I am new to this so help me if you can. We are looking to buy a 05 ZXW SE wagon. Does anybody have any good or bad news to let us know about. We will be using it to mainly get around town (family of four). Any help you can give me would be great. We are a little leary about buying a focus. Thanks. brad

Welcome to FF brad...you should be very happy with your purchase. The newer models with the duratec engine so far have been fairly reliable and I haven't seen any complaints posted.

thank you. still not sure but the more we look at them i like them more and more.

yeah the 05's are hit or miss with the styling, but i personally like them.
The engine is great for what it is, and if you decide to modify, then there is plenty of room there.
Fit and finish on the inside should be better then previous models, and i havent heard otherwise, so im assuming they are trouble free.
Good luck with your purchase, and tell us how it goes.

Hey man, I have a 2000 Focus Wagon! It still running great and get 29 to 30MPG!! Mine had some initial problems but all fix up before warranty was over! Just take good care of it!

BTW, I haul a 32inch Wega with the original box!! I wish I had a DC to picture it! I would say the 05 are more reliable! but thatz just me~

Try to locate a 2004 ZTW. You get more for less (16" wheels for example). Plus, it has the looks that 2005 lost.

hey ford focus, can you tell me what some of your problems were.

her problems will be way different then anything you could face.. you have a different engine, and a whole different body style. some people i know from other boards have the '05 ST model and have nothing but good things to say. I would also suggest trying to find a 2004 wagon. The 2.3L engine has a bit more pep, and you are getting it cheaper and could get the same baseline of products on the car. just my .02

hope this helps

Kevin

thanks kevin i will look around for an 04. If not, are we still good with the 05.

Another reason for the 04 might be the D23E engine vs. the 2.0L IIRC all of the wagons had the bigger 2.3 for the last year of the '04's.
Anywho, you gotta remember that the '05's engine, transmission, and basic platform has been out for over 6 years. (well the Duratecs started showing up in the '03 MY) but everything else should be very reliable and proven by the test of time.
Good Luck.
Tim

I have a 2003 ZTw we are very happy with it. No issues at all so far. ( 40k ). I , as many others, I like the stying of the older models. But as a car goes I have no problems with ours.

I have an 03 ZTW as well. It has been flawless. Cargo space is incredible. Not the most power in the world but a few low cost mods would make a nice difference. Your family will love it. Good luck w/ your search.

My parents have a 04 and just love it. Very roomy for a small wagon. I have driven it and it rides a lot like my smaller Focus. Still feels pretty powerful and sporty

I have a 5 Speed 2001 SE with the Street Eddition Package and fully loaded. Really nice car. So far mine has been very reliable in the past 3 years. Except some bad work from the local dealership which you can't blame on the car.
The fuel economy is great but could be better. The max I ever got was around 33 miles/gallon.

What I do not like on the new models: No more rear headrests available and no 4 wheel disk brakes on the 05 wagon. I have both on my 2001 wagon. And all other security features like ABS and side airbags are only available as option. All of that comes standards on the VW Jetta Wagon. I just don't understand this.

Stefan

Also I can say.. I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 250 and I fit fine..

Originally posted by viney266
Also I can say.. I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 250 and I fit fine..

Height is not a problem man! I am 6'0" and weight 150lb, fit comfortably in the front~ must admit, the back seat are a pain~

welcome to the form gage....good luck with your focus.