First car - Any Opinions on 00 Ford Forcus

newportlad

http://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=837727

This is what I'm considering buying, passed my test last month so keen to get a car asap!

It would be used for driving dublin to westport once a month along with once weekly drives to differennt parts of dublin for playing with gaa team..so not too much driving really.

However is it a bit on the cheap side? I've not much experience with car's so just looking for advice?

Thanks a mill in advance

Stuck Cone

If shes not jap shes scrap

Go for a tidy Yaris or Corolla, far less headache

Outkast_IRE

Well make sure the timing belt has been changed, its at an age where it should of been changed by now.

msg11

Whats the budget, did you have a look on Donedeal at all ?

OldmanMondeo

Looks like a clean car, just make sure the coil packs are ok, they tend to go on these and can cause a fair bit for damage. Had one go on her car years ago, needed a new cat... Do the usual checks, milage, finance. Get someone to look over the car. Bring for a good test drive. Bugger all tend to go wrong with these, but the body is a bit heavy for the engine, so it will be a little thirsty on petrol.

As for the dealer, He is around years, I bought a car there in 1998 and had no trouble. But double check everything.

OldmanMondeo

Stuck Cone wrote: »

If shes not jap shes scrap

Go for a tidy Yaris or Corolla, far less headache

What a silly comment. I would have the Focus over the Toyota anyday. The Toyota are over priced. Corolla of the same era is a dam ugly frog eyed car. And I don't think the OP is a nun for some reason, so that rules the Yaris out.

Mister Jingles

As already said, make sure the T/belt is done. On that model they are due at 80k or 5 years. (The facelift ones are 100k or 6 years I believe) I'm in the middle of looking for something as well at the moment and have come across 12/13 year old Focus with under 100k that are still on the original belt. :eek:

newportlad

msg11 wrote: »

Whats the budget, did you have a look on Donedeal at all ?

Budget of 4k

It was just the price of this car that has tempted me to enquire further,

I've been mainly looking on carzone, occassionally on done deal. What i'm after is a focus, golf or corolla, max 1.4 and 4 door/hatchback.

newportlad

Mister Jingles wrote: »

As already said, make sure the T/belt is done. On that model they are due at 80k or 5 years. (The facelift ones are 100k or 6 years I believe) I'm in the middle of looking for something as well at the moment and have come across 12/13 year old Focus with under 100k that are still on the original belt. :eek:

Thanks for that tip, timing belt is something I wouldn't have considered.

I'm gona take it for a test drive on Tuesday hopefully

Out of interest how long can u take for the test drive, does the sales person accompany you or someone else?

newportlad

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

Looks like a clean car, just make sure the coil packs are ok, they tend to go on these and can cause a fair bit for damage. Had one go on her car years ago, needed a new cat... Do the usual checks, milage, finance. Get someone to look over the car. Bring for a good test drive. Bugger all tend to go wrong with these, but the body is a bit heavy for the engine, so it will be a little thirsty on petrol.

As for the dealer, He is around years, I bought a car there in 1998 and had no trouble. But double check everything.

Cheers for that info, very much appreciated,

Good to hear that about the dealer, am not too keen to go the private option.

In terms of getting someone to look the car over, is it better to know the mechanic in questions or could I look for one advertised in the area perhaps?

Stuck Cone

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

What a silly comment. I would have the Focus over the Toyota anyday. The Toyota are over priced. Corolla of the same era is a dam ugly frog eyed car. And I don't think the OP is a nun for some reason, so that rules the Yaris out.

Ah yes classic quote from someone who enjoys trouble with cars, buy the ford if you want hassle as thats all it will give you, but if you want pain free driving and dont care what anyone thinks you look like buy the corolla or yaris, bulletproof machines, 9 out of 10 arabs prefer a Landcruiser thats a fact

Stuck Cone

OldmanMondeo wrote: »

What a silly comment. I would have the Focus over the Toyota anyday. The Toyota are over priced. Corolla of the same era is a dam ugly frog eyed car. And I don't think the OP is a nun for some reason, so that rules the Yaris out.

*Looks at username, realises why he has a boner for fords*

AugustusMinimus

newportlad wrote: »

http://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=837727

This is what I'm considering buying, passed my test last month so keen to get a car asap!

It would be used for driving dublin to westport once a month along with once weekly drives to differennt parts of dublin for playing with gaa team..so not too much driving really.

However is it a bit on the cheap side? I've not much experience with car's so just looking for advice?

Thanks a mill in advance

As well as the timing belt, you might also ask if the Coil Pack has been changed. The one originally put into the Focus had over heating issues and there's a chance it might go. Obviously, doesn't go in all cars though.

I have a Focus of that vintage and apart from the Coil Pack, it has given me absolutely no trouble at all.


Very hard to get a better car for €1,500 IMO. Toyota's of the same vintage had horrid interiors and in the case of the Corolla, just horrid everything.

Outkast_IRE

AugustusMinimus wrote: »

As well as the timing belt, you might also ask if the Coil Pack has been changed. The one originally put into the Focus had over heating issues and there's a chance it might go. Obviously, doesn't go in all cars though.

I have a Focus of that vintage and apart from the Coil Pack, it has given me absolutely no trouble at all.


Very hard to get a better car for €1,500 IMO. Toyota's of the same vintage had horrid interiors and in the case of the Corolla, just horrid everything.

Im in the same boat, i have a 01 Focus and the coil pack is the only thing needed to be changed.

Stuck Cone

Hmm maybe it is worth a punt at 1500, a cheap way to get on the road for sure, but if it lasts 2 to 3 years with no trouble its a bargain. The toyotas are dearer as you can run the things into the ground, they didnt build the ak47 for its design and it was pretty to look at, most toyotas are the same

mondeoman2

newportlad wrote: »

http://www.billgriffinmotors.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=837727

This is what I'm considering buying, passed my test last month so keen to get a car asap!

It would be used for driving dublin to westport once a month along with once weekly drives to differennt parts of dublin for playing with gaa team..so not too much driving really.

However is it a bit on the cheap side? I've not much experience with car's so just looking for advice?

Thanks a mill in advance

Be Careful,Have a read here first http://www.whoseview.ie/business/Bill-Griffin-Motors-Walkinstown-Dublin-42665.html

newportlad

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies.

Lot's of useful advice there. Bit uncertain now after reading that whoseview link but i'll go for a look anyway!

I'll upate this post again if i go ahead with the purchase and let you know how it all goes.

Cheers guys:)

bazz26

In that sort of price range I would not even bother looking at what garages even sell, they tend to be rough trade-ins that the previous owners wanted rid of. Anything half decent in this range tends to be expensive for it's age to offset the limited warranty the garage will offer on it while still making money on the deal.

I would prefer to look at a private sale in this price range, you will meet the owner of the car which can tell you alot how the car was maintained.

This one looks very clean and a year younger for smilar money:

http://cars.donedeal.ie/for-sale/cars/3876696