A few months ago I bought a 09 SES Sedan and I love it. Great ride quality, practical, and it does have power for its size. One down side is yes the fuel economy is weirdly low for that size of a car. That's honestly about it. It is a great car. I have also traveled with it, it is a great traveler.
Just bought a 2009 SES coupe as my first car for 4000 $CAD and I couln't get a better one. This year of Focus is very reliable and it feels suprisingly luxurious and sporty at the same time. Fuel economy is good on city but great on highways(24/35 mpg or 9.8/6.7 L/100km). It's equipped with many features that many other compact cars of it's year lack, like voice command, bluetooth, traction control, heated seats, cruize control etc. Also I'm in love with interior led lights and the exaust sound when accelerating (yes it's stock). Only downside I can think of is back seats not having enough space but I don't usually transport many people so it doesn't bother me much. 5/5 for a first car.
Have a '10 SES in silver like the test car, but 4 doors. When these were new, I thought they were hideous. Still are, and the interior has a lot of hard plastic that is not inviting. However, owing to terrible resale, these were great used car values. I got one in '14, not long out of a mid-life crisis and finishing graduate school. It had what I wanted, it was comfortable, inexpensive, and didn't have a black interior. This car has exceeded my expectations more than any used car I've owned. Has some predictable failure points: valve cover gaskets, sway bar end links, and engine mounts, but overall it is inexpensive to maintain, and repairs aren't crazy expensive- or difficult. There are youtube videos for all the common issues. I've been wanting a new car for awhile, but this one just keeps going, is long ago paid for, and it just makes sense to keep it. These are far more reliable cars than the successor model that came out in '12, with it's janky automatic transmission.
Ford still has trouble with noise, vibration, motor mounts. My 1997 Escort was pretty good reliability wise, but horrible noise and vibrations Ford was never interested in fixing.
@@daltonmckay3890 I bought a brand new '14 Focus in early '15 and had a broken motor mount before I even test drove it. I'm a die hard Ford fanatic but this statement is true. So sit down and shut the hell up.
Just replaced the motor mounts in my 2009 SE Coupe. What a difference that made at 100,000 miles. Have new shocks and struts in the garage to be installed next weekend.
Selling a 2009 SES for my best bud and have been driving it back and forth to work while making some repairs on it. Most of my driving is on winter fuel with cold Alaskan weather this last week on rural roads 70% and 30% city on the way to work. I have been averaging 38.3mpg AND that is with a horrible miss from a bad coil on winter fuel. My commute is only 47 miles round trip through one school zone and tons of hills. I am impressed!
I love my 2008 Ford Focus no complaints and no issues with it besides the normal maintenance. It's definitely a comfortable gas efficient car and is quite like a luxury car on the highway.
I have an '05 Focus Wagon ZXW trim, and it's only issue after 245,000kms is the battery and Exhaust. Can't complain. Although I did do my driving lessons in a '09 Focus and i've always liked them. Good looks inside and out, reliable and quick and you can get them in that nice Yellow-y Gold colour.
I think this "fill-in" Focus model was a good economical decision by Ford. By simply refacing the existing model, the car could be inexpensively manufactured and sold while still including above average safety features. From a price-point, the new Fiesta will likely fill in the gap when the more expensive Euro Focus comes to the U.S. in couple years. Although it might not satisfy enthusiasts, it is a good car and a volume-selling success for Ford.
I have a 09 SE focus 4dr with 311,000 km on it, has no traction control or ABS but I freaking love it and can't wait to see it hit 400,000 and maybe more! I love it so much I ended up buying another 09 focus but this time 2dr manual and with all the bells and whistles and with only 190,000 km on it. Hands down the best reliable vehicle I have ever owned AND I became a DIY mechanic because the basic 4dr auto I have is very easy to learn on!! Cheers focus fans!
10 years later at 180,000 miles, I still love my SES. Original clutch and it still feels good. I've driven it hard, and I took it down the blue ridge parkway a couple years ago when it was around 145,000. I drove it Loaded up fast around mountain roads 7 years after I bought it, and it was still great fun. Just changed struts and front wheel bearings. Airbag system malfunctioned and sucked power out of the car. Had to disable it. So car is probably totaled. But I will run this car another 100k hopefully into the ground.
