Why you should buy this car: Because you want a functional runabout on a budget that holds the bonus of being really fun to drive. Because you care about engine emissions and the environment, yet want to discount the cost and complexity of a gas electric hybrid. Because you want to take the money saved by picking up a base model and tap into the vast resources of the performance aftermarket to build your own super-handling low-emission hatchback.
Why you should not buy this car: Because you fancy yourself careening up mountain roads spitting fire out the exhaust and rocks from all four wheels like Marcus Grönholm right off the lot.
Suitability Parameters:
Speed Merchants: No
Fashion Victims: No
Treehuggers: Yes
Mack Daddies: No
Tuner Crowd: Yes
Hairdressers: Yes
Penny Pinchers: Yes
Euro Snobs: No
Working Stiffs: Yes
Technogeeks: Yes
Poseurs: No
Soccer Moms: No
Nascar Dads: No
Golfing Grandparents: No
Also Consider:
Chevy Cobalt
Dodge Caliber
Volkswagen Rabbit
Vitals:
Manufacturer: Ford
Model tested: Focus
Model year: 2007
Base Price: $15,530
Price as Tested: $21,240
Engine type: 2.0L DOHC, 2 valves per cylinder
Horsepower: 130 @ 6,000 rpm (PZEV)
Torque: 129 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm (PZEV)
Redline: 7000
Transmission: 5-speed manual
Curb Weight: 2,605 (3-door)
LxWxH: 168.5" X 66.7" X 56.9"
Wheelbase: 102.9
Tires: Pirelli 215/45 ZR17 P Zero competition tires
Drive type: front-wheel drive
0 - 60 mph: N/A
1/4-mile: N/A
Fuel economy city/highway: 27 / 37
NHTSA crash test rating: 4/4/3/4
Related:
Jalopnik Reviews: 2007 Ford Focus PZEV, Part 1; Part 2 [internal]
Special thanks go out to Cole Coonce and Mike LaVella for help with photography in the production of this review.