GenVibe - Community for Pontiac Vibe Enthusiasts

Hi everyone, I haven't been around in a while. I sadly sold the Vibe a few months ago when I moved back across the country. Right now I'm driving a 98 Dodge Stratus. It sucks but it gets me around and at least I don’t have a car payment right now. I’m probably looking to get something in the spring and as much as I’d like to get another Vibe, or a Forester, both hold their value really well and I’d be stuck with a monthly payment higher than what I want. I’ve noticed I could get a ’07 Focus Wagon for less than a lot of used cars. How are they? Is it a good car? Have they had a lot of issues? I’m leaning towards a cheap wagon since we have 2 dogs that would go behind the back seat. I’m looking for something relatively cheap and that gets good gas mileage.

The Ford Focus just went into a complete redesign, or so they say. The older models were not bad, but did have their issues. Your best bet would be to check out a Focus board and see what they say. Also Edmunds and ConsumerReports are good sources for this.On a personal note, the Focus wagon was never very appealing. Not to mention resales are horrific. You'd be better off getting another Vibe, Matrix or a pre-owned Mazda 3 hatch.

malibu maxx.

Quote, originally posted by Whelan »The Ford Focus just went into a complete redesign, or so they say. The older models were not bad, but did have their issues. Your best bet would be to check out a Focus board and see what they say. Also Edmunds and ConsumerReports are good sources for this.On a personal note, the Focus wagon was never very appealing. Not to mention resales are horrific. You'd be better off getting another Vibe, Matrix or a pre-owned Mazda 3 hatch.If the resales are horrific - maybe one could get a good deal on a used one. I don't think many were made. Ford only made the SW in the SE and SES upscale models, and few delers stocked them. At the right price I'd buy a Focus SW.

the only real big issues are the recalls on the 03 and older models. the newer ones are great, that zetec engine is nice and if you get manual you get good mileage (30's). my uncle has a 04 and has never had a problem...his mini cooper S ...now thats a diff issue, that thing sucks reliability wise. seems the newer models are goign cheaper than the used ones...they must make more selling new ones cheaper..meh..better for the buyer

The Focus beat out the previous record for the most recalled car back in their earlier years, a title once owned by the Chevy Citation. It was something like 10-12 recalls, can't remember the exact amount but it was a shload of recalls. Hopefully they've improved just a wee lil' bit! If I had to buy a Focus though, I suppose it would actually be the wagon, that one looks the best out of all of the Focus models to me. It doesn't take much to look better than those fugly 3 and 5-door hatchbacks. But now, even those are better looking than the new model they just came out with. lol!

we just traded in my wife's 2000 focus ZTS with 120,000km and we both agreed it was a great car.it had its share of recalls, but after some thought, i'd rather have a company post recalls and actually acknowledge and fix problems with the car...than ignore obvious problems and never post recalls...then go on to boast about their 'perfect' recall record!in the end, the focus was 8 years old and my wife wanted something new...so we traded it in even though it was still a very drivable and reliable car.

I still say bubbles are for kids to play with, not drive. But then I've never been a fan of the Focus, especially now with the new US spec one. It's not even new, they call it redesigned.

Maybe this has already been stated, but why not buy another Vibe?

Quote, originally posted by NibCrom »Maybe this has already been stated, but why not buy another Vibe?Quote, originally posted by Whelan »On a personal note, the Focus wagon was never very appealing. Not to mention resales are horrific. You'd be better off getting another Vibe, Matrix or a pre-owned Mazda 3 hatch.