Trading 99 Windstar for 03 Focus-what should I know?

[scatterbunny]

I've been driving a 99 Windstar for about 14 months now, and gas costs are killing us. It's $4.29/gallon here, and since January all gas in this area is 10% ethanol. I've noticed a big drop in my gas mileage, which is hitting us hard because 95% of my driving is in the city. I filled up three weeks ago and have only driven 200 miles because I can't afford to drive anywhere. I am only getting about 12 miles per gallon in the city, which sounds awful, and leads me to believe the van needs a tune-up or something else.

But anyway, since all my driving is in the city, and since we only have one child, so no real need for the space of the minivan, we were going to trade another family (expecting their third child) for their 03 Focus LX (automatic).

I've been reading here that the gas mileage of the Focus isn't as great as it's supposed to be, so now I'm worried. Should I go ahead with this trade? I'm thinking it'll be a great improvement over the Windstar's city mileage, so I should go for it. Plus, it's four years newer, and will have the LATCH system (as a Child Passenger Safety Technician, that's pretty important to me).

So, all you Ford experts, is this a good trade for my needs?

[joetc5]

I have an '03. Does 31 on the hiway- a 5 door model with standard. Had an '03 wagon before this- also about 31 highway. I'll tell ya, the Focus has gotta do better than 12 around town! Maybe 24 or 25? And you will not believe how much fun it is to drive and maneuver. Have the front brakes looked at, price new rotors. If everything goes wrong, I never wrote this! Ha.