Used 2005 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews
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Best value I've ever had in a car
Benzin, 09/26/2017
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 ST 4dr Sedan (2.3L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought a used Focus ST with 168k miles, traded it in at 268k miles. Only thing to go wrong was a wheel bearing; everything else was routine wear items and preventative maintenance. Some surface rust started to show on rockers, but no where near as much as a typical car in 12 years in the rust belt. Despite all that wear I still saw 27 mpg highway. Get up and go was not bad for a naturally aspirated 4 cylinder, the 5 speed transmission shifted smooth and the clutch was progressive and quick. Steering was dead on and tight the life of it. Car was comfortable for my 6'2" frame even on long trips, Power windows and moon roof always worked smooth, no switches cutting out or slowness or chatters. It even had a nice stereo. I only got $500 on trade because of the mileage, but I would recommend a Focus to anyone in the market for an economy car. If I wasn't so bored of FWD I probably would never bother with anything else.
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Awesome Value
scandalon68, 09/10/2012
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
This was by far the best care I have ever owned. It was running great with over 210K until it was totaled. Great mileage.
2005 Ford Focus for sale near you
Showing 3 of 54 listings
- ZX3 SES 2dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,99591 mi away
- ZX4 S SedanMSRP: $7,500115 mi away
- ZX4 SE SedanMSRP: $5,999221 mi away
See all 54 listings
More than expected
CAFFN8D, 01/12/2010
2005 Ford Focus ZX3 S 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
With the understanding that the Focus was an econobox, I purchased one new from dealer in summer of '05. After 4+ years ownership, it has performed without fail and has proven itself to be a very capable daily commuter, with occasional weekend duties as a hauler. I drive 45+ miles daily, and feel quite comfortable with the amenities it has. I especially enjoy the small footprint yet torquey responsive engine. I can zip easily throughout traffic, yet blend in as necessary. The hauling capacity is quite surprising for such a small car on the exterior. People at my landfill have expressed their amazement at how much I can fit in the back. It's very durable and capable - I recommend it.
My Focus Experience
S. Howe, 09/10/2005
2005 Ford Focus ZXW SE 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Since purchasing my Focus Wagon my great-nephews (in a car seat and boaster seat) have had a great time traveling about in our area. There is also enough room for my niece in the back with the boys. Everything is so easy to get to and to get the boys in their seats.
Not worth the repairs
bioc06, 03/24/2011
2005 Ford Focus ZX4 S 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
8 of 9 people found this review helpful
My '05 Focus has been prone to maintenance issues. Despite following the scheduled maintenance guide and having less than 50,000 miles, the transmission has gone. The cause, according to the mechanic, is wear and tear on a band, and nothing could have been done to prevent it. Twice, the alignment has gone out. No cause was given.
Used Iowa Fleet Vehicle- horrible transmission lea
John Mills, 08/21/2018
2005 Ford Focus ZXW SE 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Bought it used. Right from the beginning, the transaxle seeped. Replaced it twice, along with CV joint twice. Brakes, and engine run well and very zippy on the road. Gas mileage was 30+ on the highway, but 19 or so on the streets. Engine mount bolts kept breaking, or falling out. Three different mechanics said the Focus was notorious for the mount bolts breaking off. Front end requires alignment much more often than Ford recommend. Biggest grevience was trying to replace the headlight bulbs. They are squeezed in between a brace and the headlight assemblies. The only way I found was to remove the assemblies and then have a mechanic realign them. Very poorly designed.
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2005 Focus wagon
Rainer McGee, 04/28/2005
2005 Ford Focus ZXW SES 4dr Wagon (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Overall handling and performance with the manual transmission is awesome. Great sound system with the 6 CD radio. For a compact, the handling and performance is more than I expected. The fuel economy is second to none in the non-hybrid class. And that is one of the reasons I purchased the Focus wagon. It's nice and roomy too. When "they" said it's fun to drive, "they" were not kidding. By the way, I'm 65 yrs old and having fun driving it. (and I can afford to drive anything I want and I chose the Focus).
My 05 ZX3 Review
mwp1, 12/31/2005
2005 Ford Focus ZX3 SE 2dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My car is the basic S model with air and 5- speed; I bought it as a daily commuter as I drive 120 miles a day for work. Runs well but has had transmission problems beginning at 50 miles, the shifter cable keeps falling off at the transmission, three times now, the dealer keeps "adjusting" the cables but I know that there is a design flaw with the plastic connector. Also the drivers seat frame broke requiring a new seat back to be installed.
Love the 5 door hatchback for hauling
CJ, 09/29/2008
2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Just adore the 5 door hatchback. I can move most anything, yet it is a classy car and much bigger on the inside than it seems. Great mileage and reliability with over 50K on engine. With the rear lights being so large yet sleek, I never worry about tailgaters anymore. They either stay back or go around once you hit them a couple times. Only problem is the additional CD holder handle broke on me.
Focus on the MPG
JOL, 11/14/2008
2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SES 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I initially purchased the car while in the service in Guam back in 2005, and drove it less than 5,000 miles my first 3 years. Now that I'm back in the states, I get to see just how the ZX5 really nandles. I had to replace the original dealership tires at 16,000 miles, otherwise, it runs like a gem. I drove it from Houston to Dallas last week, and still had a quarter tank left when I got there. So, I drove on that 1/4 of gas back to Houston. You do the math. And yes, the AC was on.