Ford Focus Zetec

Dotfuscator

I'm looking to buy a second hand car for about €2-4k and am thinkin about the Ford Focus Zetec.
From the comments here, it seems like a decent used car.
I'm looking at 00-01s, newer ones are a little expensive.
I see that I should avoid the 1.4L and that the timing belt often needs replacing but I don't know much else.
Does anyone here own one, if so how reliable is it?
Should I go for this or go for a nissan, mazda etc? Any opinions appreciated!

mumblin deaf ro

I drive the newer version and love it. The original - which you are looking at - is a great car, but like buying any make of that age, the main thing is to buy a good one. Look for lowish mileage, service history, recent NCT (would have been done in 2008 for a '00).

This one is from a main Ford dealer (not sure what trade sale means)

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/Zetec/200912192218084/advert

CharlieCroker

Dotfuscator wrote: »

I'm looking to buy a second hand car for about €2-4k and am thinkin about the Ford Focus Zetec.
From the comments here, it seems like a decent used car.
I'm looking at 00-01s, newer ones are a little expensive.
I see that I should avoid the 1.4L and that the timing belt often needs replacing but I don't know much else.
Does anyone here own one, if so how reliable is it?
Should I go for this or go for a nissan, mazda etc? Any opinions appreciated!

I thought Focus' had a timing chain???
changed every 100k

mumblin deaf ro

Mk I focus was a belt - only the MkIII has a chain according to Honest John's FAQ

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/faq/faq.htm?id=54

richiepoorman

For the money and spec the Focus would be hard to beat, you are right to avoid the 1.4 though, that 1.6 petrol on carzone seems to be a good buy and that extra engine size will make a difference in your day to day driving.

Dotfuscator

thanks for the quick replies, i've seen a few of them with about 80k miles on them, so i presume i'll be repairin things very soon if they break at 100k. in general do these cost much?
all reviews i've read mention timing belt not chain, but i don't really know much about it.

would €4500 not be a little much for that car you linked above or would that be in or around the average?

Avns1s

CharlieCroker wrote: »

I thought Focus' had a timing chain???
changed every 100k

They have a timing belt with a recommended change interval of 100K Miles.

mumblin deaf ro

Dotfuscator wrote: »

thanks for the quick replies, i've seen a few of them with about 80k miles on them, so i presume i'll be repairin things very soon if they break at 100k. in general do these cost much?
all reviews i've read mention timing belt not chain, but i don't really know much about it.

would €4500 not be a little much for that car you linked above or would that be in or around the average?

From a quick carzone search there's a pretty smooth spread from €3,500 to €4,500 depending on dealer or private, age, mileage. If you're going in with cash you might get it for €4K.

PS: quick replies = waiting for nine-week-old baby to settle after feed.

Dotfuscator

''For the money and spec the Focus would be hard to beat, you are right to avoid the 1.4 though, that 1.6 petrol on carzone seems to be a good buy and that extra engine size will make a difference in your day to day driving.''

ya i don't do much drivin(~100km/week) but it seems like a good car alright.

mumblin deaf ro wrote: »

From a quick carzone search there's a pretty smooth spread from €3,500 to €4,500 depending on dealer or private, age, mileage. If you're going in with cash you might get it for €4K.

PS: quick replies = waiting for nine-week-old baby to settle after feed.

ya that's why i'm keepin my options open for a nissan or mazda or somethin, they seem to be a little cheaper for similar and quite reliable too.

Sqaull20

Dotfuscator wrote: »

ya that's why i'm keepin my options open for a nissan or mazda or somethin, they seem to be a little cheaper for similar and quite reliable too.

Your dead right too, 4k for an 8 year old Focus is crazy stuff.

They are a grand car, but no better than any Toyota, Mazda, Skoda, Mitsubishi, Honda etc.

Look at this 04 Mitsubishi Lancer here for 4k

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1354358

They are reliable as hell, steady power from the 1.6 and look good too.

This one here is all pimped out and could be had with a fresh nct, fully serviced, for 5k easy enough.

http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1287455

A little bit extra goes a long way, so dont be an eejit and pay 4k for a 01 Focus :P

Dotfuscator

thanks for the idea for the Lancer, some of them look good for reasonable money. They get good reviews too on the web, must look into these a little more

EPM

The first Lancer above - something looks funny with the paint on the drivers side to me. Back door looks like its been resprayed and badly at that.

4k for an 01 Focus is indeed madness but it will probably be easier to sell afterwards. Also, avoid any pimp my ride cars - harder to sell and could well be thrashed to death.

