Yeah I want the Focus. Just have to be sure it's not going to cost me too much to maintain. If they don't, as you suggested, and I can afford it I'll get one probably.
Zetec it is in that case
Climate pack as well if I can OMFG. Another first car thread :)
- Thread starter allllec
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Yeah I want the Focus. Just have to be sure it's not going to cost me too much to maintain. If they don't, as you suggested, and I can afford it I'll get one probably.
Zetec it is in that case
Climate pack as well if I can Yeahhhh....
See, I didn't intend to hoon my motorbike around either, but I still manage to accelerate upto around 100mph though my tiny village on my way home from work at 2am lol. It does just kind of happen haha.
Nothing, get back to your Horlicks
Nobody plans to, it just kinda happens
I didn't plan to hoon my car yet it will see 6k daily, as you say it happens
The Zetec engines need to be ragged to get the most out of them and they love it. The 1.6 is a very revvy engine, great round town. You'll find it's flat as a fart under 3k though. 4k upwards is where the magic starts to happen
Yeah I want the Focus. Just have to be sure it's not going to cost me too much to maintain. If they don't, as you suggested, and I can afford it I'll get one probably.
Zetec it is in that case
The Focus will cost no more than the Fiesta would to maintain, or many of the other cars on your list. Just be careful choosing one, hold out for the best one. It may take time.
In 18 months of ownership my Focus cost me £60 when a sensor broke...
The rest was all consumables like tyres, pads etc etc. Interesting to see what the other Foci owners say as I know there are a fair few on here.
Cool.
Anything imparticular you know of to look out for?
Also what about milage (bearing in mind i'd only be adding 5k~ a year)? 100k on the clock anything to worry about?
Few things 'spring' to mind, 'spring' being rather apt...
The IB5 spring in the gear lever can go, not a big issue and not hard to fix it yourself, few quid. Been there and done that.
The VSS (Vehicle speed sensor) is one of the biggest faults, remember than sensor I talked about above. Basically the speedo will drop to 0 as you're driving and if you pull up to a stop while it is like that the car will stall as it thinks the engine is at 0 and thus cuts power. Mine ran rough as a badgers arse when this sensor went.
This can be done yourself but it is fiddly as buggary so take it to a garage and have it done for £60-£80.
Idle control valve can go, either replace or spray with carb cleaner.
That's it off the top of my head.
One thing I will say.
There is a lot of **** Focus for 2k and below. It would be a lot easier to find a nice Corsa/Fiesta for under 2k than it would a Focus. So you're going to have to filter through the crap and hold out for a good one and soon as one pops up bite their hands off.
Would be AWESOME if you could raise the budget to 2.5k. You will want to make sure the Cambelt has been done if not use this as a haggling tool. The cambelt is rated to 100k but I'll be changing mine earlier on just to be sure.
Most I can think of at this time of night off the top of my head. Hopefully I've been of some use to you.
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Just a meger strech to 2.5k and we're in business you reckon?
Well depends what happen's on the job front this weekend. But if everything goes to plan fingers crossed it should be do-able
You've been very helpfull. Much appreciated.
One last question, Do you reckon it would be worth investing in a 1.8.
Im learning to drive in a 1.6 new focus (a lovely AA one
) and I feel it has plenty of nip about it, but maybe thats just becuase I'm new to this whole driving thing. Thoughts?
Thanks again
Alec
Well depends what happen's on the job front this weekend. But if everything goes to plan fingers crossed it should be do-able
You've been very helpfull. Much appreciated.
One last question, Do you reckon it would be worth investing in a 1.8.
Im learning to drive in a 1.6 new focus (a lovely AA one
) and I feel it has plenty of nip about it, but maybe thats just becuase I'm new to this whole driving thing. Thoughts? Thanks again
Alec
If you're adding 5k a year 100k is not really anything to worry about at all IMO. I only add 10k and I wish I had stumped for a higher mileage car at a cheaper price as I know it wouldn't have been any different.
Just make sure the cambelt is changed if you go for one near 100k if not use it as a haggling tool and take it to Ford for a new one.
