Used 2005 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews
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Fun to Drive, Easy to Park
Great little car with sporty handling, good fuel economy, and lots of flexible space. It parks in spaces too tight for most other available cars except the cramped Mini and cheap Chevy Aveo. It's got better handling than and a ride superior to the Hyundai Elantra, the Scion triplets (though the boxy XB has more and more flexible interior space), and other cars in its class. It doesn't have the cramped feeling of the Corolla, the Pontiac Vibe, the Civic.
Good Basic Car
We owned a 2003 Focus, and we traded for the 2005. We now have 3500 miles on the Focus. The 2005 is fun to drive, but it seems that I have to readjust the wheel for each bump I hit. It may be because of the low-profile tires. I'm surprised at only 21-22 mpg city which isn't good for a 4 cylinder. The dealer reflashed the PCM to see if that helps. One downgrade is cheaper quality interior materials. Also, the door and quarter panels aren't flush which is a build quality issue. This Focus has been to the dealer for a minor issue of rough morning idle. Despite the negatives, driving a 2004 Cavalier left me wanting my Focus back.
- ZX3 S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $5,500170 mi away
- ZX3 S 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,995212 mi away
- ZX4MSRP: $5,000558 mi away
Love my Focus!
I bought my 2005 Ford Focus ZX4 a few months ago, and I must admit, I LOVE it! It runs great, gets awesome gas mileage (almost 35 to the gallon highway, about 28 city), and is very cute! I'm seventeen and wanted to buy a car (yes- I paid for it myself!) that would last throughout college and I think I've found the one! It has plenty of legroom for me (6 feet tall). It gets great pickup and I find it very easy to drive- even in the snow and ice. I haven't had any problems with the car (knock on wood) and would recommend it to anyone. My parents may be Toyota and Honda owners, but I'm a Ford girl for life!
Key stuck in ignition
This is an awesome car. I love it. I have 63000 on it, bought it with 35000. I just now had to replace the breaks and a tail light. However, my key won't come out. Its the ignition tumbler, and ford wants 300 at least to fix it. I don't suppose someone knows a way around this? I love this car, its so much fun, I paid too much at the time, but it has been so worth it. I just hate that I can't get my key out. The car starts fine, and turns off fine, its just that the key wont come out. HELP!!!!!!!!!!!
Focus wagon review
I have had no problems with my Focus Wagon. It is the most fun-to-drive car I have ever owned and I have owned over 30 cars over the years.
Test drive this car last...then buy it!
I test drove many many cars before pruchasing this car. I test drove a Saab 9-3, Acura RSX, VW Jetta and GTI, and nothing came close in "bang for the buck"! In fact, this car is so nice that Ford should have renamed it something else. I have had many friends of mine wince at my stating "I bought a Focus." Then they get in it and have been amazed. Solid car, great acceleration, great new looks and a great price! I got my Focus ST with side air bags. leather heated seats, Sony Audiophile 6 disc CD/MP3 sound system, moonroof and many other options for way less than $20K! Plus, with the new 2.3L "Mazda" engine with 100,000 mile scheduled maintenance I know I'll be OK.
Focus Rally Car!
The Focus seems to take a beating in the reviews, but mine has been pretty much what I expected. I bought it used (lease return) and it was cheap transpo. Maintenance? I've replaced brake pads once (I'm at 42K miles), tires once, and done oil changes. That's it. Not bad. Resale value? Holding its own with current gas prices. I downsized from a Ranger 4x4 the Focus is like driving a sports car to me. Mountain roads are more fun and the road trip to Trona where my Focus left a Toyota PreRunner 2 miles in the dust on desert dirt roads, now that was a blast! Ford, why'd you kill the hatchback? Hatchbacks rule for small car utility and capacity. Bring it back! Yeah, I like mine!
Fuel pump trouble
Bought this car used with 40,000 miles. Drove it to 45,000 and found the factory battery needed to be replaced. It also started to die when it got below 1/4 tank. I replaced the fuel filter and that seemed to help, to be safe I kept it above 1/4 tank whenever possible. A month went by and the trouble returned stranding me half way through a 150 mile trip. Turns out the fuel pump was shot as I feared. Expensive repair due to the fact that the gas tank had to be removed to get to the fuel pump. I hope this is the last major repair for awhile. I like the car a lot otherwise so far. But, doesn't come close to my last car, a 1996 Chevy Cavalier that was awesome and gave me almost no trouble!