Awesome! We have an 08 se sedan @ ~180,000 mi and rusting rocker panels are the only major issue for us. We've changed out the endlinks, valve cover gasket + sparkplugs, rusted resonator, bad mounts, and thermostat.
ya I got my 09 focus a few weeks ago. sel trim, has everything I'll ever need. for only 140 hp it gets goin on the hwy. the only thing I hate is that it's really ugly on the outside and the traction control sucks in the snow so I always turn it off
I got a 2009 SES and i gotta say, that I've never had any issues with it.. never thought I would buy a Ford but after renting one for a week, when I totalled my last car, I decided to buy a used one... got mine for 12,5xx with 32k on it...
I think these are great! I roll around Dallas in my borrowed 2010 SES four door in silver. I used to own a 2002 but it was junk but I think these were the better built ones. I know the following generation in 2012 were infamous for transmission issues.
I own the SES with a 5 speed and the best I can get at highway speeds (70 mph) is 28.4 mpg. The europian modle has a 6 speed which I believe Ford should have in this modle. But the car is fun to drive.
My mom has a 2010 SES sedan. Going on 160,000 miles now and total extra costs was $24.00 since new. It needed front stabilizer links recently. I'm not including anything that most people would consider "normal maintenance" though. (oil changes, 1 set of tires, 1 set of front brakes). Although it did need a hanger bearing for the passenger axle when it was under warranty. Based on our experience I would recommend at least a look at one of these.
you do realize the US and Euro Focus started out as the same car & chassis & whatnot right? they're saving money dude. why build two completely different cars w/ the same nameplate when you can save money and build the better model and sell it worldwide? i don't get why you're the one complaining when you've had the better Focus since 2005... the Focus (2012+) is selling like crazy here & in the end thats what Ford wants: sales
There's 8 airbags I thought ? one by each window (4) 1 for the side of each seat (2) and the dash air bags (2). Maybe they're counting the side curtain airbags as one for each side ?
Leave it to motor week to only test the one Ford Focus model that never went on sale. I don't ever remember seeing a 2 door Ford Focus in this generation. Even down here in the Miami market where the young Julios Love their 2 door 4 bangers
It looks ugly i would say. European Ford Focus mk2 facelifted (2008-2010) 3 door hatchback is much more beautiful and sportive in driving. Why Ford altered that car entirely for the US Market? Basically its a whole different vehicle.
Should I buy a 2010 Focus SE coupe with manual transmission? It has only 36,000 miles and the dealer is asking $7,000. I'm thinking show up with $5,000 cash and see if they'll take it.
i own a 09 focus coupe SE and have put a 2.3L insted of the 2.0 and add a stage 2 turbo,cold air intake, perf. exhaust, blk 5 piece body kit, all made by focus sport except body kit and to the slopy handling remark. its still has stock suspension and turns a dime. i've took a 25mph exit ramp at 80mph i was barely Squealing the tires
@@ShyRage1 Same here. Up to this point all of the cars I've owned have been either two-door coupes or three-door hatchbacks and, except for one bad experience with a Pontiac Grand Am, they were all Fords. Over the years I've driven a T-Bird Turbo Coupe, Escort GT, Probe SE, Escort ZX2, and, at the moment, I'm the proud owner of a 2008 Focus SE Coupe. It's really a shame that the only two-door model left in Ford's US lineup is now the Mustang. I would consider trading up to one, but they're kinda expensive, bigger than what I need, not that great with fuel economy, and the rear-wheel drive can be tricky to deal with during the winter months. I kept waiting for Ford to offer a three-door version of the Fiesta, but they never brought it over from Europe. It seems like all they care about these days are trucks and SUV's.
I am a big Ford fan but this Focus is awful. Instead of reskinning the old model they should have started importing or building the European Focus. Much nicer, much safer, NEWER, better performing, and better gas mileage...
is this the american version? im sorry but the europien version is much, much nicer in my opinion, can anyone tell me if its just the body that changes when it crosses the pond? cause im thinking of getting this car...
