Need help ! Forced to buy econ car- Focus or cavalier?

[Chris Wiehle]

I know this is not relly HAMB related but I am moving and will have a 45 min commute. I have never owned a economy car. I am a chevvy guy by heart and trade but have heard better things about the focus. Anybody on the HAMB have any advice for me.
Chris

[prime mover]

I'd buy a focus, I have driven escorts for the last couple years.

[El Caballo]

I had a Focus for 2.5 years, handles great, I had the Z-tech which ran real well. Upsized to a Suburban.

[AKATIREGUY]

Here's the inside scoop on the Focus. I work at Capistrano Ford, in the service department. The focus is a great car but has its flaws in the life of the brakes. Ford says that problem has been resolved, still waiting to see results. Brakes last 12-15k and the rotors are worn to min thickness with every, yes EVERY, brake job. If buying new, ask to purchase the maintenance and wear protection plan. Make sure you let them know you want the plan that covers brake pads. Brakes and rotors run about 495.00 EVERY 12-15K. A 900.00 maintenance plan is like paying for two brake jobs and you get a third free plus all oil changes, tire rotation, trans service, etc.... on a financed policy. Even with this the Focus is the better choice. I'm not just saying that cuz I work at Ford. Wife drives a Nissan and I drive the 55 Olds.

[Chris Wiehle]

Holy crap $495 for pads and rotors. Why so much? How much if I did it myself?

I have read one or two other reviews that mention the brake problem. If that's all i have to worry about I can handle it.

Thanks guys!

[Chandler]

i had a old cavalier. 80's model. that thing was bullet proof. dont know about the new models

[BELLM]

Bought Cavaliers for both daughters as college cars, no problems, ever. Knock on wood as the 2000 has 130K on it and has to last another year. 'course I'm a Chevy guy.

[TexasHardcore]

Buy a Honda...most god damn reliable car I've ever owned.

130,000 miles on a 1996 hatchback civic.
street raced EVERY WEEKEND
Autocrossed monthly
Driven Daily
Long trips
around town
you name it

The only parts I replaced were normal (battery, wires, plugs, hoses, belts, tires) and the parts I broke from drag racing.

34mpg and it ran 14's in the 1/4 mile.
reliable as hell, more room in the BACK SEAT than my '86 Mustang GT 5.0.

Both my little brothers and my dad have owned Honda's as daily driver/work commuter vehicles.

I used to work as a Tech for 2 different Honda dealerships...the only thing we did there was repair damage from customer abuse/wrecks or maintenance. There was NEVER any common problems with any of the cars, it was amazing.

No problems EVER. I loved that car but I needed a truck.
I've found another Honda Civic that I might buy as a daily driver if these diesel prices keep going up.

Just my $.02

[gregg]

Chris, we have a '01 & '04. The '01 has the 2.0 zetec, the '04 has the new 2.3. Both have been trouble-free. They replaced Escorts. I'm a mechanic at the local Ford shop. The brakes on the early ones don't last very long. Here in Wheaton we get $245 for frt brakes with new rotors.

[Chris Wiehle]

Gregg- Got anything in there with light body damage they need to blow out. Preferrably a stick. under $4500. I'm just waiting to sell my '53 ford or close on my house thenI'll have the money.

Texas Hardcore- Sounds like that would be the way to go but I have a problem bringing myself to buying Japanese. Yeah yeah, I know half the shit on the focus is probably jap stuff too.

[Django]

Chris, my g/f has an early Focus X3. The brake issue is true. Otherwise it is a great car.

Can the early ones be upgraded to avoid that brake issue? What is involved?

[Flexicoker]

ok, since we're on the subject here, any reviews on a '94 nissan altima? just got a lead on one with 100k on the clock. I need a daily driver too.

[TexasHardcore]

I'm telling you guys...stop being rednecks and buy a frickin Honda...you won't regret it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[X--GASSER]

If I had to buy a little shit car I would buy a Toyota Corolla.Im in the collision industry and have worked on all types of compacts.As far as structure goes they are pretty safe in a "train Wreck".The powertrain also is pretty sound and reliable.I usually hear good satisfaction from customers, they dont their insurance company to total them,which tells me there happy with the reliability of the Corolla.

[El Caballo]

Yeah, the brake pads went away too soon on my 2000, went to Midas and didn't have any worries after that. My rotors only needed resurfacing. Sold the car with 77K on the clock and those same brakes. My biggest gripe was the ignition switch that I had to replace.

[Chris Wiehle]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm telling you guys...stop being rednecks and buy a frickin Honda...you won't regret it. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

What kind of Honda could I get for $3000?

