2013 Ford Focus S
Verdict #784 · 125,992 miles · VIN 1FADP3E20DL361179 · Stock #TT26594A BUY
“2013 Focus S at $5,393 — cheap wheels with one big asterisk.”
Pros
- $5,393 — genuine beater money from a 5-star dealer
- 2.0L engine is solid; 27/38 mpg
- Thayer Family Dealerships — family-owned since 1936, strong reputation
Cons
- 6-speed automatic = the PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch — notorious for shudder and failure
- 125,992 miles on a DPS6 — a PPI by a Ford specialist is mandatory
- Budget for the transmission; price reflects the risk, barely
Analysis
The listing says “6-speed automatic.” On a 2013 Focus, that is the PowerShift DPS6 dual-clutch — the transmission behind the class-action lawsuits, the shudder, the failures. There is no conventional automatic in this car. That is the entire verdict in one fact.
So why BUY? Because $5,393 from a 5-star family dealer is honest beater money, the 2.0L engine itself is solid, and 38 mpg highway is real. But this is a conditional buy: get a Ford specialist PPI focused entirely on the transmission — clutch shudder, TCM codes, shift behavior. If it shudders or throws codes, walk away; a DPS6 rebuild exceeds the car’s value. If it’s clean, you’ve got cheap transportation at a fair price. Buy with the inspection, not without it.
Market Comparison
2013 Ford Focus S sedans with 120–130k miles list nationally at $4,500–$6,500. At $5,393 with 125,992 miles this car sits mid-band — fairly priced, with the PowerShift risk being the known quantity the buyer must diligence.
The Original Listing
A live snapshot of the dealer’s listing page, captured automatically.
