For fifteen years I only drove foreign cars. My motto was "Only buy a car if it ends in a vowel other than E". Well, in 2006 while car shopping I kept reading about the Focus. The transmission and engine both supplied by Mazda. I bought one for about $1500 - $2000 less than a Hyundai Elantra or anything else. We drove that car for 86,000 miles with NO problems, squeaks or rattles. My wife was rearended by a Kenworth truck about three years ago. Amazingly no broken bones. We replaced the Focus with a Fusion which now has 84,000 miles with NO problems. The fusion gets about 32 highway (72-75 MPH). I also bought a used 2001 Focus for commuting (120 miles per day) which now has about 185,000 miles. I have replaced one wheel bearing in the almost 100,000 miles I have owned it. It also gets a constant 32-34 MPG.
I have had VW, Ford, GM, Chrysler, AMC, Mazda, Toyota, Subaru, Suzuki, and Nissan. Ford has really turned itself around and produce some of the best cars available. Plus they did it on their own without the governments "help".