Nice site here, looking to buy a Focus. What should I look for and what should I avoid? My plan is for a 4 door sedan used under $10 K, I would prefer a manual tranny it will primarily be a commuter car but I would like to mod it and make it a sleeper too. Any advice is appriceiated. Thanks

You should be able to find many used sedans for under 10k. Consider going new for only slightly more if you're willing to pay 10k, why not go a couple more grand for new.

You can probably get an 03 with low miles for 8k. Any time you buy a used manual tranny, you can expect that the clutch is shot.

Make sure you check the brakes out too, lots of people have brake problems on early models.

Shop around - There are lots of cars available, so you should be able to get a good deal.

Thanks , What do I look for in engines Etc what is the difference between them how much power do they have and can I juice up an auto tranny if I get one with an automatic? Are SVT/ Racing parts easy to swap in? Whats the power difference between the Ztec, Duratec, and Split port Injection. engines?

I've got an 03 ZTW listed on TraderOnline for $11,8k. It's an auto trans and way loaded but you should definitely be able to get a manual trans sedan w/ relatively low miles for under $10k. I believe the Zetek (2.0 liter) and Duratek (2.3 liter) produce the same hp but I'd bet the Duratek is a bit more torque. I also own an 03 SVT. No comparison between it and my ZTW (power wise). I'm not familiar w/ the other motor offered in the Focus. Looks like you can mod the crap out of whatever you buy. If you've got the $, you can produce the power. I've not had one single problem w/ my ZTW so can highly recommend the Zetek setup. I've also owned a Taurus w/ a Duratek V6. It was solid as well.

You can probably go to Ford's website and get plenty of details.

Good luck.

Whatever you do make sure you test drive a Focus with the D23 engine in it. You will be amazed vs. the old Zetec. If you want the MTX-75 tranny, good luck. Only about 10% of Foci were made that way.
Cheers.
Tim

Sedans are heavier than Zx3s, auto is really heavy, you need extra power to lug all that weight.

I got a 2003 ZX5 with an auto dont know what tranny I got but I got the ztech

Originally posted by DrRay
Sedans are heavier than Zx3s...
the 03 zx3 was lighter than a sedan by 13 lbs, in 04 it was heavier by 6 lbs.