Which Focus?

TheDean

TheDean

TheDean

Soldato
Joined
3 Oct 2004
Posts
5,020
Location
North East
Looking at getting a Ford Focus in a month or so. I have read, and been told, that 1.6 engine is the most economical - but what model?!

Apparently the quick-clear windscreens are a dream, and up here in Newcastle they would be used quite a bit. Also, A/C would be nice for the summer months. I have read some stuff about Zetec's having a different engine?!

Got roughly £3k to spend. I suppose I could stretch to £3.5k if it's a stunner....
 
Hi. Not sure on the insurance level but I find my quotes to be reasonable.

When I was researching the exact same question as yourself on here I saw a lot of positives for the Zetec. I think someone said it has a slightly firmer ride than the alternatives. I have the 1.6. I normally get about 400 miles to a full tank of fuel... don't know if that's good or not, probably depends a lot on how you drive I guess :)

It's not the quickest thing in the world mind, but if you're buying for economy I don't suppose you're too fussed about that?
 
TheDean said:
Apparently the quick-clear windscreens are a dream, and up here in Newcastle they would be used quite a bit.
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Living in Gateshead, I can tell you that yes, they are very good and yes, I've already used them a fair bit :D

As for the trim, well, I think there's a point where the Zetec changed from being an engine type, to being a trim (and there was also a Zetec Climate), or something along those lines - I expect an expert will be along to confirm!

I just got a Focus Zetec Climate three weeks ago, but traded it back to Ford under their Ford Direct exchange offer for a different 2.0 ltr petrol Ghia just after Christmas. Very happy with my choice so far - took her up to Scotland over the weekend and was most impressed with the motorway performance and handling.

My little brother got a 1.6 petrol a few months back and he loves it.
 
Not that bothered about speed, as long as it has a bit. Economy is more important I would say. How have your found your Zetec hp01? What's the age, miliage, cost to fill the tank? Any problems? Give me the low down

Ninja Edit...

Luw - Did you get yours from round here? What garage? I've been looking on Autotrader.co.uk , pistonheads and then looking back at Parkers.co.uk to check prices and the dealers round here are taking the p*ss.
 
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Ricochet J said:
I've got a Mk1 Focus Ghia which has the 1.6 Zetec engine. It's a brilliant economical car.
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What's the best I could get for around £3k then? Year, miliage, extras etc? And more to the point - where should I be looking? Everyone on autotrader (comparing with Parkers) is taking the mick, especially in this economic climate, you'd expect the deals at least to be vaguely near the book price wouldn't you?
 
I guess £3k can buy you a really nice Mk1 facelift (which is nicer looking than mine). Look on Gumtree. For £3k don't settle any less than leather seats and lower than yaer 2002. For some bizzare reason, a lot of the Focuses tend to have cracked front fog lights. Haven't got a clue why, so look out for that. It was the best selling car in Britain so i'm sure you're bound to find a nice example at the right price. Drive around your area, you might find a few with a "For Sale" sign on it.
Try to get a 3 door, if you can. They look miles better than a 5 door.

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-u...cleYearOfManufacture=2002&vehicleRegLetter=02
 
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Ricochet J said:
I guess £3k can buy you a really nice Mk1 facelift (which is nicer looking than mine). Look on Gumtree. For £3k don't settle any less than leather seats and lower than yaer 2002.
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are the leather seats heated? if not i wouldnt bother tbh, not if you are going to be getting in a cold car often!
 
Zetec is the model to get, there's a couple of special editions - chic is one of them, bit of a girly name but alloys, air con, cd player and leather seats are standard and they are an insurance group lower than a standard 1.6 for some odd reason.
 
I've got a 1.6 Focus Zetec for my first car, it's on a 52 plate and I picked it up for around 2800 I think it was.

I'm pleased with it overall, I would have liked to get one with the heated windscreen and air-con but I was wanting a black 3 door and had been holding out for ages as it was!

It's obviously not a rocket but for a first car there's an ample amount of power, it sits happily at 85ish on the motorway too. Most of my mates have cheap Corsa's/Saxo's and they just feel worlds apart both in handling and build quality.

I've had the side/boot strips and bumper inserts colour coded, removed the 1.6 badge, put on some clear indicators on and I think it looks quite smart.

cc1.jpg


Could certainly do worse for a first car :)

Everyone seems to go on about economy with these but i'm lucky to get over 300 miles to a tank (and that's taking it easy).

Edit: The Chic/Collection/Ebony all came out a lot more expensive on insurance for me, a good few hundred at least.
 
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Ricochet J said:
Yeh but you can go around telling your friends it's a coupe :p
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...which looks really cool until you pull up in the rain and have to get out to let your rear passengers make an undignified scramble for the exit :P

Phaser said:
Everyone seems to go on about economy with these but i'm lucky to get over 300 miles to a tank (and that's taking it easy).
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Is it broken? That sounds incredibly low. What sort of driving do you do? I usually see about 380 miles before the light comes on....its probably good for 400 miles out of a full tank.
 
TheDean said:
Luw - Did you get yours from round here? What garage? I've been looking on Autotrader.co.uk , pistonheads and then looking back at Parkers.co.uk to check prices and the dealers round here are taking the p*ss.
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I got mine from a Ford Dealer as I had a slightly larger budget than you - and I wanted the Ford Direct option for drievaway insurance, warranty and AA cover and the exchange option (which I took up :D).
 
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