As long as the recalls were completed there shouldn't be any more problems. The earlier Foci were all heavily recalled in order to prevent horrible possabilities like wheels falling off from happening. In that sense they were a good thing. In the sense that a $16K focus is worth $300 after 3 years, it sure didn't help (unless you're buying a 3 year old FSVT
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The SPI/ATX combo will be very slow, passing cars on the highway will be something she'll want to be very careful about. The handling on the base model sedans is also not near the level of the ZTS, or ZX3/5 models, thanks to skinnier taller tires, and the suspension of the base models is also different than the ZTS an ZX3/5.
After April 2002, there have been no recalls and quality control and build quality improved alot. I've had no problems yet after 36K aside from a faulty R&P assembly, but that happened the first day I had the car and was fixed with absolutely no fuss at all. I'll be keeping the car and probably drive it into the ground. Foci are all pretty slow off the line, including the SVT, but they do everything else really well.
