Ford Focus or something else?

[Amplimator]

Are they any good? Anything i need to look out for? I will be looking at a low mileage 2004 one tomorrow for the missus as i had a field-to-car interface in her Astra resulting in it going to motor heaven. (no big loss there) She just needs something thats reliable with a bit of oomph should she need it so am wondering if anyone has actually owned one. She does about 50-100 miles a week :lol:

Any advice and/or alternatives would be appreciated. Budget about 5k-ish. No more bloody Astras tho as she has had 6 of the buggers!

Thanks in advance.

[yorkie_chris]

Friend of mine has one, it feels and sounds really tinny inside compared to the astra he had before, funnily enough before an unfortunate cars-to-stairs interface.

Mondeo or another astra, what's one more eh :-P

[dizzyblonde]

My mum has one, it refuses to die, bombproof, gets used as a skip to go to the tip, gets a family in it, economical..yeah super. Its actually quite old now, being a Y reg.

Another thing is that Fords usually rot, but the Focus is in really good condition, and its parked outside all year. Theres not a spot on it

[G]

2004 focus... That the first of the new shape? Dreadful hateful things, the 1.6petrol struggle to get 28mpg.

Is it the astra/focus size your after?

I would recommend the fabia VRS, or a fiesta zetec s tdci. Both brilliant cars ad good value for money.

[fizzwheel]

We had a 53 plate 1.8 tdci duratorque 100bhp diesel.

Drove well, I really liked driving it. Engine was strong and pulled well. TBH couldnt really fault it at all. IMHO having driven that and similar age Astra's its much nicer place to sit than an astra and the handling is definately superior.

Didnt really have any major trouble. Just niggles at each MOT / Service.

The one thing to watch for is the suspension bushes on the back, they wear and its a bit of a big job i.e. high labour charge to replace them.

It was starting to rot around the front wing, but this was IMHO as a result of a bad repair as the rest of the car was rot free.

We'd had to have a new battery in order to cure a cold starting problem, but I see that as a wear & tear issue rather than a fundamental problem with the car itself.

It wanted new disc's and pads all round just before we part ex'd it, and I was getting right royall fedup with the p*ss poor service from the Ford dealer I was taking it to. Couple that with the last service / MOT it had it needed £700 worth of work doing on it we decided to chop it in for something else and a bigger car was required as we have two dogs.

If I wanted a cheap reliable car that handled / drove well I'd definately get another Focus. I'd be inclined to stay away from the 1.6 litre petrols though, Liz's friend has one and its heavy on jungle juice.

[Amplimator]

Friend of mine has one, it feels and sounds really tinny inside compared to the astra he had before, funnily enough before an unfortunate cars-to-stairs interface.

Mondeo or another astra, what's one more eh :-P

Mondeo is a lil too big for the missus, shes the sort that finds a space, and gets out to let me park it :rolleyes:

Also let me get this straight, my accident was a field-to-car interface not vice versa...the field hit me. I just couldnt get out the way quick enough. :p

My mum has one, it refuses to die, bombproof, gets used as a skip to go to the tip, gets a family in it, economical..yeah super. Its actually quite old now, being a Y reg.

Another thing is that Fords usually rot, but the Focus is in really good condition, and its parked outside all year. Theres not a spot on it

This is what i like to hear thanks dizz.

2004 focus... That the first of the new shape? Dreadful hateful things, the 1.6petrol struggle to get 28mpg.

Is it the astra/focus size your after?

I would recommend the fabia VRS, or a fiesta zetec s tdci. Both brilliant cars ad good value for money.

I mentioned the Skodas ( i like them) and she just blatantly ignored me! She is still stuck in the 80's when Skodas were known as 'skips'. I ruled out Fiestas due to the fact eveytime i took one for a spin (A) i hit me head getting in and out and (B) seat didnt go back far enough (im a lanky streak o pi$$)
If the mpg is bad on a 1.6 it aint gonna be great on the ST170 we looking at either is it LOL

[the_lone_wolf]

2004 is still 2nd shape I think, they're on 4th gen now. No point asking about oomph unless you say what engine she's looking at...

1.8 TDCi 53 plate is a fine motor, tows the two bike trailer happily and in gear torque is nice, beware dual mass flywheel (clunk on startup) and timing belts (Ford say 100k, they tend to snap at 80k)

Other than that it's fuss free motoring

[Amplimator]

We had a 53 plate 1.8 tdci duratorque 100bhp diesel.

Drove well, I really liked driving it. Engine was strong and pulled well. TBH couldnt really fault it at all. IMHO having driven that and similar age Astra's its much nicer place to sit than an astra and the handling is definately superior.

