Used 2006 Ford Focus Consumer Reviews
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Ford Focus '06
Since I have purchased my 06'Ford Focus SE 4 door I have been pleasantly surprised by its good all around quality. For example, its ride is comparable to a standard size sedan with excellent acceleration and fuel economy in this automatic transmission version.
F for Ford and rear brake squeal
Rear brake squeal is a major problem with these Ford Focus for a number of model years and Ford refuses to fix or acknowlege the issue except for a few. We bought 3 of these and have the same problem on all. After about 2 years the rear brake squeal is so loud it is deafening. The dealship has not been able to fix the problem and we have spent a lot of money on them. Ford tells us we are just out of luck. Buyer beware.
- ZX4 S SedanMSRP: $3,90029 mi away
- ZX4 SES SedanMSRP: $3,995100 mi away
- ZX4 SES SedanMSRP: $3,995113 mi away
Unsafe
I absolutely loved driving this vehicle. The quick acceleration, smooth ride, and exceptional sound system made my hour long commute to work enjoyable. Unfortunately, the car was totaled when I hydroplaned in a heavy storm and went off the road. My concern is that the air bag did not deploy. I dropped six feet off the road and slammed into a group of trees at approximately 45 mph. The engine was pushed up off the engine block, both tires were out of the wheel wells, and the hood nearly crashed through the windshield. The crumple zones worked as designed, but I seriously question the alignment of the impact points in this vehicle. Current owners, please have your air bags checked!
Cheesy Face-lift
I wished they didn't change the exterior styling, it's horrible especially for the hatchback version. It's basically the same Focus, but more refined and it handles great, very predictable and secure. The interior space is quite good for the size of the car. I enjoy all the features that came with my ZX5, like 6 CDs, moonroof, heated seats.
Best car for the money
Pros: I bought a highly loaded ST (6-track CD, leather, heated seats, air bags) less than Mazda 3, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic. Mazda 3 was comparable but more expensive and dash board was chintzy and rode harder. Adding any options to Corolla was expensive. The Focus ZX4 ST handles great, rides nice, and is comfortable to sit in. Shifter is quick and maximum torque is found at a good RPM. Trunk is very adequate for this class of car. Good HVAC. Cons: No light for the back seat compartment. Lack of automatic could be annoying to some but SE offers a solution.
A Focus ... Who Would Have Thought
It was between the Corolla-S, and a Focus ... and the Focus won my heart. Who would have ever thought a Focus to be worthy of such praise. It is a fun little car to drive around, and compared to my truck I used to have, the gas mileage is awesome!
ZX4 ST a cool car
It was easy to buy, fun to drive.
Ford Focus 4 door s Automatic
Steering and ride exceptional for a compact car. One of the most fun to drive cars in its class. Gas mileage about 33 mpg. Overall one of the best compacts available. Drive one and you will see what I mean.
Great Value in the Compact Class
I have had a lot of fun driving this car. The handling and ride of this car rival my wife's Honda Accord (no kidding). I test drove the new Honda Civic, new Toyota Corolla, and a new Suzuki Forenza. The Focus had the most headroom, the most comfortable seats, and the best road manners. The interior is well laid out with all of the controls within easy reach. On the highway the engine noise is quieter than expected. The engine doesn't sound too hurried even at speeds around 70 mph. The car tracks straight and is very responsive to steering input with the short wheelbase. Braking feels solid, even with drum brakes in the rear. I am getting just over 27 mpg with mixed city/highway driving.
A great car
We bought the Focus after driving the Escape, RAV4, Corolla, and Civic. We bought the car in DC and live in St. Louis; on the trip back we got almost 34 mpg. Since then we have put almost 1000 miles city and highway at almost 31 mpg. Great to drive on the highway, super quiet. Sound system is quiet, opted for the 6 disk package. We got a SES with the safety package for the same price as a SE w/ safety package, convenience group, and the sport group. Out the door price $14,088. Easy on the wallet for gas, insurance and payments, plus a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty and you have 36,000 bumper to bumper. Great deal, fun to drive.
Great Economy Car
Just picked up my '06 SES w/auto. The car is just a blast to drive - way more so than the price may indicate. The build quality looks better than average, and the stock radio is just fine. The rebates make this too good of a deal to pass up.
Functional, reliable, and fuel efficient
I've had my Focus for a year and have had no problems. I love the room it has in back. It was the only hatch that could swallow my goalie equipment without having to fold the seat down. I check my mileage every fill-up and have never been below 27 and highest was 34mpg. Typically 28-29 in mostly short trip driving, no highway (but not really stop and go either) The ride feels a bit like a Jetta, which is a compliment-- great handling, nicely tuned suspension. However, much less expensive and Ford reliability is outstanding these days.
