BEHIND THE WHEEL: Focus on the savings

If you’re one of those discriminating car buyers who wants it all, you’ll have to look no farther than the 2009 Ford Focus.

This well-mannered little gal sips her fuel like a southern belle drinks a mint julep, one little drink at a time. She’s also a clean car, receiving a 9.5 out of 10 rating on the green-car scale.

Affectionately called “America’s automotive sweetheart” the Focus is fun to drive, good looking and surprisingly roomy inside given its compact car designation.

The trunk is also amazingly big and rear fold-down seating allows you to carry something up to 7-feet long.

The seats are bigger and way more comfortable than most cars in its size class. There’s lots of foam and padding and the fabric has a rich, textured-look.

Acoustic glass and dynamic body styling have lessened the interior noise that accompanies most compact cars. The cabin is quiet, enhancing the pleasure of both the driver and the passengers.

For the maintenance-conscious buyer the Focus only comes with good surprises. There’s a lifetime timing chain and reusable air filter. The car falls in the 100,000 mile tune-up range.

A built-in tire pressure gage alerts drivers to low tire pressure and six airbags onboard are a standard feature.

The exclusive SYNC Microsoft audio system not only sounds good, but it’s capable of being hands-free, courtesy of the steering wheel audio controls.

The Focus handles well and has excellent visibility on all four sides. The car’s European roots are displayed best when taking two tight turns fairly close together. There’s no hesitation — only delightful performance.

This little sweetheart has more horsepower than the Toyota Corolla and a much better sense of feel and stability. It also doesn’t make you wish you’d bought something just a little bit bigger.

There are four brand new Ford Focuses on the lot at Ottawa Ford-Lincoln-Mercury, 402 N. Main St. A $2,000 rebate for qualified buyers and zero-percent financing for 36 months with approved credit is available.

Why pay $350 a month for 60 months when you can pay $413 for 36 months? That’s like getting free money when you eliminate all those finance charges.

Of course, lower monthly payment options are available on these pretty little ladies that deliver a lot more than you’d expect at a price of less than $18,000, and they get 33 mpg to boot.

To put yourself behind the wheel, visit Ottawa Ford today. To pre-qualify for financing call (785) 242-5100.

Linda Brown is marketing director for The Ottawa Herald. E-mail her at lbrown@ottawaherald.com.