Ok, I'm open minded

Another option you might look into is a Pontiac Vibe that's a couple years old. My Dad has one with the base engine and gets 30 mpg around town in mixed driving. He's had no problems with it in the three years he's had it. It's essentially the same as a Toyota Matrix but looks better.

On Fri, 20 Feb 2009 20:52:17 -0600, Sarah Houston wrote Re Ok, I'm open minded:

Ford Escort or Focus

The buying public thinks differently.

Latest generation Ford Focus. The older ones had some issues. Sometimes farther ahead to buy brand new if you can get 0% financing instead of buying used??

Tes, the last couple years of ESCORT were also extremely reliable. My brother drives one, as do all 3 of his kids. In the last 6 years or so he's bought and sold a fair number of sedans and wagons - they are ALL driving ZX2 coupes right now.

Buiuld quality is VERY close. Toyota tin sardine cans were in the seventies and early eighties, when you could also walk down the street of a quiet town and listen to Fords rust.

I am sad to tell you that our 03 Focus has had a couple of fairly expensive repairs.

AC problem at 70,000 cost $700, friggin flex plate at 100,000 and cost $1200 or so.

I sure as hell never expected to replace a FLEX PLATE.

Do you believe because they sell better, they must be better?

What was the VIN # so we can look that up to see if you are telling the truth?

The buying public, the ones who determine which companies live or die, has already decided.

2000-2003 Focuses are problematic. The 2004 was the first one that was fairly reliable, after Ford assigned a team of 50 engineers to exterminate all the bugs. The Focus was given a Consumer Report recommendation that year. The newer the Focus you buy, the better the reliability.

Derek

They got better after 2004 - and it DOES happen.

ford focus only gets about 25mpg blended where the corolla gets around

30 blended. (automatics) the automatic escorts 2.0L get the same 25mpg...

I'd consider sticking with your corolla when you're talking about a 10 year old car, or maybe a civic (96-2000). Civics are a bit harder on fuel than the corollas, and seem to have a little less power.

I had not idea there was any car with less power than a Corolla! ;)

Your faulty data is showing again.

You are correct! I forget about the 4cy Camrys, that is a real dog on a grade ;)

Don't forget the 2.4L mustangs. I had a 1987... started my love of mustangs, but ruined me on 4 cylinders ;)

All the power was gone by the time it got to the back wheels.