Considering a 2000 Ford Focus SE wagon as a beater

[gman2304]

2.0 DOHC Zetec, automatic, 2 owner with 119,000 miles, timing belt has been replaced, recently passed state inspection, new tires and is very clean. Seller is asking $3,200 which seems quite high to me but considering the low mileage and apparent upkeep, what might it be worth in your opinion? Also, any opinions on the reliability/ durability of the Ford Focus Ztec 2.0 engines and transmissions? I’m thinking it might be ideal for our frequent day trips with the ability to carry stuff we don’t really need and get reasonable gas mileage.

 

[GR_CoB]

I'd try $2500. But even at $3200 it's a decent car. Once the tariffs play with new/uses market values - it will be worth $5000.

 

[wander2039]

ZTEC would be better but I still wouldn't, if it isn't the engine it'll be the interior and on and on. Best thing I did was sell our 02 Focus.

 

[JoelB]

Multiple Zetec cars in our family over the years. Bulletproof in my experience. I like that generation of focus. Around there all the rocker panels rotted out within 10 years though.

 

[zzyzzx]

Worth it. Pics would be nice.

 

[slacktide_bitog]

You can always negotiate a lower price

The Zetec is kind of weird, and it runs hot too. The temp gauge will go almost all the way to the red before the fans turn on. The thermostat housing likes to explode, but there are aftermarket housings available. Also, the plastic coolant pipe in front on top of the radiator also likes to explode.

Sometimes the motor mount goes.

If the car is in good condition and not rusty, it might still be worth buying

The automatic transmission is the 4F27E. One of the better transmissions Ford has used. There is no drain plug, but you can get an aftermarket pan that has one.

If you ever need an exhaust, get Trubendz 304 exhaust with the Borla muffler.

The Focus has space for a cabin filter under the hood, but it didn't come with one installed from the factory.

 

[Fifth87]

I have always found those to be good looking, but as said above, the rockers disappeared. A thought... will tariffs be this year to car sales as what the situation was 5 years ago to car sales>?

 

[Oillover]

Interesting how many antique econoboxes are being purchased lately.

 

[nwjones18]

If it was clean enough I'd take a look at it.

 

[SwampSurvivor]

Good powertrains in them. The 4F27 is a good little transmission. SPI is the engine you want to avoid - Duratec and Zetec are very good.

I have always found those to be good looking, but as said above, the rockers disappeared. A thought... will tariffs be this year to car sales as what the situation was 5 years ago to car sales>?

Ford didn't have enough drainage (or any) built into the rocker panels. They left the factory full of water. I had a friend with a used car lot who stuck to mostly Ford products and every focus he had come through he would have to drill a hole in the rocker panel to let the water out - they were all full of water. Every one.

 

[goblin]

Friend in Pittsburgh had one. Base, manual, garaged. Used it to drive to Cleveland often.
The powertrain held but it rusted to a point where he was told it's unsafe to drive. He drove it to the junkyard, and a wheel fell off a mile or so before he reached it. It wasn't lugs, the wheel left with something else. Or at least - folded. Can't remember all the details. One way or the other - he walked off and told the junkyard guys where to find it.

 

[fantastic]

That's a really old car but sounds like it's has some life left & for the price doesn't sound too high. Offer $2500 then move towards $2800. If it doesn't work out there are other Focus's that could probably be had for around that price or slightly more that is newer. Son rips around in a 2011. The car was never washed & the rockers are rusted out but has been reliable so far for him for 4 years now.

 

[gman2304]

Worth it. Pics would be nice.

The owner had commitments today and can’t show me the car until tomorrow. I have a few screen shot pics but will get better ones tomorrow. If it looks as good as the pics I’ll probably bring it home tomorrow.

 

[IndyIan]

Yeah, looking at the house, you can tell they take care of stuff. Still have a look at all the fluids, but I suspect they all will be good.
I've had pretty good luck with the mtx75 2.0 duratecs in an 07 and now an 06. But I read automatic and zetec were pretty good too. I think the most expensive part for my cars has been a $300 alternator, in 250k miles of driving, and replacing some parts is a bit of challenge but that's mostly a duratec thing I believe. I have replaced a few things but it always plug and play, no wiring issues or anything tricky. The trunk is functionally bigger than our Outback's too.
If I could find a mtx75 2.0 duratec in that kind of condition and price I'd buy it tomorrow.

 

[Nick1994]

Seeing the pics, I’d pay asking price no problem.

 

[brages]

Condition is key at this price range. Looks good to me!

 

[BHopkins]

Just today I was talking to my barber about the three Focus cars that he and his wife have driven over the years. He speaks very highly of how reliable they have all been. He was telling me that his wife still has a 2002 Focus, with 190k miles on it, that they no longer drive, so they were prepping it to donate to a local charity. But after cleaning it up to get it ready to sell, his wife isn't sure she wants to let it go, even though she is driving a newer Focus, and really doesn't need the 2002.

So if their experience is any indicator, I'd say it would be a good choice.

 

[meep]

I’d pay it. Finding anything decent in that price range is tough. This one is well-cared for.

I had one as a rental and found it very well sorted. Ran great, drove great, was assembled well, nothing seemed cheap or out of place. I told my wife if we were ever looking for a small daily driver, this got high marks.

 

[Number_35]

That would be a very good price up here, provided the rocker panels aren't rusted.

This one has half the miles, but still ...

It's offered by a small local used-car dealer who brings in clean vehicles from out-of-province. They're priced high compared to local stuff, but are always rust-free. (Note that the price is in C$, so a bit under $7K in USD. 12% sales taxes are extra.)

 

[RedSpider]

I dont know that I agree that the 4F27E deserves to be called a good transmission, but IF they are maintained with periodic and not overstretched fluid changes, they can be pretty decent. They do have their quirks. I would definitely check the fluid condition and do a pan drop to change the filter, and do several fluid drain/fills.

The Mazda version of this transmission (FN4A-EL) isnt quite as durable but are quite easy to find in junkyards and I can confirm the pan does have a drain plug. The Ford FNR5 and Mazda FS5A-EL are five-speed versions of this same trans and as far as I know, the pan and gasket are all interchangeable so if the Focus doesnt have a drain plug and you want one, its cheap and not difficult to do.

From the pictures it looks like this car is in good shape.