Oppocrash update... the purchase has been made!

"Manwich - now Keto-Friendly" (manwich)
02/07/2016 at 11:10 • Filed to: None

So as you all know, I was in the market for a replacement car... and I was recently tempted by a 2005 Volvo V50:

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Well, I didn’t buy the Volvo. Instead, I bought a 2005 Ford Focus Wagon:

Including the safety certification, e-test and tax, it’s costing me just under CAD$2000 (which is about US$1500). It has 235,000km, runs well, has a good set of winter tires currently installed (will have to buy a set of wheels/tires for the summer... which I can get cheap at car-part.com), no leaks and the dealer will service the brakes and a few other minor items (needed to get the safety certification).

I also have some leftover spare parts from my last Focus that I could use with this one... so that’s an added bonus.

Unlike my last Focus (which was a fully loaded ZXW SES), this one is a basic ZXW SE... meaning it has wind up windows, manual rear view mirrors, cloth seats (which I actually prefer), no sunroof (which I prefer), unpainted door handles/mirrors and no tachometer (BOOOOO!). Still has A/C, a decent stereo, a cargo cover, a manual transmission and a Mazda-based engine that uses a timing chain that never needs to be replaced.

The only issue it has that I’ll have to fix is the wiring that goes into the rear hatch door. It’s a common issue with the 2005-2007 Focus hatch/wagon. The wiring cracks and causes the rear wiper and 3rd brake light to work intermittently. It can also cause blown fuses.

I could get the dealer to fix that section of wiring, but I still have wiring left from when I fixed this on my last Focus. And I’ve seen how dealers “fix” this specific issue... either with poorly placed splices or charging $$$ by replacing that section of OEM wiring harness which will have the same issue because it’s overpriced cheap crap with not enough slack.

I’d rather fix it myself in a proper way that will ensure it stays fixed (involves cutting out the bad wire, splicing in new wire and have the splices done in a way that they are not in a spot where they’re subject to bending). It’s a cheap fix... it just takes longer to do it right.

Assuming some incompetent driver doesn’t smash into my car AGAIN (as has happened to my 2 previous cars), I expect my new-old Focus will last me at least 3 years... and probably as much as 5 years.

DISCUSSION (12)

Steve in Manhattan > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 11:16

Crank-up windows and cloth = doubleplus good.

BeaterGT > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 11:19

I wish there was a spec racing series where it was these versus Saturn SWs.

Frenchlicker > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 11:25

I kind of want one of these. Except in black, and lowered, and sweet rims. That's exactly why I don't have one.

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Frenchlicker
02/07/2016 at 11:41

Well I *had* a black one... unfortunately it now has a bent frame and my insurance owns it.

Would *only* cost CAD$5900 to repair properly... LOL

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > BeaterGT
02/07/2016 at 11:59

Assuming we are comparing manual vs manual and automatic vs automatic:

If it’s the Saturn SW2 vs the 2005-2007 Focus Wagon (136HP 2L Duratec), I think the Focus Wagon would win by a small margin... But it would be very close. The extra power the Focus had would be offset by added weight.

If it’s an SW2 vs the 2003-2004 Focus ZXW with the optional 2.3L Duratec engine, the Focus would beat it easily.

If it’s an SW2 vs the 2000-2004 with the Zetec, then I think the SW2 would have an edge.

If it’s an SW2 vs the 2000 Focus with the SOHC split port CVH engine, the SW2 will win easily.

If it’s an SW1, any Zetec or Duratec Focus wagon will beat the pants off of it.

If it’s an SW1 vs the Focus Wagon with the SOHC split port CVH engine, if the SW1 has the earlier 85HP engine, it will lose. If it has the later 100HP engine, it will be really close.

BeaterGT > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 12:14

Well done, good sir.

Frenchlicker > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 13:33

Ouch $50 American dollars to fix that thing(I kid). This color isn't too bad.

TownaceNoah > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 15:13

The places to watch out for rust on these are:

Lower back edges of the front fenders.

Rocker panels at the back and front ends.

Underneath and forward from the back bumper.

Bottom seams on doors.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/07/2016 at 23:42

do you get much snow? my mom had one of those and it was the absolute worst car i have ever driven in snow. My zx2 escort on $45 a piece all seasons went through snow better that my moms ZXW on brand new winters

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TownaceNoah
02/08/2016 at 11:37

Oh yeah... I know. One other Focus Wagon I looked at had rocker panels were actually Bondo Panels... LOL

Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > TheD0k_2many toys 2little time
02/08/2016 at 11:43

Yes... there’s snow where I live. Though I’ve driven cars that are worse in snow... like a Festiva or a Chevette. With decent tires, the Focus Wagon is fine.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > Manwich - now Keto-Friendly
02/08/2016 at 13:33

ah ok maybe it was just her car. she got rid of it tho few years back