[Byfield]

I need to get a new commuter car. I currently have a 94 Integra and it's near the end of it's life.

I need something with a hatchback (or small wagon), fwd, good mpg. I have the option to purchase an '01 Integra for $7,500, but I'm also considering new cars.

The Focus 5 door hatch SE looks like a possiblity. Anyone have one they can comment on?

Likewise, any suggestions on other possibilities?

 

[tigertown]

I decided I needed to buy a drive back and forth to work car in 2005.

I actually went and drove ,Chevy Cobalt,Ford Focus,Hyundai and a couple other small cars. Then I heard a commercial on the radio for a Suzuki dealer and I thought hey I should check them out.

I wound up buying a Suzuki Reno.. I had no fear of a Suzuki .I bought a Samurai 4X4 with AC in 1986 and put over 160,000 trouble free miles on it. I sold it about 6 months after buying the Reno and it was still going strong .I just had no need for 5 vehicles ..4 is a good number.

I now have over 30,000 on the Reno and so far it has not been back for anything.

It was the base model BUT still was loaded compared to the Ford and Chevy base models and a couple of grand less. Warranty also better. I have not used a Suzuki warranty yet in over 190,000 miles . It has a AUsome 6 speaker stereo with steering wheel controls even..MP3 player also.. It gets 30mpg and is a 5 speed. It has become my drive everywhere car (except to car shows when I choose between one of the other three) I even took it up and down the Tail Of The Dragon a few times :hurray:

Unless you have prob with Foreign You should check one out. About the only thing my Reno does not have is power seats. Like I said it was much lower in price than a stripped Focus
Here is mine http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2055362

 

[bdss396]

I've got an '02 Focus ZTS. I like it, I have 113,000 miles on it with no problems. The ride and handling are great for a small car and it averages around 30 MPG.

 

[John_Muha]

Daughter has a 01 Ford Focus ZX3 that she bought new. Hasn't let her down yet and she's driven it alot. Enough room in the back for her bike or snowboard.

 

[Byfield]

Enough room in the back for her bike or snowboard.

Thats why I'm looking at it. A cycling friend has one and we can easily get both bikes in the back

I've got an '02 Focus ZTS. I like it, I have 113,000 miles on it with no problems. The ride and handling are great for a small car and it averages around 30 MPG.

IS that a 5 sp or auto? I've heard conflicting reports on mpg

Here is mine http://www.cardomain.com/ride/2055362

Thanks, I hadn't considered the Reno

 

[madspaniard]

I inherited my wife 02 Focus zx5. I haven't had any problems. I average between 27 and 28 mpg. and it's only a 10 gallon fill up. much better than my truck was.

 

[bulb122]

Kurt, you dind't expect me to pass up this thread did you? hehe!

I too have a ZTS....2001. It's got 135,000 on it, and still going strong. I have had to do some maintenance, and have also had a few problems. Nothing I considered really out of line for the mileage. (careful about dealer performed repairs....they are far more expensive than independant shops)

75K first brake job, all 4 wheels. Flushed/replaced the coolant as recommended

100k- replaced shocks/struts. I notice one was leaking when I was rotating the tires, so I replaced them all.

120K needed new front wheel bearings, they were making noise. Also cleaned sticky throttle blade, and replaced IAC (it froze on me twice last winter, casuing no idle until warm) Replaced AC condenser due to a leak. Timing belt change (normal maintenance)

That's about it....tires, brakes, new battery (don't want a no-start in the winter), filters, new acc belt.....etc.

Mine's a 2.0L 5-speed, and average mileage is 28-29. 32-33 highway only. I think you'll see better numbers with the newer cars, they've made some improvements there. I'll bet the average mileage on a new one is over 30 if you get one of the smaller engines. Don't know that the 2.3L can get 30's?

All in all, I'm very happy with it. I think the problems I've had aren't bad for a car with it's mileage and price range. It still runs as good as new, and doesn't smoke, knock, or leak. Still on the original clutch.....I give em a :thumbsup:

 

[SixtySixChevelle]

I have a 2006 Chevy Aveo hatchback and I love it. The car looks small, but it's suprisingly big inside.
I've put plenty of miles on it (13,000 in 6 months) with no problems at all.
They're not much for horsepower, but if you get a stick shift it's not too bad. It gets 25-30 mpg.

