If you want a manual, get a 2012+ 5spd. Reliable as hell.

Avoid the automatic trans (DCT) for those years.

 

Since you are a TRUMP fan ….. I've heard some really good things about the DCT transmission in the 2012+ Focus. Some really smart people told me that it was one of the most reliable... best built cars on the market. I also heard that Trump was personal responsible for installing every DCT transmission in every Focus produced from 2012 until today.

 

Just goes to show you how people with TDS ruin every thread. We also have a political section for that. You idiot.

 

Pay no mind to the political idiot that posted.

best focus you could get is any focus with a “Duratec” 2.0 or 2.3. And get a manual. I have a 2007 2.0 5 speed with 340k original miles and it runs perfect. And i know you said you don’t care if it’s fast, but if you have to overtake someone, it has the power to do it.👍

 

I also have a 2007 2.0 Duratec 5 speed. I currently have 166k miles. Now I have a target to shoot for.. 340k. Ditto everything you said it has been a great car.

 

Generally second what Angel B. said. My personal bias would be a '10 or '11 if you can find one well-maintained. Lots of old people bought them, and you can find them with low miles, but you can also find a lot that have had a hard life. They're solid cars, by that point 10+ year old design with most of the kinks sorted out. As for the DCT, Ford has been saying that any rumours of problems were fake news, but in any case a beautiful and perfect repeal and replace upgrade is just around the corner. We've been waiting 8+ years but I know they'll deliver. MFGA!

 

I had a 2010 for 10 years and 2 months before it was totaled by a deer good car mostly.
Anything 2012 or newer that is a automatic will have the DCT transmission and that I don't recommend.

My brother has a 2005 that he bought with a salvage title back in 2012 it is still running with almost 300,000 miles on it and that car has been through hell.

Sent from my LG-LS997 using Tapatalk

 

The 05 to 07 were the best years imho, but they are getting long in the tooth, and unless you are mechanically inclined with your own tools, you should pass. The late model foci seem to be reliable, collapsing fuel tanks aside, but only with a manual transmission. I never cared for the styling of the 08-11, but they do have a bulletproof 2.0 duratec engine as a big plus.

 

I second '05 to '07 endorsements. I'm the only owner of an '07 5-speed. It started needing lots of stuff replaced ~200k. If you're up for doing your own work, it's mostly a pretty easy car to work on....although the thermostat and driver side front CV axle are pains in the butt!!

 

Thermostat is a breeze if you remove the passenger side headlight and work through the opening.

 

Zetec until 04' before the Duratec
Number of vehicles built and parts issued
Currently parts are ebay items, but has the best mileage distance for
Ford Focus engines before scraped

 

Put 400K miles on an 01 ZX3, Zetec with a 5 speed. Still be driving it if the rust hadn't gotten to it.

Bought an 07 2.0 (really liked the 2door hatch) this past spring, automatic with 101K miles, should get me through till I retire.

Agree with a 5 speed for longevity. Got to watch for rust if you're looking at an older one....my 01 got to the point I carried a piece of 2x8 to put between the jack and the car if I had a flat.

 

I have an 01 ZX3 S2, 5 speed, 150K. Was my dad's car before me. No rust, no problems. I have a mechanic that just works on Fords. I love that car and have told my mechanic I am just going to keep replacing parts as they wear out.

 

I have an '01 SE wagon with the 2.0 Zetec and auto trans and210 on the clock. Been thru 2 teen daughters learning how to drive, and various family members needing to borrow it. Wouldn't pass up another one just like it if I find one. Been an amazing little car. Had an injector freeze open on the way home from San Antonio and blew a piston thru the block. My labor and 300 for a complete motor later, it's as solid now as ever.

 

Dang, that's comprehensive as hell!

 

My 2002 ZX5 with 5 speed just passed 430K miles. For longetivity I would go with manual trans. still gets 30mpg with AC running.

 

I have a 2012 Ford Focus SEL with the DCT automatic transmission. Sure, it jerks sometimes, but it all depends on how it's driven. It's basically a manual transmission that uses a computer board to do the shifting. Mine has 95,000 miles and no problems with anything. All I have replaced is normal maintenance items, the battery, tires and front brakes.