Found On Road Dead (FORD)
Man, after trading in my 94 Escort for this new ZX5 SES, a year later and 15-20 visits to the dealership for repairs I have come to the conclusion I got a lemon. Have had problems with AC, power window switches, transmission, engine, just to name a few. The dealership wants to take no action to fix this problem even we have now a classified lemon. This is Ford for you, At least the dealership will give a loaner to all people who buys their cars. But I want My Car To Drive that's why I bought it. WHERES THE ESCORT!
First New Car
I just bought this Focus zx5, and I love it. I drive it to work every day and with the price of gas these days I can't beat it. This is our first new car, and after all the used cars I've owned I think this will be the one from here on out. Don't let the smallness fool you; I have 2 children and we have more than enough room and plenty of space in the trunk. I would recomend this car to everyone!
great car
We love the hatchback, but there's more to love, too. Very zippy, even with the automatic, yet pretty good fuel economy. Good road feel and handling. Small footprint with plenty of interior space and decent backseat room. My husband is tall and I'm not, but we both feel comfortable driving. Very reliable. Really like the keyless entry.
Love it!
I bought my first Focus in 2001 and loved it! So when that got totalled in January 2005, I knew I wanted another Focus. The color choices stunk that year, but my new one has lots of great, new features that I love. I am very happy with it!
Fun to drive little car.
Went from a '03 ZTS to an '05 ZX5 SES And I love it! This car feels so much more powerful than the '03. Very roomy with a number of options (like a moon roof, heated leather seats, a 500 watt Sony stereo ext.) The ride is very smooth and it drives like a dream. I'm still getting used to the new styling inside and out, but I love this car. Just wish the the 2.3's were a option on all models, not just the ST's A very good small car.
A good cheap car
I bought a 2005 Ford Focus SES with heated leather seats, and I must say they are impressive. The pickup is a little slow. But what do you expect from a Focus? But it gives a nice smooth ride and is pretty quiet for such a small cheap car. The six disc CD changer moves VERY slow when changing CD's. The car also, when you drive it for the first time, almost feels like your driving a minivan or something, because the car sits so high up (or it seems to feel that way). But once you get used to it, it feels fine.
love my car
I have been driving my little wagon for six months now, and just love it. It is a breeze to park, has a huge cargo area, gets 30 mpg highway and 22 mpg city. I am so glad I didn't waste my money and buy something twice as expensive. If you just want a simple car to haul a small family around and run errands, this is great. I downsized from a Taurus wagon and it is like losing 20 pounds.
Can't beat it
If you want high gas mileage, lots of space, decent quality and a reasonable price, there's nothing like a focus wagon. Fully decked out it's selling for under $19K TMV. Materials are really nice and it rides well. The four cylinder has pep, gets a bit noisy if you push it. Everything inside feels comfy and there's tons of space.
Perfect Little Wagon
I have logged 900 miles in the first two weeks of ownership, and I absolutely love my little Liquid Grey Focus wagon. I "downsized" from a 2002 Lincoln LS V-8 to save on fuel and gain more cargo capacity. I was worried that an econobox ride would be disappointing. Boy, was I wrong. I love driving the Focus. Handling/steering is outstanding, engine power is surprising and the seats are very comfortable, even on long trips. The 6-disc CD/MP3 player is amazing - a great sound system. I opted for a power moonroof, ABS and side impact airbags as the major add ons. I learned years ago with a Mercury Tracer that loading an econo-car with all the bells and whistles is the best way to go.
Focus Points
I needed a vehicle for my sales job (I carry chemical samples). The Focus Wagon fit the bill to a "T". Spunky car. It is definitely spartan (interior) but the car more than makes up for it in performance.
Much better, our first was 2000
Great improvement all around, our first focus was a 2000 wagon. Especially in body fit and finish. All interior functions feel much higher in quality also. We love the economy and room inside. Better than all the other wagons we looked at.
My little car Billy!
