We're looking at two used small wagons for the same price, the Focus has a bit of warranty left, the Volvo has none:

2007 Focus ZXW SE, 15K miles, 5speed, sunroof
2004 Volvo V40, 30K miles, auto, leather, heated seats, sunroof etc.

The Focus offers better packaging: larger inside, occupants sit higher, lower liftover at the tailgate: we have a 62lb dog. The Focus is capable of getting much better mileage than the Volvo. The Focus has the built in MP3 capability. On the downside, the SE has pretty utilitarian (Wal Mart) fabric... the 07 ZX5's and ZX3's actually had a lot sweeter interior fabric.

The Volvo seems a lot classier, has "real" split rear seats, 1.9L Turbo, side curtain airbags, heated seats no MP3 capability.

Thoughts?

http://img30.imageshack.us/img30/7375/focusvolvo.jpg

the 07' has a duratec, plus you can mod it if you want to, and welcome

Thanks for the reply.

I posted the same thread over on the VW Vortex Car Lounge (http://forums.vwvortex.com/zerothread?id=4412361) and got 35 or so responses... almost all of them dramatically in favor of the Focus. For some reason the question generated almost no interest here... on the Focus forum? Go figure.

Either way, I pulled the trigger on an 07 silver ZXW SE with 13K miles, 5-speed, sunroof, ABS and side airbags. I'm kinda stoked.

Question: will the seats from an 05-07 ZX3 or ZX5 fit the wagon? This boils down to the rear seats... I know the sedan rear seats won't fit, the seatback latch is center-located on the sedan, while twin latches are 'side' located on the hatch's and the wagon... are the rear seatbacks otherwise the same from hatch to wagon?

The car:

http://images.autotrader.com/images/2009/5/5/262/032/11485696038.262032230.IM1.MAIN.565x421_A.562x421.jpg

The dog (6.5 years, Boxer + Rott mix):

http://photos-g.ak.fbcdn.net/photos-ak-snc1/v2665/151/98/1327186010/n1327186010_30193718_7446678.jpg

I have no idea, but I doubt it. The differences between the models start at the back seat. Just like your suspension is different, we have shocks mounted outside the spring, but ZX5's have a shock tower with the shocks in the spring. We also have rear sway bars that most ZX5's don't. I think the consensus was that the shock towers limited the storage capability.

The wheels have to go though. You want some stock 15 alums to replace the steelies?
I didn't see the thread or I would've responded. Personally, I bought 17 x 7 Centerline wheels that when combined with the 215/45/17 tires ended up weighing the same as the 195/60/15's and stock 15 alum wheels that came on my car. Those and Rotas are about the only ones I know that are light enough to do that with.

OH, you are so lucky you went with the Focus instead of the Volvo with the 1.9T, I've heard bad things about that engine. Now if it was the 2.5 I5, it would've been the better car IMO, although mileage would've still been lower than the Focus.

If you know anyone who has a subscription to Consumer Reports online, check for Used Cars to look for- the 07 Focus is one.

Thanks Whynot... I'll be looking for some 15" alloys for the Wagon, in fact, but want to keep a fairly "stock" look, just somewhat more dressed out than the stock SE look.

The SES is more 'dressed out' than the SE, inside (tach, silver radio surround, silver guage surround) and out (fogs, alloys, paint match trim at rear)... I'll probably paint the mirror caps and perhaps the door handles and rear license plate trim.

I pick up the car Saturday!