This restyled version of the Focus didn't last long...they look plasticky and outdated to me when new. I like the original Focus when it appeared, but this was a warmed over version of that car, albeit with a more aggressive fascia. In a few years, we in North America got the new Focus shared with Europe and the rest of the world. It looks light years ahead of this car, which belies its 10+ year old underpinnings. As I write this note in 2018, Ford will soon be discontinuing sales of most cars in the US and Canada, including almost all versions of the Focus when it reaches the end of its model life. Time will tell if this was a shrewd business move or a colossal mistake.
This is often the case when the least expensive car has to compete with both compact and subcompact classes. It's a compromise that leaves them uncompetitive in both. The Focus became too expensive so they brought the Fiesta over and were actually competitive again.
Keaton Belliston I'm a massive Ford fan, I would prob say every product ford currently makes is reliable except for the focus and fiesta. No one buys them and yes you would expect small cars to be cheap/unreliable but they have alot of issues.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I actually thought the 2008-2011 was the ugliest focuses from all the other generations. Not offering a hatchback focus was just silly.
A few months ago I bought a 09 SES Sedan and I love it. Great ride quality, practical, and it does have power for its size. One down side is yes the fuel economy is weirdly low for that size of a car. That's honestly about it. It is a great car. I have also traveled with it, it is a great traveler.
Agreed for how light it is it should get more miles. Only time it gets good miles is 65-70 on the highway, can get 37 on cruise control.
@@acmotifs 5 speed
Just bought a 2009 SES coupe as my first car for 4000 $CAD and I couln't get a better one. This year of Focus is very reliable and it feels suprisingly luxurious and sporty at the same time. Fuel economy is good on city but great on highways(24/35 mpg or 9.8/6.7 L/100km). It's equipped with many features that many other compact cars of it's year lack, like voice command, bluetooth, traction control, heated seats, cruize control etc. Also I'm in love with interior led lights and the exaust sound when accelerating (yes it's stock). Only downside I can think of is back seats not having enough space but I don't usually transport many people so it doesn't bother me much. 5/5 for a first car.
the 2008-2011 Ford Focus US was assembled in
Wayne, Michigan, United States
Kinda makes me wonder what the staionwagon version would've looked like with that front end if Ford had kept it?
Have a '10 SES in silver like the test car, but 4 doors. When these were new, I thought they were hideous. Still are, and the interior has a lot of hard plastic that is not inviting. However, owing to terrible resale, these were great used car values. I got one in '14, not long out of a mid-life crisis and finishing graduate school. It had what I wanted, it was comfortable, inexpensive, and didn't have a black interior. This car has exceeded my expectations more than any used car I've owned. Has some predictable failure points: valve cover gaskets, sway bar end links, and engine mounts, but overall it is inexpensive to maintain, and repairs aren't crazy expensive- or difficult. There are youtube videos for all the common issues. I've been wanting a new car for awhile, but this one just keeps going, is long ago paid for, and it just makes sense to keep it. These are far more reliable cars than the successor model that came out in '12, with it's janky automatic transmission.
There aren't chrome rims on the SES coupe. They are painted magnesium alloy. Very light
Ford still has trouble with noise, vibration, motor mounts. My 1997 Escort was pretty good reliability wise, but horrible noise and vibrations Ford was never interested in fixing.
there fine.. u just treat ur car like crap
@@daltonmckay3890 I bought a brand new '14 Focus in early '15 and had a broken motor mount before I even test drove it. I'm a die hard Ford fanatic but this statement is true. So sit down and shut the hell up.
smd bitch
Just replaced the motor mounts in my 2009 SE Coupe. What a difference that made at 100,000 miles. Have new shocks and struts in the garage to be installed next weekend.
Ya the motor mounts for ford are garbage🤢 replaced mine 2 times
have an 09 se coupe.
great car.
never had one little problem
Same here mine is stone grey
Consumer reports have the 2009 Focus a good review as a good Used car choice.
