Ford Focus 2007 1.4 LX Model

If it must be a 1.4 id only consider a few cars, namely a Hyundai i30, Kia cee'd, or a corolla(02-07 model).

these all offer much better performance than the 1.4 in the focus.

Worth noting that the uk Kia Ceed doesn't always have the same exact same engine setup as the i30. Its only 89bhp in some versions (09 onwards) due to emissions tax. Definately something worth checking on UK imports.
07 models would be ok though.

JohnBoy26 wrote: »

Just imagine towing an artic with your st. That's what it's like :pac:

In 4th @ 1.2 bar she would still be grand overtaking

Used to drive a 1.4 Octavia as a daily driver.

Every time you went to overtake you would want this music on.

I owned a 1.4 for 3 years,thirsty and sluggish and overtaking was dangerous unless you had a long straight road. besides it was a solid reliable car with good handling etc

120_Minutes wrote: »

I'd think that 5k for a 1.4 07 focus along with your own car would be expensive considering almost a year ago i bought a '06 1.6 ghia saloon for 4700 cash. I got the 1.6 on the recommendation that the 1.4 engine is underpowered for the focus body. you should be able to get a better deal than that.

Mine is due a service, but i get over 600km on a full tank (which is approx 75 quid) the tax is dear though...but the ghia spec gives you the aircon, cruise control, auto lights and wipers, all electric... give it some thought.

I have a 2006 1.6 Ghia petrol saloon,which I get 700+ kms per tank mixed driving
very comfy,good size boot,no trouble in 2 years I have owned it:)

120_Minutes wrote: »

then i should get mine serviced, cos i never get that much on mixed driving. 8.3-8.6L/100km or sometimes 7.7-7.9L/100km on a long motorway run.

Remember some people have a heavier right foot than others... I get 7.0L/100km in a Mini Cooper S. Most owners get 8-9l/100kms.

Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

I have made it my Motors forum mission for a long time to stop people from buying this car. I owned one for 3 years.

1. It is very underpowered. And I mean very.
We have some odd on-ramps in this country, and where you have a short motorway merge that isn't assisted by a slope, you are going to struggle to get the car up to safe speed. I spent a lot of time flooring the car in 2nd and 3rd gear to get any kind of safe speed up. You will also notice its slowness joining roundabouts, as everyone has the jump on you. I once drove my car through the sally gap with 2 passengers and it was simply dreadful. The car felt like it was in limp mode half the time.

2. It is not good on petrol. I now drive a 1.8 volvo s40 (shares a majority of components) and I get the same l/100km figures. Why? Because the Focus is such a dog for anything other than city driving, that you chew petrol getting it up to and maintaining speed. So while you may save a small bit in Insurance (I got insured the following year cheaper on the 1.8 volvo, with 4 years no claims), and a bit on tax (probably 130 euro over a 1.6), you may even spend more on petrol depending on your driving habits, and will certainly spend the same as a 1.6.

3. The reliability of my car wasn't great. I owned it for 3 years, exchanging it with 120,000km on the clock, and by 90,000km I had replaced a whole host of parts, everything from a washer fluid pump to 2 wheel hub assemblies (bearings shot), and there was other problems looming such as a crack in the steering rack which was destined to slowly leak fluid and require replacement (this is something to get checked if you're looking at a focus incidentally. As 80% of my driving was M50, dual carriageways, the M7/M8 and the N40 in Cork, I found this very disappointing.

Don't get me wrong, I loved that car, and had wanted one since before I started driving. Great interior, good boot and great space with the back seats down (moved apartments/house in it twice). It was just chronically underpowered and broke my heart, I'd even have accepted the unexpected maintenance costs (and to be fair parts are cheap enough). If I hadn't listened to my head saying "1.4, feckitwillbegrand and cheaper on insurance" and bought a 1.6 I'd have kept the car at least another year. If it had the 1.8 engine of the volvo (like a buddy has in the UK) I might still be driving it into the ground, 3 years later.

Had one for 1.5 years and they're Massively underpowered.
I really wouldn't!

You have to drive them so hard to get anywhere that the economy is awful. I had an Evo5 for a while after and there genuinely very little difference in the running of them

I've driven many 1.4 and 1.6 focus, back to back on numerous occasions on mixed roads and motorways,

and in my opinion the 1.4 is not as underpowered and as stated here, at least not to the extent of "never shall a boardsie buy one "

1.4 is 0-60 in 13.6 sec vs 1.6 o-60 in 11.5 secs top speed is 102 vs 112mph,

1.4 engine seems less trouble some when it comes to major failure too.

Yes the 1.6 is better but not in a different league, a good 1.4 is still a fine safe, day to day car.

If op isn't bothered about speed, the 5 k deal seems ok.

Bigus wrote: »

1.4 engine seems less trouble some when it comes to major failure too.

Less troublesome when it comes to major failure? How can a major failure be less troublesome?

TBi wrote: »

Less troublesome when it comes to major failure? How can a major failure be less troublesome?

It happens less on the 1.4,

TBi wrote: »

Less likely to happen does not mean the event itself is less troublesome.

You said

I never said major engine failure isn't a major event.

Ok to be specific so you can get a grasp .

The frequency of major engine failure is less frequent in the petrol 1.4 litre vs the 1.6 ltr,ford focus supplied in the Irish market, according to ME .