2002 Ford Focus ZX5 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
I've owned my car for 6 years and have had only a couple of problems with it, which were fixed and over with. There was a leak of hydraulic fluid into the driver footwell that required the alternator and master cylinder be replaced (I didn't recognize the signs before the alternator started to go). Later parts of the front suspension had to be replaced as they were locked up and noisy (about $200 for each of these jobs). I've never had the tire troubles people write about - you need to get the Lifetime alignment at Discount Tires and take it in as soon as you get the car as I've read it came out of the factory with the rear tires out of alignment - this may be causing all the tire problems.
Fun to drive. Air filter second only to Saab. Lots of room for moving wood, etc with back seats down. CD changer/stereo. Rear defroster and wiper.
Softer seat cushions. Get rid of blind spot from B pillar. Improve hatch latch. Improve gas mileage, though found adding gas treatment to clean lines helped.