Should I Buy? 1st Gen (00-07) Ford Focus // Perfect First Car

In this video we explore whether or not the first generation Ford Focus is worth buying today. We also look at how the car drives, how difficult or expensive maintenance is, and the car's common problems. This is basically a buyers guide to help you navigate your used car search.
Timestamps:
0:48 - Buyers Guide (trims, options, engines, transmissions, year to year changes/things to watch out for)
5:49 - Common issues, maintenance, parts cost, ease of maintenance
8:48 - Common problems list
10:05 - Driving experience, comfort, price
14:40 - Conclusion

[@DaytonFromTheDena]

Disclaimer: These cars have an EGR valve that sends hot exhaust into the intake, these are a common fault and make the car run rough and if you want to remove this device a ECU tuner is needed.

[@aveautomotive2441]

100%-the owner of this car actually had the EGR valve fail. Seems to happen on every early Focus! Not difficult or time consuming to replace thankfully. Thank you for mentioning that!

[@Beth9228]

I used to have a 2005 Ford Focus ZX5 SES trim level in light green. I was in a bad car accident in early March 2012. I do have a neighbor that has a 2001 Ford Focus SE in a sedan. I liked to drive her car for nostalgia feeling in driving it. Now I drive a 2020 Ford Escape SE in BLACK!! I do missed that Focus. My Focus was automatic. It was my 2nd car. It was easy from driving a 1998 Ford Contour to a 2005 Ford Focus. It was my favorite car to drive around in.

[@thevacdude]

We got a 2004 ZX3 with the 2.3. Been a solid car. Have had it since new. i'd rock a first gen in a heart beat.

[@aveautomotive2441]

How many miles? I miss that 2002 from the video. My gf now has a 2011 Jetta Sportwagen with the 2.5L, but some days I miss that good ol’ Focus.

[@thevacdude]

@@aveautomotive2441 we have about 108,000 miles or so. Going to be a sad day when something happens to that car.

[@chevycavalier00]

I'm looking into buying one of these wagons for my business. This has been a great informative video. Thank you for taking the time to make this.

[@brinckenj]

I have a 05 with 2.0l. 5 speed. This car handles great and gets great gas mileage 28mpg mainly in town driving. Now the bad: had to replace left bearing and cv joint. Had to replace several parts and cleaned the throttle body.

[@MTLbigJ]

Loved this video, i love first gens. Ive owned 3 focus' and they were all special in their own ways. My first one was an 03 SE wagon with the SPI motor. Automatic Base model that was slow as a turtle but i loved that thing. I was lucky the motor was pretty strong and never had any issues. It was spacious, fuel effecnt and extremely practical. I miss it man My second one was a 2010 focus SE sedan. Technically sneaking a mk1.5 but overall it's pretty much a first gen. Manual 5 speed 2.0L that was by far the best on gas out of all the focuses i owned. Extremely reliable apart from motor mounts and brakes i did nothing to that car. But the rocker panels rotted away so quick it was beyond repair. I now own an 07 ZX4 ST with the 2.3 duratec 5 speed manual. Its got alot of pep and is such a blast to drive. Feels like a FWD rally car. Its really rare and most people dont beleive its an ST lol. I love these cars, with simple maintenance these cars can bring you to the moon and back

[@Pdraver333]

I had a 2002 ZX5 from 2002 to 2016. Put about 140,000 miles on it. Most trouble free car I've ever had. Still wonder why they used a plastic thermostat housing that would eventually crack internally and leak coolant. At least a replacement thermostat and housing only cost around $35 from Amazon and was easy to change. Front brake pads and rotors changed two or three times. Still had the original rear brake shoes when I traded it in! I remember someone said the rear wheels were only there to keep the rear end from dragging on the ground. Sounds about right.

[@aveautomotive2441]

That does sound about right 😂 sounds like you had a great experience! I miss the one featured in the video-it was a good car.

[@silverxstar01]

Thanks so much for this comprehensive review. I’m eyeing a 2004 SE wagon and this has been so helpful!

[@qualityreno9689]

Thank you for a very comprehensive review on the car. Im a proud owner of two. One 2005 sedan, one 2006 wagon. On long distances, like 5_6 hour trips, very comfortable ride. Way better than an equivalent Corolla.

[@aveautomotive2441]

Thank you! Yes, I’d have to agree. Though the Corolla should hold up better to abuse and age, the Focus is the car I’d choose to drive. I almost bought an 05’ manual Wagon before I got my Honda!

[@user-ik8tn1df3h]

In Europe the first generation focus is introduced in 1996 and lunched In 1997. European models are mostly with really durable manual gear box and we have diesel engines which are also quite good. The only bigger problem with this trash buckets are electronics and rust but if you repair the rust and don't mind not opening windows the car is perfect

[@aveautomotive2441]

I wish we had the option for the duratorq motor…I’ve only heard good things! I wish they were a little less rust prone, but I guess that’s what you have to deal with if you want a dirt cheap car in 2023 lol

[@alfredosantiago3168]

I love ford focus good cars

[@caseyklauburg8896]

At around 6:50, you mentioned that the 2005 and newer Focus used 15 mm bolts for the calipers, and I'm just a bit confused about that since when I did the front brakes on my '07, I had to use an 8 mm allen key like on the older models.

[@aveautomotive2441]

Thank you for pointing this out! I made a mistake. I believe some focus models that were equipped with rear disc brakes used a 13 or 15mm bolt…I think. I’ll update this after some more research. Either way you are correct it’s an Allen key even 05-07 it seems. Most folks I’ve heard said 7mm. Thanks again for bringing this up, I’ll pin this thread. Cheers man!

[@FoFo20d]

My manual one had rear disc brakes

[@CasualGaming76]

Doin a Zetec swap after my second SPI does what the first did. I get more power, reliability-there’s room to modify and I can actually find repair videos being done to the Zetec engine. What’s to lose?

[@user-ik8tn1df3h]

In Europe the smallest engine is 1.4 liter 70 hp and the biggest is 2.0 liters

[@eraldojunior4991]

Essa grade com esses pisca onde compro?

[@paul_350mg]

that was so good. i died like 4 times.

[@aveautomotive2441]

Just wait for the next video, you’ll get lice

[@AnthonyLeonardis-ii4tv]

What size engine

[@CasualGaming76]

Most common 2.0L SPI, 2.0L Zetec and 2.3L Duratec. No that is not every single engine ever offered in these cars.