Have a look at these and remember the prices on carzone are asking prices, not actual selling prices

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-LX/200912192217157/advert

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6/200911192154573/advert

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/1.6-Coll/200811188275944/advert

Drummerboy08

Yeah, i'd say that first lancer has had a respray at some stage in its life. The rear door on the drivers side is clearly a different colour.

OP, you cant really go wrong with the Focus - they're fairly bulletproof.

Here's a clean looking 03 saloon, its a little over budget but offer €3750 for it and i'd bet he'd jump at it.
http://www.driving.ie/usedcars/index.cfm?fuseaction=car&carID=1165952

Henry Ford III

Sqaull20 wrote: »

...They are a grand car, but no better than any Toyota, Mazda, Skoda, Mitsubishi, Honda etc....

Reliability is top notch, and a good Focus drives considerably better than any of those rivals.

Loads about, so don't pay too much. 1.6 Zetec is the optimum model imho.

John_Mc

I've a 2002 Ford Focus 1.4L Petrol. What seems to be the problem with owning one of these?

With the exception of having to change a sensor, I've had no problems with it so far. That said, there's only 50k miles on it. Should I expect problems down the road with it?

Henry Ford III

John_Mc wrote: »

I've a 2002 Ford Focus 1.4L Petrol. What seems to be the problem with owning one of these?

With the exception of having to change a sensor, I've had no problems with it so far. That said, there's only 50k miles on it. Should I expect problems down the road with it?

No. The only issue is the 1.4's relatively low power output. If that doesn't bother you drive on!

John_Mc

It bothers me alright, but with used car sales the way they are, there's no chance of me selling to purchase a different car any time soon:(

kermitpwee

No problems with 1.4 just people don't like them as they are regarded as underpowered for the weight of the car.

Drummerboy08

I dont think they are THAT slow. I've driven one for the last 9 months or so and i find it ok. I know its not the quickest car in the world, but I've driven slower cars in my time.

Dotfuscator

was talkin to a friend of mine and have been sort of put off the lancers. Think i'll go with a focus or a corolla now, whichever one i come across first.

ye say 4k is madness for a 01, what would be a reasonable price for one?
for the 04 focus suggested by EPM above, asking price is 4950, would he sell this anywhere close to 4 do ye think?

John_Mc

Ya might as well try! It's a buyers market so you have the leverage to negotiate

I'm happy with my 2002 1.4L focus anyway. It does lack a bit of "pep" as previously pointed out by other people in this thread, but it's comfortable, reliable from my experience so far, and it looks nice enough in my opinion!

Third_Echelon

I have the 3-door hatch 2006 (mark 2) 1.6 Zetec Connection model. They are such a great car to drive. Very easy to drive and very dependable.

My dad over the past few years has had the 1.4 petrol estate (mark 1), 1.4 4-door hatch (mark 2) and now has the 1.8 TDCI (mark 2) diesel hatch 3 door van... so I've driven a good cross section of the range of engines..

He just bought a 2004 1.4 Zetc 3-door (mark 1) for my mum... Very nice car. 48k miles on the clock. Got it for €7 grand in Ford Finglas. So for an extra few quid you get that extra bit of 'piece of mind' i suppose. Depends on your budget of course.

From reading various forums, the problem with the 1.4 engine was when the new model (mark 2) came on the market, as the new model was a good bit heavier, making the engine 'underpowered' (someone correct me if i'm wrong, I'm looking at you Henry Ford III ).... The 1.4 (mark 1) isn't actually that bad. It is quick enough.. but obviously the 1.6 is a lot better, so if you can get the 1.6, I would definitely recommend that over the 1.4.

Sqaull20

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Reliability is top notch, and a good Focus drives considerably better than any of those rivals.

.

So your saying reliability and handling is bad with Mitsubihishi, Honda, Mazda etc?

The Focus isnt a rally car, it doesnt have 4wd, central active deferentials, traction control etc.Its a normal family car that drives ok, its handling is no better than a Civic or a Lancer and reliability wouldn't even be as good imo.People go on as if the Focus is a league of its own, its not.

Henry Ford III

Sqaull20 wrote: »

So your saying reliability and handling is bad with Mitsubihishi, Honda, Mazda etc?

The Focus isnt a rally car, it doesnt have 4wd, central active deferentials, traction control etc.Its a normal family car that drives ok, its handling is no better than a Civic or a Lancer and reliability wouldn't even be as good imo.People go on as if the Focus is a league of its own, its not.

No, but I'm saying the Focus is superior in most repects.

There's plenty of evidence to support that too. Have a look at Parkers, Honest John etc.