Mk2 Focus zetec 1.6 things to look for.

Jonny ///M

Jonny ///M

Jonny ///M

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Looking at swapping my 58 plate astra 1.6 turbo for one of these.

My mrs is learning and we will share a car so want something that isn't as powerful, cheaper to run(not the biggest problem) and the most important thing is insurance. Astra is group 32 so is quite high.

Found this one in Edinburgh. http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603222228530

Garage doesn't look to be a quality establishment but it does have 4 matching tyres and whatever they deem to be FSH.

Seems fair price for the age/mileage but isn't a face-lift. Is that a big deal?

I'd trade the astra in which might get me £2k or so and I don't want to add too much on top.

Any pointers on what to look for or common problems?(like the chocolate gearbox on the astra I didn't know about)

Thanks
 
I've had 4 Focus's and never had a problem with any of them the petrol versions are very reliable cars. Also Cheap to run with having no turbo's etc.
The 1.6 comes in 2 forms the 99bhp in your link and the 1.6 ti Vct engine which is same insurance but 115bhp and nearly a second quicker to 60 which is noticeable as its much more rev happy than the dull 99bhp.
Get one with a climate pack in Zetec or Titanium spec.
Surely you will get more for your Astra private?
 
Good to know with the engine. Only been seeing the 99hp version. Going from 180 to 100 will be bad enough.

I know Vauxhall did the same with the 1.8 with a vvt with more power.

I've been purely searching zetec, tried ghia and titanium but they seem to command more money

I might try get the astra shifted for £3k private, wouldn't shift when I had it at £3750 or £3500. Just about to hit 100k but Cambelt has been done.

My mate works in a scrappy and has an 07 plate with no wing mirror and possible scratches on one side. Said his boss wants £400 so I might look into what that would cost to put right and keep as it's a cat d I guess.
 
The single most annoying thing with either of my focuseseses was rattling and squeaks, so if it's free from those you're laughing, there isn't much to really go wrong

From memory doesn't the higher powered 1.6 have lol economy for its power?
 
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I would try and get the 115bhp Zetec there's plenty about and it has the best alloys/looks out the range compared to the Ghia's/titanium. I wouldn't say they feel particularly slow either. Still more nippy than your usual Fiesta or Corsa etc.
Would try and get one with less than 80k miles though. And if u up your budget to 3.5k u might just get a facelift 2008 although they don't come with the 115bhp except for in the Zetec S.
 
Not sure I'd bother with the 115hp if the economy drops quite a lot for it.

I'm used to 30-35mpg from the astra, 39ish on a longer drive with overtakes etc.

Maybe the best thing to do is out the astra up again and have physical cash in hand to work from there. Need to get the heat shield fixed so it doesn't sound like a propellor plane!
 
Jonny ///M said:
Not sure I'd bother with the 115hp if the economy drops quite a lot for it.
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~1 MPG difference accord to honest john realmpg
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/ford/focus-2004
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/ford/focus-2008

Jonny ///M said:
I'm used to 30-35mpg from the astra, 39ish on a longer drive with overtakes etc.
Click to expand...

Isn't going to be much more economical than the astra though (although the insurance and tax will be cheaper).

Ghia or Titanium do command a premium, but again they have a lot more spec compared to a Zetec (e.g. Cruise is only standard on a Ghia, Rear electric windows are only on Ghia and Titanium + more possible options like electric seats on Ghia). Zetec doesn't necessarily even have air con unless you get a "Zetec Climate" model.

Depending on the year, I think there was also a "Sport" spec that slotted in between Zetec and Ghia.

Check for Rust on the rear arches, as even on the newest MK2s I have seen them begin to bubble.
 
If hatchback - check for water ingress around the bolts on the rear spoiler (roof of hatch) where the brake light in the centre is mounted.

Also on the roof, check under the roof rack mounts - to mount the ford roof rack you need to cut into the roof to expose the bolt roof mounts points. Over time it will rust around the bolts.

I have a focus MkII 1.8 tdci - so can only comment on the body in common :)
 
Armageus said:
~1 MPG difference accord to honest john realmpg
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/ford/focus-2004
http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/realmpg/ford/focus-2008



Isn't going to be much more economical than the astra though (although the insurance and tax will be cheaper).

Ghia or Titanium do command a premium, but again they have a lot more spec compared to a Zetec (e.g. Cruise is only standard on a Ghia, Rear electric windows are only on Ghia and Titanium + more possible options like electric seats on Ghia). Zetec doesn't necessarily even have air con unless you get a "Zetec Climate" model.

Depending on the year, I think there was also a "Sport" spec that slotted in between Zetec and Ghia.

Check for Rust on the rear arches, as even on the newest MK2s I have seen them begin to bubble.
Click to expand...

Interesting, maybe I'd try get the higher power one if it's negligible. Fuel economy isn't the main drive in the change. Was doing 20,000 miles when I went front my almera gti to the astra and it's still expensive! Don't need to drive to Oban a few times a week now and if we car share the mrs will get it most as she will work all over the place locally whereas I can cycle to work.

I'd get at least he climate zetec, the mate in the scrappy has one he got cheap and put an engine in. Doesn't have a trip computer and the back lights are all green? Is itt the same for all of these things?

This sort of spec would be nice as the astra has auto things just now.
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201603232258386/usedcars?logcode=visc

Put the car up for sale tonight so hopefully get some interest now it's cheaper than before.

Cheers for the pointers on the bodywork issues :)
 
rodenal said:
From memory doesn't the higher powered 1.6 have lol economy for its power?
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If it helps any, I had (well, I still have as another car) a 2009 Fiesta with the Ti VCT 1.6 engine which was around 115bhp so probably the same engine that would be in the Focus of that era. As mentioned it is pretty revvy and from memory sits at around 3.5k rpm at 70-75mph on the motorway in 5th gear.

Economy was indeed a bit crap to be honest. If I sat at 70 with the cruise on I'd get around 42mpg over a long run (400 miles of Glasgow to Basingstoke for example). It mainly gets used for town blasts now and the trip computer is showing low 30s so it's not diabolical but it's not great). It's got enough poke for what it is though and even when I do drive it these days it doesn't seem too bad to be fair.
 
Jonny ///M said:
Think the 113hp one is the only petrol in the range with a belt? The rest are chains from what I read.
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The 1.4 and both versions of the 1.6 are belt driven, the 1.8 and 2.0 are chain driven.

The 1.6 and 2.0 Diesels have both a chain and a belt - not sure on the 1.8
 
Glad I posted that then!

Will get picture tomorrow of the cat D one at the scrappies, my mate recons it's in better condition than what his is so we'll see.

Insurance wise it's sitting about £703 for me to insure it, compared to £900 for the astra. Once my points and claim expire it's £420!

Mrs as main driver and me as named is £722 or £780 the other way round. I'm thinking her being the main for a first year of NCB will work out best overall.
 
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