Ford Focus Advice

icjzfmq7ewon1t

I'm considering buying 01/02 Ford Focus saloon 1.6. What should I look out for when viewing/test driving. How does anyone here that owns or has owned one rate them. All comments welcome.

Plascebo

Personally owned a 99 and 01 focus (plus a 04 cmax) and the only trouble I had with them where a light bulb needing replacing and the battery needing replacing in the 01 focus due to a faulty light in the boot... Would recommend focus to anyone (having said that am driving Seat at the mo)

jonnygee

I have bought focus from new in 99 ,00 02 and 05.
First one was a 1.4. I thought it was underpowered. All the others were 1.6 and have been very happy with them. The only major problem that i had with the second one was the pedal box went at 20000 miles ,repaired under warranty , this fault gives a distintive rattle from footwell over rough surfaces, other than that no major problems,

Tony Broke

1.6 is decent, I would go the diesel route but the Irish seem to think any petrol engine bigger than 1.3 is a bad idea.

I looked at the focus myself and was suprised to see how cheap the 1.6 petrols are going for.I dont know your budget but I have seen numerous 02 - 04 models for under 4000e.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1249940

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1270408

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1221974

If it was me though I would be looking at the 03 115bhp, black leather Mitsubishi Carisma on adverts, which you could get for under 5000e

Lizzykins

I have a 00 Focus and hubby has a 01-both petrol 1.6. I was unfortunate in mine as it developed worn piston rings which was an expensive job. No other problems though and hubby's car with 70k miles on the clock runs like a dream. I'll probably buy another.

groupb

Tony Broke wrote: »

1.6 is decent, I would go the diesel route but the Irish seem to think any petrol engine bigger than 1.3 is a bad idea.

I looked at the focus myself and was suprised to see how cheap the 1.6 petrols are going for.I dont know your budget but I have seen numerous 02 - 04 models for under 4000e.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1249940

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1270408

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1221974

If it was me though I would be looking at the 03 115bhp, black leather Mitsubishi Carisma on adverts, which you could get for under 5000e

Its hardly in the same class dynamically as a focus though.

Cpaw

Don't go petrol, it just can't be kept in them. I always thought the Hatchback was miles ahead of the saloon in looks, but thats just my thing. The focus is just an 'amazing' car, seriously

ronnie3585

We've had a 1.6 Focus Ghia since new in our family since new in 99. It has hardly put a foot wrong in over 9 years, it needed a new fuel pump after about 55,000 miles but other than that it has been bulletproof. The odd time I drive it now Im still impressed by how good the steering is. Great car.

Tony Broke

groupb wrote: »

Its hardly in the same class dynamically as a focus though.

Not as cool as an RS Hatchback, but the OP doesnt a hatchback.

Carisma diesel is a far better saloon type car than the Focus, its faster, more econimical, more comfort, all leather, cruise control, better reliability.

colm_mcm

Tony Broke wrote: »

If it was me though I would be looking at the 03 115bhp, black leather Mitsubishi Carisma on adverts, which you could get for under 5000e

The one that you're selling...

icjzfmq7ewon1t

Its the 1.6 petrol saloon I'm interested in. Is it hard on fuel. Thought about the diesel but as I only do 12 to 14 thousand miles per year didn't think it enough to justify it. It all seems to be good, does it have any faults

jonnygee

My 1600 petrol focus when new with mixed driving did 32 mpg, with 40,000 to 50.000 miles on the clock it will do 38 during summer and 36 during winter.
Do you really need the saloon? The hatchback i.m.o. is more practical.
Some of the new shape 05 models , including my one suffered from a problem with a new type of grease that was used in the bearings on top of the front suspension struts, the grease would harden which made the steering at low speeds feel a bit rough, doesnt really affect the car in anyway but my garage sorted it anyway. Front suspension links can get rattly but not a big deal to replace these, all in all i rate the focus very reliable.

Dopey

ronnie3585 wrote: »

We've had a 1.6 Focus Ghia since new in our family since new in 99. It has hardly put a foot wrong in over 9 years, it needed a new fuel pump after about 55,000 miles but other than that it has been bulletproof. The odd time I drive it now Im still impressed by how good the steering is. Great car.

A friend has had two of these replaced in the past year in his Focus. My brother has had one. It must be a common problem?

How much did it cost you to replace?