I rolled little Billy, going on 3 weeks ago. My air bags did NOT deploy. But, my only injury was my neck and knee.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
So Far So Good
I drive 110 miles round trip for work every day, so I needed something that got better gas mileage than my full size Dodge pickup. The price on this car was way too good to pass up so I bought it. Anyway I set the cruise (installed after market) between 75-80 mph and I get 30-32 mpg. I figure that is pretty good for the speed I drive. In the couple of months I have owned the car I have not had any problems (knock on wood). The seats are comfortable and it drives pretty smooth. My only complaints so far are the road noise and the headlights. The noise isnt too bad but could be quieter. The headlights are terrible, not bright at all.
Life with a Focus
My Focus wagon with automatic transmission has a lot of good qualities. It's spunky, offers great driving visibility and has lots of storage room. Little things like the theater lighting are also nice. But, I'm not very pleased with around- town gas mileage in the very low 20's. A 2005 car with a 2.0 liter engine, even with an auto transmission, should do a lot better than that. (My '94 Geo Prizm still gets 25-26 around town). And, I really don't like the European suspension. In New Jersey, we have way too many streets and highways that are in pretty poor condition. I really have fears that my Focus with get beaten or shaken to death way before its time.
Nice package
FoMoCo has vastly improved their small car design over the years. My first one was purchased new in 1981 (Mercury Lynx). This Focus wagon is fully loaded with options. All work well. I do look forward to replacing the Goodyear tires that came on it, however (Never had much luck with this brand, especially in getting them perfectly balanced). More insulation would be a good idea. Although not really annoying, you are definitely made aware of the high winding DOHC 4 cylinder engine doing it's thing, especially during "brisk" acceleration. All the teething problems Focus had in it's first few years seem to have been addressed and taken care of. So far, so good.
Good Small Car Overall
I like the way this car drives. The engine is peppy and it stays glued to the road. So far, after two years this Focus has been mostly reliable. It's been to the dealer for a trunk latch and windshield wiper switch problem. All were fixed. There are just minor issues that bug me though. Compared to the 2003 we had the interior is cheap looking and plasticky. Seats are not very comfortable. The taillight bulbs burned out at exactly 2 years. Just little ways to tell Ford has cut corners. At highway speed there seems to be quite a bit of road noise which may be due to the low profile tires. The fuel economy leaves room for improvement at real world 20-23 city, and 30-32 highway.
Great vehicle
Consumer reports is correct, ranking ti #1 Ford has come along way. Great value and great vehicle.
Great little car
I owned a 2001 Ford Focus ZTS and drove my brother's 2001 Honda Civic Lx while I was home for several weeks. When I went to buy a new car, I was set on the Civic until I drove the new Focus. It just feels better to me. The performance is much better than my old Focus, the transmission is smoother and quieter, and overall the workmanship seems higher quality. I wouldn't consider it the best of its class, but it is as good or better than the Civic, Corolla and Cavalier, all of which I test drove. Would I change things? Yes, but for the amount I paid, it is a great car. I put 120,000 on my old Focus in 4 years without any problems. I expect no less from this fun little car.
Wagons are Back!
This is a very underrated wagon. It is cheaper than most but has almost everything you need.
My Best car
My first new car I bought was the Focus, I owned a 2003 before going right back to updrade to the 2005.This car is very easy to handle, It was excellent in the snow,just do oil changes and maintain the car and it will last forever.Drove mine till 145,000 then traded it for another one with less miles.plenty of room for long trips,love the cup holders. all the pockets for stuff. This car handles snow like a charm. I honestlyAdont have anything to say bad about this type of car, its a great price and hold up very well. like i said change oil and tires and its a charm.I WAS NEVER LEFT STRANDED OR WITH OUT A CAR WHEN I DROVE A FOCUS,I KNOW IT STARTS NOW MATTER HOW COLD IT IS, LOVE THEM
WOW whatta car!