Didnt really have any major trouble. Just niggles at each MOT / Service.

The one thing to watch for is the suspension bushes on the back, they wear and its a bit of a big job i.e. high labour charge to replace them.

It was starting to rot around the front wing, but this was IMHO as a result of a bad repair as the rest of the car was rot free.

We'd had to have a new battery in order to cure a cold starting problem, but I see that as a wear & tear issue rather than a fundamental problem with the car itself.

It wanted new disc's and pads all round just before we part ex'd it, and I was getting right royall fedup with the p*ss poor service from the Ford dealer I was taking it to. Couple that with the last service / MOT it had it needed £700 worth of work doing on it we decided to chop it in for something else and a bigger car was required as we have two dogs.

If I wanted a cheap reliable car that handled / drove well I'd definately get another Focus. I'd be inclined to stay away from the 1.6 litre petrols though, Liz's friend has one and its heavy on jungle juice.

Thanks Fizz thats what im after. We looked at a cheapie one and whilst looking at paperwork we noticed the last MOT had an advisory concerning the rear bush's. We did look into it, parts cheap enough but labour wasnt pretty! (nearly £500!) Also apparently when the bush's go other things tend to follow close behind. Found all this out totally by accident lol

[the_lone_wolf]

I was quoted £70 to replace the rear bushes by the local Ford main dealer!!!

Sounds like I should have taken them up on it, if only they hadn't said the brake and clutch fluid needed doing as well (they'd been done by an indy not 6 months beforehand)

Great car, terrible dealer...

[Amplimator]

2004 is still 2nd shape I think, they're on 4th gen now. No point asking about oomph unless you say what engine she's looking at...

1.8 TDCi 53 plate is a fine motor, tows the two bike trailer happily and in gear torque is nice, beware dual mass flywheel (clunk on startup) and timing belts (Ford say 100k, they tend to snap at 80k)

Other than that it's fuss free motoring


If the mpg is bad on a 1.6 it aint gonna be great on the ST170 we looking at either is it LOL

The rest sounds just jubbly to me! Will need a tow-bar fitted eventually too. Fuss free motoring is exactly what im after. Cheers.

[Specialone]

I loved the focus pool car at my last job, by far the best handling 'normal' car I have ever driven.

I almost bought one even though a big VW fan, but everyone down my road seemed to own one which put me off.

[fizzwheel]

I was quoted £70 to replace the rear bushes by the local Ford main dealer!!!

I cant remember how much they quoted me, It was enough for me to choke on the cup of tea I was drinking at the time.

Theres two sets each side, one set isnt replaceable and you have to buy a new strut. ( I think my memory is hazy on this one ) and thats where the cost was, It was around the £600 mark to do the whole lot.

I'd agree about the dealership, based on my experience of the one in Yeovil. Completely useless.

[Specialone]

A friend of mine has the ST and he's getting rid soon because of the mpg, 22 I think he said he's averaging.

[Amplimator]

I almost bought one even though a big VW fan, but everyone down my road seemed to own one which put me off.

I used to be a big VW fan, but i have had some bad experiences with VW dealerships (more than one). But as been mentioned above, doesnt really matter make car you have there will always be shoite dealers somewhere you just have to find the good ones.

Also VW golfs are way over-priced with silly mileage!

[the_lone_wolf]

The rest sounds just jubbly to me! Will need a tow-bar fitted eventually too. Fuss free motoring is exactly what im after. Cheers.

Yeah, I was replying when you stated, no indication in the OP:lol:

Can't comment on the ST versions, never owned one, but I'd imagine 170bhp isn't going to hang around

Check that it's type approved for towing if that's a requirement, should be fine being based on the normal chassis but sometimes sporty variants don't get the test done and as such it would be illegal to fit a towbar to one...

[Amplimator]

Theres two sets each side, one set isnt replaceable and you have to buy a new strut. ( I think my memory is hazy on this one ) and thats where the cost was, It was around the £600 mark to do the whole lot.


Im no grease-munkey so my brain fuzzed out the jargon and only registered the price part when i asked my local ford mechanic. Was like a kick in the gonads lol

[Specialone]

I used to be a big VW fan, but i have had some bad experiences with VW dealerships (more than one). But as been mentioned above, doesnt really matter make car you have there will always be shoite dealers somewhere you just have to find the good ones.

Also VW golfs are way over-priced with silly mileage!
My dealer ain't bad tbh, my car is 3.5 years old now and I've done 13.5 k so not silly mileage, mine will be a cracking 2nd deal for someone when I sell it.

