IMO the automatic is heavier, more costly, more complex, more prone to
problems and less fuel efficient than the 5-speed manual. I would only
consider the automatic if I had to do 90% or more of my driving in
heavy city traffic.

They were abit of a nightmare, but after 02 they are fine, and any problem
will have been sorted.

Ensure a decent test drive and pertinent questions such as "when was the
fluid last changed?"

Don't expect great mpg though..

Tim..

Whilst the Focus is the car I'd more than likely buy, I'd avoid the auto
one like the plague. Ford are crap at small autos.

I love automatics, both the cars in my sig are autos, but the Focus auto
 isn't a good idea.

A few objective observations from a 1.6 Zetec 2001 auto user, had car
from new.

1. There were initial problems with the auto box on the then new Focus,
but mine is a 2001, produced after they resolved the issues, and I have
had zero problems with the auto.

2. The auto box is sealed - with no requirement or provision to change
the oil - and is a Mazda unit.  Comments (subjective) from other sources
suggest this is a very reliable unit, and able to run to 150,000 miles.
(Mine had done 86,000 with no auto unit maintenance).

3. I get typically 30-33 miles per imperial gallon, about 37 mpg on long
runs at about 75mph on the clock, but have had 40+ mpg (see previous
post) on long runs recently where I don't excede 70mph on the clock.

4. As with 1.6 manuals, it is quite highly geared, so no mean machine.
But for easy comfortable driving it is very good.  There is a 'overdrive
off' button, which limits the normally 4 gear box to 3, which is useful
on steep gradients or when preparing to overtake.

Hope that helps.

Paul R

** Posted from http://www.teranews.com **