In 2001-2003 foci, which is more reliable: The autos or the manuals? Also how hard is it to replace the clutch?

From what I understand, the manual is the stronger trans. I've never changed my clutch.

More than 40K on my 2002 SVTF (which does have a different 6-speed gearbox) manual, lots of racing, and 0 issues.

I have never heard of any reliability issues with either the ATX or the MTX on any model/year focus............

I have read some people claiming about "slipping"....


I really love to drive stick, but an auto is pretty simple from a routine maintenance standpoint...

A manual transmission is almost always much more reliable than an automatic transmission, due to the simplicity of the manual vs. the complex assortment of pumps, valves, and switches that are required to make an automatic transmission work.

Now, if you include the clutch as part of the "transmission assembly," the answer is a bit more complex. If a cutch is treated well, it can last well over 100,000 miles. If it is treated very poorly (such as high rev "slide the left foot off the clutch pedal dumping"), it can easily fail in 5,000 miles or less.

The only "weak" spot I have heard of associated the Focus manual transmission, is the related clutch pedal hydraulic cylinder leakage, which seems somewhat common.

But overall for any vehicle a Manual transmission treated properly will typically be much, much more relable than an automatic, and also much cheaper to repair if something fails.

^^ not to mention usually costs less when you buy the vehicle anyway. ATX is usually a 800-1500 hit on most vehicles that offer it (non-standard) on the vehicle as an option.

Originally posted by S2
^^ not to mention usually costs less when you buy the vehicle anyway. ATX is usually a 800-1500 hit on most vehicles that offer it (non-standard) on the vehicle as an option.
On the GTO, auto is standard, and manual is a non-free option, but you end up paying less because the auto is hit with a gas guzzler tax. [rofl]

"ATX is usually a 800-1500 hit on most vehicles that offer it (non-standard) on the vehicle as an option."

Correct. So you can bank that $800-$1500 for potential manual transmission repairs and virtually be guaranteed it will last 200,000 miles, while spending no more than if oyu had purchasd an automatic.

That said, I have an ATX focus because (a) I wanted an SES wagon and virtually no one stocks a manual SES Wagon, and (b) they had a Regional "Free ATX" promotion going on at the time.