Just make sure the cambelt is changed if you go for one near 100k if not use it as a haggling tool and take it to Ford for a new one.
Just a meger strech to 2.5k and we're in business you reckon?
Well depends what happen's on the job front this weekend. But if everything goes to plan fingers crossed it should be do-able
You've been very helpfull. Much appreciated.
One last question, Do you reckon it would be worth investing in a 1.8.
Im learning to drive in a 1.6 new focus (a lovely AA one
Thanks again
Alec
Will be because it's new to you, I thought my Focus was a rocket ship when I first got it
, but it really isn't and I know that. What it is though is a reliable nippy enough hatch to keep you happy in your first few years of driving. Take care of it and it will take care of you.The 1.8 really isn't worth the extra fuel costs over a 1.6.
Make it either 1.6 or 2.0
Avoid 1.4 and 1.8
Of course if you see a mint 1.8 and the insurance is OK then do it. But totally steer clear of the 1.4, I drove one and it's dangerously underpowered
.1.6 engine is a nice revvy engine though and can be fun to play with.
You could even get a facelift if you were happy with the high miler.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/382633.htm
Or lower miler MK1
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/379799.htm
125k wouldn't phase me with FSH, these engines are tough nuts. Anyway enough singing it's praises it's late and bed calls. Hope you find what you're after mate.
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/382633.htm
Or lower miler MK1
http://www.pistonheads.com/sales/379799.htm
125k wouldn't phase me with FSH, these engines are tough nuts. Anyway enough singing it's praises it's late and bed calls. Hope you find what you're after mate.
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Cool again thanks for all the information.
I looked at the 1.4 but I read before that it feels very underpowered and since a Focus would be a treat it'd be daft to get a 1.4 Cool. 1.6 it is then.
Didn't realise there was a face lift. That particular one you linked to looks the mutts nutts. Deffinatly my favouite looking Focus. Don't fancy the new ones (obviously not suggesting I could afford one). That looks very swish.
Well like I said this all comes down to what's happening on the job front. But if I get the job(s) im after than I'm dead set on a focus
Thanks again!
Cheers
Alec
I looked at the 1.4 but I read before that it feels very underpowered and since a Focus would be a treat it'd be daft to get a 1.4
Cool. 1.6 it is then.Didn't realise there was a face lift. That particular one you linked to looks the mutts nutts. Deffinatly my favouite looking Focus. Don't fancy the new ones (obviously not suggesting I could afford one). That looks very swish.
Well like I said this all comes down to what's happening on the job front. But if I get the job(s) im after than I'm dead set on a focus
Thanks again!
Cheers
Alec
Of course don't rule out the other cars on your shortlist apart from the Ka and Micra, biiiiiig no no, I don't have a clue about any of them though so could only help you with Focus, hence being completely bias. Glad to of helped somewhat though
Yeah you really don't want a Ka lol. The Fiesta 1.25 on the other hand would be a decent first car and is what I'm trying to get my brother to get as his. If you can afford the step up to a Focus then theres no reason i can see not to.
I went for a Focus as a first car and I'm really pleased i did. I was looking at smaller hatches at first like the Saxo VTR, but once i sat in one i knew i wanted the Focus instead. Really comfy, loads of room in the front and back, good for if you'll be driving your mates about etc. Also a few styling mods and it can look really good.
I went for a Focus as a first car and I'm really pleased i did. I was looking at smaller hatches at first like the Saxo VTR, but once i sat in one i knew i wanted the Focus instead. Really comfy, loads of room in the front and back, good for if you'll be driving your mates about etc. Also a few styling mods and it can look really good.
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how rude
Well had my interview today. Went really well hope I get this job. If I do its £800 p/m after tax. So £500 aside every month for a few months.
Depending on when I take my test etc I may end up getting some clapped out Vax Corsa for a few months as a stop gap until the focus.
Anyway still got to get the job and a driving lesson so lets not get ahead of our selves
Depending on when I take my test etc I may end up getting some clapped out Vax Corsa for a few months as a stop gap until the focus.
Anyway still got to get the job and a driving lesson so lets not get ahead of our selves