Get the good stereo and the heated seats/mirrors if you can use 'em. Nothing
from the competition can touch it.

Almost forgot, you'll want an SES. Upgraded suspension and other bits.

I have the 04 ZX5 with most of the extras. If I had to do it over, I
would probably not get the leather seats (wife thinks they're too cold
in the winter and too hot in the summer) and delete the sunroof option
(it reduces the amount of headroom available).
I do enjoy the hatchback function and handling/acceleration. Great car.

Here's a couple of links regarding Focuses (or is that Foci?)
http://www.focusfanatics.com/
http://www.focushacks.com/index.php?l=1
http://www.focaljet.com/
http://www.etrailer.com/products.asp?model=Focus+ZX3&category=hitch&year=2006&ma
ke=Ford&t1=&h=e

John

I've have the '05 ZX4 5spd/AC etc for 11,000 miles and so far I love
it; but I only get about 32 mpg highway. My previous car was a '99
Escort LX 5spd/AC etc that I had for 148,000 miles without a single
repaid needed. It got about 38 mpg highway.

I knew I wouldn't get as good gas mileage with the Focus because it is
much peppier and *much* more fun to drive. I think it will blow off my
wife's '04 5spd Mustang (6 cyln) but I haven't been able to talk her
into racing me yet.

In alt.autos.ford.focus Brian Collins <brian@collinsnet.com>:

Gas mileage isn't the strongest point about the petrol Focus
models. With 80 miles/day I'd certainly go for a diesel, TDCI if
possible.

You might want heated seats if you go for leather interior. Dunno
about the recent Focus, but with the older model a heated
windscreen is quite helpful, cause the interior tends to fog if
it's wet outside.