I’m in a bit of a rush to find a new car and have been looking at reliable options like the Corolla, Camry, and Civic. But I’ve noticed there are a lot of used Ford Focuses (2010-2014) available in my area for pretty decent prices.
I’m not super picky—I just want something reliable with good gas mileage that can last me through the next five years without major issues. I’m currently in grad school, so I can’t afford to deal with constant repairs. What’s the general opinion on the Focus? Anyone here with firsthand experience?
They’re cheaper than other cars for a reason. The DCT transmissions in these models are notoriously bad. If you can find a manual, it might be a better deal since most people going for a Focus in manual want the ST version. But if reliability is your main concern, Toyota or Honda would be better choices—they’re built better overall.
Jordy said: @Max
Exactly. The build quality isn’t even close to Toyota or Honda. If you want a car to last 5 years, don’t go for a Focus.
Fords just aren’t built for the long haul like Toyotas or Hondas. You’ll end up fixing way more things with a Ford. They’re great as rentals, but not as long-term cars. If your Focus turns out amazing, then my IS300 is a spaceship.
The 2012+ models had a complete redesign. The DCT can have issues, but not all of them are bad. Mine has been great—2012 model, 92k miles, no major problems. The only repair I needed was a busted motor mount at 80k, which wasn’t too expensive. Other than that, just regular maintenance. It’s a solid car if you find one in good shape.
Automatic transmission? Hard pass. Manual is okay, but honestly, the Focus is pretty bland. You might want to consider a Golf, Elantra, Civic, or Corolla instead.
I’ve got a 2012 SEL auto. No real issues so far. The transmission can feel jerky at slow speeds, but that’s because it’s a computer-controlled manual. It’s a bit small for me, but I’m 6’ and 220 lbs, so take that into account.
I have a 2012 Focus SE with the DCT, and I’ve been happy with it overall. I’ve thought about upgrading to an ST—it’d be fun to have more power and modding potential.
I drive a 2013 Titanium. The car itself is great, but the transmission is garbage. I’m on my third one. That said, Ford extended the warranty on the DCT to 170k km, and my dealership has been great about giving me loaners whenever it’s in the shop. Depreciation has been rough, but the handling is good, and the rest of the car has held up well.
I love my Focus. It’s loaded with almost every feature available for its trim, and I haven’t had any major issues. The only annoyance is that the Sync system can be finicky about connecting to my phone, but that’s pretty common with car infotainment systems.
I test-drove a Ford Focus Titanium with the 1.0L Ecoboost and was impressed by the quiet engine and nice interior. It’s not an RS, obviously, but it’s still a nice car.
The automatic transmission is a disaster (manuals are fine), and the resale value is terrible because Ford finances just about anyone and stacks incentives. If reliability matters, go for a Civic or Camry instead. You’ll save yourself a lot of headaches.
I worked at a Ford dealership, and honestly, the DCT is the worst transmission I’ve ever driven. Even on cars with low mileage, it feels awful. Dry dual-clutch systems are a recipe for failure. If you want reliability, get a Honda Fit.
My roommate has a 2014 ST, and the car has been solid mechanically. He’s had weird issues like a bug messing with the ground wire and a dealership botching the vacuum lines, but otherwise, no major complaints. He’s running a near-stage 3 setup, and it’s holding up fine.