Focus Advice

It doesnt have the high rpm power either. Ragging didn't offer any noticeable difference. I look forward to the day when you get the chance to floor something that responds properly at that speed. It will put a massive smile on your face and I'm sure you'll be back to tell us about it :)
 
I have the new shape 1.6 with the hugely *ahem* more powerful 115bhp engine :D

Its 'ok' on the motorway - I dont really ever do under 85/90 and it handles that fine. Thats fine as in comfortable, stable and not overly noisy. It doesnt have much more left though really. Yes, it will still accelerate, but not in a brisk way by any means, and you do get the feeling that you're flogging it over 100. Its also terrible for overtaking on A roads, but that goes with the power and weight.

If I was doing serious motorway miles I'd definitely be looking at the 1.8tdci, but as this only does about 5k a year, mostly in town, its the best model for us and cheap to run - just got the car tax renewal through at £140 per year and the insurance quote at £180 a year fully comp :D)
 
Grad said:
It doesnt have the high rpm power either. Ragging didn't offer any noticeable difference. I look forward to the day when you get the chance to floor something that responds properly at that speed. It will put a massive smile on your face and I'm sure you'll be back to tell us about it :)
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My father has a V6 Mondeo which is quite fun but it is an automatic and by the time the kickdown reacts and downshifts I would be long gone with a manual.
 
[TW]Fox;10341749 said:
Not with a 1.6 under the bonnet.
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No, compared to the same car with a manual gearbox, jesus I bet you are fun to live with.


I think it will be better for me to leave this thread before typing stuff that gets me banned
 
Dutch Guy said:
No, compared to the same car with a manual gearbox, jesus I bet you are fun to live with.
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Not as frustrating as I bet you are in any discussion!

I think it will be better for me to leave this thread before typing stuff that gets me banned
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If you think so strongly about something as boring as whether your car is fast at 100 or not that you'd say something that would get you banned you need to get a grip :)
 
It could be worse.... you could be looking at the 1.4 Focus. Hire company sent me one last Christmas and it lasted about 10 miles before I killed it on the Thelwall viaduct near Warrington dropping into the wrong gear trying to overtake something.

Driven a few 1.6 LX's and I don't like them. Main reason I don't like them is the brakes. At those times on the motorway when you have to do a 70 - 30mph brake, the 1.6 focus has never given me a lot of confidence. Other people might disagree with me about the brakes but I made an effort after driving a few to avoid them.

18L and 2.0L might be a different kettle of fish.... do these still have drums on the back like the 1.4 and 1.6?

SW
 
Brakes seem to be a complaint with the Focus, and I have to say, they aren't too hot. Whist adequate, there is a feeling that they could perhaps be a bit sharper. Never been much of a problem, heavy braking isn't something I do a lot, but might be worth considering.

Just to add to the discussion about 100mph+ capability: No way. It's fine up to about 80-90mph, after that things become quite a chore. When I do go on the motorway, I personally hardly ever cruise at more than 70mph anyway, so that's no issue.

LX isn't a bad spec at all, it's equal to the Zetec and gets AC instead of alloys and sports suspension.

With 99 Focus's even the Ghia had windup windows in the back and no leather so the spec of the LX, with remote locking, AC, etc etc, isn't that bad comparing.
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True, and there's plenty of places to find a set of the alloys anyway, I bought a set for £200 with locking nuts/rubber. Makes the car look much better aesthetically.
 
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