2000 Ford Focus Se Wagon

[Mattones]

I am actually thinking os buying a used one. Found one at a good prive with about 170kms. Wasent wanting a Wagon but what the heck its big enough for work and if i decide to go on a trip i can just pile the stuff in it since its a wagon.

Anyone know if this car is alright on gas? Or just like any other Van/Wagon?

Thanks Any other info will be good.

Its gonna be my first car.

[Mattones]

bump!

[SKYMTL]

IMO, for the price you may be able to get something alot more reliable.

I know a few people with 2000-2001 Focuses that have had nothing but problems with them.

[sixer]

IMO, for the price you may be able to get something alot more reliable.

I know a few people with 2000-2001 Focuses that have had nothing but problems with them.

What type of wagon or minivan do you recommend in the same price range. I've heard the focus to be quite reliable.

[jerryhung]

This one for your comparison (not mine)
2001- Focus SE - $5900, 124000 km
http://kitchener.craigslist.org/car/292577539.html

[Mattones]

This one for your comparison (not mine)
2001- Focus SE - $5900, 124000 km
http://kitchener.craigslist.org/car/292577539.html

Thats a little too far from Burlington :S My price is 4500 tops. lower the better. Ahh the FORD TAURUS SE iv looked intop are sold :(

[2000fordfocus]

I drive my 2000 focus wagon daily. You decide if is reliable or not!

Here are all my fix after manufacture warranty expired:

2/26/2002 12838 Block heater cord broke 22.77
7/5/2002 18482 Replace Right inner tie rod and 4 wheel alignment (Owner's fault) 240.44
2/24/2003 31517 Interior shampoo (Owner's fault) 107
11/7/2003 41176 Front brake squeaking, require cleaning 63.85
6/11/2004 49078 Rear brake squeaking, require cleaning 45.6
9/21/2004 52328 Right rear signal light bulb replacement 8.37
10/4/2004 53296 Tire replace by Goodyear Assurance Triple Tred P195/60R15 (all four) 558.56
10/18/2004 53502 Rear wheel alignment check (Owner's fault) 14.83
10/20/2004 53530 4 wheel alignment check and repair (Owner's fault) 132.24
4/4/2005 60417 Serpentine belt replace 90.16
5/25/2005 xxxxx Window chip repair 39.9
8/10/2005 xxxxx Battery replace by Energizer battery 97.88
2/14/2006 72429 Front brake pad and rotor replacement 242.2
2/24/2006 72704 Left rear signal light bulb replacement 9.76
4/xx/2006 xxxxx Power door lock malfunction, fix by replacing fuse 2.25
5/30/2006 xxxxx Ignition switch lockup, require drilling and replacement 403.68
9/7/2006 xxxxx Right Light Bulb connector melted by super white light bulb(bought from Paul) 4.51
9/21/2006 83116 Front spring/strut replacment (Ford cover cost of spring and labour) 240.24
9/22/2006 83135 4 wheel alignment check and repair as require after spring/strut replacment 73.78


**Is currently at 93000kms and haven't require a fix since 83135kms**

I bought my focus for $22000cad with four yrs zero percent financing.
- 2000 Ford Focus SE sport
- Automatic

My yearly insurance is so low you would believe! 750cad per year! Saskatchewan

[2000fordfocus]

Here are my maintenance cost:
Oil change $33.89
Radiator service $83.11, perform on October 12, 2004 at 53228km
Transmission service $154.61, perform on October 12, 2006 at 83974km
Fuel filter replacement $25.10 at 70247km, perform by myself
Air filter replacement $13.29 at 86736km, perform by myself
Spark plug replacement $57.28 at 73722km, perform by myself
Tire rotation is free with tire purchase, perform on June 12, 2006 at 77647km
40 pts inspection $11.25 at 38400km

[SKYMTL]

What type of wagon or minivan do you recommend in the same price range. I've heard the focus to be quite reliable.

Later models may be somewhat reliable but the early models were anything but. I have a 2003 version of Phil Edmonston's Lemon Aid and it lists 12 Service Bulletins and 19 Recalls for the 2000 Focus.

For that price, I would look at a Subaru station wagon:

Legacy Station Wagon Link (http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1603093&adid=5926419)
Subaru Outback Wagon Link (http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1099862&adid=5967706)
Subaru Outback Wagon Link (http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=765&Region=-1&subcategory=&CAT=1)

I'm sure you could find others which are cheaper....

[Slippery_Pete]

What type of wagon or minivan do you recommend in the same price range. I've heard the focus to be quite reliable.

You may get a reliable 2000 focus I am not sure. But I have heard that early model Foucs' were NOT reliable. However supposedly all the kinks and bugs were worked out in later models. I drove a rental 2003 Focus wagon and it was actually somewhat enjoyable to drive (much more than my 98 Escort wagon, which by the way is quite reliable). That being said there were a slew of recalls on the early Focus' and if the Focus you are looking at had all of these performed maybe it is reliable. However, recalls are usually more safety related than reliability related.

[2000fordfocus]

Later models may be somewhat reliable but the early models were anything but. I have a 2003 version of Phil Edmonston's Lemon Aid and it lists 12 Service Bulletins and 19 Recalls for the 2000 Focus.