OK, I have a cat named Chevy if that tells you anything. I swore I would never ever buy a Ford, but after test driving a Focus ZX3 SES I must say, I was floored. I ended up getting the SE model but love it just the same! It gets great mileage, runs great, is pretty zippy, and is all around a great deal. I must say, I will probably trade this in in a few years for another FORD! :)
My crappy ford
I purchased this car for the gas mileage since most of my driving is interstate, to find it sucks more gas than a V8 and when taken to the car lot they hook up a computer to it and say i'm getting 39 mpg but in fact getting less than 22 mpg what a disappointment!!!the rpms in the city are 1800 on the tach on the highway it's between 2200 and 2500 and no one will actually check the car out for problems!!!
Ford Focus
This is a cute, economical car with all the amenities of a very expensive vehicle. Highly recommend it. Has a 6 CD player, climate control, anti-theft device, back seats fold down for extra room, dual airbags, heated side mirrors, loads of storage space, several cupholders, an outlet to charge a cellphone, floor mats, and keyless door entry. It has a separate button to blow the horn so you can find your car in a parking lot, cruise control, Pirelli tires. The price is reasonable with tax and tags, $15,000.
Ford tough
17 years old and still running strong.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
In Focus
This car runs great and is good on gas. The styling is sharp and the interior is spacious.
I like the warranty ... kind of
I bought the my car with only 11 miles. I put about 30k a year on a car and wanted something with a good warranty. At 90k the CD player went out. At 93k my alternator destroyed my battery while I was 300 miles from home. The part was covered under warranty but the dealership wouldn't have it for 2 days. My "warranty" wouldn't tow me back so I was stuck missing work for that time. When it was finally repaired the battery light came on again only about 100 miles down the highway. I admit, this isn't disastrous but I am concerned that I will be in a world of hurt at 100k when the factory warranty runs out. The customer care dept better wow me or it is hello Hyundai!
Great for its Price
This is a great car for its price. The interior could use some redesign, for example you can't roll down the window when you have a drink in the door cup holder. It is extremely responsive - "its low center of gravity allows you to take corners faster than you realize", (at least thats what I said to the officer who pulled me over last weekend for taking a corner too fast). The sound system is beefed up compared to other cars in its class. Also the mods that are available are endless.
Ford Focus ZX SE
We traded in our F150 which we loved because of the gas prices going up. And not only does it get great gas mileage in stop and go traffic of 27 mpg or more - freeway driving we get 35mpg. It is so fun to drive and handles great. My daughter then bought this same car, same year . And she also loves it.
Begs to be Driven!
I commute 102 miles daily, and I need a car that makes those 2.5 hours bearable. The Focus makes the drive a pleasure. I'm on Interstate 75, and my Focus runs with the big boys without breaking a sweat. Outstanding on all counts. Feels like a much bigger car with a MUCH bigger engine. This is my first Ford. It won't be my last!
Ford Focus
I bought the car in Nov. 2004. I had to take it the dealer to have transmission work. There was a transmission leak due to (slip boot cover?) had to be replaced. Transmission also had a rumbling noise when car reached speeds of over 35 mph. Apparently, the transmission was sitting on the axle and they had to take out the whole transmission and reposition it. I am glad I had the warranty to cover all of the repairs. Sometimes it is hard to shift (clutch gets stuck).
My Yellow Focus
The Ford Focus is a looker! I have a bright yellow Focus and I have people of all ages looking at it. I love to drive it as it is a fun car to drive. It stays on the road well and handles curves well. I drive on the highway most of the time and it holds its own there also. If I was going to complain about something it would be the paint job. I don't think it holds up well; it scratches easily. Also, I have had to have 3 lug nut covers replaced as they fall off after having the tires rotated. I would also like just an inch or two more room in the back seat leg area.
Radio killed the car
I had the car for about 4 weeks, left it parked for a week, came back the engine was dead, jumped it, it died again. Come to find out the CD/radio was bad, killing the battery. Two months later still waiting on a new CD/radio to be installed. Also my car came with no dip stick. Not sure if that was the dealer or standard practice, that cost $45. Otherwise the car has everything you need for the price. Even with the AC running it can keep up with the best of them on the Autobahn here in Germany. At 140KMs it is sailing along comfortably.
the most bang for your buck
Obviously the Ford Focus isn't a luxury model. You get what you pay for. But I purchased a 2005 ZX2 SES om July of '05 (the day before Ford decided to do employee pricing). I also added the upgraded sound system, side impact air bags, and moonroof ... I paid $13,150. I believe that dollar for dollar you get more for your money that Toyota or Honda. Remember you are paying premium price on those two cars because of reliability. Ford has worked out the kinks and I believe it's not worth paying an extra $6,000 for a Honda just because a Ford MIGHT break down and a Honda MIGHT not.
