2002 Ford Focus Review
Fuel Economy
20 - 28 mpg
Summary
What Edmunds.com says
The 2002 Ford Focus is a wonderful small car that's fun to drive, frugal with fuel and offered in such a wide variety of configurations it would be hard not to find one that suits your needs.
Pros
Thoughtful ergonomics, large interior, smooth ride, sharp steering, impressive selection of body configurations and features.
Cons
Seats aren't comfortable for everyone, polarizing styling.
What's New for 2002
Four new Focus models debut for 2002: the ZX5 five-door hatchback, the well-equipped ZTW wagon, the sport-tuned SVT hatchback and the Mach Audio ZTS. No matter what Focus you pick in 2002, a power moonroof can now be ordered. The high-end ZTS Sedan loses its standard ABS and crummy fake wood dash trim while gaining a rear spoiler. An in-dash six-disc CD changer is standard on ZX5, ZTS and ZTW but optional on all other <i>Foci</i> except the LX Sedan.
Consumer Ratings & Reviews
Would Not Do It Again
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 8 | Build Quality: | 3 |
| Comfort: | 9 | Interior Design: | 9 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 9 | Exterior Design: | 9 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Ford Focus SE Comfort 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
Nothing but problems with this car since I purchased it new in 2002. General frame problems at first - the front passenger floor leaked excessively, had to be repaired.Twice it has overheated, needed temperature gauge replaced, and of course the entire cooling system needed flushed. Within the past few years I've had approximately $2,000 in repairs (including problem above, as well as transmission problems, motor coil problems, all in addition to regular routine maintenance-tune ups, oil changes). Mostly the car has been used to drive to/from work, and around town, very few long trips. Now-138,000 miles,and it's basically dead (unless I fork out another $2k in repairs). Fed up!
Favorite Features
Comfortable, good mileage, large trunk.
Suggested Improvements
Build a better car. My escort before this last over 150,000 miles and counting, never had a problem.
I hate this car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 7 | Build Quality: | 1 |
| Comfort: | 7 | Interior Design: | 3 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 3 | Exterior Design: | 6 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Ford Focus ZX5 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I was bored with my old car and gas prices were rising. I decided I would go and test some cars out. I ended up getting the Focus. 2 weeks after I bought it my door locks stopped working. 3 weeks after that I had to have the sway bar replaced. Then the motor mount. Then the alternator. Then my electrical system went out. 6 disc cd player broke. I swear it eats tires and headlight bulbs. Up to date I have had the car for almost 3 years. It has 137k miles on it. I have replaced the motor mounts 5 times. I bumped a curb and the side air bag deployed. I have had my car in the shop so many times the car rental people know me by name. Ford makes terrible cars and I would recommend you stay away.
Favorite Features
When I first bought it... fuel economy. Now that is even terrible. I used to get 38 mpg on the highway. Now I am around 25 mpg and my driving has not changed.
Suggested Improvements
Everything needs to be thought over again. Numerous recalls need to be issued. The car stinks, just to be blunt. It is a terrible car and I regret ever buying it.
Great little car
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 9 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 10 |
| Comfort: | 10 | Interior Design: | 10 | Reliability: | 10 |
| Fuel Economy: | 10 | Exterior Design: | 10 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Ford Focus SE 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I have owned this car for over 5 years now and it's been overall a great experience. The car has over 82,000 miles now and I still get over 29 miles per gallon and the engine still runs strong. never had a problem with it other than a faulty spark plug, but that is maintenance. one and two year old domestic cars are the way to go!! you get a new car at a fraction of the cost.
Favorite Features
fuel economy, comfortable seats, quality of cloth, ice cold a/c (even at 82000 miles). great turning ratio and perfect size (for a family of 4)
Suggested Improvements
body color door handles and break away side mirrors would have been nice.
Very Unreliable
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 5 | Fun-to-Drive: | 6 | Build Quality: | 2 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 6 | Reliability: | 1 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 5 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Ford Focus ZTS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
This car has been the most expensive piece of junk. I've replaced: the master and slave cylinders, shocks and struts, fuel injector pump, alternator, rack and pinion (TWICE!!!!). The front doors stick horribly. The air conditioning unit rusted out. The enire muffler system fell off. The ABS brake system only sometimes works and now I can't use the parking brake because it seizes my rear passenger tire and won't allow it to rotate. It wears unevenly on my tires even though I have had them rotated and balanced. The air conditioning needs to be recharged every summer. I'm a mechanical engineer and I take excellent care of my cars. I will never buy another Ford again.
Favorite Features
none
Suggested Improvements
where to begin?
I've had worse
Overall Rating
| Performance: | 6 | Fun-to-Drive: | 9 | Build Quality: | 6 |
| Comfort: | 8 | Interior Design: | 7 | Reliability: | 7 |
| Fuel Economy: | 5 | Exterior Design: | 8 | ||
Vehicle
2002 Ford Focus ZX3 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
Review
I bought it new in 02. I have always been impressed with the handling of this car, it really is top notch. It's been pretty reliable too. The trunk release was the first thing to go at about 30,000 mi. Second, the alternator went just over 50,000 miles. The hood release also broke off in my hand. Acceleration is not the greatest but it is adequate with the 5 speed. I have average 22-24 mpg mostly city driving with ac on. Not bad for real world numbers. The clutch has lasted for 86,000 miles. I have not had any major problems yet and I'm not that good at regular maintenance. I can fit lots of stuff in this car and I like the fact that it stays dry (no pick up truck for me).
Favorite Features
top notch handling super cold a/c decent all around car I'm a big guy the front seat is comfortable for me. I think this would be a good used car pick up for anyone.
Suggested Improvements
overall quality not quite up to Honda/Toyota although most things have held up well
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