Great for parents
I am a single mom and I was looking for a car that had room plus good mileage. This is a good car because it has fold in seats in the back to put longer stuff in your trunk. The trunk is large too. The seats have anchors for car seats and you can still fold one side or both sides down if you have a rather large item. I love my car.
A good car for the price
Although the design is now several years old (2005 "freshening" was insignificant), it's functional and offers a fun driving experience. Great for tall folks (I'm 6'2") and super in the Ottawa winter, thanks to traction control and heated seats.
Never Bored with this Ford
What a pleasant surprise! I have owned the car for 4 months and am delighted with its performance, reliability and ergonomics. It is a pleasure to drive, handles extremely well and gets great mileage. I highly recommend the Focus to anyone who wants an inexpensive, fun vehicle.
Will always own a focus
I traded in my 2000 Ford Focus ZX3 for the 06' Focus ZX4, and couldn't be happier with it. Performance, reliability and gas mileage is great. Corners like it's on rails! I am a huge Focus fan, and I plan on always owning one.
Excellent Choice
The car has been an excellent traveling car. During the summer I drive it more then in the winter but that's because I have a 4x4 80's Toyota for the ice. The gas mileage is good, 26 in the city, 35 on the highway for the most part. It has great acceleration for a 4cyl on an automatic and it is very fun to drive. I did replace the radio in favor of one that has full iPod capability in summer 2008.
Fun, reliable commuter
5sp SES, owned since new, now 55k. Fun, practical, economical, even works well on long trips (for two adults). 33-38 mpg with manual trans on part- highway commute, taking it easy and using cruise. Never less than 30mpg, even with local stop and go. Stock Pirelli's lasted 45k, now on all season Dunlop Signatures, better in snow, great in wet&dry. Only two repairs, under warranty: left rear door seal leak and power steering pump. Great in winter - heated seats, mirrors, traction control, ABS. SES interior for price is good. No squeaks or rattles. Some wind noise, but tolerable. 5sp is notchy, but you get used to it. Roomy trunk, rear seats fold nearly flat. View out back not so great
MUST test drive this car to believe it!
I was looking for a personal car to zip around in that was cheap on gas. I settled for a 2006 Toyota Corolla with sunroof, but due to a shortage, car was not to be delivered for 3 weeks! For the fun of it, I visited a Ford dealer and checked out the Focus. For less money, I got a boat load of options not planned for the Corolla. After a test drive, there was no turning back. Seats are much more comfortable and overall the car is much more fun to drive. I never thought I would buy a Ford, but so far I love the car + highly recommend you test drive one!
Excellent purchase
I purchased the vehicle on December 11, 2005. I traded in a 2000 F150 Ford. I needed a good and reliable car for my daily commute of 100 miles per day. I understood it was a German made vehicle, and from statements form others, they are excellent vehicles. As of this date, I have no complaints and I love the car. I handles fantastic and has great pick-up on the freeway for a 2.0 engine.
2006 Focus SES review
My wife and I just picked up our 2006 Focus SES, and love it! How can you beat all the rebates Ford has put out there. Car is very sporty, handles great, and is good on gas. We looked at a Saturn, and a Cobalt but went with the Focus. We plan on having this car for a very long time, and the Ford extended warranty will surely help us achieve that.
Great little car
I love my Ford Focus and am so glad I purchased it last year. It getss great gas mileage and drives well. The only drawback to this vehicle is that it isn't great in the snow beyond that I have no complaints. I would recommend this car to anyone looking for a reliable inexpensive automobile as long as youre less than 6 ft tall, my husband is a bit uncomfortable in the drivers seat. It has all the bells and whistles you need without the expensive price tag.
ready to run
Traded in a 2003 Focus SE sedan for an 06 Focus (infra-red) ST sedan. Loved the 03 but the ST trim level takes the car in a whole new direction. Very sporty and powerful off the line. Handles like a champ with responsive steering. Feels solid and safe. Engine is louder than the 03, has a buzzy sound.
Focus st
As an engineer I try to select based on quality and price. I researched and drove a lot of cars before deciding on the Focus ST. Power to spare and handles like a sports car. 30+ mpg even with the more powerful engine. If this came as a two door coupe it would be a perfect car.
