My wife is presently driving a Dodge Durango RT 5.9, and subsequently, it's driving her broke with gas cost. Her job entitles her to do 200+ miles per week. She wants to get a Focus and I know very little about these cars. Anyone out there own one? What has been your experience with this car?

200 miles a week? psh. I do that in 2 days. Tell her to suck it up. Just kidding. ;)

The current American Focus is not good. If we had the same new Focus the Brits/Euros had, then it would be fine. Get her a Mazda 3 instead. (okay, I might be a bit biased since I own a Protege5. :P) The ride/handling is squishy, although since its for your wife, I assume she probably wants it because of the SYNC system? :) It does get decent mileage, and is a PZEV, but I don't have any first hand experience with that car, so i'm not very current on the latest models reliability. The original batch from 00-03~04 ish models were horribly bad on QC.

Dunno if she wants the 2 door or the 4 door, but if she's into hatchbacks, you might also want to take a look at the volvo C30. I think the new 2 door Focus isn't as good looking as the old 3 door hatch. If only we could get the UK Focus RS here. That thing rocks.

If she really wants to go "green", see what she thinks about a Civic hybrid. It looks just like a regular Civic, not a snail like the Prius. Plus, it's not as "trendy" as the Prius, so you won't have to pay a ridiculous markup.

Don't forget to take a look at new Volkswagen Diesels.... if your worried about fuel that is.
A prius promises 40-60mpg which you MIGHT get.
but you WOULD get with a diesel.

I have a Focus Station SE. 2.0 ltr engine. I drive about 500k to 750k a week and spend about 60$cdn on gas. Gas here is 1.45 ltr. avg. I would imagine the non-wagon 4 door or 2 door is cheaper on gas then the wagon.

Rides fine and very little problems so far. Other then maintaining and usual repairs like brakes and stuff.

The Ford Focus is a pretty reliable car with decent gas mileage. I have a 2005 4 door that I have not had any issues with. One of the most reliable Ford products, along with the Fusion and a few others. I work at Ford so my opinion is biased. :) That being said, there are some Ford vehicles that I would not recommend (mostly the newer platform vehicles). Since I work at Ford, I know many people who own a Focus, and have not heard many complaints. I also know many people who own a Mazda 3 (Ford owns Mazda), also would be a good choice IMHO. Even thought I like the Mazdas though, I prefer to buy American (old fashioned that way). I would check out the Mercury Milan (nearly the same as the Ford Fusion). We drove the new one and almost bought it, but we needed a bigger car for the kiddies and the Golden Retriever.

Thanks for the input guys. As I read the replies a correction is needed. It's $200 a week, (2 tanks) not miles. My wife said she wishes it was just 200 miles. She really liked the "suck it up" Jerry.

She's defiantly leaning towards the Focus. She went test driving some other cars today after reading the post. Thanks again for the input.

I know European Focus is quite nice car, and probably the best handling car in it's class.

Had mine 02 01 plate from new, never let me down, good mpg, easy handling, and very roomy for its size, was very surprised when I downsized from a mondeo. You wont go to far wrong with a Focus mate.