reliable and aside from replacing brakes and tires it has
been flawless. Would I buy another Focus? Maybe not. The Toyota has an
appealing style, great reputation and does just about everything a Focus
does and gets better gas mileage. I'd opt for the Matrix (or Vibe).

Ron

--
And it really doesn't matter if
I'm wrong I'm right
Where I belong I'm right
Where I belong.

Lennon & McCartney

Some comments:
-You might also compare these to a Mazda 3
-I found that even a fully loaded ZX5 or ZXW version of the Focus will
be about $3k (US) cheaper than the Japanese cars. This is significant in
a car in this price range. The Japanese makes dont discount much and
Ford has incentives.
- The Matrix has significantly worse handling and poorer rear seat ride
comfort than the Ford or Mazda
- The Matrix will get better fuel economy than the other two. (Work it
out on an annual basis based on your expected mileage. This may offset
the initial cost difference).
- Resale value is better in a Japanese car than the Ford or Pontiac. Not
a factor if you keep your car a long time.

In summary,
- if you want a sporty car and dont care too much about the initial and
fuel cost, consider the Mazda.
- if you want a high quality, versatile vehicle and dont mind the ride
and handling, the Matrix would be good, especially if the fuel savings
offset the intial cost difference.
- if they want the best 'value' in a terrific handling /riding car (but
with only reasonable fuel economy), the Focus ZX5 or wagon is a great
deal in a now reliable car. It puts a smile on your face when you drive it.

-Garyz


chet wrote: 

Garyz

I appreciate you input on these cars, I always had the Focus in mind
till I read to check out the Matrix or the Vibe, I will look at the
Mazda 3, not sure if it will have the room I am after, I probably will
never have the rear seat occupied, so they will be down 90% of the time,
I am into shooting sports, I need the lenght for rifle cases, ect. that
was one of the reasons I had the Focus in mind, I need room, the Matrix
just barley cuts it, but the economy gets me leaning towards the Matrix,
but I will check out the Mazda 3.


thank you
Chet

garyz wrote: 

If you want a roomy car, check out the Scion XB. It's very small on the
outside, but really huge on the inside, and has lots of good features as
standard that you have to pay extra for in the Focus and Matrix. Also
gets great mileage. I think the front seats in both the Scion and the
Matrix fold flat for longer loads.
If the decision is between the Focus and the Matrix, then I'd personally
pick the Focus because it has more room, and I think it has a 100,000
mile warranty this year. I drove both (back in 2004) and ended up with
the Focus, partly because the Focus had more incentives that more than
paid for any gas savings I'd ever realize with the Matrix. I didn't get
the wagon, though, the wife liked the ZX5 better and the car is mostly
for her.

John

chet wrote: 

"JPH" <net> wrote in message
news:f5tUe.2654$.. 

I like the looks of the XB but does it get out of its own way? Not many
horses under the hood.

In alt.autos.ford.focus EOO <whereeverforever.com>:
 
 

Never heard, from searching it looks pretty ugly. Think I'd
charge them for driving it. The 108 hp should be enough to get
it moving, even if 1.5l sound like you'd need to rev up high to
go a little faster.

--
Michael Heiming (X-PGP-Sig > GPG-Key ID: EDD27B94)
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On Fri, 09 Sep 2005 21:42:50 -0400, garyz <com> wrote
Re Re: Focus opinion:
 

Around here in Northwest Alabama (U.S.A) the Toyota & Nissan dealers
mark the cars up *above* sticker by adding several pissant "dealer
installed options" such as a undercoat ($300) and charging inflated
prices for the option. You pay the price or you walk. I walked out.
--
To email me directly, remove CLUTTER.

Michael

I did some research on the Scion XB on the newsgroups, I hear they
are not getting the fuel mileage as rated and the 1.5 engine, I really
don't want an engine that small, to be honest the 1.8 engine in the
Matrix dosen't really excite me, I can get my with it, it does get good
mileage, and the only thing about the Focus is I have in the back of my
mind is, can it be as reliable as the Matrix, and it is $1000 more to
purchase over the Matrix, and I was hoping Ford didn't drop the Employee
programs. the Matrix will run me $15,776 plus $700.00 for the additional
6yrs, 75,000 mile bumper to bumper Platunum warranty, If Ford had their
programs on I could make out better. I stopped and looked at a Focus
wagon SE dealer sticker was $18,385.00 his final price was $17,000 so I
am between a rock and a hard plate, I like the Matrix (Toyota
reliability) and it mileage, plus I like the Focus for it extra room.
plus I hear Focus's have has their headaches, and I do hear they are
supposed to be much better these days (I hope they are) any opinions,
and does someone know if it is possible any discounts comming real soon
on the Focus's

Chet

Michael Heiming wrote: