2002 ford focus opinions

xzodia

Hi Dont know if this has been asked here before am thinking of getting a 2002 ford focus and was wondering if there is anything i should look for problem wise or if people who have had one can let us know what they tought of them

its a 1.6 zetec engine with 78000 miles

trixyben

i have been driving a mk1 1.8tddi focus for the last 6 years or so, tbh they are a pretty soild reliable car, cant say for certain what the petrol one like but the diesel is a dream to drive, easy on fuel, parts cheap, havent had a serious problem since I've had it...I would seriously consider another focus when changing motor again.

As yours is a 2002 with 78k i would be making sure timing belt was done, and all other obvious checks, check hasnt been crashed, everything works in the car, last service, current nct etc etc

xzodia

thanks for that

the car im looking at is in england says it has a full service history

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201205446688854/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/transmission/manual/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/1000/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/model/focus/make/ford/radius/1501/postcode/gl71qa/page/1?logcode=p

just wondering how they are on petrol and costs if needs fixing

trixyben

xzodia wrote: »

thanks for that

the car im looking at is in england says it has a full service history

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/201205446688854/sort/priceasc/usedcars/maximum-age/up_to_10_years_old/transmission/manual/fuel-type/petrol/price-to/1000/engine-size-cars/1-4l_to_1-6l/model/focus/make/ford/radius/1501/postcode/gl71qa/page/1?logcode=p

just wondering how they are on petrol and costs if needs fixing

I'd be more weary if a car from the UK didnt have a full service history as its the norm over there, but beware unless you actually call up the garage to confirm the service dates and the work done its only a useless piece of paper, anyone can print out a service sheet and get it stamped! I know 2 people who got stung like this buying from the UK...

The 1.6 seems to be the favoured sized petrol engine as the 1.4 is seriously under powered, parts are cheap, its handy to service and get at most things so all in all I would say a good buy

Gareth2011

If I was you OP id avoid the focus like the plague. My brother-in-law has his from new in 2005 and last year it started leaking coolant onto the driver mat at the feet. He couldn't drive the car at all cause it was leaking really bad. Then when that was sorted his central locking went altogether. There was some stuff taken from his car because he couldn't lock it at night. Ive found a fair few focus's with the central locking problem online. It seems to be a common fault with them.

George Dalton

The Mk1 Focus is a good car. Probably not quite as reliable as some of the Jap alternatives but a much nicer car to own and drive.

However you need to keep a sense of perspective here. At the end of the day it is a 10 year old car selling for £645. You can't expect it to be a minter. Anything could and possibly will go wrong with it.

Are you planning on importing the car back to Ireland from the UK? If so I would seriously question the value in doing so.

George Dalton

Gareth2011 wrote: »

If I was you OP id avoid the focus like the plague. My brother-in-law has his from new in 2005 and last year it started leaking coolant onto the driver mat at the feet. He couldn't drive the car at all cause it was leaking really bad. Then when that was sorted his central locking went altogether. There was some stuff taken from his car because he couldn't lock it at night. Ive found a fair few focus's with the central locking problem online. It seems to be a common fault with them.

So your brother in law was unlucky with his Focus and that makes them a bad car? Interesting logic.

What car in that class would you suggest for the OP?

George Dalton

George Dalton wrote: »

The Mk1 Focus is a good car. Probably not quite as reliable as some of the Jap alternatives but a much nicer car to own and drive.

I've had 2002 Focus for 8 years and my experience of it is summed up by the above.

bazz26

Just be extra careful when looking at that particular car. There is an aftermarket stereo fitted and there are aftermarket clear indicators also fitted in the front bumper. This would have me think that it could possibly have been owned previously by a boyracer which may indicate it was driven hard. Not saying it is for sure but something to be extra careful about when looking at it.

Hal1

I'm on my second mk1 focus and I can't fault them. The only parts I've needed to replace were coil packs and the usual service items. If viewing one check for misaligned body panels. Check the gaps under the headlights and places were there might have been front end damage.

bazz26

That one is also the pre facelifted MkI model, must be one of the last ones.

Ardennes1944

we had 2 focus mk1s. broke our hearts. but most people seem to find them reliable. ill never go back to ford after what my parents had go wrong with theirs

muggins77

i love the focus with the right tires they stick to the road. i had five of them i did not find the 1.4 slugish. problems i had all the ford stereos go bad with the display going nuts but they keep working. rear bearings. central locking goes mental on the older ones. parts are cheap as chips. the 1.6 was a bitch on petrol. nothing ever went that cost big money.

The_Honeybadger

I had a 2004 1.6 petrol focus at one stage. It was a dog on petrol iirc but a fine car apart from that.

Titzon Toast

I'm just back from the NCT centre where my other half's 03 1.4 Focus just passed with flying colours.
It's a grand little car, a bit underpowered for my taste but they're a good runabout none the less.

biko

Thread from 2012


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