yea, nothing wrong with a focus. A friend of mine had an svt focus and it was a fun, nice car

 

i've seen a few sc300's for less the 6k, and good milelage.

 

Actually 7-8K buys you an SC300 in excellent shape. The power window motors aren't an issue on those cars and dont know why you would replace the tail light housing or the brake calipers . Don't know where you are getting your info from on the SC300's..lol

 

I was thinking the same thing, with even 6k I can get a SC300 in great shape, and come to think of it; I've never seen one in BAD shape.

And those are some odd problems you posted, main things I'll be looking to do ASAP, would be, good tune up, maybe brakes, maybe tires, all depends, but most differently oil change, coolant change, air filter, spark plugs, flush out most if not all the fluids. Check for O2 sensors, check alternator, power steering pump, and ac pump, and check all coolant/fuel lines, and check all the belts. Then MAYBE a induction cleaning, but thats a maybe.

Sorry for going on, but I think those are the main things you should look for on the SC300, well any used car really.

 

There a great car, meant for daily driving, if you use it for what they made for, like most civics as well.

Only thing a focus should have in mod's is stereo and tint, unless your planing to drop lots of money into the motor, I mean lots, for not so good track numbers in the end.

 

Not meaning to to hijack your thread, but actually thats not true. the Focus is a very good budget minded performance hatch that responds well to modifications. I wouldn't call it a sports car, but as daily drivers go, even the base model (non SVT) is a capable performer. A rigid chassis and responsive steering/suspension. It pulls good stats for a little grocery getter, better than a comparably equipped Civic. The SVT Focus in particular is a great little track car. And by track, I mean more than just the dragstrip. I've had my SVTF out at Sebring and at dozens of autocross events, and it is obviuosly built for that. I can hang with cars that costs 5 times as much or more. I came in 4th at a Porsche club event with my then bone stock SVT Focus.

 

Obviously, you'd want to do the things you listed. But generally you'll find other things on your $7K car you are going to want to repair/replace.
Those were hypothetical items that's all. For example:
Let's say two used cars have the same issue, a bad window motor, these are the kind of incidental things that go bad with a pre-owned car, generally speaking of course. A non-premium make (Ford) vs. premium make (Lexus) on the same site.
http://www.rockauto.com/catalog/raframecatalog.php

2000 Mustang GT left electric window motor: Price $48.99

1993 (only listing, same for all years?) SC300 left electric window motor: Price$214.79

All car parts are not always priced equally. Depends on the make of car sometimes. Of course once again, this was just a random part. Not that either one of these cars have this as a known issue. Just an example, thats all.
I did do some comparisons on other items like starters or A/C compressors, etc. And using the same example of a Mustang and a SC300 on the same site, the difference wasn't as much. Most of the SC300 parts that I searched still cost more, but it was minor. But some items were big $ differences.

If you like the SC300 I don't think it should be a breaking point for you or anything, I'm just saying it could be a factor to someone that is considering buying a used premium/luxury car like a Lexus, BMw, Mercedes, etc. The cost of ownership could be a factor. That said, I like the SC300, its a nice car. Good luck!

 

I see what you mean now! Thanks for the info and facts you posted! I appreciate it.