Ford focus.

I had an 02 1.8 LX for 4 years. Loved it and it's handling. Performance wise, as has already said, it's no slouch when pushed.
 
Im purchasing a 1999 1.6 Focus in the next couple of weeks, for £2995. I checked it out and it was pretty much immaculate with 66k miles on the clock. It test drove fine, no unnessesary noises and it was very comfortable. It's one problem was that the dealer did not have the service history, but it had an HPI check, and the owner history showed that it was a company car for the first 54K of its life so Im assuming its was well looked after....it certainly looked like it inside. The other owner was a woman local to the dealer, so I shouldnt have trouble tracking downt he SH.

I still want to take it anyway, as it was in immaculate condition plus it will get a full service and MOT before I take it, and £2995 is about the best price Ive been able to find on a Focus of that mileage and that condition. All Im waiting on is an RAC isnpection which comes with an HPI check.

Are the 1.6's pretty bad for fuel consumption? This is gonna be my first car, and I chose it because rather than buy a small hothatch I wanted more for my money. Main use is going to be at the weekend, driving friends around and sometimes driving the 45 minutes or so up to uni. Thats why I wanted something quite big and spacious. I just hope Im not gonna get hit too ahrd int he wallet for fuel price, especially as I wont be thrashing it round. Im after a more refined, comfortable ride :)
 
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digitalwolf said:
There doesn't seem to be much difference between the performance of the 1.6/1.8.
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I disagree. I own a 1.6 and had a 1.8 on hire and the performance diff is noticeable. Parkers say upto 1.2secs on 0-60 time. Dont get a 1.4 whatever you do!!!!

I bought my 1.6 Zetec 2002 37k for £4995 with a years warranty, 12 months mot, full service history and have already had a few things done. They replaced the exhaust and replaced the front suspension which was creaking.

Are the 1.6's pretty bad for fuel consumption?
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Just did a 300 mile motorway run and got 40mpg. In town 28-34ish.

A friend of mine has a 2001 51reg 1.8 zetec and he has had the speedo sensor replaced and bubbling paintwork sorted (on the bonnet).

My partners parents have a 2003 53reg 1.6 zetec and have had no problems with it. Suspension is starting to creak over speedbumps but can be fixed with new shocks.

These are the things i'd look out for, other than that i would say a focus is a bit of a no brainer on the 3-4 year old, £5k, family hatch second hand front. Cheapish to run, reasonable economy, good performance, good boot size, still looks good (even if every other car on the road seems to be a focus ;)) - A great all rounder.
 
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tonyyeb said:
I disagree. I own a 1.6 and had a 1.8 on hire and the performance diff is noticeable. Parkers say upto 1.2secs on 0-60 time. Dont get a 1.4 whatever you do!!!!
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I owned a 1.6 and had a 1.8 on hire. The 1.8 was quicker, but it was barely noticeable until higher motorway speeds. The 1.6 revvs more easily and sounds sweeter. I thought it was more rewarding to drive than the slightly gruffer and rougher 1.8 (which is still a smooth engine, just not a singer).
 
Guigsy said:
I owned a 1.6 and had a 1.8 on hire. The 1.8 was quicker, but it was barely noticeable until higher motorway speeds. The 1.6 revvs more easily and sounds sweeter. I thought it was more rewarding to drive than the slightly gruffer and rougher 1.8 (which is still a smooth engine, just not a singer).
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Yeah i agree. I like my 1.6. It has plenty of torque - i have wheel span a few times in the wet without meaning to! ;)

The 1.8 sounded more gruff but still thought it shifted better than the 1.6. Im not sure the extra hit on mpg and insurance is worth the 1.8 to be honest.
 
I recently bought a 2001 1.6 zetec with 66k on the clock. Its my first car and I'm extremely pleased with it :) Managed to get one with both ABS and Climate Packs, new tires and a years warranty for 3900 from a local dealer. Bit more than I was hoping to pay but its in mint condition and ticked all the boxes.
 
Focus is a top car, i'd go for a mondeo at the lower end of the scale though. You can get a very nice ST24 for £3k with low mileage (bout 50k on the clock) and you have an incredibly good 2.5 V6 engine under your foot.

If you're looking for something cheap to insure, go for the 1.8 or 2.0 Facelift mondeo. You can pick a nice one up, again with around 50k on the clock for about £3-4k. You get air con and CD player in most models too.
 
AC and CD is in all mk3s iirc?

Anyway, bought a 2002 focus 1.6 zetec. Had some problems but all sorted now and fairly happy with the car (it'll do me till my next upgrade which'll be a 3 series/st mondeo :)
 
focus's are excellent cars, try and go for a facelift tho, they look so much nicer :]
 
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