I purchased a second hand 2002 Ford Focus ZX3 from the local Ford dealer when I felt it was time to move on from my 1999 Ford Contour. I got a good amount for my trade in, roughly what I'd paid for that car six months and 23,000 miles earlier. The car is the base model, only option being air conditioning. For a base model, the car is reasonably well equipped. The car has a cd player, alloy wheels, comfortable seats, and nice, zippy performance.

The car's drivetrain, the 2.0 liter Zetec engine mated to the MTX75 manual transmission is what could best be considered a solid architecture for Ford motor company, as this drivetrain debuted in 1993's Ford Mondeo in european markets (also known as the Ford Contour, debuting in 1995 over here in the states). The car is light, agile, and a blast to joy. It takes turns nice and crisply and without complaint.

It's a car I love to drive. However, it is not without its faults. I got an OASIS report from the dealer service department after I bought the car (should have done this when I did the carfax as well), and found that the car was on its second transmission, and had numerous fit and finish issues addressed. At the time, I figured it wouldn't be so bad. I bought the car at 23,000 miles, the new transmission had been done at 21,000 for the previous owner. For the first five thousand miles, it was great, nothing more than a check engine light (sensor that had burned out). I never thought of there being any serious issues. When I reached 32,000 miles, things started getting rough. The driver's side headlamp lens developed a water leak and would flood with water whenever it rained (this is during summer in florida, so daily), then the check engine light came on again - another burnt out sensor, and a few days where the car would stutter at 3500 rpm. Strangely enough, it went away when I went to go for service and hasn't come back.

Though, I truly began to love this car at 33,000 miles. The transmission would not go into third gear without grinding like mad. Sure enough, the car needed a new transmission. Fortunately, it was covered under warranty, and was addressed within three days. In that intervening time, I had a focus lx rental car with the split port injection engine and an automatic transmission. That car was a dog, it did not accelerate - it gained momentum. Handling was reasonable, though it was comfortable.

I decided to get the extended warranty when I bought the car (100k mile warranty isn't offered on 02's or earlier. Sadly, I think I will get my money's worth out of that warranty.

On a more positive note, the car's ergonomics are unlike anything I've driven before. The cupholders are placed in a good spot, the steering wheel is easy to grip, and feels good in my hands, also, the radio controls and the little drawer that comes out of the dashboard above the cigarette lighter is incredibly useful for my cell phone, as I put on my headset, place the phone there, and it's good.

Also, the car's air conditioning in incredible. In Florida summer, it gets very hot, very humid here. However, the air conditioning will get to be too much for with frozen knuckles and such. So I'll roll down the window for some warm air. Often the humidity will turn into liquid on the car's surfaces. The rear view mirror will fog up, as will the instrument cluster. water will form on the pedals as well as in the vents (often resulting in water in the front footwells), and on the controls like the radio knobs, steering wheel, and the lights and wiper stalks on the steering column.

Conclusion: If the car had better quality control, I'd be consistently happy with the car. I love the way it drives, but the problems are getting rather frustrating.