Does anyone drive a Ford Focus?

[bassman1185]

I'm going to be in the market for a new (actually used) car in the next few months, and the Focus is one of the cars I was looking at. Does anyone drive one, especially the three-door version? How much gear can you get in the back of one of those? I have two 4x10s, a six-space rack, one or two bass cases and a small pedalboard that I need to be able to haul around, but with gas prices going up the way they are, I need something relatively efficient as well. Any input?

[rfclef]

My suggestion is: load up your gear, and go shop for one. Test drive it, then load your gear in it. If it fits, you win. When I got my Scion xA, I was not a bass player yet, but had to have a car my Tuba would fit in, so I loaded my horn up and went shopping.

You might consider a Scion xB (little bigger than the xA) for an efficient yet roomy ride.

[Would'e?]

I have two Foci; a four door sedan and a four door wagon. No way you are getting two 4x10s into any model of Focus. Well..maybe a wagon, but it would be tight.

It's good car though. My only complaint is larger than average blind spots.

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by Would'e?

I have two Foci; a four door sedan and a four door wagon. No way you are getting two 4x10s into any model of Focus. Well..maybe a wagon, but it would be tight.

It's good car though. My only complaint is larger than average blind spots.

Thanks. I figured that with the seats folded down there ought to be enough room at least in the wagon, and the 3-door is relatively large in side for as small of a car as it is.

[Hawaii Islander]

I had the 2006 5-door version. It has decent power and plenty of room to store (music) gear. I had the 5-speed manual version. It had all the power accessories (windows, door lock, steering, AC, etc.). I think I got close to 30 mpg highway and almost as good in the city. The only thing I disliked was the hard foam steering wheel. I emded up trading it in towards a new Ford Mustang.

Edit: I carried a Fender Bassman 400 head, 4x10 cab, Fender Blues DeVille 4x10 combo, VoxAD120VTX 2x12 combo w/ footcontroller, Line6 BassPodXt Live, jazz bass, p-bass, Ibanez BTB, Fender strat, and a Gibson SG, and a milk crate with cables, effects, etc.) and one passenger.

[Yngwie 4String]

my mom has one, I dont like it because Im 6ft 1 and its just not roomy enough for me, and god help the person in the back seat. The car also had a lot of recall parts on it, and the wheel alignment is prone to go out of wack. I wouldnt reccomend it, but Im biased as a Chevy faithful.

[ogrossman]

My wife has a Focus and I have a Pontiac Vibe. I can get a lot more gear in the vibe.

[Baryonyx]

I love Ford Focii, they are great cars!

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

I had the 2006 5-door version. It has decent power and plenty of room to store (music) gear. I had the 5-speed manual version. It had all the power accessories (windows, door lock, steering, AC, etc.). I think I got close to 30 mpg highway and almost as good in the city. The only thing I disliked was the hard foam steering wheel. I emded up trading it in towards a new Ford Mustang.

Edit: I carried a Fender Bassman 400 head, 4x10 cab, Fender Blues DeVille 4x10 combo, VoxAD120VTX 2x12 combo w/ footcontroller, Line6 BassPodXt Live, jazz bass, p-bass, Ibanez BTB, Fender strat, and a Gibson SG, and a milk crate with cables, effects, etc.) and one passenger.

Thanks for the input. It sounds like I ought to be able to get all my stuff in that one.

I'm not totally sold on the Focus, but it does seem to be a promising option.

[cheezewiz]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

I'm going to be in the market for a new (actually used) car in the next few months, and the Focus is one of the cars I was looking at. Does anyone drive one, especially the three-door version? How much gear can you get in the back of one of those? I have two 4x10s, a six-space rack, one or two bass cases and a small pedalboard that I need to be able to haul around, but with gas prices going up the way they are, I need something relatively efficient as well. Any input?

