Looking at a Ford Focus (100k Miles)

KaHn

KaHn

KaHn

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Rightio Guys,

I've just moved jobs and currently in Newcastle, seen a few of these 1.6/1.8L Ford Focus with around 100k on the clock for a grand, so I am just wondering if they are any real problems with these? Timing belts, engine faults, general problems.

Or if you have any other suggestions of cars in the price range, the reason I am look for a cheap car is the fact I have a german shepherd puppy who will grow to some size very quickly, which is also why I was looking at a hatch back like the focus.

Cheers for any help.

KaHn
 
Ours needed a new clutch about then (1.8) thats about it really. IACV will need doing at regular intervals - ours has needed 4 new ones over the course of its life. Check for damp in the passenger footwell (pollen filter or scuttle is causing problems) and rust on the door sills. Nothing else springs to mind really. We've done 180k in ours from new and, touch wood, nothing has gone wrong really! Timing belt wont need doing for a bit but its not too expensive, I think we paid about 200 quid to get it done, might have been a bit less.
 
Ladforce said:
Ours needed a new clutch about then (1.8) thats about it really. IACV will need doing at regular intervals - ours has needed 4 new ones over the course of its life. Check for damp in the passenger footwell (pollen filter or scuttle is causing problems) and rust on the door sills. Nothing else springs to mind really. We've done 180k in ours from new and, touch wood, nothing has gone wrong really! Timing belt wont need doing for a bit but its not too expensive, I think we paid about 200 quid to get it done, might have been a bit less.
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Cheers mate, I knew they were pretty reliable but all that seems like regular stuff :).

KaHn
 
General consensus is that you should be looking at the 2.0 litre. The 1.6 is slow but frugal on fuel, and the 1.8 is apparently not much faster, but much more thirsty, than the 1.6.

Apart from that, generally good cars for this price range, but very common, so don't be afraid to shop around.

Cambelt interval is 100K miles/10 years. Apart from that its the usual things to check on cars of this age...servicing, suspension, etc. Happy hunting :)
 
Whats the replacement of the IACV so frequently for? I think mine is playing up as I get next to no engine braking and sometimes in warmer weather it will idle high.

I have a 1.8 zetec, its pretty good. I think Id go for a 1.6 if i could though, better MPG and a lighter nose.

The only commen fault on the body is the paint lifting/rust as the base of the rear screen where there is a V in the body. Nothin major at all really. Had mine 25k miles and 2 years, its only needed a rear drum cylinder at £6.
 
Hmmm not really fussed about speed, like i said it's just a little run around to use with the dog going the 12miles to work on a morning, will probably look at giving it to my lass in a yr or so and get her on a driving course.

Is there any easy way to find the MPG Values for the 1.6,1.8 and 2.0l with performance figures?

I have seen a SAAB 9-5 2.0t for the same price mind :)

KaHn
 
Try parkers. Rough figures combined are 41 for the 1.6, 38 for the 1.8 and 32 for the 2 litre if I remember correctly. The 1.8 and 1.6 are a lot closer than people think, and yes the book time for the 1.8 vs 1.6 is not that much( about .5 secs if i remember correctly, due to the 1.8 needing 3rd for 60) but on the motorway the 1.6 really does run out of puff wheras the 1.8 still pulls reasonably at 70+. Id go for the 1.8 and forget the other two.
 
KaHn said:
Hmmm not really fussed about speed, like i said it's just a little run around to use with the dog going the 12miles to work on a morning, will probably look at giving it to my lass in a yr or so and get her on a driving course.

Is there any easy way to find the MPG Values for the 1.6,1.8 and 2.0l with performance figures?

I have seen a SAAB 9-5 2.0t for the same price mind :)

KaHn
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1.6 will be fine if that's all you're after, it's nice to drive, pokey enough as a runaround and pretty frugal, also group 5e insurance which is nice. Make sure the timing belt has been done (as said above, it's a 100k job), and check that there are no clonks/noises from the rear suspension. The bushes tend to go after 70k; not a huge job but should have been done. Rear wheel bearings also have a tendency to go at about the same time but are cheap to put right. The only other thing to check is that the exhaust is in good shape - there is a "flex" joint just after the catalyst that is a £400 hit to replace if it fails.
 
Cheers for the help guys, will look at the cars once I have been paid and go from there.

KaHn
 
Last time I worked out an average MPG on my 1.6 it was about 37MPG I think...tend to see about 400 miles to a 55 litre tank (Thats a rough estimate, the light usually comes on at about 380 miles).
 
considered a Mondeo? When I went looking for a Focus I cam home with one as I got a lot more for my money, I was slightly higher up the food chain (Not much) but I would still think you'd get more car and toys for your cash.
 
a1ex2001 said:
considered a Mondeo? When I went looking for a Focus I cam home with one as I got a lot more for my money, I was slightly higher up the food chain (Not much) but I would still think you'd get more car and toys for your cash.
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I would prefer a hatchback for the dog, dont really want to be sticking him on the back seat all the time.

Also as its just a rough run around not really too fussed on toys :)

KaHn
 
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Not a fan of the accords mate, i prefer the look of the focus aswell, like I said it will be used for the dog, am still thinking of getting an A3/A4 mid way through the yr, that is unless i get tempted by a mountian bike and just keep this as a run around.

Also one problem with the VTEC engines and motor way travel, if you cruise at higher speeds (80-90) you will most likely be in the vtec range and it eats fuel.

KaHn
 
KaHn said:
Also one problem with the VTEC engines and motor way travel, if you cruise at higher speeds (80-90) you will most likely be in the vtec range and it eats fuel.

KaHn
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Think it depends on the VTec system used. Some are based around economy and performance at lower rev ranges, others are based around higher revs I think.

I dont think it would be anything like VTec in something like a Civic Type-r

And dont knock the Accord. Its a Grandad machine of raw beastliness! haha :D

Infact. ya not allowed a lift in mine, unless you become a fan! lol
 
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