[Amplimator]

Yeah, I was replying when you stated, no indication in the OP:lol:

Can't comment on the ST versions, never owned one, but I'd imagine 170bhp isn't going to hang around

Check that it's type approved for towing if that's a requirement, should be fine being based on the normal chassis but sometimes sporty variants don't get the test done and as such it would be illegal to fit a towbar to one...

Every day is a school day, i didnt know that. My lil caddy has a tow-bar so will have to make do with that. I prolly wont drive the focus much, only park it for her :lol:

[dirtydog]

Yeah, I was replying when you stated, no indication in the OP:lol:

Can't comment on the ST versions, never owned one, but I'd imagine 170bhp isn't going to hang around

Check that it's type approved for towing if that's a requirement, should be fine being based on the normal chassis but sometimes sporty variants don't get the test done and as such it would be illegal to fit a towbar to one...



I had the ST170 and yes it's pretty quick but it also drinks a fair bit if like me you have a heavy right foot.

[metalmonkey]

I have Ford Focus Esate, its a 1.6 petrol 115bhp.

It is actually a good car, better than I thought it was going to be really. I went for Zetec, so its has the sports seats for that car, A/C heated mirrors, heated windscreen.

I'm not sure what its like fuel tbh, I tend to fill no more than half way being in town its not worth carrying the weight around. It started all through the winter, only had one day where it wouldn't I sprayed WD-40 into the plugs it started first time after it was a very damp cold day.

It suits my needs atm, which is fine. I guess the good bit about being loads of em, is I would hope lots of parts. I never use main dealerships for cars, I asked once what the labour was £80/hour I told them to take a jump!

[Milky Bar Kid]

My pal had an X reg 1.8 Focus and recently obtained an 06 ST-3 which is the 2.5 with 225 bhp and she says that she gets almost the same mileage, she currently gets an average of 27mpg.

[454697819]

had two of them, both 55 plates, the 1.6 was a terrible engine, the 2.0 auto is brill, its catherines car,

they are built to a price,
they are pretty robust,
They are cheap to repair
They are cheap to service,

Insurance is acceptable and with decent tyres they handle really well,

I paid 6k for a 55 plate with 17k on it leather, sat nav fully loaded,

I forget I nice it is to drive till I get back in it..

Best luck shopping,

[sauluk]

I had a 53 plate 'ebony' a while back. Black 3dr with full leather. Cracking car, I loved it

[Jimmy2Feet]

i had a 57 plate, 1.8 DTCI, titanium, great car, used to hit 50mpg no issue. more than fast enough for a car. i loved it, then since getting a new job 2 years ago i have been getting a string of company cars, mostly focus' i have had most of the specs not apart from ST. what i would say is.....

all the petrol ones i have driven, (1.6/1.8 & 2.0) the 1.6 &1.8 are both a little sluggish to be honest, once you get going fine, but not the best, also the MPG was awful never got above 30 average.

the Diesel however, great, mine was the 1.8 had about 50mpg average, and had good poke to it, lovely engine for what it is.

The 1.6 to be honest you cant really notice much difference in power or performance, the one i have now is the 1.6, don't need to change down to get up hills on motorway etc like some of the smaller engines. and if you drive sensible you can easily average 60mpg.

The biggest down side IMO, is that they are all made on the cheap side. cheap plastics inside, the road noise in the back is very obvious, but am happy to put up with that as the rest of the car is great.

I have the next focus coming on Wednesday. 1.6 zetec this time, and then i am going to try the new astra, hopefully of that as they are a nice looking car now, and the spec looks good, if the insignia is anything to go off should be OK!

[kwak zzr]

i really rate them! ive owned and driven allsorts and my old 2001 1.8 zetec focus was the only car that was trouble free for 3 years, didnt cost me a penny, i sold it to a work mate who has had it for 4 years now and still with no problems.

[Specialone]

What about one of these ?

kxYOUQI4LgE

[AndyBrad]

ive got a 2005/6 focus, missus has an astra (after i obviously had my rose tinted glasses on from when i used to have one before) and she drives a 2003 focus.

the focus is a vastly superior car in every aspect. without question. the only issue is you will pay a lot more for one over an astra. Also theres a lot of bad ones out there. i viewed 30 cars before i got mine and it was the first one that hadnt seen paint! look at them with open eyes!!

the 2003 one out lass has is a desiel. Last one she ahd has 160k on the clock. this ones low milage at 95k i think! and its still better than the astra thats got 53k on it.

[Amplimator]

Just a quickie to say thanks for all your advice! It was a well looked after low mileage example with exceptional service history. Payed a deposit and should pick it up one evening this week, pics to follow! :)

Cheers.

[Luckypants]

Great news, happy motoring!

This thread has been useful for me as well, been thinking of a Focus myself.