[sodbuster]

Yep, I had the wifes car sideway's in the front of the driveway while covering the driveway with sealer and then the key would not work. We have a locksmith right down the street from us who can do anything (he has been in business since 54') and he said the ford ignition's are junk. So he came out and fixed $50 later.

[Von Scott]

How the hell did I go from reading about modifieds to reading about econoboxes. This is still the HAMB right? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[side_valve]

I have a '01 ZX3 for my 35 minute commute. It's got 67k on it and never had a brake job - It's a manual so I use that to slow down plus it's more fun to drive. I'm happy with it.

[floyd schrammeck]

Hello. I buy wrecked cars, and a cavalier is worth about 100. wrecked , focus $ 600-up. But if chevy person the saturn is better i think still $200. parts interchange.
Hondas are the best, worth about 10 times wrecked what a domestic worth Just look at resale, tells u everything.
I have a 92 integra gsr 204,ooo still turns 8000 rpm daily , burns 1 qt oil between changes. faster then most mustangs. gets 30 mpg. enough said thanks for listening

[GomezGarage]

Lets all drive our Metric shit to the next show and see how "cool" you are then.

[Bigcheese327]

Cobalt SS or the Pontiac Solstice.

Cobalt is the Cavalier replacement, Solstice is a Banshee/Fiero for the 21st Century.

I'm quite happy with my "M/SA" '93 Ford Escort. I just did plugs and wires on it yesterday - 113,000 miles and I was just now replacing the factory installed stuff.

[Steve Ray]

[ QUOTE ]
...but I have a problem bringing myself to buying Japanese. Yeah yeah, I know half the shit on the focus is probably jap stuff too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Hondas are built in Ohio. In fact most of the "japanese" cars and trucks sold in the US are built here. Ford Focuses are built in Mexico, I believe. Funny that the US companies are moving their production out of the country and the foreign companies are building factories here.

[Kev Nemo]

What the collision guy said about Cavs is true- they're worth nothing and have probs after 90k... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[HonkyTonker]

my woman has a ford focus 2002 ZX somethin.. Runs great, great for taking trips, i'm 6'3. Decent sound, have had no problem with brakes, but the rear drums are starting to squeak. 49k. Never had a brake job yet.. Oh their radios are crap. We have had to replace two indash 6 disk cd players. Thank god for warranties.

Neal0o

oh yeah. fuck a honda .. buy AMERICAN http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[Munson]

This guy is fun and has never done me wrong...

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/MunsonAutomotive/Other%20rigs/24760004.jpg

Evidence of the normal beating she takes. Just maintenance cost accumulated so far.

j

[low springs]

[ QUOTE ]
If I had to buy a little shit car I would buy a Toyota Corolla.Im in the collision industry and have worked on all types of compacts.As far as structure goes they are pretty safe in a "train Wreck".The powertrain also is pretty sound and reliable.I usually hear good satisfaction from customers, they dont their insurance company to total them,which tells me there happy with the reliability of the Corolla.

[/ QUOTE ]

i second that. i've been in the collision field myself for 10+ yrs. toyota is a great car along with hondas. my wife drives a corolla s. i wouldn't buy an american car unless it was from 72 down.

teaxshardcore, your right a honda is the best bet to go also.

american cars are basiclly assembled in america. thats why they can say american built. wireing harness built in mexico, some brakets built canada they ship all that back over and assemble it here. don't get me wrong some stuff is built here but not all.

[retro54]

I would have to echo an earlier post...WTF?!? mate!... if you want info on jap cars or little ricers, go to an import site... me, if it were me, which it will be in 1.5 years when I get outa college, I'd buy a nice 1960's car like a 65 fairlane or early nova, comet, dart..etc... Something with a reliable, fuel effecient strait 6 and hey, 4 doors are cheap man.... I bet, rather know you can find one of these, lets say 1962 thru 1968 cars in excellent shape, that is rebuilt stuff and the like, with spending 10k or less (my bro picked up a 65 fairlane 500 for 500 bucks, put another 300 in it to pass inspection, and it was a respectable driver for a year, until he got his mustang..haha)...so right there, you are spending less than a new car, have something cool, something genuinely american, something reliable, something you can work on (major plus), something where rotors don't cost you 500 bucks, I can go on all days guys... I mean, I really don't have the age to lecture you guys who have families and stuff being only 22 myself and unattached, but hey, all I know is that my family's first family car was a 63 chevy impala 4dr. with a 283 and auto, and damn man if that didn't get me to preschool and everything else. And for me, the major point is that a car from this time period is reliable and something I can work on, I don't have to take it to a shop and spend the big bucks... hey, I'll shut up now, but it just seemed to me that if you were on this site in the first place you may be of this frame of mind too... just another side of the fence, maybe this will get the thread back on topic...hahahaha.. later guys