2004 Ford Focus ZTS

[lancerplayer]

My aunt is looking at a private party 2004 Ford Focus ZTS for a fuel efficient and cheap daily commuter. Parts seem readily available and because my roommate in college had one, I know they are fairly easy to work on.

Are there any known issues with the 2004 Ford Focus ZTS?

The engine is the Duratec 2.3L 4 cylinder (Duratec 23EW)and the transmission is the Ford 4F27E.

It has just over 101K on the clock and seems to be clean and well maintained with only minor bubbling paint on the lower rocker panels.

The price is fair and I plan to check it out with her this weekend.

If things look good, would she be making a mistake purchasing this car?

Thanks for the input!

 

[SatinSilver]

I'd check the fluids and make sure the coolant, atf, brake fluid, oil are all the proper color or close to it. If the atf is black then I'd walk unless the price is a steal. Run carfax/autocheck and have it inspected by a mechanic. Just make sure it was well maintained by service records.

 

[SatinSilver]

I think this is the listing for it:

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3972263800.html

I'm in CLE also. That's a lot of stuff to replace just before selling it. Kind of makes me suspicious.

 

[zzyzzx]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
I think this is the listing for it:

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3972263800.html

I'm in CLE also. That's a lot of stuff to replace just before selling it. Kind of makes me suspicious.


Those all seem to be normal maintenance items for a car with that mileage, except for the TPS.

 

[lancerplayer]

Originally Posted By: satinsilver
I think this is the listing for it:

http://cleveland.craigslist.org/cto/3972263800.html

I'm in CLE also. That's a lot of stuff to replace just before selling it. Kind of makes me suspicious.


That's the one!

Looks to be in good condition to me based on the pictures, agreed?

 

[SatinSilver]

Yes, but I'd want to see the undercarriage for rust issues, brake lines etc. Ask how long the current owner has owned it. In case he's a flipper.

 

[KrisZ]

I would check when all the stuff was replaced. If it was all done a month or so before it went for sale, I would be suspicious, but if it was all done throughout this year, or last say 6-8 months, I would consider it normal and view it as owner finally throwing in the towel.

I would ask for some maintenance records and just check it over or have it checked over by a mechanic.
These cars don't have any real big, chronic problems to watch out for. Parts are plentiful and cheap as well and they are easy to work on for the most part.
I find my ZX5 to be quite good basic, no frills transportation with a tad sportier ride than Corolla or Cobalt.
I’ve had mine for about 10 months now with some small repairs mixed in. I had to replace the thermostat housing and thermostat along with coolant while I was there. I replaced transmission fluid and serpentine belt, and repaired a rusty oil pan. I also had to re-seal the aftermarket windshield, as whoever replaced it didn’t do a good job and water was dripping through the dome light. And I recently rust proofed it.
That’s about it.

 

[addyguy]

The rockers on older versions of that car rust very, very badly. I've lost count of how many I've seen with basically NO rockers at all.

'minor rocker bubbling' means they are starting to go, and I guarantee that car will be a rust bucket in no time.

I'd look for something newer.

 

[SatinSilver]

Maybe some rustproofing like Krown, Carwell, Fluid Film will stop the rust in its tracks? I think the closest one to Cleveland is in Sandusky, Dayton, or Erie, pa though.