Selling a 2009 SES for my best bud and have been driving it back and forth to work while making some repairs on it. Most of my driving is on winter fuel with cold Alaskan weather this last week on rural roads 70% and 30% city on the way to work. I have been averaging 38.3mpg AND that is with a horrible miss from a bad coil on winter fuel. My commute is only 47 miles round trip through one school zone and tons of hills. I am impressed!
I love my 2008 Ford Focus no complaints and no issues with it besides the normal maintenance. It's definitely a comfortable gas efficient car and is quite like a luxury car on the highway.
I love my 2009 SEL. Purchased new. Only ever serviced by a Ford dealer--and it's going strong at 150,00 miles.
Nice! Do you have any rust issues?
I bought a 2010 Focus SE. It has been a great car.
I have the sedan, Had it since 2009. The car runs great. However the air conditioner sucks.
Have you tried one of those ac pro recharge kits? It fixed ours issue, it takes 15 mins to do
You made need to fix it, mine works just fine (and I live in Florida, so I really need the AC working)
it looks really nice, I like this one
I’ve gapped quite a few trucks in my SE, the standard Focus is quicker than people think
Turbo is amazing I decided to do it and can hold strong against so many (fast cars)
does anyone know if motorweek did a first gen focus review?
Ford Focus turned from cute little wagon to angry looking pirahna on wheels, good styling idea Ford!
Loved my 2000 SE and love my 2009 SE 😬😬😬
My personal favorite focus design
I have an '05 Focus Wagon ZXW trim, and it's only issue after 245,000kms is the battery and Exhaust. Can't complain. Although I did do my driving lessons in a '09 Focus and i've always liked them. Good looks inside and out, reliable and quick and you can get them in that nice Yellow-y Gold colour.
My brother got one on his 16th birthday its stick shift and its amazing
gotta love that blacked out grille.
Bought my 09 SE new, it now has over 230k miles, and I just handed it down to my daughter.
I think this "fill-in" Focus model was a good economical decision by Ford. By simply refacing the existing model, the car could be inexpensively manufactured and sold while still including above average safety features. From a price-point, the new Fiesta will likely fill in the gap when the more expensive Euro Focus comes to the U.S. in couple years. Although it might not satisfy enthusiasts, it is a good car and a volume-selling success for Ford.
Interesting insight. Also interesting that you downplay the fiesta's driving experience, I've heard it's really connected even in non ST form.
I've never been able to get the EPA rating in mine ... even driving it hard I get 35. I got 46 once on a road trip.
they are quite different from the euro version. I agree, I wish we got the euro one here in Canada.
Great car for anyone! Highly recommend it!
I have a 09 SE focus 4dr with 311,000 km on it, has no traction control or ABS but I freaking love it and can't wait to see it hit 400,000 and maybe more! I love it so much I ended up buying another 09 focus but this time 2dr manual and with all the bells and whistles and with only 190,000 km on it. Hands down the best reliable vehicle I have ever owned AND I became a DIY mechanic because the basic 4dr auto I have is very easy to learn on!! Cheers focus fans!
This review was good but nothing beat OG ones from the 80’s and 90’s
They should have engineered it a bit more and made the trunk smaller with a bigger back seat. And like 170 hp woulda been a great civic fighter
10 years later at 180,000 miles, I still love my SES. Original clutch and it still feels good. I've driven it hard, and I took it down the blue ridge parkway a couple years ago when it was around 145,000. I drove it Loaded up fast around mountain roads 7 years after I bought it, and it was still great fun. Just changed struts and front wheel bearings. Airbag system malfunctioned and sucked power out of the car. Had to disable it. So car is probably totaled. But I will run this car another 100k hopefully into the ground.
Awesome! We have an 08 se sedan @ ~180,000 mi and rusting rocker panels are the only major issue for us. We've changed out the endlinks, valve cover gasket + sparkplugs, rusted resonator, bad mounts, and thermostat.
ya I got my 09 focus a few weeks ago. sel trim, has everything I'll ever need. for only 140 hp it gets goin on the hwy. the only thing I hate is that it's really ugly on the outside and the traction control sucks in the snow so I always turn it off
I got a 2009 SES and i gotta say, that I've never had any issues with it.. never thought I would buy a Ford but after renting one for a week, when I totalled my last car, I decided to buy a used one... got mine for 12,5xx with 32k on it...
that car was cool for me to start out with. I had one for 3 years then finally move to a dodge charger r/t.
