Buying a Ford Focus

Omega28

Hi

I'm looking at buying a 05 ford focus titanium 1.6 and just wondering if there's anything to look out for? Are they heavy on petrol?

I'm buying from a dealer, car has 65,000 miles. He guarantees the NCT and said will put it in writing, is this normal? I just hope he doesn't change his mind if it fails the NCT!

Are they good for high mileage?

He's looking for 5,550 euro... is this a bit rich? I was thinking of making an offer of 5k ish.

any advice?

thanks

flyingsnail

when is the nct due? If it's already due that's fine just make him put it through the nct before you take delivery.

bren2002

Timing belt on Focus needs to be replaced at about that milage. Worth checking if yours has been done or if it's Ok.

I've got one with just over 100k miles on it. TB done at 58,000, and I can honestly say I've never had any problems with it. The coolant pump gave up the ghost a few months back but the €150 it cost to fix that is the only non servicing money ever spent on it. Sails through the NCT everytime.

skerry

I bought a Focus recently in a similar situation. Dealer promised fresh NCT on car. Failed on something small first time so got him to book it in for a retest once problem was resolved. Passed retest, glad I hung on the extra couple days for the peace of mind. Would've been playing on my mind that it wouldn't pass if I had a get a retest myself.

Is the timing belt interval on Focus's not 100 K Miles???

Quandary

skerry wrote: »

Is the timing belt interval on Focus's not 100 K Miles???

It is on the diesel engines afaik

bren2002

I think the general feeling is 60k, regardless of what Ford say.

shawnee

bren2002 wrote: »

I think the general feeling is 60k, regardless of what Ford say.

Just bought a similar 1.4 zetec and was informed by the dealer, timing belt change is 100k miles;) Very pleased with the car and the spec which should be good in the titanium.

Omega28

so is it 100k miles for the timing belt? I always thought it was 60k miles as well

skerry

This is the first place I've seen 60k miles suggested. Googled around there 100 k miles seemed to be the general consensus. Perhaps some of the mechanic types out there will drop in in a bit and give a bit more insight

Plug

Its 100k miles or 10 years.

colm_mcm

Would I be right in thinking that the TI VCT 1.6 (which the Titanium has, doesn't it?) had a revised shorter belt interval?

Plug

colm_mcm wrote: »

Would I be right in thinking that the TI VCT 1.6 (which the Titanium has, doesn't it?) had a revised shorter belt interval?

100k miles or 8 years. Don't know why its 2 years less as its the same belt as the normal zetec.

Henree

Heavy on petrol

shawnee

Henree wrote: »

Heavy on petrol

Everything is heavy on petrol when its 150 plus a litre !!:p

bazz26

OP, makes sure to get the NCT guarantee in writing from the dealer as part of the warranty and a condition of the sale.

The Focus is a reliable car and the 1.6 litre in the Titanium is a fairly modern engine which gives very little grief. A cousin of mine has a 2006 Focus Ghia with the same engine for the last 2 years with no problems. I had a 2005 Focus diesel for 2 years and the only thing that broke on it was the boot lock which is a common problem on pre 2007 models due to water shorting out the actuator. Titanium is rare but a nice spec too.

YbFocus

The mechanical side of mine never gave any hassle at all and it served me very well,
but it always was trying to fill with water, I was constantly filling little holes where seals had let go! Places like the footwells or spare wheel well used to have plenty of water in them from time to time!

newbie2

I've a '06 Focus Ghia. Got it in '09. No trouble at all. It's going in for its full service on Tuesday - I'll also get new brake pads then too. 62k on the clock. I get about 550km from a full tank - which I think is pretty ****.

Omega28

5k for an 05 with 100,000km on it, too pricey?

spooky donkey

bazz26 wrote: »

OP, makes sure to get the NCT guarantee in writing from the dealer as part of the warranty and a condition of the sale.

The Focus is a reliable car and the 1.6 litre in the Titanium is a fairly modern engine which gives very little grief. A cousin of mine has a 2006 Focus Ghia with the same engine for the last 2 years with no problems. I had a 2005 Focus diesel for 2 years and the only thing that broke on it was the boot lock which is a common problem on pre 2007 models due to water shorting out the actuator. Titanium is rare but a nice spec too.

yes mine was gone when I baught mine a year ago. Got the part from ford for 35 yoyo and replaced it myself easy to fix.

ALso that car sounds a bit pricy I got mine for that price a year ago with 35000KM on it. Mine was a Cmax petrol.

I am pie

Looking at a 1.4 Focus (06/07) - 50k ish for the missus. Not too fussed if it's underpowered as she's not long passed the test, she's used to a 1L Corsa.

Any serious concerns with a 1.4 engine ?

Thanks

dharn

i have been asking the same questions on another thread re 03 focus they seem to be very reliable i got nothing but positive answers

Zubeneschamali

I am pie wrote: »

Any serious concerns with a 1.4 engine?

It's underpowered :pac:

Seriously, though, it's OK around town if you don't mind swapping cogs a lot, because they've given it very short gears. 120 on the motorway is painful, though, droning along up above 4000 revs.

I haven't heard any reliability horror stories, but I haven't owned one, just driven a rental. The Style with alloys looks OK on the outside, but the interior is cheap compared to a Golf.

I am pie

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

It's underpowered :pac:

Seriously, though, it's OK around town if you don't mind swapping cogs a lot, because they've given it very short gears. 120 on the motorway is painful, though, droning along up above 4000 revs.

I haven't heard any reliability horror stories, but I haven't owned one, just driven a rental. The Style with alloys looks OK on the outside, but the interior is cheap compared to a Golf.

Cheers, it would be mostly used in town. We'd be up and down the motoroway in mine.

Omega28

whats the 1.6 like for power? the titanium model looks a bit better inside than the style I have to say!

what kinda mpg can I expect?!

I'm going to look at the car today, he wants 5,500euro, I ain't going over 4,500 euro

Henry Ford III

Dylanmc111 wrote: »

whats the 1.6 like for power? the titanium model looks a bit better inside than the style I have to say!

what kinda mpg can I expect?!

I'm going to look at the car today, he wants 5,500euro, I ain't going over 4,500 euro

100bhp is fine. Titanium/Ghia Ti-vct 115bhp is a little better and pulls well mid range. Marginally better economy.

MPG depends on how/where you drive. Gentle cruising will get well over 40mpg.

Omega28

Henry Ford III wrote: »

100bhp is fine. Titanium/Ghia Ti-vct 115bhp is a little better and pulls well mid range. Marginally better economy.

MPG depends on how/where you drive. Gentle cruising will get well over 40mpg.

cheers for that

do u think 5,500 is too pricey? it has 100,000kms on it, its the 2005 model, dealer covers NCT. I was thinking more 4,500?