Overview:
This week’s car is the 2001 Ford Focus Wagon. I\’ve want to get into one since they came out, but you can only drive one car at a time. I thought the styling was interestingly different and rather futuristic. And the price was likely to be real af-Ford-able.
I gave it a good test to Tahoe, California for a week. There were just the two of us traveling, but once there we transported the grandkids, car seats and all. Boy, those things are a pain. A bungee cord and some duct tape would be easier to keep the little buggers quiet. Just kidding dear – I love ‘em.
Little 3-year-old Cierra fell down and scraped her knee and like a good boy scout I had a first aid kit in the spacious cargo area. The designers provided more than enough space for all the stuff women find a need to bring along. Not really true. I’m probably the worst offender, but worse yet, out of all the stuff I always forget something I just can\’t live without.
Anyway we got there no worse for wear and all in all it was a great car and I didn’t have to rob a bank to fuel its 130 horsepower 4-cylinder engine. As you’d expect, that 130 horses did strain a little on the mountain climbs, but no big deal. We got there in the same time that you’d make it in a Mercedes Benz or any other car that costs many times the price of this Ford Focus.
Handling & Performance:
Actually it handled pretty well in large part because it’s front wheel drive, but I don’t like to feel every pimple on the road, which you do in the Focus. Others have mentioned tire noise, which is another way of complaining about feeling the road. ”Well, duh Joe”, Ilona said, “this isn’t a luxury car”. I guess I forgot dear. Sorry.
Today’s cars often have long intervals between needed tune-ups, which is true of this Focus as well. But I doubt many people even know what points and condenser’s are. Nor would they ever consider changing spark plug wires. Well you still need to change the oil regularly, but lube joints are as foreign and remote to most drivers as Siberia, Russia.
Styling:
Different and rather unique. You can\’t miss it on the highway and like the old days, you get a car with some differentiation in appearance from other cars. When I first saw the Focus I thought of the radical styling of the Pontiac Aztek that still looks a little ugly to me. But I’m getting used to both of these futuristic body styles. Look for the Chevrolet Avalanche for another adventure in different design.
Fit and Finish:
Good for the money. It seems as though the shake; rattle and roll went out with the cars of the “good old days”. Plastic and other synthetic materials plus the experience of a hundred years of making these things, allow us to expect and receive the most solid, squeak free ride ever in auto history. Of course auto buyers weren’t as picky in the early days and a few squeaks were almost expected. After all, they traded in a horse and buggy or wagon to buy that new fangled contraption with all the horses under the bonnet (hood). Well, they wouldn’t complain back then, but I will in saying the hatches and doors sound a little “tinny”. On the positive side, however, they designed in lots of cubbyholes for storage and I appreciate that everything is laid out well.
Conveniences:
Not a lot, but enough. Reminds be of my favorite quote; “Enough is abundance to the wise”. So I’ll try to be a little wiser about my next car purchase and live with a few less gadgets, and use the money I save for a trip to Hawaii.
Cost:
Not too bad. Overall it is impressive that they can make a car with so much for so little money. Thanks to Ford the average car buyer has been buying affordable cars since the Model T and A at the turn of the 20th Century.
Consumer Recommendation:
Cars of this price range are Economy cars and they have their place in the lineup of what we have to choose from. Like I always say, the car you buy should fit your need. It truly is a good young family car, or those on a strict budget as evidenced by the fact that 50% of Focus sales have been to young drivers (35 and younger). I remember buying a Ford Fiesta back in the late 1970’s and this Focus reminds me of that car, albeit an upscale version. That was a great car and if daughter Jennifer hadn’t rolled it, it would still be running today.
The Competition:
Daewoo Nubira $11,699-15,199,Hyundai Elantra Wagon $12,499, Saturn SW $14,290, Subaru Impreza Wagon $17,495-23,495, Suzuki Esteem Wagon $13699-16,499.
Good News:
Affordable new car pricing, 100,000-mile tune up interval, good gas mileage.
Bad News:
Road noise, tinny sound from doors and especially the rear hatch.
Standard Equipment:
2.0 Liter 4-cylinder engine, auto transaxle front wheel drive, dual air bags, child safety door locks, remote keyless entry, theft system, power rack and pinion steering, power front discs and rear drum ABS braking system, independent suspension, rear window defroster with wiper / washer, luggage rack, dual power mirrors, air conditioning, stereo with CD player and power windows.
Gas Stats:
25 City and 31 Highway MPG.
Pricing:
MSRP $17,795.
