Which Focus...

peter212693 · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:22

Now I will be looking for a Focus in a few months time now what would you all recommend I would like a 3 door now here are the options:

1.6 Zetec
1.6 Ghia
1.8 Zetec
1.8 Ghia
2.0 Zetec
2.0 Ghia

I will be getting it fully loaded with climate pack, ABS, Traction control, etc. Looking to spend around £3-4K

Now can you give me some reasons for and against. I will be looking for a new job around then and will be looking to do around 40 miles to work maximum a day.

Thanks for the advice

saitrix · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:24

You won't probably be getting fully loaded 1.6 and 1.8 Zetecs, with them stuff like ABS was optional.

How old are you and how long you been driving?

Ste · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:26

Bigger engines make for faster cars which cost more to run

...but you already knew that

Luseac · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:27

For £4k I got a 3 door 1.6 zetec with the climate and reflex packs. I think the 2.0 is said to be thirsty so a 1.8 might be a good all rounder, although your budget will restrict you to earlier models.

As regards Zetec Vs Ghia, The Zetec has a 'sporty' suspension setup with alloys and the Ghia gives you more inside toys as standard.

[TW]Fox · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:32

No £4k Focus is 'fully loaded' - the high spec models have an acceptable level of equipment and nothing more.

Personally, just get the 2.0 Zetec or Ghia - highest equipment levels, and a decent engine.

ajgoodfellow · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:38

I'd look at a 1.6 or 1.8 Focus Zetec

The 2 litre has a thirst for fuel and will be more to insure. The Zetec models handle better than the Ghia models due to sportier suspension

saitrix · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:38

As long as insurance isn't an issue I personally would get a 2.0 Zetec.

[TW]Fox · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:39

ajgoodfellow said:
I'd look at a 1.6 or 1.8 Focus Zetec

The 2 litre has a thirst for fuel and will be more to insure. The Zetec models handle better than the Ghia models due to sportier suspension

The 2 litre model is only in Group 8. Insurance is fine.

It isn't noticeably more thirsty, either. It's a 2 litre 4 pot, not a V8.

peter212693 · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:40

saitrix said:
You won't probably be getting fully loaded 1.6 and 1.8 Zetecs, with them stuff like ABS was optional.

How old are you and how long you been driving?

Well i willl be getting the car in Jan. Will have 1 NCB driving for a year the insurence is not differant between 1.8 and 2.0

I want to have traction control, ABS, Air-con and all the heated screens, will be looking for a 2000 or 2001 model at a push 2002

ajgoodfellow · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:43

[TW]Fox said:
The 2 litre model is only in Group 8. Insurance is fine.

It isn't noticeably more thirsty, either. It's a 2 litre 4 pot, not a V8.

From what I've read from user reports and reviews you would expect about 29-30mpg from the 2.0 and 38-40mpg from the 1.6 or 1.8. Pretty big difference!

[TW]Fox · 21 Sep 2006 at 23:55

I still just don't get how you can get economy that rubbish out of it. I have exactly the same engine and my average mpg is showing 35.6 mpg at the moment, mostly becuase I've spent the last few days going to Kingsbridge and back, so no dual carriageway work to keep the average up.

You don't need traction control on them, though. Totally pointless, not powerful enough.

saitrix · 22 Sep 2006 at 00:02

peter212693 said:
Well i willl be getting the car in Jan. Will have 1 NCB driving for a year the insurence is not differant between 1.8 and 2.0

I want to have traction control, ABS, Air-con and all the heated screens, will be looking for a 2000 or 2001 model at a push 2002

Get the 2.0 Zetec. That got a bit extra over the other Zetecs.

16" Zetec alloys, electric heated mirrors, heated front and rear windows, air con, zetec harder suspension, rear disc brakes, abs, traction control, cd player.

[TW]Fox · 22 Sep 2006 at 00:09

By 'Zetec harder suspension' you mean '20mm lower springs' right?

saitrix · 22 Sep 2006 at 00:19

[TW]Fox said:
By 'Zetec harder suspension' you mean '20mm lower springs' right?

No, I'm quite sure the rates are different too. The Zetec's definitly do have a harder suspension than the others, you can feel it. My mate (Matthew.M on here) gets to drive 2 different Foci often, a Ghia and a Zetec. He has also picked up on the fast that the suspension is harder.

gc123 · 22 Sep 2006 at 00:26

well had both, 2.0ghia and 1.8 zetec. the fuel economy slightly less to the gallon on the 2 .0. but a lot more fun. averaging around high 20s as opposed to the 1.8 which was around 32/34. the zetec had marginly less toys, but bear in mind that the suspension was stiffer and you feel every bump.
i have just got a tdci ghia for the father in law, best of both worlds 52 mpg and fairly quick, but just out of your price at the moment. 03. £4400 (ex auto lease and just the right side of 90k)

pinkaardvark · 22 Sep 2006 at 00:43

[TW]Fox said:
I still just don't get how you can get economy that rubbish out of it. I have exactly the same engine and my average mpg is showing 35.6 mpg at the moment, mostly becuase I've spent the last few days going to Kingsbridge and back, so no dual carriageway work to keep the average up.

You don't need traction control on them, though. Totally pointless, not powerful enough.

Me either. I can squeeze 30mpg out of the V6 in general driving and even when driving it enthusiastically day to day I get around 27mpg and that's with the Bluefin map(which I need to remove as it's running rich)

peter212693 · 22 Sep 2006 at 07:31

I’m defiantly swaying towards the 1.8 or 2.0 as I have had my 1.2 8v Corsa for a year so want something with more power, 1.2 doesn’t feel save :eek:

So what extras do you get in the Ghia compared to the Zetec?

amx · 22 Sep 2006 at 08:06

I don't think you can get the Ghia in 3-door, if you're dead set on avoiding 5-doors.

Abyss · 22 Sep 2006 at 08:42

[TW]Fox said:
I still just don't get how you can get economy that rubbish out of it. I have exactly the same engine and my average mpg is showing 35.6 mpg at the moment, mostly becuase I've spent the last few days going to Kingsbridge and back, so no dual carriageway work to keep the average up.

You don't need traction control on them, though. Totally pointless, not powerful enough.

I average between 29 and 31 mpg on a full tank...
On a long journey, I will sometimes reach 38 average over the journey, but usually more like 35.

1ofaKind · 22 Sep 2006 at 09:45

I've got an X reg 2.0 ghia 5 door atm.

It's got leather, air con, abs,traction control, cd changer,cruise, global closing etc..

I've had it from nearly new and my commute for 3 years was 35 round trip (minor town, mostly A & some B road driving). I generally got 33-35 mpg on that run. Nowadays my commute is 3 miles town driving and I get probably 26-28 mpg.

I looked at 2.0 zetec (3door) and it was nice - the one I saw had leather seats and they were deffo better than the ghia seats (better support not recaro's but you get my drift). 2.0 zetecs have esp I think aswell as traction/abs and diff suspension if I remember rightly.