Used 2002 Ford Focus Hatchback Consumer Reviews
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Focus better than my new Toyota Matrix
This is an exceptional car. It's not until we got a new Toyota Matrix (wifes car) that I really appreciate how well if drives and handles. The Matrix is a solid car, but it's no match to the ZX3 when it comes to driving dynamics. The steering response and feedback is outstanding. The Matrix feels refined, but you don't get that feeling of being connected to the road like you do in the Focus. Yes, this car has recalls which makes great reason some to trash it. Ford has issued recalls for even the most trivial problem, how can you fault them for that? All I say to the people trashing this car is "your loss".
Fun car
Tight, crisp handling on 16-inch low profile (205x50) tires. Delivers decent power from a sweet sounding, twin-cam engine at 4-6000 RPM. Precise rack and pinion steering gives good feedback. Very comfortable inside. Lots of room for big people. Nice sound system with 6 cd changer in the dash. Good ergonomics. Neat, edgy exterior and interior styling. Flexible cargo carrying configurations possible with 60-40 fold down rear seats (which are also quite comfortable). Good head and legroom front and rear.
- ZX3 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $2,800997 mi away
- ZX3 2dr HatchbackMSRP: N/A1,350 mi away
Small Price = Good Buy
I bought my ZX3 7 years ago at age 16 and have only encountered one problem with it besides regular maintainence. At 36K, the front half-shafts went bad, but since they were replaced, it's been smooth sailing. I have made many engine modifications, as well as bigger wheels and a lower suspension, and the car has been fantastic. This vehicle is really worth the money.
Focusing on the Focus
I love the Focus. I am not a fan of domestic cars, so this should tell you something. The European flavor of the Focus comes through. The handling is excellent for a cheap, FWD car, the ride is pretty decent. Build quality is surprisingly solid for a Ford and no squeaks or rattles in 10,000 miles . I do mainly highway driving, so I get about 28mpg steady. The seats are comfortable. The car is not bad on the highway, but it is kind of buzzy at times. Not nearly as bad as the Dodge Neon, but not as smooth as a Honda. If you love to drive and your pocketbook doesn't allow a BMW (as mine doesn't) the ZX-3 Focus is your small car.
Utterly Awful, Unreliable
I bought this car at 20k miles. At 30k, it needed new brakes and completely rebuilt calipers. The mechanic told me that it was very common for the factory installed plastic calipers to fail at 30k miles. The car is now at 60k miles and has gone through 3 sets of brakes (I do not drive like a maniac at all) 4 sets of tires, and 3 stereos. The factory-installed 6-disc changer on this car is a piece of junk and fails constantly. Recently, the engine has started leaking copious amounts of oil. With all of these problems, I have been told that they are common with the Focus (especially the 2002) but not with other cars in its class like the Toyotas. No pickup, bad car.