I drive a 93 Focus wagon. It's not exactly the sexiest thing out there, but it's comfortable, drives OK, is good on gas, and it could definitely haul all the gear you mention. I seriously doubt you could get 2 410s in the back of the hatchback. I have put a 4/10, a 4 space rack, a combo amp, a 112 cabinet, 3 basses, and a gear bag in the back with no problem. Two 410s on their sides would be no problem at all.

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by cheezewiz

I drive a 93 Focus wagon. It's not exactly the sexiest thing out there, but it's comfortable, drives OK, is good on gas, and it could definitely haul all the gear you mention. I seriously doubt you could get 2 410s in the back of the hatchback. I have put a 4/10, a 4 space rack, a combo amp, a 112 cabinet, 3 basses, and a gear bag in the back with no problem. Two 410s on their sides would be no problem at all.

Do you mean Escort wagon? The Focus has only sold in the US since 2000, if I remember right. The Focus wagon is an option for sure, but they aren't as popular, and thus, they aren't as easy to find used.

[gdthomas]

The wife and I have a focus and it has been a good car for the money. You can get a good bit of gear in it, just requires a little bit of planning.

[ElMon]

Got an 05' Hatchback and can't say enough about it. Let me tell you what I had in it when I moved out to LA for a very brief run:

Full size Kay URB in gigbag

Accugroove ElWhappo cab for big gigs

Aguilar GS210

Aguilar DB750

EB with hardshell case

Cable bag

two luggage bags

a box of books

myself.



Yes, it can take a crap-ton of gear in the back. Another time, I went to a gig with a full drumset, to GS112's, an AG500, and an EB with a hardshell and EUB with hardshell AND the drummer. Gas mileage doesn't suck either.

[cheezewiz]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Do you mean Escort wagon? The Focus has only sold in the US since 2000, if I remember right. The Focus wagon is an option for sure, but they aren't as popular, and thus, they aren't as easy to find used.

Nah, it's a Focus. I meant 03, not 93. Typo....

[Hawaii Islander]

Originally Posted by bassman1185

Thanks for the input. It sounds like I ought to be able to get all my stuff in that one.

I'm not totally sold on the Focus, but it does seem to be a promising option.

The older Scion xB was even better than the Focus. The back seats folded flat and the squared sides really let me pack in a lot of gear. I also like the ride and handling better. My nephew totalled it, which is why I ended up getting the Ford Focus.

Now I have a Mustang and I can hardly fit one bass and a combo amp in it!

[wateroftyne]

Big Focus fan here... I've had 3-door & a 5-door hatchbacks and, currently, and estate (wagon?). I can fit loads in it, and it has never let me down (none of them have, in fact).

[bassman1185]

Originally Posted by Hawaii Islander

The older Scion xB was even better than the Focus. The back seats folded flat and the squared sides really let me pack in a lot of gear. I also like the ride and handling better. My nephew totalled it, which is why I ended up getting the Ford Focus.

Now I have a Mustang and I can hardly fit one bass and a combo amp in it!

Yeah, but there are a few issues with the xB:

1 - I haven't really seen any for sale in my price range
2 - I enjoy driving too much to drive a brick with a 102 horsepower engine
3 - The car is freaking ugly.

[Humblerumble]

I figured the next vehicle I bought I would rent one for a couple of days before purchasing one. That way I could see how it was hauling gear etc. Of course I tend to be a research nerd when making a major purchase

[Dan1099]

Can't say enough about my focus, really. I drive an '03 Hatchback, 3 door version. With the back seat down, I regularly fit my Ampeg 6x10, 4 space rack, several guitar cases, some drums and hardware, etc.

I've had my 6x10 and a half stack in there before.

I think you could fit two 4x10s, depending on their form factor.


I've got 90,000 miles on it now, and haven't had any problems with it at all. Had to replace a hub on it, but that was because I WAILED a big-ass pothole on the freeway once. Everything else has been golden.

[bassman1185]

Thanks. My cabs are Tech21 B410s, so they're a touch smaller than most 4x10s. Right now I'm really leaning towards the ZX5 model. It looks like it ought to hold all my gear, plus it has the upgraded engine from the wagon model (an extra 20hp).