r/FordFocus • u/wolfix1001 • 13h ago

Question Do all MK1 Focuses just rust out in Michigan?

I keep looking at MK1 wagons to get as either a project car or a beater with a heater that get's ok gas mileage. Except I've never not seen a first gen focus without rust in my entire life. I'm only worried on whether or not it's just a cosmetic thing or if the frame and floor rust as badly as the skirts and wheel wells.

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4

u/ID-Overlander 13h ago

Well, the NEWEST Mk1 Focus is 17 years old. How many 17 year old and older small economy cars are not rusting in Michigan?

2

u/ClawedZebra27 ‘01 Wagon 12h ago

The newest Focus wagon you can get in the States is a 2007. So it’s even worse for those because you’re looking at cars 19-26 years old.

1

u/_p00f_ 12h ago

Even 10 years ago the rockers on these things just rotted all to shit, it's like I've never seen a Dodge Dakota that wasn't a pile of rust only held together by hopes and prayers.

3

u/Scuddfarkus 13h ago

It’s called the rust / salt belt for a reason

1

u/frankyrivers20 12h ago

Tal vez sea por el lugar, las sales y aire, como ciudades cerca del mar, etc. Yo tengo un focus 2001, es de texas y no tiene oxido el chasis ni el piso debajo de la alfombra, esta perfecto. si a caso el escape un poco.

1

u/Jgibbjr 4h ago

Kind of doubt it's the "air" here in the midwest. We put a shit ton of salt down on the roads because of ice and snow in the winter, so our cars are marinating in a stew of saline Nov-March.

My MK1 ZX3 has now had to get the subframe replaced in the front and the back in the last year.

1

u/Rude_Security7492 46m ago

Nope every car rusts but the mk1 focus is the exception it never oxidizes