Focus ST
I love my Ford Focus ZX4 ST. It is fun, fast and reliable. I also really appreciate having a sporting oriented car that gets better than 30 mpg. Mine is a head turner with the Street Appearance package. Its interior is very comfortable with leather, moon roof, and loaded up. Fantastic car.
good value for the money
For the price this car is a good choice. This car is established since this model has been around a while. The ST can keep up with the flow of traffic on the fast and furious freeways of southern California, and when you are the only one on the road it will cruise all day long.
you get what you pay for
i bought this car after researching for several months. Car and Driver ranked the 1st generation focus as a "ten best car" and consumer reports gave the focus high marks. after 58,000, the AC went out due to a bad compressor. that was a $1300 bill. up until then, i had no problems except normal wear and tear (i'm still on original brake pads and rotors). the car is not as refined as a civic, corolla, or mazda3. it's more fun to drive than a corolla, but a corolla has better fit and finish. overall, this car is fun, but rough around the edges. wish gas mileage was better. i get 25 mpg with lead foot.
Pleasantly surprised
I purchased the Focus with the expectation of a decent car with nothing spectacular to offer due to the low price. I have been amazed with its performance thus far, much better than I expected. Even the little 2.0 has some muscle behind it. I'm enjoying this purchase more and more each day.
Good Second Car
I needed another, second, car for work. I looked at many other makes and types but was surprised by the Focus. It does not have a "cheap" feel to it and seems solid. I am very happy with my purchase.
From One to Another...
I traded a 2001 ZX3 for this 2006 SES. After driving this car for a year now, I think overall I wish I would have kept my ZX3! The build quality was MUCH better on the ZX3 but the SES has more power. There are some annoying squeaks and rattles that were a non factor on the ZX3. I don't know why Ford would not make the seats that are standard on the ZX3/ZX5 standard on the SES. These have much better side bolsters. Don't get me wrong, I like the SES. The steering feel and handling are great. The ride is not too firm. The Sony Audiophile system has great sound and the auto transmission is smooth shifting.
Gas Problem
I really like my new '06 Ford Focus ZX5 SE. I've only got about 600 miles on it however, and when filling up with gas, both times the gas backs up and shoots back out of the filler tube within seconds and splashes all over me! I have to barely squeeze the pump handle in order to get the gas into the car - a real hassle and I'm awaiting Ford's answer to this problem.
SUPER FUN CAR
This car has a lot of get up and go and often have to hit the brakes. The ride is smooth and with all the adjustments to the seats, very comfortable. I love the controls on or near the steering wheel and everything within a comfortable reach. Often times I feel like I am driving on clouds. I love the sharp look of the exterior and the comfortable interior. This is a must have car for anyone who likes to drive.
Focus = Meh
Bought this car because it was inexpensive and came with a body kit. Handles well, good gas mileage, nice looking exterior.
My new favorite car!
I just bought the car about 3 days ago, and I absolutely love it. I traded in a 2001 Pontiac Grand Am that had only 50000 miles on it and was already trying to quit on me. It had brake problems from the get-go and the alternator was shot. This new Focus makes me see why I started out with Ford in the first place, and now I'm back where I belong.
Focus
I have had my Focus for five months now. So far I have had no problems with the car. The car is fun to drive and the gas mileage is good. I would buy another one if needed. I had a 2004 Corolla but like the Focus better.
my first and only ford
I bought the car pre owned it had 43,000 k on it in the last 6 months I had the (wheel bearings, oxygen sensor, and heated seats replaced) I, m having trouble with the heater controls, the gas peddle sticks when its cold out and now the radio isn't working which is going to cost $700.00 to replace. The car isn't good in the snow and there, s a lot of road and wind noise.
A bigger car for me
I switched up to the Focus from a subcompact. I've only got about 1400 miles on it so far, but I really like it. It's fun to drive, comfortable and gets decent gas mileage (most of my driving is city driving). It's also the first brand new car I've ever bought, so I did a lot of research before buying. It handles well and no longer feels like a boat compared to the old car! I'm still very happy that I went with the Focus instead of some of the others I looked at.
fun spirited small American car
The automatic transmission has perfect shift points and quick response from throttle input. The steering feels nimble with good road feel. The ride is firm, but not harsh. No squeaks, rattles or wind noise heard so far. Fit and finish are above average. The seats could use a little more support for lower thighs.The SES model seems to be well worth the extra cost over base models.
best car in its class hands down!
I have a 06' Ford Focus ZX4 SES. I just have to say that this is the best car in its price range. I love everything about it. I got this car as a early high school graduation present. This car rocks.
Good for the price paid
I have only had the Focus for 1 month and 1000 miles, so my experience is still limited. I can't speak to its long term durability. However, I can say that the car drives and handles very securely. The 2.0 engine and 5 speed transmission make for relatively fun driving. Acceleration is more than adequate, braking is excellent with good feel, and it is quiet for this class. I bought the car because of the low price and hatchback. It replaced a Honda coupe that was not nearly as practical. Overall, I am more and more pleased with the car as time passes. It seems Ford made some decent upgrades for the 2005-plus models. This car has been around so long it seems to rely on low price to sell.