For that price, I would look at a Subaru station wagon:

Legacy Station Wagon Link (http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1603093&adid=5926419)
Subaru Outback Wagon Link (http://www.trader.ca/powerpage/details.aspx?vlotid=1099862&adid=5967706)
Subaru Outback Wagon Link (http://www.trader.ca/Search/Details.asp?mknm=765&Region=-1&subcategory=&CAT=1)

I'm sure you could find others which are cheaper....

You a right, a lot of recalls for 2000 focus!

One real beneficial recall was done at 83000kms, when ford told me they will replace the front springs for me at no cost! Of course I ask them to put some new strut in and they will cover the labour, my car ride so well right now.

[Mattones]

I have been looking at

2000 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON (S/W)

Would you buy another FF Wagon 00?

[2000fordfocus]

I have been looking at

2000 FORD FOCUS SE WAGON (S/W)

Would you buy another FF Wagon 00?

Yes, but only a new one!

[DragonZealot]

We have a '00 Focus SE Wagon with 110K. It has been serving us well so far. Only repairs were a idler pulley for $45 and a wheel cylinder for $20.

2000FordFocus, my front springs are still intact. Did you have your springs broken and you brought it to Ford to replace them under extended warranty?

[2000fordfocus]

We have a '00 Focus SE Wagon with 110K. It has been serving us well so far. Only repairs were a idler pulley for $45 and a wheel cylinder for $20.

2000FordFocus, my front springs are still intact. Did you have your springs broken and you brought it to Ford to replace them under extended warranty?

There is a recall on this! My spring wasn't crack, but I felt my ride were a little bouncy. I knew about this recall and took it to Ford to have it inspected. The out come was, they replace the spring, part and labour! At the same time, I bought a set of strut from Ford and they put it on without labour cost.

[wrcfocus]

I have a 2002 Focus, but I haven't put that many clicks on it, less than 40,000 km. I know I don't drive that much..haha. In the city I average about 8.5L/100km and on the highway I can get 7L/100km. The numbers are average I would say, but since your considering a wagon it doesn't leave you much choice. (read on for more..)

My car has been trouble-free except for oil changes, tire rotations (which I do myself). Would I buy another Focus? Definetely, but this time around I would try to find a manual transmission probably 2002-2003 model years. I've been trying to look for a 2002-2003 manual Focus wagon, and those are really hard to come by! But since your looking for automatic, it should be much easier. The 05+ models are more refined but I just can't get myself to like the styling inside and out, although that's purely subjective.

I've heard of some owners having surface rust appearing under the rear license plate lights, and some behind the rear license plate. I would definetely check that out before you seal the deal. From what I've heard it affects mostly hatchbacks and sedans.. but it's something to keep in mind.

Trying to find a compact wagon leaves you with very few choices since most manufacturer's have left that category. The only ones that come to mind are Hyundai Elantra and Suzuki Esteem. Both of these are a far cry to what the Ford offers, in terms of practicality and driving enjoyment. The Impreza Wagon is a good too, but that's AWD and you won't get as good fuel economy but you do gain a sense of security. All of 3 of these have a smaller cargo area than the Focus, not sure how important that is for you. But having extra cargo capacity doesn't hurt. There's the Toyota Matrix/Pontiac Vibe, but if your gonna consider those (tall wagon's) you open up a lot more options to yourself, such as the PT Cruiser, Suzuki Aerio.

Like others have already said, I would avoid 2000-01 model year Focus' since Ford had a lot of trouble with them. But as long as you make sure all the recalls have been to the car you should be ok.

Happy car hunting!

[Mattones]

im, not buying new..im buying used...MAYBE now or ill ook ofr other used cars

[ashhabib]

My Advice to you would be to try and find a ZXW. The SE wagons have the SPI engine, and its a slug. The ZXW has the zetec engine which is much more powerful, smoother, and has a healthy aftermarket if you ever want to do something to the car. I suggest you go to www.focusfanatics.com or www.focuscanada.net and search the forums. You'll see the good and the bad from those of us who live with them.

[Focus]

ZXW is for later year, in 2k it call wagon.

2k focus w/ 230k km on it, have not see the shop since warranty expire. the one good thing about 2k focus is that the interior material is alot better compare to 03-04 and the paint last alot longer than later yr as well. If I'm looking for another focus it will be a 2k.

As for SPI engine, the good thing is that it get very good milage. The fill out the tank after light on is about 42L and I have seen people report getting over 700km all hwy per tank.

Good car, if you can find a cheap one go for it.

[wrcfocus]

My Advice to you would be to try and find a ZXW. The SE wagons have the SPI engine, and its a slug.

Not all SE's have the SPI engine. They also offered the Zetec (130 hp) engine when you opted for the Sport package. This package included Fog lamps, 15" wheels among other goodies. There was also the limited edition Street Edition wagon in 2001 and this came with the Zetec engine, 16" machined aluminum wheels, rear wing, black rocker panels, front lip, black side mouldings and most importantly european suspension. Now that's a rare car, I think there were only like 500 available in Canada. O btw, the top of the line wagon before it was named the ZXW was ZTW.

I haven't driven a SPI so I can't comment on it's responsiveness. But I can vouch for the much better fuel economy when compared to the Zetec.

[ashhabib]

I was just posting on likeliness, lol

What about looking for a sedan? It still has lots of room, and they're easier to locate