I found a 2004 Focus ZTS at a local used car lot. It has 77K miles, manual tranny and the 2.3L Duratec engine. I test drove it and it drives really well. Also has good tires. It does have a little door ding and a crack in the front bumper where it looks like it may have been parked too close to a parking stop block.

I haven't run a Carfax yet, but I will before I actually make an offer. The salesman said they would take $4000 plus tax and title. However, I found out on the test drive that the Blaupunkt radio/CD player doesn't work (no screen info. and station will not change).

If the Carfax checks out, I was going to offer $3700 OTD and see if they bite.

Does this sound like a good deal?

PS What kind of gas mileage will a 2.3L ZTS with manual be capable of with a light foot?

I think this may be the one, I just wanted to run it by you guys to make sure it sounds like a good deal to you. KBB listed private party value at about $4700.

Thanks.

I would scoop it up quick. If you can get it for a good price. Definitly bring up the radio not working. Thats more cash to knock off. Finding an older body style with the duratec is kinda rare. The mpg should be about 25-32. You get the best of both worlds. The best body style and the best engine.

Oh and welcome to the forum [welcome] [ffrocks] [loveff]

^^werd. the 2.3 in the first gen body style are rare. with just a couple bolt ons, its in the ballpark of the svtf. deffinatly make an offer on it man and let us know how it goes!

Thanks guys, I'll order up the Carfax and make an offer on the car first thing Monday morning. I'll be back to give you guys a full report. I absolutely hate when people ask a question and then never report back after getting an answer.

Thanks a lot, I appreciate the info.

no problem that what we're here for

i wish i had a 2.3 duratech. sounds like a awesome deal to me, if the dealer will knock off some for the radio not working

Great start if you want to create a beast of a car. That is a great price for a 2.3 in the older body style. They are few and far between.

My sister as an '04 zts with an auto and its fun. She got 40mpg on her one road trip too its a sweet car jump all over that if carfax is clean.

buy it and do focus sport turbo kit,
it will be a beast!

Buy it! Great power, good gas mileage! I have an '04 2.3L and I love it. I got 33mpg driving to FocusFest last year doing well over the speed limit [woot]

i'd buy it

Well, I'm officially the owner of a focus. I ran a Carfax over the weekend and it came back clean. Of course, I know you have to take Carfax with a grain of salt, but I thought it would be worth the $30 to run it. I offered $3800 OTD, but he came back with $3996 OTD. I really wanted the car and don't like dickering much, so I wrote him a check and drove off in my "new" car. I absolutely love the car, it makes me feel a little younger driving a stick shift again.

The car looks great and if it holds up I'll have no regrets. There are a few problems I'm going to have to address. First off, I'm going to have to replace the radio. The Blaupunkt radio will turn on but will not work other than that. I'll take care of that first. I mainly use Sirius so I think I'll buy a sub $100 head unit with an aux input and call it a day.

The other problem is the cruise control on the steering wheel. It won't do anything. I've read that it can be a fuse, brake switch, or the clock spring. Of course, I'm hoping it is a fuse but I doubt I'll be that lucky.

Finally, I noticed that all 4 tires have a lot of tread left but they are all different brands (same size). I assume that the used lot I bought it at took off some bald tires and told the tire store to put on some pull offs. The car actually rides pretty well on them and I'll probably leave the tires on for 20K or so miles.

All in all I'm really happy. Of course, I'm also a little nervous. It seems like everytime I've bought a used car, boat or motorcycle it takes me a while to settle down and just enjoy it. I don't know if you guys are like me, but I always have worries about the car crapping out on me (engine, tranny, clutch) after I pull out of the lot. But I guess every used vehicle purchase is basically a crapshoot.

Thanks alot for the help guys. I may make a new post about the cruise control issue if I can't fix it myself.

BTW I had trouble getting the car into reverse, UNTIL I PULLED UP THE LITTLE SPOOL ON THE GEAR SHIFT[screwy]

congrats man, i wish i had that car!!

Thats a real good deal on that car. I paid 6000 for my 02 ZTS last Year.

Congrats on the fofo you'll love it once you feel better lol

Nice! I would have also had it examined by a knowledgeable mechanic but I'm sure it's fine!

Duratec engines rock! Nice find!!

good find! enjoy the car. My 03 had the blaupunkt head unit and it crapped out as well.....nothing you can do but replace it. Enjoy the car, I know I would!

Thanks guys. I've really enjoyed the car so far and I think it is going to be a nice little daily driver. This car is an answer to my prayers. I was praying to find a nice little car that I could buy with cash. My wife and I are following the Dave Ramsey total money makeover plan which urges paying cash for vehicles. I knew that with a $4000 budget it would be tough to find a good car with decent mileage. But I think that is just what I got.

[driving]

Glad you are enjoying you Focus.

Stick around here, you will find a wealth of information and help here at FF. You may even find some cheap mods that you can afford to add to your ZTS.

The fact that your Focus has a Duratec will save you money. Duratec engines have timing chains, not belts. This means no paying to replace belts every 60,000 to 100,000 miles.

D23 FTW! I would kill for that engine.