I just got a job at a carwash. I vacuum them out, then pull them into the wash bay to get prepped and move on through the wash. So I have had the opportunity to drive quite a few nice cars, and some not so nice. The exciting ones include a limo, Hummer, cop car, 8 spd manual diesel truck with air brakes, and a Jag. Sadly, no Mercedes. Yet.

I have always been proud of the way my 21 year old car doors open and close with a nice click. It just sounds like quality. So I decided this is a good way to determine quality on the street, from my vacuum vantage point. After handling a lot of crappy cars, some very very crappy, I must say that the new Ford Focus is the worst of all. Even the older Escort and mid 90's Chevy pickups are better, in terms of door handle grating and a loud, mechanical latch when I slam them. Also, the 99 and later Ford SuperDuty trucks have some of the nicest feeling handles and latching sounds. So poo on ford, and hurray for Ford! Honorable mentions include the Audis and Toyotas.

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1985 300D, 237k.
1994 F-350, 6.9 diesel, 5 spd manual, Banks Turbo. 261k.
Sold: 1985 300CD- 267K

I'd rather have lightweight doors if I were driving an economy car. Focuses (focii?) are pretty good at what they do.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

My 02 focus doors shut nicely, not with the vault sound of the W123, but what can you expect...

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine