I used to work on guns. I'd see about 20-40 of Winchester, Remington, Savage and Mossberg shot guns each week, for about 8 months out of the year. So, I had a dim view of certain guns. People I have meet had no problems out of certain types, that I saw a lt of problems with. I can't comment directly on the Ford Focus.
I do own two Ford Contours. I did test drive a Ford Focus once. It seemed OK. I think the first year had a lot of problems. After that they were about normal, from what I've read. The engine should be the Z-Tec 4 cyl., same as the Contour. Its a good engine. Mine has 212K on it. It doesn't use oil, in 7,500 miles oil changes. I've run synthetic since 20K. The autos had early problems in the Contours, a supplier problem of a warped plate. Long story, but I have a Ford rebuilt unit since 85K, and its doing fine. The manual, had some early problems, mainly shifter detents, being course. I think the Contour guys get updated parts from the Focus parts bin. They main problem was the differential gear stripping. I had it happen to mine. But it was putting the manual trans matted to a V-6, that I think caused the problem.
I have read, experienced and talked to others on Contours. Some have had a bunch of problems, me some, others none. Mine was poor service, and a sticky brake caliper caused a bunch of problems. One I saw was poor maintenace by the owner.
The Z-Tec has a belt instead of a chain. It should be changed in 80K miles I think. The early Z-Tecs were suppose to be changed in 60K. I ran mine to 126K. The changed belt broke in less than 50K. I think poor installation. It is an interferance motor, but not a tighly interferance, mine and others I have read about survive a belt breaking.
At 169K, I would look at the front bearing, CV(drive) shafts, brakes, tie rods. See if they have been replaced at any time. At that mileage, just about any car will need those inspected or replaced. I'd also go to a Focus website and see what most of them say.
Tom