I'm looking into buying a Ford Focus automatic(hatchback)prefered, does anyone own one and if so do you like it, is it a good car, i'm looking to buy new.
Thanks for any help

Without looking on the Ford owners Forum cannot give an Opinion
I found this review on Yahoo http://autos.yahoo.com/ford_focus_zx4_s-review_article/?source=nctd
Says in it there were some recalls of early cars (sorted)
A friend of mine had some electrical (engine)trouble with their motor (very early model)
Don't buy on impulse why not sit in a few different cars on a dealers forecourt before test driving. 3 series BMWs hold their value (reliability is really good) The Honda Civic runs forever and is easy on your pocket
PS Buying Foreign isn't a stigma (Lots where I live) and theres a Big Ford plant churning out Those horrible Minis ,Landrovers ,Jaguars,also Focus's Not half an Hours drive from us

Thanks we're also looking at the Hyundai Alantra 2005, we can't afford brand new

What exactly are you looking for in a car?
When I went shopping for my truck, I sat down and made up a "Wish List"... all the specs and features I wanted, with the "Must Haves" (4 wheel drive, standard transmission,V6, for example)on top, in bold and the "Would like" items in order of priority (Cruise,AC,CD, intermittant setting for wipers, among other goodies).
Then I took a realistic look at how much I drive and how I drive and wrote down what a typical month might be like for my truck.
I took these lists to the dealers and said "Here's what I want and here's what I can afford (Lowball that figure by 20%) and this is what I'll be doing with it... how close can you get me?"... The dealers loved me and this insured that I didn't fall in love with anything and forget some key factor.
And DAYUM, I love my truck!

Don't be hung up on one specific make or model...look instead at what you do NOT want (You couldn't pay me to buy a late model Impala, for example) but if you have a solid handle on what you need in a vehicle, you vastly improve your chances of finding the right car.

I'm looking for a car that will last awhile, solid, not fancy if it comes with bells and whistles that's fine but all i really want is a good reliable car with air con. that will get me from a-b and it has to be automatic

Honda and Toyota both have excellent programs for certifying used cars and if what you want is reliability and longevity, you can't go wrong with a Camry, Accord or Civic. Purchased through the "Certified Pre-Owned" program, you're assured of a mechanically sound vehicle, with all the maintenence up to date and often a factory warranty in the bargain for far less than the price of a new vehicle... we have an 88 Civic with over 400,000 miles on it and have only done routine maintenence and replaced a steering componant (We drive our cars HARD). My Grandfather, whom I would wish on no car as an owner, has well over 100,000 miles on his Camry and that poor car has been just plain abused.