Reliable, economic transportation
Owning Toyotas, I wasn't sure about this Ford, but this one comes from the European Ford lineage. Decent acceleration and above average gas mileage, about 27-28 mpg combined driving. Interior is comfortable, but still too much plastic. The engine is a bit noisy compared to a Corolla, but I'm really surprised how reliable it has been after 30k miles. I'd wish all Ford products would be like this Focus.
Ford Focus Superstar
I purchased my '06 Focus new. Wanted Grey, hatchback, Stick, shopped around and got a 3 door SES with leather moon roof and winter package for $14000. I have had ZERO problems with it for 26000 miles, service has been excellent from dealer (even replaced a wheel with a good used one for free when I kerbed mine). The car is fun to drive, very reliable (Consumer reports rates it with Civic and Corolla), looks good and I have had a very stress free ownership. The Original Pirelli P6's (unusual size205/50 ZR16) weren't great and had lots of road noise. I changed all 4 due to a sidewall puncture @ 24K miles for BF Goodrich G-Force Sport which are much quieter and have much better dry traction
My First Focus
I just got my car yesterday & I love it! It's very comfortable to drive & I got all the features I wanted at an affordable price. I love my moonroof, heated seats & mirrors along with my ABS & side impact airbags. It really is a fun car to drive. I wish I had more places to go so I could be in it all the time! :)
very nice affordable car
After extensively shopping even the Mazda 3 and Mini, I'm very glad to have "moved down" into my ST. Very responsive and fun to drive for a car that costs thousands less than even the Chevy Cobalt. Well built (so far) with few downsides. Could use more 12v plugs (has just one) and the cup holders are for use in desperation only (good luck getting a jumbo drink to stay in place), but it is after all a small car. The trunk is HUGE and quite functional and the top end trim package (leather, sunroof and traction control) round it out well. Overall I'm very happy with it.
Great car....for the price
This is a great car...for the price. If it cost as much some competitors I'd have trouble recommending it, but you get a LOT for the money here with rebates etc. The ride and handling combination is very good for the class. I like the 5 door hatchback...it is more practical than the 3 door but sportier than the sedan. There is plenty of room up front. I'm 6'4" and have no problem fitting. I'm getting around 33 mpg overall with the manual transmission and I read they improved mileage for 2007.
It's all about fuel economy...
I've had this car for about 3 months now and am pleased with it. I bought this car to get better fuel economy and it has delivered. Driving like an old man I can get 30-31 mpg with mostly freeway driving at around 65 mph. Driving a little more spirited with higher freeway speeds and more city driving I get between 25-27 mpg. Aside from fuel efficiency the cornering on this vehicle is a bit rough (sway) which is kind of annoying since I make a lot of U-turns. Also, the inside is very bland and there is a lot of road noise, but what do you expect for the price? Will I buy another Focus? Probably not, but I am very pleased with my purchase and expect to have this car for many years.
Best car out (for the money)
I picked this up as a commuter car to make the 140 mile round trip commute to school. It's got plenty of power, and is responsive. It rolls down the highway smooth as silk at 75-80 miles an hour. I got the cold weather package (heated seats and side mirrors), Sony audiophile package and all the goodies that come with the SES trim. For the money, this car can not be beat. Comfortable, stylish and plenty of pep from the 2L engine. No other entry level car competes with the Focus.
A great American Car!
I love my focus I purchased it used with only 6k on and in 1st year I put on 35K. Great fuel economy I am getting city/hwy combined milage of 35MPG I am not driving like a a snail. I like that it is a PZEV partial zero emission vehicle. It took Honda and Toyota 1 to 2 years to bring the PZEV to market. The Focus has been PZEV since 2005 here in CA.. The 2.0 PZEV motor is a terrific motor, I have had zero problems.
Fun and practical
This is the third Focus I've driven and again, I am impressed with its bang for the buck. The Focus handles well and has a nice peppy engine, particularly with the standard transmission. I "downgraded" from a very nice VW Jetta to a new Focus and must say that the Focus is more fun to drive and handles just as well as my $27K Jetta! And is so much cheaper to maintain. My only complaint is with the sound system, which is a little muffled sounding compared to what you might find in a more luxury-style car. If you just want a practical, reliable ride to work and around town that's fun, this is it!
2006 Ford Focus ST
The Mazda 2.3 engine coupled with the 5 speed manual transmission make for a fun car to drive. Very precise steering and plenty of road feel give this economy sedan a truly sporty feel. Rear wheel drive would be a real plus. Gas mileage suffers as one keeps the revs high to fully appreciate the performance capabilities.