This last Focus ZX3 I took for a spin was fairly typical of what most will find on dealer lots. It is a base model with 128,000 km on the clock. This Focus could not be more mainstream in its silver shade and basic trim. The roomy dark-coloured interior is still inviting and although the dashboard's design is dated, it remains original and stylish. The front seats are comfortable and well enough bolstered to be supportive on a long trip. The leather perches are plusher and very cozy. The hatchback's trunk is large and can accommodate some serious amounts of gear when the seatbacks are folded flat.
Euro drive
The pleasant and impressive aspect of the Focus is how it drives. First off, the 16-valve Zetec 2.0L 4-cylinder engine still performs well. Its 130 hp and 135 lb/ft of torque make it seem as quick as many equivalent 2007 cars. As the motor reaches 4,000 rpm, it hits its stride and really wakes up. On the downside, even though the engine purrs at 2,500 rpm in 5th gear at 100 km/h, the Focus is still known for being fairly noisy and for consuming more fuel than an average compact car. The 5-speed gearbox is easy to manipulate however this Focus' 2nd gear would occasionally catch; something that can be avoided by simply double-clutching when the transmission is cold. It is difficult to say whether this is due to abuse but these transmissions were known to be weak, same for the automatics.
Any well-handling car has to begin with a rigid yet pliable platform. The Focus has exactly that. With 6 ½ years under its belt and nearly 130k travelled, this Focus still feels very solid and poised. The way the Focus communicates with the driver reminds me of any older German compact car. The chassis conveys openly about road conditions and tire grip. The slightly tired suspension of the test car still managed to negotiate potholes and ruts with adequate control. A few weeks back, I was a passenger in a 2003 Focus ZTS with 50,000 km for a 2-hour trip; it was as smooth and as poised as any car should be. My perspective from the passenger was that the Focus behaved impressively well. The car's steering is well assisted even though the ZX3 tester's on-center feel is vague. The brakes are efficient without being strong performers.
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Euro drive
The pleasant and impressive aspect of the Focus is how it drives. First off, the 16-valve Zetec 2.0L 4-cylinder engine still performs well. Its 130 hp and 135 lb/ft of torque make it seem as quick as many equivalent 2007 cars. As the motor reaches 4,000 rpm, it hits its stride and really wakes up. On the downside, even though the engine purrs at 2,500 rpm in 5th gear at 100 km/h, the Focus is still known for being fairly noisy and for consuming more fuel than an average compact car. The 5-speed gearbox is easy to manipulate however this Focus' 2nd gear would occasionally catch; something that can be avoided by simply double-clutching when the transmission is cold. It is difficult to say whether this is due to abuse but these transmissions were known to be weak, same for the automatics.
Any well-handling car has to begin with a rigid yet pliable platform. The Focus has exactly that. With 6 ½ years under its belt and nearly 130k travelled, this Focus still feels very solid and poised. The way the Focus communicates with the driver reminds me of any older German compact car. The chassis conveys openly about road conditions and tire grip. The slightly tired suspension of the test car still managed to negotiate potholes and ruts with adequate control. A few weeks back, I was a passenger in a 2003 Focus ZTS with 50,000 km for a 2-hour trip; it was as smooth and as poised as any car should be. My perspective from the passenger was that the Focus behaved impressively well. The car's steering is well assisted even though the ZX3 tester's on-center feel is vague. The brakes are efficient without being strong performers.
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