Plus, you can't go wrong with a Chevy. :thumbsup:

 

[John_Muha]

Thats why I'm looking at it. A cycling friend has one and we can easily get both bikes in the back

She also has a add-on soft rack to carry the surfboard on the top. A feature that you can't overlook. Though the car looks sort of goofy with the longboard on the top.

 

[Byfield]

I have a 2006 Chevy Aveo hatchback

It gets 25-30 mpg.

Honestly, that seems pretty bad, esp for such a small car.

Kurt, you dind't expect me to pass up this thread did you? hehe!

Of course not but it seemed too obvious to call you out by name

The friend of mine with one has had to have the radio repaired (wouldn't eject cd's) and the AC compressor replaced (big $$) but otherwise has been happy with it. HE drives it hard so his mpg is only in the upper 20's.

It'll hold more than my Integra but I get better mpg. RIght now I'm just kinda stuck between going used for less $ or getting new w/warranty.

 

[02cummins]

I have a toyota corolla 1991, it has 377,000.00 miles on the 2nd motor and 2nd trans 5 speed a/c no power anything it runs great, but it is showing it,s age. I am thinking about a 99, 00. integra 4door, manuel. a/c all power w/leather.

 

[bulb122]

To be honest with you, I didn't buy it new. It was 1 year old, 10K miles. It was a used Ford company car.... New it was almost 17K. I paid 12K.....and still had 2 years of warranty left.

It';s hard for me to justify new, when slightly used is such a better deal IMO. Only problem is finding a used stick shift.... all I see used are automatics.

 

[Byfield]

I have a toyota corolla 1991, it has 377,000.00 miles on the 2nd motor and 2nd trans 5 speed a/c no power anything it runs great, but it is showing it,s age. I am thinking about a 99, 00. integra 4door, manuel. a/c all power w/leather.

I've got 221,000 on my 94. Needs a new PS pump and I replaced the clutch a long time ago but otherwise, its been a good car. I still average 30-32 in the Summer, 28-29 in the Winter. a/c is kinda tired and it's begining to rust but it'll probably run for a while yet. The 01 is being offered by a family member otherwise I'd prob keep driving mine for a bit.

 

[novaderrik]

one thing i do know about the Focus is that you can get a kit to put a 5.0/5 speed combo out of a Mustang in it- and even bolt in the Mustang rear axle. try doing that with the little Chevy/Daewoo Aveo.
just something to consider for down the road after it's served it's duty as a daily commuter car.

 

[mad hooker]

haha a 302? nah ive saw one on youtube with a 351 clevand in it! it hauled ass!

 

[bdss396]

Byfield, my Focus has a 5 speed.

 

[CAElky]

I had all kinds of problems with the 03 and 04 ingnition cylinders in my rental fleet.

But then again, I see a lot more abuse on my fleet than most "normal" people put on a personal car.

03-04 also had a really bad brake wear issue to the point where we were doing front pads, rotors and rear drums (heat cracked) at 20K miles on those same years. Spent A LOT of time at my maintenance vendors checking them out.

The 05s and 06s haven't been too much of a bother at all. I would stay away from 03-04 though!

 

[dscabra]

I bought my youngest daughter a used 2001 PT Cruiser. Great little "practical" car with tons of cargo space -- no issues after almost two years. It could do better on the fuel economy, however.

 

[KAA]

I had a 2001 Focus ZX3 S2. Rode nice, was quiet inside, no rattles, handled nice. But it was nothing but trouble. It spent more time in the shop than on the road. Never again! :noway:

 

["Janets Ride"]

The Ford focus overall is a great economical car, like any other car they have small issues. Like Amanda stated the earlier ones had a lot of ignition cylinders sticking and premature wear of brakes but revised Ford ignition cylinders and brakes are good (inexpensive repairs). Powertrains are great i see very few failures and the ones i do are from neglect or lack of maintenance.

Rich.