Check for recalls, especially on the suspension. I learned the hard way when my dealership stalled until my car was out of warranty, and I ended up with a huge repair bill.
I just totaled mine with 260k miles on it. Boring car, but I always felt confident it would get me to work and back safely.
We all make mistakes. 
They tend to rust, but I’ve seen plenty of them with over 300k miles. They can last if maintained well.
The ‘07 Focus is from the end of the first generation. By then, Ford had ironed out most of the early issues. At least it doesn’t have the dreaded PowerShift automatic from the next gen!
Completely extinct around here (rust belt). They were everywhere 10 years ago, but the salt got them all.
I had an ‘08 ZX3 manual. Super reliable and comfy. I’d buy one again.
Boredom on a budget. Decent car. Just keep a trash bag handy to pick up any parts that fall off. 
A buddy of mine beat the crap out of his, and it still ran fine. Great on gas, decent in snow, and surprisingly roomy with the back seats down.
Perfect for getting from A to B. Nothing more, nothing less.
A bit late, but my dad had a 2003 Focus that made it to 450,000 km in Atlantic Canada. He was terrible at maintenance, but it still lasted.
5/10. I have the same model. Gets from A to B, but now it’s smoking and undrivable at 156k miles. Thinking of selling it soon.
Why ask car enthusiasts? It’s one of the most boring cars ever made, but that doesn’t mean it’s bad. It’s built cheap for people who just need basic transportation.
I don’t know much about cars besides the basics, so I wanted to hear from people who actually like cars.
Ford Focus? Gross.