Ford Focus Wagon ??

[JOD]

So, I'm thinking of getting another car and I'm looking hard at a Focus wagon. Basically, something that gets a little better gas mileage than the Freestyle, which I'm going to keep and run into the ground.

I have my eye on a couple of Focus wagons. My requirements are 5 speed MT only, and Duratec versus the Zetec. While I'd prefer a 2.0L, I've seen a 2.3L 2003 5 speed wagon for cheap (5K), with service records, and it looks like a solid deal.

Does anyone have any real word fuel economy numbers on the 2.3E with a 5 speed (wagon or hatch). Are there any funny reliability issues with these? The Duratec motor and the MTX-75 transmission seem pretty solid, from what I can find. Anything I should be looking for with these?? Any comments welcome!

 

[willix]

We were specifically looking for a focus wagon but no dice-Ford quit making them. The salesman did say 2012 they would be available.

 

[JOD]

Yeah, for current production the Elantra Touring is really the only game in town for a small, non-VAG wagon. I'm looking used, so there are some Foci out there that fit the bill.

I'm also pretty sold on a manual transmission, which makes it even harder to find. There are a few out there though and I'm willing to travel.

 

[UNC197]

Originally Posted By: JOD
Yeah, for current production the Elantra Touring is really the only game in town for a small, non-VAG wagon. I'm looking used, so there are some Foci out there that fit the bill.

I'm also pretty sold on a manual transmission, which makes it even harder to find. There are a few out there though and I'm willing to travel.


Oh, really?

 

[JOD]

I really like the Mazda3, but it's certainly no wagon. The Focus wagon has nearly twice the cargo space (it has close to the same space with the seat up as the 3 with the seat down). And obviously, the cargo space is a big deal for me (which is why I'm looking at wagons).

 

[daves87rs]

have to hurry...the are getting very hard to find around here...

 

[Bill in Utah]

Subaru makes a TRUE wagon. (wife loves wagons and will not own a minivan) You can also get it with a manual and they made plenty of those over the years.

Agree that a Mazda3 is not a wagon. Try hatchback. (which I wish more hatchbacks were offered)

The Vibe is a slight wagon.

I could not fit in a Focus so it was out of the picture.

Bill

 

[LS2JSTS]

Maybe a used HHR would fit your needs. I see pretty good deals on used ones and the eco engines in them should be good for a long run.

 

[BearZDefect]

If only Subaru would make 2WD wagons again.

 

[IndyIan]

Originally Posted By: BearZDefect
If only Subaru would make 2WD wagons again.

I think a few of them with automatic transmissions end up as 2wd. A friend had something in the centre "diff" go wrong that was very expensive to fix, so the cheapest option was to just pull a fuse so it wouldn't engage the back wheels even if the fronts slip.
The Focus wagon has more space than any of the older subaru wagons as well, all the AWD stuff raises the subaru's floor quite a bit.

 

[jmsjags]

i love my wagon; i use it to deliver cargo at work. with my rear seats down (which i usually leave like that all the time) i have about as much room as a compact truck bed except mine has a roof to protect all my precious boxes

i also routinely use it to lug mine and my fiancee's dogs to the park and it's cool because they can either be looking out the rear window or stick their heads right up next to us between the front seats

 

[JOD]

carrying bikes and dogs makes the wagon pretty key.

As far as the other cars out there, the Subaru is interesting, but with the boxer engine and AWD, I'd be getting very similar MPG to my Freestyle, which has way more room. So, more complexity/maintenance and lower mpg than the Focus.

The HHR actually would be a sensible option if I could get past the styling--but it's still a little less practical for me; with a wagon, I have easier access to a roof rack--another reason wagons work well.

So, no one has chimed in to say the Focus is a piece of junk and be problematic, so right now I'm not seeing a reason to buy this?: http://destinationautosales.com/Inventory_Pages/156952.html

Despite what the ad says, it's a 2.3 Duratec, so it has the newer engine. It also has full service records, which is a biggie.

 

[Spazdog]

Too bad Mazda didn't carry the wagon (or the 5-door) over to the current model for North America.
There are about 11 Mazda6 wagon owners and they aren't letting go of them.

The closest thing to it currently is probably the CX7i.

But if you need something smaller, there's still the Kia Forte5, the Chevrolet HHR, Rio5, Outback Sport, and if you can stand the styling, the Suzuki SX4 Wagon.

I can carry a lot of stuff in our PT when I take the seats out. (which is very simple if you have a strong back for the 60 section.) you could get a leftover PT for 1/2 the cost of the Outback Sport.

 

[jmsjags]

Originally Posted By: JOD
So, no one has chimed in to say the Focus is a piece of junk and be problematic, so right now I'm not seeing a reason to buy this?: http://destinationautosales.com/Inventory_Pages/156952.html

Despite what the ad says, it's a 2.3 Duratec, so it has the newer engine. It also has full service records, which is a biggie.


the interior on that thing looks like it's been to [censored] and back though. check out the center stack, it's all scratched up.

one thing i would recommend if you do get the wagon is to take out the flap in the back that can be used to shade the back half of the cargo area. with the rear seats folded down that thing really gets in the way. i just ripped mine out and tossed it in the dumpster but if you wanna save it it works kind of like a toilet paper dispenser you can just squeeze the ends together and it pops right out!