My dad has I think a 2004 Focus wagon with about 115,000 miles on it. It has an automatic transmission. He bought it new and has followed the factory book on maintenance at the local Ford dealer. It's still running great and looks good, but he is wondering how long he should keep it. I've looked it over and it appears solid. Turning 80 this summer he is of the era where a car with this mileage would be considered near dead, but on the other hand he doesn't have a ton of money to just go out and waste it on a new car. He is very active and drives every day, including pretty frequent trips of 200-400 miles or so. He does not want something that will break down and he doesn't want to tinker with it. Is the Focus a reliable car for say 200,000 miles?
Longevity of Ford Focus?
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The college kids neighbor down the street has an 02 focus with 250,000 miles and still runs well. It is a 5 speed. He says it runs well and it still looks nice. Though he is counting down the days when he graduates so he can buy a Lexus. Little does he know he will probably have that Focus for another 30,000 miles.
Yes, that car should go 300K+ if properly maintained. I don't recall any major problems with the Zetec motors, I would think the trans would go before anything else. Don't sweat it, just drive it and keep it up.
Keep it maintained, it should do fine. Dont forget belts and hoses and antifreeze and flush brake hydraulics. You dont want to give an 80 YO a new car with unfamiliar controls. Or a Camry
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
Keep your eye on that tranny.
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
It is actually a Escort.
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
It is actually a Escort.
Originally Posted By: ARCOgraphite
Keep it maintained, it should do fine. Dont forget belts and hoses and antifreeze and flush brake hydraulics. You dont want to give an 80 YO a new car with unfamiliar controls. Or a Camry
Nothing wrong with a Camry, my dad is 73 and got accustomed to the car in no time. Coming from a 91 Lumina lol
Keep it maintained, it should do fine. Dont forget belts and hoses and antifreeze and flush brake hydraulics. You dont want to give an 80 YO a new car with unfamiliar controls. Or a Camry
Nothing wrong with a Camry, my dad is 73 and got accustomed to the car in no time. Coming from a 91 Lumina lol
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
It is actually a Escort.
Sorry.
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
It is actually a Escort.
Sorry.
Groucho Marx, is the Focus auto tranny known for early failure?
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I'd get the transmission fluid changed, and change the oil every 5k with the oil of your choice, and don't worry about it. IT maybe have a few little things here or there, but that isn't unusual. He should drive it with confidence. My grandfather can hardly believe that the car he sold me has 132k miles and still runs so good.
Originally Posted By: AuthorEditor
Groucho Marx, is the Focus auto tranny known for early failure?
Not to my knowledge, but chances are an AT will fail before a well mauntained engine on any car and it's a big expense to rebuild.
Groucho Marx, is the Focus auto tranny known for early failure?
Not to my knowledge, but chances are an AT will fail before a well mauntained engine on any car and it's a big expense to rebuild.
But a new AT or an AT overhaul is still cheaper than most replacement cars, unless you are talking $1000 beaters.
Originally Posted By: javacontour
But a new AT or an AT overhaul is still cheaper than most replacement cars, unless you are talking $1000 beaters.
+1 I was thinking the same thing.
But a new AT or an AT overhaul is still cheaper than most replacement cars, unless you are talking $1000 beaters.
+1 I was thinking the same thing.
At 100k, check out the brakes thoroughly.
The struts may need replacement, but they certainly can be adequate for much longer.
The engine? Ha ha! You should get 2-3 times that mileage with good oil.
The trans? Always an issue. Good clean fluid is our best bet.
The struts may need replacement, but they certainly can be adequate for much longer.
The engine? Ha ha! You should get 2-3 times that mileage with good oil.
The trans? Always an issue. Good clean fluid is our best bet.
Originally Posted By: Bill in Utah
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
It is actually a Escort.
Now that's the car they need to bring back. I'll take an Escort any day of the week. I know two people with an Escort and both have over 400k miles on it. Nothing ever happen to the engine or transmission and other parts get replaced when they break, just like any other car.
Originally Posted By: CROWNVIC4LIFE
Originally Posted By: pbm
The answer to your last sentence is YES (many Focus have gone over 200K). The fact that your dad's car is only 6 years old is a positive. I believe that once a car gets to be approx. 12 years old it starts to have little issues (regardless if it has 100K or 200K).
A six year old car with only 115K is really just a baby. Your dad can drive it for many more years with only basic maintenance.
+1
Someone here [in the vehicle section] has over 500K miles on their Focus.
It is actually a Escort.
Now that's the car they need to bring back. I'll take an Escort any day of the week. I know two people with an Escort and both have over 400k miles on it. Nothing ever happen to the engine or transmission and other parts get replaced when they break, just like any other car.
Why do you think they discontinued it? Was to relibale.
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