The best choice I never did make
I didn't make the decision to get a Focus -- my husband and the salesman did. I wanted the big SUV. Of course, it was a blessing that I decided on the Focus, especially with the price of gas these days. It is WONDERFUL on fuel! I get about 432 miles to the tank and I get 36 miles to the gallon. It has a 12 gallon tank. Great on the pocket book. Much better than 15 miles to the gallon! It is fun to drive, but because of the fuel economy, the 2.0L engine doesn't have the pep that my former V8 had. However, I much prefer to save the gas and money. Would definitely recommend it as a car for anybody who likes to drive, despite the rising fuel costs.
Stick to Imports
this was my first new vehicle. in less than 2 weeks it was in service. then it was in service every other week for one issue or another. my personal vehicle was in service for a rattling noise in rear area; transmission probs; rear hatch not locking; dome light turning on whenever it felt like it... i wont go into my experience with the service department. in short, my car was back at the dealership longer than me driving. filed lemon lawsuit; ford could not buy back- so they issued a settlement check. although it is a spacious vehicle, do not buy- resale value blows; not to mention reliability. if you do buy, make sure you get gap insurance!! many service depts still cant fix hatch probs.
Great value.
I just bought the 2005 ZX3, having previously bought a 99' ZX2, and I'm impressed with the refinement. I really liked my ZX2 (still do, actually), so I was surprised how much more advanced the Focus felt when I got behind the wheel. It rides smoothly, quietly, and relatively sprightly. You sit much higher. The steering wheel feels and looks nice and the stick feels much more "short throw" and precise. The clutch is effortless. It's easily the nicest car I've owned, out of 4 used and 2 new cars. It's roomy. It's solid. Above all, it's very reasonably priced. Ford is finally meeting the Japanese in quality, and (slightly) beating them in price. Kudos!
it is a nice car
I bought it to replace my old Ford Escort. Now my wife drives it and I drive it during weekends. Compared to my Ford Fusion, it is noisy. That is the only thing I can complain about. Man, this car is 4,000 dollar cheaper than Ford Fusion. Can they be the same? I own it for 3 years and only the CD player had problem and it was replaced by a brand new one without cost. Believe it? This car does not need to change air filter. The gas mileage is good, it is a great economic compact car.
Second Focus Wagon even better than first.
Just traded an '02 Focus wagon that I logged 54,000 miles in three years with no repair problems. Liked it so well I bought another, this time an SES. The '05 is quieter, steers better, has plenty of pep climbing hills and mountains, and gets great gas mileage. I like the new dash layout. Would recommend to anyone who wants the most for their money.
Wonderful
This is the best car I have ever bought; very fuel efficient and that's what I needed. Very well equipped.
Just Bought One
I just bought my Focus about 2 days ago, and I have put a little over 150 miles on it. I've been impressed with the way it drives. I have always owned a car with a manual transmission, but this little car has been a new experience for me. It has a lot of power, and there is no change in power even when my whole family is in there, nor when I turn on the air conditioning. Neither has made the engine stall what so ever. I drive about 80 miles a day and I feel this car is going to be the best with fuel efficiency, it has been so far. I am proud of the 100k mile warranty on the engine. It made it so much easier making my decision for purchase. I am very pleased so far.
My Focus Wagon SE
First wagon I ever owned was a 1964 Falcon; after that I have owned several wagons including 9 passenger large wagons. Went to a smaller wagon when the Taurus came out and have owned several of them; however this Focus wagon is one of the best handling and most economical vehicles I have ever owned. I haven't had one problem with the car, even my wife likes it, and that is the best testimony ever. (you have to know her)
Great for the young family
I love my Focus wagon. It's great because it fits all our needs. We have one small child and 2 dogs. Everyone fits with room to spare. The Focus drives great, has some get up and go for a wagon. I've only had one small problem with my highbeams not going off but took it to the dealer and they fixed it in about 1 hour.