2006 Focus - Good Buy?

Redisle

Hey,

Parents are looking to get a new car and I have convinced them to go Petrol (Small mileage, daily commute < 10km each way).

I am thinking a 1.6 Focus and came across a nice one here. I have been doing plenty of research and do think this is a nice car. That one is a Zetec too which means it has the 113bhp 1.6 as opposed to the standard 98bhp.

Only thing that bothers me is that honestjohn mentions this in the review for the 2008 facelift version:

it's a revised version of the second generation Focus, introduced in 2004 with most of the faults of that model corrected

I'm just wondering what faults these might be?

Is there much of a difference apart from the following?

Interior got a major revamp with improved quality, better soundproofing and a neater design.

Would probably be looking at an extra 2-3k for the 2008 model and I'm wondering it it would be worth that?

The other car I am considering is a 2007 Kia Ceed 1.4 but this Focus is just down the road from me so could potentially be perfect if it checks out..

Edit: I might be wrong about the 113/98bph. Seems the Zetec came with both. No matter, parents wouldn't mind either way.

colm_mcm

It has to have the ti vct engine to have the higher hp. These are rare and unless Im mistaken not standard on zetec trim

mondeoman2

Redisle wrote: »

Hey,

Parents are looking to get a new car and I have convinced them to go Petrol (Small mileage, daily commute < 10km each way).

I am thinking a 1.6 Focus and came across a nice one here. I have been doing plenty of research and do think this is a nice car. That one is a Zetec too which means it has the 113bhp 1.6 as opposed to the standard 98bhp.

Only thing that bothers me is that honestjohn mentions this in the review for the 2008 facelift version:



I'm just wondering what faults these might be?

Is there much of a difference apart from the following?



Would probably be looking at an extra 2-3k for the 2008 model and I'm wondering it it would be worth that?

The other car I am considering is a 2007 Kia Ceed 1.4 but this Focus is just down the road from me so could potentially be perfect if it checks out..

Edit: I might be wrong about the 113/98bph. Seems the Zetec came with both. No matter, parents wouldn't mind either way.

The one you have linked is the 100 bhp model not the 115 Ti Cvt.
http://www.etis.ford.com/vehicleSelection.do
You can check the Reg with Etis:)
Most of the Ghia models have the Ti Cvt engine except for the Autos

colm_mcm

Will the person driving it care if its 100 or 113hp?

Redisle

Cool yeah that's no problem really.

Other than that though is there any issues with the 2004-2007 model that were solved in the 2008 Facelift?

I don't think the visual changes and extra soundproofing are worth an extra 2-3k really if that's all it is.

colm_mcm wrote: »

Will the person driving it care if its 100 or 113hp?

Nope not at all.

colm_mcm

I think he's referring to turbo issues on the diesels.


http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/ford/focus-2004/?section=bad

hellyeah

hi . My brother has a 2006 1.6 petrol focus for the last four years. in this time he has put 120,000 klms on it (total on car 145,000klms). In this time the only fault he has had with the car was a wheel bearing going but he does travel some bad roads.
Very easy car to service (i look after this for him) Oil changed every 20k on the button. 5w 30 semi synthetic all the time. Got timing belt done at local indy at 100k just to be safe. Been a very solid car.

I have the revised 2008 model 1.6 zetec petrol for 1.5years. I only have 35k on the clock(weekend only car). Catch for bonnet broke (Repaired under warrenty)
Apart from that everything has been fine. the only differance between two cars imo is cosmetic. Mine has a sportier front end with more shiney bits inside and out.
the radio and dash looks more up-market and not like the inside of a ford transit in the 2006 model. I have an armrest and a/c / electric mirrors and nicer alloys plus nicer dash with trip computer.

Hope this helps.

Supergurrier

I wish my Focus had less soundproofing tbh

Also i don't see the point of a 1.6 petrol which is a fairly thursty engine over a diesel which can get mid 50's mpg even on small milage

Redisle

Yeah it does look like most of the issues were diesel related.

Cheers hellyeah, sounds good.

Going to take a look at it tomorrow anyway.

Supergurrier wrote: »

I wish my Focus had less soundproofing tbh

Also i don't see the point of a 1.6 petrol which is a fairly thursty engine over a diesel which can get mid 50's mpg even on small milage

You clearly haven't spent much time on this forum... Do a search for Petrol vs Diesel or DMF/DPF problems. Most modern diesels have the potential for huge repair bills especially when used on short journeys. The difference in fuel price and economy wouldn't even being to make up for an expensive failure.

Supergurrier

Redisle wrote: »

Yeah it does look like most of the issues were diesel related.

Cheers hellyeah, sounds good.

Going to take a look at it tomorrow anyway.



You clearly haven't spent much time on this forum... Do a search for Petrol vs Diesel or DMF/DPF problems. Most modern diesels have the potential for huge repair bills especially when used on short journeys. The difference in fuel price and economy wouldn't even being to make up for an expensive failure.

Trust me down the line a difference of 20mpg will cost you alot more than a DPF/DMF change every 50,000 miles which is unlikely.

Don't forget to get some nice winter tyres too if you do go for a petrol though :pac:

Jellicoe

The MK2 focus 1.6 petrol is a good motor, much better than the 1.4 petrol focus.

As for diesel Vs petrol, same debate with any motor, and depends very much on your planned mileage.
I wish I was doing less miles so I could have the choice of some nice petrol motors.
I'm fed up buying / driving second hand diesels, I much prefer buying a petrol car when buying second hand.

Supergurrier

You arent driving the right Focus until you risk DMF failure while getting 23mpg tbh

1.6 petrol VS 1.6/1.8 diesel arguement is pointless as diesel wins everytime, there is alot of diesel negativity in here and some people swallow it whole.

bazz26

The boot mechanism on the hatchbacks can short out due to water getting in from the rear wiper arm. This was not fixed until 2007 so be aware of this on pre 2007 models. Also they were fitted with rear drum brakes that have a habbit of getting stuck if the car is parked up for a period of time after it rains.

1.6 Ti-Cvt engine was only fitted to the Ghia and Titanium models.

johnayo

I've seen a lot of these with power steering pipes leaking, most of which are sorted by now. PAS sensor leaked in the earlier ones, although I don't recall it being a problem with cars of this era. I've had Plenty with ignition coil problems, but then again, so did plenty of other models.
In general they are an excellent car.

Supergurrier

Dropping clutches are pretty common

Redisle

That Focus was already sold unfortunately.

Think they have settled on a 2009 Hyundai i20 now. Nice little car, low mileage and it's the top spec model. Has Alloys, Front/Back E/W, E/M, Climate Control, Ipod/USB connectivity, Trip Computer etc. Not bad for a little supermini and a much nicer spec than most of the Fiestas.

Very economical for a petrol too, Combined MPG spec'd at 57 mpg. Trip computer showed 6.1l/100km which is around 46mpg and I believe the previous owner did a lot of city driving so not bad at all! Exact same as the honestjohn Urban spec of 46mpg!

colm_mcm

I20 is a grand little car.

R0bb01987

I have a 2006 focus the last 5 five years and have to say its a grand car. The only problems I have had which another friend of mine with a 06 focus has too was the power steering pump went which cost a fair few quid to replace. im not sure it this was a fault with models of that year or not tbh.

Apart from that if you look after it with a regular service they run fine.