Ford Focus - 1.4 any use?

alycat05

Hi
I've been looking at buying a Focus for a while and have seen a few 2003 1.4 models that I like.

Thing is i've heard from a few people that the 1.4 focus is quite sluggish and slow, and that i'd be better off going fot he 1.6.

Is the 1.4 really that bad?

Tefral

alycat05 wrote: »

Hi
I've been looking at buying a Focus for a while and have seen a few 2003 1.4 models that I like.

Thing is i've heard from a few people that the 1.4 focus is quite sluggish and slow, and that i'd be better off going fot he 1.6.

Is the 1.4 really that bad?

In a word yes, it wouldnt pull you out of bed.

In fact id nearly consider it dangerous as if you go to over take anything, the chances are it will take so long your putting yourself in danger.

Defo get the 1.6, its a vast improvement. You get all the great handling, space etc and you get a bit more power. If i recall the 1.4 petrol is only 75bhp. There are ride on lawnmowers with more power:D

no1beemerfan

I know a lot of people slag them off but my gf has one and we can't really fault it. It has 162,000kms on it and has been 100% reliable for the two years she has owned it....its a Jan '05 model.

The car does about 600kms a week on motorways which helps I think and its been around england with four of us and camping gear in boot etc and performed fine!

Rowley Birkin QC

Definitely go for at least the 1.6. The 1.4 wouldn't pull itself out of the way.

Tefral

no1beemerfan wrote: »

I know a lot of people slag them off but my gf has one and we can't really fault it. It has 162,000kms on it and has been 100% reliable for the two years she has owned it....its a Jan '05 model.

The car does about 600kms a week on motorways which helps I think and its been around england with four of us and camping gear in boot etc and performed fine!

Dont get me wrong, the car wont ever give you any trouble, the only thing that goes really are the coilpacks from people using spurious plugs and even that is only €65 from a main dealer...

Just its horribly slow...

Krusty_Clown

The OH had one for a couple of years. Hated every thing about it (mostly that it was too slow). I'd go for a 1.6 if you can afford the insurance/tax

alycat05

Thanks for all the advice. I'd rather not get a 1.6 if i could help it due to tax and insurance costs. What about a 1.2 Fiesta? Any suggestions?

froog

great car.

Krusty_Clown

Doesn't the Yaris offer good power/weight for a small car? Too small?

yop

Krusty_Clown wrote: »

Doesn't the Yaris offer good power/weight for a small car? Too small?

Yaris driver = worst on the roads lol


Get the 1.6 Focus, couldn't be a massive difference in the price of the tax and insurance?

Stark

alycat05 wrote: »

Thanks for all the advice. I'd rather not get a 1.6 if i could help it due to tax and insurance costs.

You'll save on petrol costs. The 1.4 absolutely drinks petrol due to the engine labouring and the difference in tax and insurance isn't that much. In fact, unless you're 18 and male or something, I don't think there'd be any difference in insurance.

no1beemerfan

cronin_j wrote: »

Dont get me wrong, the car wont ever give you any trouble, the only thing that goes really are the coilpacks from people using spurious plugs and even that is only €65 from a main dealer...

Just its horribly slow...

Mabey it must be the long drives on the motorway but I wouldn't call the gf's horribly slow. I can safely stay in 5th gear to pass and it seems fast enough to get up to speed. Unless the previous owner put in a 1.6 :pac:

Stark

Depends on the body of the car as well. You'd just about get away with the 1.4L engine in a hatchback but if it's the saloon, forget about it.

alycat05

froog wrote: »

great car.

Hey Froog, are you saying the Fiesta is a great car yeah?

Rabidlamb

Wife has a 2003 1.4l Focus.
It's fine for what it is, feels solid.
Coil went on it & Cat went on it, got replacements from breakers yards for cheap.

egan2020

I'm glad I came across this thread. I've been driving a 1.4 Focus for about two years and it's painfully slow at picking up speed. I thought I was the only one!

EPM

I had an 04 1.4...fook me it was bad. At least with a Golf the thing is geared to make the most out of the p1ss poor power. The focus is geared for motorway work in a model that will spend the majority of it's time about town.

I used find it bogged down when you tried to boot away at roundabouts...scary...

Otherwise it's a grand car. If you don't mind the lack of power it's a quiet enough engine. But you'll have to thrash it to overtake safely on a single carriageway. 1.6 will be more economical though on juice.

muggins77

i had the i.6 gia 00 very bad on fuel. i had the 1.4 year 03 went like the clappers had ztec engine. great little car.

bazz26

You also have to question the sanity of someone who thinks a 1.4 Focus went like the clappers.

biko

Thread closed