Car advice - ford focus

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 15:48

My car reached the end of its life recently and im in desperate need of a new one as i'll be commuting to work about 45 miles each way (about 24k a year).

I've been offered a silver ford focus 1600 engine (I believe S Reg - private plate at the mo) with the only real negative being that it has done 123k.

It has been owned by the current owner from about 75k and has only really been used to commute to work where he did about 80 miles a day down B Roads. Hence the last 50k or so has generally just been consistant driving.

It has had a new cam belt at 85k, new leads/plugs/filters etc at 90k and then a new clutch at 110k.

It has just passed through an MOT the other day with the only job it needed doing was replaced front discs (which have been done). Also had consumables (pads, wipers, etc) replaced. Therefore it has a full 12 monthes MOT... and about 6 months tax. I've been driving it for the last 2 days and it seems pretty sound!

He wants 1200 for it, good or bad deal ? If so, let me know why so I can bargain with him

Just really need something reliable for the next 8 - 12 months so I can settle into a new job and then hopefully i'll have the option of a company car and be able to buy something a little bit better

Janesy B · 30 Jun 2009 at 15:48

You wanna be paying less than a grand for that.

Big Chris · 30 Jun 2009 at 15:53

I'm pretty sure the Focus started on a T plate, but either way you'd be buying the very first model with high mileage so don't pay over a grand at the very most.

Janesy B · 30 Jun 2009 at 15:57

Nope, a few around on 1998 S plates.

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 16:01

hmm - yeah, looking at Autotrader there seems to be quite a few in sub grand territory with similar mileage.

I hate buying cars :mad:

I did think it was a bit high, but thought with the MOT and Tax and the fact that I know its been driven quite well may outweigh it :\

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 17:56

What does everyone think of the mileage? I do know that the last 50k has mostly seen the A/B Roads...

It's a 1.6 Zetec-S Engine by the way, and it is a T Reg.

Janesy B · 30 Jun 2009 at 18:11

It's still a 11yr old car with average mileage. I paid £900 for a 1998 Fiesta with 72k on the clock and that was about £200 more than I should have paid really but I got that back in a free cambelt change from the garage. You should be paying about £1k. I don't really care if it was driven by the queen on the motorway all it's life, it's still an old Ford.

A and B road driving still requires quite a bit of stop start driving , motorway miles are the ones that don't really add much wear to a car.

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 18:22

Yeah, I'm not going to pay 1200 for it. Was thinking of offering 850.

Janesy B · 30 Jun 2009 at 18:30

Good idea, he'll probably meet in the middle if he had any sense.

Has any suspension work been done as i'd look out for suspension knocks and the like on a car that old

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 18:33

I'm fairly sure he said the rear suspension had been done due to knocks, although I will check that out if I decide to have it.

Be nice if it worked out ok as I start the new job tommorow and can';t be bothered with the hassle of hunting for one

miniyazz · 30 Jun 2009 at 18:41

The AC joints are rumoured to suffer a lot of wear on focuses when put in full lock.. not sure how easy they are to check though..?

Janesy B · 30 Jun 2009 at 19:09

AC joints, think you're confusing you medical terms with car terms

Don't you mean CV joints?

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 22:27

Does anyone have any suggestions for cars to look at in the 1k price bracket? (no more)...

Should I be looking at Diesals for this sort of distance?

iaind · 30 Jun 2009 at 22:33

What sort of mileage are you going to be doing on what sort of roads?

tbh, I always say the diesel/petrol choice isnt about how many miles you do, its about where your priorities are. If lower running costs (which will obviously vary depending on the car) are more important to you than spec (or age, mileage etc) then go for it.

A 1.6 focus is pretty economical, good to drive and fairly reliable - for 1k its not a bad option

DannyW · 30 Jun 2009 at 22:35

i love focus's didn't realise they were this cheap now

don't worry about the milage look at the condition of the car

jam pie · 30 Jun 2009 at 22:38

It'll be 100 miles a day (50 e/w) along dual carriageways (constant 70)..

The worry I have about the one above is that it already has 123k on it. It has been looked after and driven well... but will it last for another 30k? I am not bothered by any sort of resale

iaind · 30 Jun 2009 at 22:59

No reason why it wouldnt but you just dont know. You could buy a car with 80k on it that goes pop a week later - there's no guarantees (unless of course you buy one with a guarantee...)

Considered something like this?

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1035703.htm

iaind · 30 Jun 2009 at 23:00

Or a dirty oil burner

http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/1063422.htm

Janesy B · 30 Jun 2009 at 23:03

I didn't even have to click those links to know what they were

iaind · 30 Jun 2009 at 23:05

Well I wasnt going to let the thread reach 20 posts without the mondeo suggestion

You could always suggest a Fiesta if you like?

Liking the new sig - I've got that on a canvas print in my lounge