 I got this car about four months ago, and I have no complaints, other than I wish I got one with AC.  For what it is, which is a cheap, entry level car, it's a great value.  Very fun to drive on back roads, and can pass decently on the highway if you drop it into fourth going 60ish.  Manual transmission and clutch are good.  Acceleration isn't blistering by any means (I have the PZEV version, with only 130 horsepower), but it's fun on windy roads.  I love how the back seats fold flat, cause it give my dogs a big area to hang out.  I installed front seats for the 2004 SVT focus, which I'd recommend, since the ones that came stock weren't too supportive.  I get 23-24 mpg, all city driving.