As I mentioned in another thread, I just bought my 2004 Focus. Ses model, 2.0 Zetec, automatic, a/c, cruise, tilt, power windows/locks, keyless entry, interval wipers and power mirrors.

It handles like a champ. It's got way more power than it could ever need. Climbing hills with the cruise on is a snap, I don't have to do anything for it to drop out of o/d.

It's extremely comfortable. Easy to find the right seating position.

Couple of questions..... ABS light doesn't come on when I start the engine (obviously no ABS - I thought that was included on SES?) Traction control also seems to be absent. Is there a way that I can find out, from the VIN, what options I do/do not have?

Second question. I saw somebody else post about the "mist" feature on the wipers. Pull the stalk down and let go, it stops mid wipe. That's not normal, right? Every other position the wipers seem to park back at the bottom when turned off.

Oh, and my registration says it's an SE, badging on the trunk says it's an SE. Is the SES badged as such, or is it just an SE with fog lights and spoiler?

Nice to meet y'all, I'll post pics in a few days. Car's in the shop right now getting some things looked at.

i think you may has an SE with foglights and spoiler. still a sweet car tho man!

good buy.

i think mike (b16sir1991) might be able to tell you what options you have through your vin...but im not sure.

yeah I actually don't think they had a SES model till 05. The ZTS was the high end sedan

I disagree with your statement about the power... but that's just me.

I can assure you you have an SE. ABS and traction control are both options, not standard.

No it is not normal for the spray wiper to stop mid-wipe... in fact it will wait a second or two after the initial wiping, then wipe again. VERY annoying.

Actually it's not the spray wiper I'm referring to. It's the "mist". You pull the stalk down for one single wipe. For spray/wash you push the end of the stick in towards the column.

I guess if I have an SE, I'd better correct my profile. I'll have to figure out how to do that. :) I saw somewhere (and I don't remember where, now!) a colour list for the '04 Focus. I'll have to check that again and correct my colour, too. :)

Here're a couple of pics to wet your appetite :). I'll have more later, it's a little chilly, and was starting to get dark.

Couple of questions..... ABS light doesn't come on when I start the engine (obviously no ABS - I thought that was included on SES?) Traction control also seems to be absent. Is there a way that I can find out, from the VIN, what options I do/do not have?

Second question. I saw somebody else post about the "mist" feature on the wipers. Pull the stalk down and let go, it stops mid wipe. That's not normal, right? Every other position the wipers seem to park back at the bottom when turned off.
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seeing as you're located where there is snow, theres a very simple method of finding out whether or not you have ABS and TC, its fun too lol. just go like hell and jam on the brakes if it does that weird sound then you got it. as for TC try a takeoff from a dead stop, with the snow one tire will go to spin, the light should turn on and flash indicating both tires are spinning, there should also be a button in the center console where the e-brake is located with a wheel on it.

if you pull the stock down just for the quick swipe and it stops, that isn't normal, correct. a few foci are like that, even my dads 03 zx5 has that problem and it it only started recently. it has to do with the wiper motor and these terminal things that are connected to it, the only fix i've heard was that you have to buy a new one because the terminals are integrated and they go bad. so it thinks its done a complete swipe when it really hasn't, as you can tell.

Clean looking SE. I believe i am correct in saying that there was no SES badging until 2005. For 2000-2004 there was LX, LX ( without a badge ), SE, and ZTS for sedans. The SE and ZTS being the higher end models while the LX being the basic bone stock ones. The SE didn't come stock with ABS and TC, but as stated above it was an option.

From the picture you also have the Winter Package, judging by the block heater cord.

Also as stated above, send a PM to mike ( b16sir1991 ) and he will give you a OASIS printout ( fords vehicle database system ). It'll tell you any warranty work, recalls completed, and options of your vehicle. He did one for me it was great! I was able to verify with it that i am the second owner of my focus.

Good luck!

well they say 1st impressions are everything,,but i never bought into that

:D First impressions can make or break a relationship.

From what I can gather driving, I don't have ABS (I did stomp on the brakes the other day, and I sure didn't feel ABS kick in. I also don't have traction control (no button on the center console, and it's pretty easy to spin the tires).

I really like the fact that if I shift the automatic into second gear while I'm stopped, it starts in second for better traction on ice. Way to go, Ford! :)

it does?!?!?! i've never tried that on my car, well i know what im doing tomorrow morning lol. should've known that for the past 3 blizzards we had this winter, HA!

It does. So says the owner's manual, and I've tried it, too. It does seem to start out in second, I can tell because there's one less shift, and, power on take-off is fairly significantly reduced.

It does, I tested it before my last autox.

well holy jesus lol it does, i never even knew that. and we had a blizzard this morning, woot no getting stuck.

lol see?! You can even learn from a rookie! RTFM!! :D

Yep, I was very happy to see a "2" on the the ATX shifter on my Focus. My Escort GT didn't have one.

I believe the '08 models don't have a second on the shifter. Another "brilliant" move by Ford.

My Sable didn't have the "2", either. Probably most people would just use Low or drive anyway, it just happens to be a bonus that our cars you can use "2" to help you start on slippery roads. It's nice to have, but I've been without it for 10 years, if I didn't have it I wouldn't miss it :)