How ? Because it had a little body roll ? It didn't step the back end out at all and looked very easy to control.
My mom used to have this & I missed that car.
I think these are great! I roll around Dallas in my borrowed 2010 SES four door in silver. I used to own a 2002 but it was junk but I think these were the better built ones. I know the following generation in 2012 were infamous for transmission issues.
I actually owned 3 Ford Focus a 2002, 2006, and a 2008 all grate lasted for a while.
I own the SES with a 5 speed and the best I can get at highway speeds (70 mph) is 28.4 mpg. The europian modle has a 6 speed which I believe Ford should have in this modle. But the car is fun to drive.
@belizetj sadly they dont make the coupe anymore...
About to get headers, tune, intake, just put on coilovers, 👌👌
I did that as well. Nice upgrade for sure...then went turbo which was another story of course
My mom has a 2010 SES sedan. Going on 160,000 miles now and total extra costs was $24.00 since new. It needed front stabilizer links recently. I'm not including anything that most people would consider "normal maintenance" though. (oil changes, 1 set of tires, 1 set of front brakes). Although it did need a hanger bearing for the passenger axle when it was under warranty. Based on our experience I would recommend at least a look at one of these.
My daughter's 09 still going at 260k miles.
you do realize the US and Euro Focus started out as the same car & chassis & whatnot right? they're saving money dude. why build two completely different cars w/ the same nameplate when you can save money and build the better model and sell it worldwide? i don't get why you're the one complaining when you've had the better Focus since 2005... the Focus (2012+) is selling like crazy here & in the end thats what Ford wants: sales
i wish they would send over the focus RS or at least the uk St
I wish ford sold the similarly aged euro spec mk2 focus....
I love my 09 Ford Focus coupe se she's my baby stick shift all day
How's it holding up?
adam c I’ve got a 09 coupe 5 speed, 194000 miles and still running strong minus the weak AC
Nice wow
I thought this was a retro review and then I realized it was posted in ‘09 lol
I like coupes this gen focus but it doesn't extinguish itself unlike the ZX2
4:23 the leather of the seat looks like a seat cover
There's 8 airbags I thought ? one by each window (4) 1 for the side of each seat (2) and the dash air bags (2). Maybe they're counting the side curtain airbags as one for each side ?
Leave it to motor week to only test the one Ford Focus model that never went on sale. I don't ever remember seeing a 2 door Ford Focus in this generation. Even down here in the Miami market where the young Julios Love their 2 door 4 bangers
I own a 2008 Coupe S and must say that these are pretty nice cars for what they are, cheap fuel economic city cars.
How's it holding up? We've got an 08 sedan and it's almost at 180,000mi, so far without any major issues.
Looks angry up front.
o\ /o
It looks ugly i would say. European Ford Focus mk2 facelifted (2008-2010) 3 door hatchback is much more beautiful and sportive in driving.
Why Ford altered that car entirely for the US Market? Basically its a whole different vehicle.
You have no good taste mate.
I second that
@1SirCarlton That sucks. I guess u have to get the 2010 coupe while u can. I think this car is 100x better as a Coupe.
Should I buy a 2010 Focus SE coupe with manual transmission? It has only 36,000 miles and the dealer is asking $7,000. I'm thinking show up with $5,000 cash and see if they'll take it.
GT6SuzukaTimeTrials did you get it ?
Sounded like a great deal at that price.
if a. dealer is asking $7000 take $7000 maybe $6500, a dealership isn't Craigslist they have lots of cost and you can't expect. early a ⅓ off asking
Did you end up buying it?
reminds me of the escort. they should rename the focus.
