Fiesta to a 1.6 Focus

LEK-89 · 14 Feb 2010 at 12:55

I am very soon looking to upgrade from my Fiesta to a Focus. I am looking at the 2000-2001 year range and only looking for ones with the 1.6 Zetec engine (I have read already that the difference between the 1.6 and the 1.8 is very minimul the 1.8 uses more fuel). I currently have an 02 1.25 Fiesta MK5 (MK4 - MK5 what ever you want to call it) and I am also looking to see how much I could roughly fetch for the Fiesta,

02 Fiesta - Freestyle Model in Moondust Silver
1.25 Zetec SE
64K Miles
3 Owners
Factory Freestyle Alloy Wheels
FSH with recent plugs/leads & coil pack replaced. Also having the oil & filter done soon as well before I sell the car.
12 Months MOT
Lots of proof of other recent work done i.e. rear shock absorbers & rear bushes.
Interior is in excellent condition & the outside is very good but does have a few light scratches in a few places and a couple of small stone chips on the bonnet due to age. Bodywork has no dents or any sort of damage at all.

Also what would be a reasonable offer for a decent 1.6 Focus with average milage? I think the majority of low-average mileage ones are around 70 - 90K if I am right? I know some of the common things to look out for on Focus's i.e. rust etc and I also know a lot about the Zetec engines too and the common problems with them so could anyone possibly point out any other common things / problems to look out for on the 1.6 Focus's?

The model of the Focus I am after is the Zetec one I think it is called, comes with air con & the alloy wheels and sometimes the heated front screen? I am not really bothered about the heated front screen anyway.

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks all - Liam

Stellios · 14 Feb 2010 at 22:26

If you want air con and a heated windscreen I do believe you need the Ghia, I certainly dont have air con on my Zetec.

Sin_Chase · 14 Feb 2010 at 22:27

Climate pack will give you heated glass and AC. Was a very common option. It's not necessarily there with a Zetec.

From memory I can never remember there being any particular problems with the Focus, water/dampness in the passenger foot-well perhaps, caused by a poor reseal after filter changes.

Zefan · 14 Feb 2010 at 22:34

Zetec gets stiffened suspension, that's the main difference.

MuvverRussia · 15 Feb 2010 at 06:54

Had a 2002 focus 1.6 for 2.5 years and 35k.

Stuff that went wrong (all these are reasonably common issues, although mine was a bit of a nail):

1. Suspension droplinks at front - common issue, cheap and easy to replace if you're handy with spanners.

2. Clutch master cylinder - PITA job to do, cost about £150ish all in in a back street garage.

3. PAS pump pressure switch leak - £50 for a new switch fitted (back street joint again).

4. Rear anti roll bar bushes (not so common an issue this one).

5. Coil pack.

Apart from that it wasn't a bad car. On a 40 mile commute I'd see around 40mpg so it was good. Nice handling too - I upgraded to an Octavia vRS and although the octy is quicker in a straight line I feel the Focus was better handling.

Edit - spec wise go for a Zetec with at least AC, if not the climate pack. It's not a rare car so you can hold out for that.

Liquidfox · 15 Feb 2010 at 08:42

Had a Zetec Focus 2003, came with the heated windscreen, ac, 6 cd changer.

Had a pourous sump on mine, but got it replaced for £70, so not too bad.

LEK-89 · 15 Feb 2010 at 09:13

MuvverRussia said:
Had a 2002 focus 1.6 for 2.5 years and 35k.

Stuff that went wrong (all these are reasonably common issues, although mine was a bit of a nail):

1. Suspension droplinks at front - common issue, cheap and easy to replace if you're handy with spanners.

2. Clutch master cylinder - PITA job to do, cost about £150ish all in in a back street garage.

3. PAS pump pressure switch leak - £50 for a new switch fitted (back street joint again).

4. Rear anti roll bar bushes (not so common an issue this one).

5. Coil pack.

Apart from that it wasn't a bad car. On a 40 mile commute I'd see around 40mpg so it was good. Nice handling too - I upgraded to an Octavia vRS and although the octy is quicker in a straight line I feel the Focus was better handling.

Edit - spec wise go for a Zetec with at least AC, if not the climate pack. It's not a rare car so you can hold out for that.

A couple of those points are common issues on the Fiesta's too so that is good to know thanks! The climate pack might explain the option on the Zetec model then as my mate at work has a 2000 Zetec & it comes with A/C & a heated front screen. After test driving his Focus I much prefer the suspension on it and it feels much more better than the suspension on my Fiesta.

Edit - Do all Focus's come with Remote Central Locking as standard?

Thanks all - Liam