Good deal or red flag? College student looking for a reliable car

I can afford to buy the car outright, but the price seems a little too good to be true. The body looks fine, but I haven’t checked underneath for rust yet. I just need something reliable for the next few years and don’t want to end up with a money pit. The Carfax is clean too.

Should I go for it, or is there something I’m missing?

I have one with 280k miles and it’s still going strong. No major issues as long as you keep up with basic maintenance. Just don’t be too hard on the transmission, and you should be fine. Parts are super cheap too. Honestly, the Focus was made for students and commuters.

@Tru
My ‘09 just hit 201k miles, been a solid car.

@Tru
I had a 2018 model, but I haven’t had free services for two years now. It’s got 38k miles. Do I need to do any maintenance on it?

Poe said:
@Tru
I had a 2018 model, but I haven’t had free services for two years now. It’s got 38k miles. Do I need to do any maintenance on it?

Yep, follow the maintenance schedule in your owner’s manual. Keep track of what’s been replaced so you know what might need attention next.

@Tru
Got it, thanks!

That price is pretty normal for these. I was surprised too when I found my ‘08 SE with 134k miles for $1,500. Runs great, just had a small rough idle that I fixed. Even came with remote start. If the underside is clean with no rust, I’d say go for it! It’s actually a fun little car to drive, and I got 39 mpg on a 45-minute trip the other day. :+1:

@Hollis
Appreciate the quick reply! I’m checking it out this week, hoping it’s in good shape.

Scout said:
@Hollis
Appreciate the quick reply! I’m checking it out this week, hoping it’s in good shape.

These years are solid. The 2012+ models had auto transmission issues, but some people have gotten 300k+ miles out of them without problems. It’s kinda hit or miss.

@Hollis
My ‘08 hit 308k miles!

Axel said:
@Hollis
My ‘08 hit 308k miles!

That’s awesome to hear!

@Hollis
What was causing the rough idle?

Arden said:
@Hollis
What was causing the rough idle?

I replaced the EGR valve, MAF sensor, and upstream O2 sensor, but in the end, it was the throttle body causing the issue.

Hollis said:

Arden said:
@Hollis
What was causing the rough idle?

I replaced the EGR valve, MAF sensor, and upstream O2 sensor, but in the end, it was the throttle body causing the issue.

Just a heads-up—these cars are known for the upper transmission/motor mount wearing out under the battery box. Replacing it makes a huge difference in how smooth it feels.

Hollis said:

Arden said:
@Hollis
What was causing the rough idle?

I replaced the EGR valve, MAF sensor, and upstream O2 sensor, but in the end, it was the throttle body causing the issue.

I should clean my throttle body too. My ‘02 ZX2 sometimes dies when I take it out of gear and coast to a stop. I just pop the clutch to restart it while rolling, but that can’t be good long-term.

I’ve got an ‘08 with 341k miles, still running strong. These cars are tanks. Definitely recommend them for someone who needs a simple, reliable ride.

Get a mechanic to check it out before buying. If it passes inspection, I’d say go for it. The price is fair for 2024, and I had an ‘09 that was a great car. Also, they’re easy to work on if you’re thinking about learning some DIY repairs.

Just sold my 2014 Hatch (manual) with 155k miles for $2k. Nothing wrong with it, just wanted to help out a coworker who needed something more reliable. These are solid little cars if you find one in good shape.

Great deal! This is basically the ‘Toyota’ for people who don’t have Toyota money. I had an SE for three years—only issue was a belt tensioner. Now I’m on my second Focus, a 5-speed SES Coupe! Love these cars.

Watch out for valve cover gasket leaks (check for oil in the spark plug wells) and worn-out motor mounts (passenger-side one usually needs replacing). If you need help, feel free to message me—I’ve learned a lot about these over the past few years!

My ‘08 SE lasted over 200k miles before rust got the best of it. Gave it to my dad, and he still uses it on the farm.

At that price, you could do a lot worse. Just check for rust, especially on the rockers and underside. Motor mounts and rough idle are common issues. Mine also had sensor problems, and the speedometer died at one point. Expect small repairs here and there (door handles, blower fans), but nothing crazy.