Ohhh coupe my favourite cars
I didn’t know that Ford had a 2-door Focus 😮😳😱🤔
My mom’s 2007 Kia Sedona LX zero60 time was eight seconds that beat it by 0.1 seconds
i own a 09 focus coupe SE and have put a 2.3L insted of the 2.0 and add a stage 2 turbo,cold air intake, perf. exhaust, blk 5 piece body kit, all made by focus sport except body kit and to the slopy handling remark. its still has stock suspension and turns a dime. i've took a 25mph exit ramp at 80mph i was barely Squealing the tires
Is this car still alive lol
@@GrinchDec23 i have no idea. Because it sold 2 years later.
What year was the last year focus made a two-door?? Anyone?
Pretty sure this US model coupe was discontinued after 2010 (which is really a shame as it was a nice car).
@@BCBaron Ahh ok. I've been wanting another coupe but didn't know what was the last year. I don't like four doors since it's usually just me
@@ShyRage1 Same here. Up to this point all of the cars I've owned have been either two-door coupes or three-door hatchbacks and, except for one bad experience with a Pontiac Grand Am, they were all Fords. Over the years I've driven a T-Bird Turbo Coupe, Escort GT, Probe SE, Escort ZX2, and, at the moment, I'm the proud owner of a 2008 Focus SE Coupe. It's really a shame that the only two-door model left in Ford's US lineup is now the Mustang. I would consider trading up to one, but they're kinda expensive, bigger than what I need, not that great with fuel economy, and the rear-wheel drive can be tricky to deal with during the winter months. I kept waiting for Ford to offer a three-door version of the Fiesta, but they never brought it over from Europe. It seems like all they care about these days are trucks and SUV's.
@@BCBaron that's so true and annoying of them. I mean we are the others that prefer smaller coupes
I am a big Ford fan but this Focus is awful.
Instead of reskinning the old model they should have started importing or building the European Focus. Much nicer, much safer, NEWER, better performing, and better gas mileage...
is this the american version? im sorry but the europien version is much, much nicer in my opinion, can anyone tell me if its just the body that changes when it crosses the pond? cause im thinking of getting this car...
After having a Toyota I can't believe how noisy this Focus is
This is second rate compared what Europe had at the time
The European model was so much better at this time
The euro version looks way better
coupe does 8 seconds??.....why does my se stock do 8 seconds...
This restyled version of the Focus didn't last long...they look plasticky and outdated to me when new. I like the original Focus when it appeared, but this was a warmed over version of that car, albeit with a more aggressive fascia.
In a few years, we in North America got the new Focus shared with Europe and the rest of the world. It looks light years ahead of this car, which belies its 10+ year old underpinnings. As I write this note in 2018, Ford will soon be discontinuing sales of most cars in the US and Canada, including almost all versions of the Focus when it reaches the end of its model life. Time will tell if this was a shrewd business move or a colossal mistake.
More people are buying SUV/cuv than ever before.. but Ford disastrous dct for the mk3 Focus didn't help.
This is often the case when the least expensive car has to compete with both compact and subcompact classes. It's a compromise that leaves them uncompetitive in both. The Focus became too expensive so they brought the Fiesta over and were actually competitive again.
If id get this car, the first thing id do is take off that stupid looking roof wing. It would look so much better without it imo.
Ford focus hatchback
Coupe
This was back when the Focus actually looked kinda cool...now it's just an also ran potato-mobile with fugly styling
James Ham uhmm, it's also now reliable, quality-built, and filled to the brim with rally pedigree...
Keaton Belliston I'm a massive Ford fan, I would prob say every product ford currently makes is reliable except for the focus and fiesta. No one buys them and yes you would expect small cars to be cheap/unreliable but they have alot of issues.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I actually thought the 2008-2011 was the ugliest focuses from all the other generations. Not offering a hatchback focus was just silly.
My 2015 Focus ST is anything but ugly. It's a Rocketship.
it looks "slopy" in handling thou, i kinda dont like that
A design so boring you'll forget about it the moment you look away.
and how is it horrible? from how it sounds, it sounds like you're upset Ford has made the Euro and US Focus into one model finally. the fuck?
These are nice looking too bad ford gave it horrid build quality
OMG this US version is ugly. it's just a different car! And you call that a Hatch at the back?
always hated that focus model