Looking at getting a focus

Invertigo

Invertigo

Invertigo

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Joined
19 Sep 2010
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2,346
Location
The North
Hi all

A few weeks back I posted a thread asking for a car recommendation, and the overwhelming answer was the focus was ideal. Since then I've been browsing auto trader and other sites looking for a good example, and I stumbled across a 2001 (51) Ghia 2.0 for £2.1k, 56k miles.

Now, I wasn't planning to go for the 2 litre engine, but getting insurance quotes, it's a mere £30-50 more per year than the 1.6, and running costs aren't a huge issue due to me doing roughly 5k miles a year only.

So basically, I'm off to see this car tomorrow, and would like some advice as to what I should look for, and bargaining tactics. It's actually being sold by Evans Halshaw, who are a main Ford dealer around here. I got my Fiesta from them 2 years back and never had any huge expenses (£500 over 2 years) but a fair chuck of that was due to some **** potting 2 windows and the windscreen.

Cheers in advance
 
Also, been on the phone to them. The £2.1k includes a 12 month MOT and a 1 month warranty. I'm not against paying that much, but I guess it would be safe to push for 6 months tax and a 1 year warranty?
 
Not a lot to say really apart from check the paperwork old Mot's etc to make sure the mileage is Genuine. Then check the service book & find out what service is coming up next, If it's cam-belt then I'd arrange for them to do it at a discounted rate in the deal.
As for the car I'd just check to see if it was straight, Check all the door shuts & panels for alignment & the paintwork for perfect matching & no signs of repair or a heavy hit.
 
I bought a 2004 Zetec last week & really happy with it so far. They're nothing flash are they, but for reliability & cheapness of parts, I guess we cant go wrong.
 
SpazzyCazzy said:
I bought a 2004 Zetec last week & really happy with it so far. They're nothing flash are they, but for reliability & cheapness of parts, I guess we cant go wrong.
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True. As I don't cover much mileage, I'd much rather get a more flash car, but due to my age I'd get spanked on insurance. The 2 litre Focus is only £100 more per year than my current 1.4 Fiesta, for a newer car with more space, more comfort features and more kick, that's hardly bad! Any motorway driving or occasional trips across the peak district to Sheffield or Nottingham feel like a chore in my dinky Fiesta...especially some of the hills the rural route to Nottingham!
 
1 months warranty from a Ford main dealer. Is it a p/ex to clear or something? Sounds a bit tight if not, I wouldn't expect a dealer to budge much on price or tax. Also make sure they don't just palm you off with one of those cruddy 3rd party warranties that are not worth the paper they are written on. Loads of local garages round here offer RAC 3 months warranty for free.


Sorry mis-read your OP. 2001 car then you cannot expect much more. Quite unusual to find them at that age at a main agent so I would suspect it will be quite good. They send the rubbish to the auctions, with any luck it be a car they are familiar with ie sold and have serviced. Hope it works out well for you mate.
 
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Bear in mind that the 2.0 in the Mk 1 is a lot thirstier than the 1.6 when looking at costs - it's more than just insurance!

Of course if you just do 5 miles a week, not much of a difference :P
 
andrewdodd13 said:
Bear in mind that the 2.0 in the Mk 1 is a lot thirstier than the 1.6 when looking at costs - it's more than just insurance!

Of course if you just do 5 miles a week, not much of a difference :P
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I was looking at tested MPG's of cars, and my current Fiesta supposedly gets 36mpg combined, whereas the 2.0 Focus gets 32mpg combined.

Of course I don't quite expect these figures in reality, but I don't drive enough for an economy of 25mpg to be an issue in the slightest. Plus I might be tempted to have a bit more fun with the gas pedal for a bit :p
 
Regarding haggling I doubt there's that much to be done in terms of price on a £2.1k Focus. Try and get a couple of hundred off especially if there are obvious faults, tyres with low tread, imminent service etc.

As you say try and get them to chuck in six months tax. At the end trying saying £1,950 with 6 months tax and I'll take it right now, with your hand held out.

At the end of the day there's no haggling formula, as so much depends on external variables such as whether or not the salesman wants to shift it urgently, what mood the saleman's in, and of course how much room the dealer left themselves on the ticket price.
 
As 4T5 has already mentioned - I would get them to do the timing belt & tensiomer if it has not already been done as the car is now around 10 years old and the recommended changing intervals for the timing belt & tensioner to be changed is every 10 years / 100,000 miles or whichever comes first.

Don't let them fob you off saying that the car still has low miles and won't be due the belt change and that you would be alright, because it still will be due as the car is 10 years old and the belt & tensioner could fail at any time.

Liam
 
mattyprice4004 said:
Regardless of if they say 1 month warranty, as a statutory right you have at least 6 months parts and labour if it's from a business seller.
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Link? I thought the six months was just taken to be the period after which the purchaser would have to prove that the car was faulty at time of purchase, rather than vice versa in the initial six months.

It's not a warranty as such. Many things would be taken into account such as what is reasonable for a car's age and mileage.

If for example the Ford broke its cam belt after three months, imo the purchaser would have no comeback, as the fault probably did not exist at the point of sale and the purchaser had three months to swap the cam belt if they wished.
 
Check for rust at the bottoms of the doors (inside and out) and wheel arches, other than that, it's basic mechanical problems which should be identified at a test drive. Rear wheel bearings are a weak point, so make sure there are no droning noises.
 
Robbie G said:
Link? I thought the six months was just taken to be the period after which the purchaser would have to prove that the car was faulty at time of purchase, rather than vice versa in the initial six months.

It's not a warranty as such. Many things would be taken into account such as what is reasonable for a car's age and mileage.

If for example the Ford broke its cam belt after three months, imo the purchaser would have no comeback, as the fault probably did not exist at the point of sale and the purchaser had three months to swap the cam belt if they wished.
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First 6 months and it's up to the seller to prove the fault wasn't present at sale, after this then it's up to you to prove the car was defective at the point of sale.
 
So, been down today. They wouldn't budge on price as such, but they did include 6 months tax and their sneaky 'admin fee' in the screen price, that was meant to be £99 extra.

It has a full main dealer history too, and the belts were done at the last service. Plus only 1 previous owner.

Overall I'm very happy. The interior is a very nice place to be, with full black leather trim and all the climate options (air con, heated seats, heated windscreen and mirrors) and it drives brilliantly. No odd noises, light steering and braking and the clutch is very light. Especially compared to the 14 year old one in my car!

Picking it up on Sunday, can't wait!

And as a bonus, insurance is only £15 more a month than my 1.4 1996 Fiesta
 
Well, I meant 1 owner before they traded it in. Was an old guy who developed some problem with his left leg, so he had to switch to an auto.

I'm happy anyway, it was a similar price to numerous 02/03 1.6 zetec's with closer to 80k mileage, so I really can't complain
 
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