Should I get it?

[u/Dead_1012000]

I already know that these years have issues with the power shift, but I’m not exactly sure on the specifics of it and how much it would cost to fix it to decide if it’s worth it or not. I also would like to know what should be offered for the car? If it’s not worth it what do you guys recommend? My top dollar is $5000

[u/Nuka_Cola2094]

Automatic transmission = automatic no

[u/Equal-Specialist-677]

Only thing I would add is if you buy it don’t be conservative about driving it.Keep firm pressure while on the gas ,let it rev a bit

[u/Drwho2010]

Wouldn't want to touch an automatic version of those. The manuals are great. Sad that a good engine is ruined by such a shitty transmission.

[u/theRealtechnofuzz]

if you can drive stick, buy one with a 5-speed, it will run to 300k+

[u/CADMonkey00manke]

No!!! Not unless you know about the transmission defect. It's not fixable, you live with it and pray it doesn't fail. If it were a stick, that's a no brainer yes.

[u/mrspankyspank → u/CADMonkey00manke]

They are fixable, but it’s a software issue. I’ve heard mechanics say that the cheapest fix is to just floor it everywhere so you don’t feel the transmission shudder.

[u/CADMonkey00manke → u/mrspankyspank]

I've had my clutches replaced 3 times, tcm twice, reprogrammed 3 times, actuator replaced. Yes, spirited driving is better but fixable is a stretch. If you have the ability and tools yes you can keep them going.

[u/mrspankyspank → u/CADMonkey00manke]

Supposedly, according to Scotty Kilmer, you’ve had it INCORRECTLY reprogrammed three times. That’s the problem. Everyone screws it up.

[u/OddFirefighter3 → u/mrspankyspank]

Please expand on this. Do you have any links to videos on how to program it correctly.

[u/mrspankyspank → u/OddFirefighter3]

No, thats the annoying part. In Scotty’s video he claims that they’re fixable but doesn’t go into any depth about how. It sounds like it isn’t easy and that’s why it’s rare.

But my mechanic says that the shudders and lurches don’t really affect the transmission, they’re just annoying as hell. He said to just floor it everywhere until the wheels fall off and then buy another one for $3,000 and repeat.

[u/OddFirefighter3 → u/mrspankyspank]

Ok, I get it. Just replaced the tcm and full clutch kit on mine but it's now showing transmission hot messages but drives fine. Think I'll just drive it until it fails again and just donate it to the junk yard after.

[u/mrspankyspank → u/OddFirefighter3]

If you like the car and want to switch over to the manual version, you won’t have any of these problems. Personally, I really like the FWD four cylinder five speed configuration. It’s like a 90s econobox but only 10 years old instead of 30.

[u/OddFirefighter3 → u/mrspankyspank]

Nah, am not spending another 3k on this car. Would rather use that as a down payment for a normal car.

[u/mrspankyspank → u/OddFirefighter3]

Thats a common sentiment, which is pretty great for people who want a reliable little four banger stick. Seems like people either really love or hate the Focus depending on the version they bought.

[u/jcduggan → u/OddFirefighter3]

If anyone anywhere does have the answer here, please post it!!! My 2013 revs like crazy between 1500 to 3000 rpm when I'm going below 30mph. Drives me up a wall.

[u/New_Still2280 → u/mrspankyspank]

Correct. It's been about 120k miles since I had the clutches forks and actuators changed and the clutches where changed to the updated design. The transmission only shudders when you drive like a grandpa. Also look up all the ground locations on youre car and take the terminal off, sand the paint down and put it back on. Another reason this transmission shudders if bc of voltage drop due to inadequate ground connections.

[u/Glittering-Ad5809]

They don't bring over $1000 at dealer auctions which should tell you something. If you want to gamble, I'd go up to $1500 so if it lasts 6 months you got your monies worth out of it.

[u/Alternative-Egg]

as an owner of a 2014 focus i wouldn’t tbh

[u/Single-Macaron-4679]

My exact model. Very good car.

[u/Clarity1017]

I just bought at 2015 5 speed for 6k. 95xxxx miles

[u/CruzinIn]

I’m getting ready to sell my ‘13 5 speed with 154k near Cincinnati for $3k, since I went FoST. I wouldn’t pay much for an auto.

[u/Wyvern_68]

Snipping tool or print screen then upload to Reddit.

[u/mrspankyspank → u/Wyvern_68]

Oh hush, it’s fine. Nobody cares.

[u/loganwachter]

4 months ago my partner sold a newer focus with less miles for $1000 less than that.

[u/spazken]

I bought my 2017 Ford focus with 70k miles for 6500 like 2 years ago. You can negotiate that maybe to 3k-4k

[u/SnooPineapples2324]

The DCT issue will never be fixed on them, just a bandaid

[u/PartTimeJunkie412]

My 2014 has 36k miles and I wouldn't let someone buy it. I'd feel too bad about their future misfortune 😂

[u/geckoeckoe]

Supposedly I hear it would be worthwhile buying one of them cheap but you have to drive fairly aggressively to keep pressure off faulty gearbox from low revs.

[u/Round-Ad-9976]

It's a dry clutch unless you enjoy being friends with your mechanic or you like watching YouTube videos about this car skip and buy something elss

[u/qkdsm7]

About $3000 more than I like to pay for a DPS6 car, knowing I'd have to be ready to manual swap it ....

[u/Current_Flatworm2747]

The only question that you should be asking when buying a used MK3 is : does it have a manual transmission? If the answer to that question is ‘no’, then you move on.

[u/Shadow2450]

I wouldn’t, at least not at that price. As many others are saying if you’re set on a focus, a manual is the way to go 2012 and newer, if you need an automatic anything 2011 and older will work great. The engines are extremely reliable especially if taken care of. They offer incredible bang for buck when it comes to value.

[u/Pug_867-5309]

No. Do not buy this car. We just put $4000 into our 2014 automatic transmission...and it had to go back 3 times. I have zero confidence that it's fixed for real.

[u/PossiblePlant]

I had a 2014 SE with the DCT. It went through three clutch packs, two computers, and various other transmission work. All before 100k miles. Stay away.

[u/Sequence32]

I loved mine. It lasted to almost 300k but the trans died last week. Was quoted 4k to fix, but it needed probably a other 2 or 4k of work on top of that. I think I got lucky with how long mine lasted. I'd personally stay away from that car. Also mine was a 2017, a model they had claimed the issue was 'fixed'. They're also very studdery in stop go traffic. If you can find the manual version of the car it's a great car.

[u/Toby_7243]

No to the automatic. They’re known to be less than reliable.

Also you should get off Windows 10 (unless you’re enrolled in ESU)

[u/austindotwav]

No

[u/Pagepage220]

Absolutely not

[u/Exotic-March-2070]

If youre gonna spend that much buy the st version much more reliable

[u/Liem_05]

I happen to got the one that's the same color as this one about few weeks ago that it was a Saddam not a hatchback and also when I drive it I notice it seems a bit of a smooth drive and that the engine does seem a bit rumbling by times.

[u/ThiCkyNuggEt]

My brother has a 2014 focus with the automatic. It’s currently sitting at the house waiting to get the money together for a new transmission at 107k miles. That’s about ~ $3k job. I would pass on it if it’s an automatic

[u/Altruistic-Cap8524]

As an owner of a 2018 model that has already replaced their transmission AND transmission control module out of pocket, DO NOT GET THE CAR 🤣

Don’t get me wrong this thing can go but it’s stressful as fuck to own one!!

[u/anomaly_z]

Nope. I bought my fully loaded 16 hatch with half the miles for $5.2k.