Buying a older Ford Focus tips

[lone racer]

I'm looking for a 2k and under beater and see a bunch of them and would like any helpful info to look out for, seems like 2 or 3 4 cylinder options any one better than the other longevity wise? I don't care about manual or auto but is there one that is known to go bad over the others ? Any thing to help me be a little better informed is appreciated.

 

[derbydad276]

my 2005 focus has 180 k on it but Ive run AmsOil in it its entire life

 

[Justindwright]

Ford recommends timing belt replacement on the 2.0L Zetec models @ 120k I believe? So if that hasn't been done, it costs about 500-600$ bucks at a shop. It would be timing belt, tensioner, and water pump, might as well do the serpentine belt while ya got it off. DIY the job is about 200 bucks, maybe a little less. Other than that fairly routine maint. type stuff they are pretty decent cars. Rocker rust and wheel well rust is pretty common. Check rear suspension bushings with age as well.

 

[lone racer]

my 2005 focus has 180 k on it but Ive run AmsOil in it its entire life

Have you replaced th timing belt?

 

[Justindwright]

Have you replaced th timing belt?

His could have a 2.3 (w/timing chain) i believe being a 2005, but the 2.0L timing belt zetec would have been available at that time too I believe. The same goes for the SOHC ones, 120k for timing belt. They are interference motors, so if you let it go to the point that the belt breaks/snaps, then you have valves running into pistons. Its fairly common for the motors with timing belts to be interference. I have replaced a few on the SOHC motors and they ran good, but have also had a few that werent so lucky.

 

[lone racer]

That's cheap enough insurance you almost have too.In my neighborhood,the more rust the better.

 

[lone racer]

So would the 2.3 be first in line because of chain? Or is that engine prone to say head gasket? I'm honestly curious!

 

[Justindwright]

The 2.3 is supposed to be pretty stout from what I hear. Some others can chime in with their experience.

 

[347convert]

Dude, solid ride, easy to and cheap to fix. My buddy has one with 230k on it and still gets 40mpg.

 

[Beigg]

Those types of vehicles tend to have higher insurance cost.

 

[lone racer]

I'm getting one �� And I'm excited! WaaaSup

 

[DeFormula]

I have an '08 with the 2.0 and I'm pretty sure it has a timing chain. Not sure when they switched over. Anyway, it's been a solid vehicle no real issues except motor mounts going bad and causing vibration. I only have 99K miles on it though.

 

[lone racer]

Just got a 02 ztw,can't post pic but thanks for the info guys

 

[DarkoStoj]

Don't buy one with a 2.0L SOHC.

 

[Justindwright]

Don't buy one with a 2.0L SOHC.

timing belts and the valve seats are known to drop out and cause serious damage on the SOHCs

This is from a 99 escort i used to have. 120k and this happened. I had the head redone for 275 and put a junkyard piston and rod in. New timing belt kit on it... drove for another 10k miles, sold it to a dude and its still being driven.