new here need some advice

[dakota1820]

hello my name is Dakota i am considering buying a focus foe around 3500. my mom has an 09 and its not a bad car but the back seat is cramped. i have a 2yr old son and another one on the way. my wife and I are thinking a focus. but not sure if its really big enough. what do you guys think also what are some common issues? thanks guys.

[Sponsor]

[sleepyboy]

Get one with 4 doors, it's such a pain getting into the back to buckle the kids with the 2 door model. I have 3 kids and one on the way. It is a tight fit in the back with all the car seats in. The rear facing one can really only go in the middle since it faces rear ward. My other two kids are in front facing seats, and now are starting to use booster seats. You may want to think about getting a mid size family car like the Ford Fusion for that little bit of extra room it will provide.

[dakota1820]

well i am only spending about 3500 but a lot of people have said the focus is a good car. so i am considering it but am afraid it'll be to small.

[ViperThreat]

It depends on the model you get. I find the sedans to be a bit too small. If you can snag a zx5 (hatchback with 4 doors), then you should be fine. Even better, keep your eyes out for a focus wagon.

My advice: Avoid the SPI engine and get a zetec or a duratec. Beyond that, they are pretty solid cars so long as you take care of them properly.

[sleepyboy]

Yes stay away from the SPI powered cars. The other motors are very solid and any trouble you do run into is a common easy to fix ones that you can do your self and save a ton of money than having someone else do them for you.

[MudMan]

If you dont mind it being a little bit older then an 09 heres an ad for a 4 door hatch svt in your area, granted a little more then what your wanting to spend
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/cto/3384607182.html

[79mgb]

I agree with sleepyboy. I would consider a sedan just for the fact that getting the kids in and out will be MUCH easier. A wagon would be great too. Easy access for loading and unloading the stroller. Avoid the SPI engine! Best of luck to you.

[doubles]

Welcome . im with the others I think with the kids and car seat a Sedan would work best

[rambleon84]

Find a car lot that has both sedans and hatches....bring a car seat and test fit, any sales man will be fine with testing out the room. There are almost no changes to the body inside/out between 00-07, so any between those years would work.

The focus is a good small car, just depends if it will work out for your family needs.

[crazy_urn]

Originally Posted by ViperThreat

My advice: Avoid the SPI engine and get a zetec or a duratec. Beyond that, they are pretty solid cars so long as you take care of them properly.

I have an SPI, and it has ran great for many, many years. There is one common problem with a valve seat, but that can be prevented.

Sure the other engines have a few more horses, and can get you to the posted speed limit slightly faster, but all three engines are good, reliable engines.