First time buying a car - this look a good deal?

batman_oh

http://www.ascars.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=965410

Howdi, jut about to purchase the first car between myself and herself (both of us 32!) and have heard good reports about this model Focus. I have been on bikes my whole life and borrowed cars the odd time but wouldn't be well versed in them at all. We are looking for something in this range (1.4-1.6 hatchback up to about €5500).

This particular car seems to be priced a good bit below other, similar cars in dealers so I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign? Anybody ever dealt with this place? Herself wants to go dealer but if it's not a main dealer that probably offers little in terms of guarantee!

advertsfox

That's quite dear for a 2005 (nearly 9 years old) - check out CarZone for a 2007+ since the petrol models are really cheap because everyone thinks the need daysul!

PS: If you can stretch for 6K, you would get this 2008 model easily if you arrived with cash - http://www.carzone.ie/search/Ford/Focus/NEW-MODE/37213808215280430/advert?channel=CARS

johndaman66

Just because you are buying of a dealer doesn't automatically mean its going to be a bed of roses. I bought my first car of a dealer assuming it was the right way to go. How wrong was I. 3 month guarantee I got on it turned out to be hardly worth the paper it was written on. Plagued by problems the pig of a thing was. Took it back to them numerous times to get the problems rectified but was just fobbed off and when they did "fix them" they did not fix them right, just botched it up. Car up on lift when I was told it would be ready etc. Eventually it ran out of guarantee Aand I was left with the car and its problems. Paid over the odds for it too but would have let that go if I did get that extra peace of mind which I didn't.

Bought 5 cars privately since then and touch wood never any serious issues to report. Maybe I was just unlucky with the car I bought of the dealer and lucky with the cars I bought privately but wouldn't be inclined to buy of a dealer again in a hurry. Granted I have learned a bit more about cars over the years too and generally know what to look out for when buying depending on the model. Also, I appreciate some dealers are very good and will stick by their cars. The one I went to didn't have a particularly good reputation but was a main dealer all the same. But all thats just my own experience. The next person may have a different story to tell

On the Foucs appears not too bad on paper. The 1.4's are slated for being too heavy, slow and not so economical so the 1.6 probably a better choice alright. Being Ghia it ought to be fairly well spec'd and nicely finished. Mileage ain't overly severe and appears pretty clean although pity there are no interior snaps. €4,495 though...a bit on the saucy side for a 2005 on of em would you not reckon?

batman_oh

Cheers for the replies. All the dealer ones seem to be mad money - most 05/06 ones are around 6k. 4500 seemed expensive alright but it's the cheapest non private.
It might be an idea to go with a private one then and try track a lower mileage car that's a bit newer. Maybe up the budget to about 6k.

Third_Echelon

Definitely go for the 1.6 litre petrol focus over the 1.4....

It's a great car to drive. Minimum spec I'd go for is Zetec...

johndaman66

Hows about this one

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-1-6-zetec/5790539.

NCT'd for 3 months less but marginally lower mileage on it. Couple of months motor tax on the windscreen too. Is a similar 2005 Ghia worth €700 more to you at this stage of its life?

Also I'd have my doubts if the car you linked to is an Irish car from day one. I could be wrong and stand to be corrected but have a suspicion it was a swimmer. If it was check out underside for rust

mondeoman2

Third_Echelon wrote: »

Definitely go for the 1.6 litre petrol focus over the 1.4....

It's a great car to drive. Minimum spec I'd go for is Zetec...

Ghia/Titanium are the only models with the TiVct Engine(115)all others have 100ps 1.6 engines
Have a Ghia myself & find it Great:)

Craazysteve

I think Irish Focus's in Ghia spec were the saloon version only? probably an import so. Ghia's have some nasty "wood trim" interior details .Focus is a very nice car, have one myself. Definitely go for the 1.6 over the 1.4 though. Try to get at least Zetec spec to get armrest/fogs/nice alloys etc

johndaman66

mondeoman2 wrote: »

Ghia/Titanium are the only models with the TiVct Engine(115)all others have 100ps 1.6 engines
Have a Ghia myself & find it Great:)

Ah, probably worth going that few quid extra for the Ghia so over the one I've linked to, for the extra poke and assuming it won't cost you an arm and a leg extra at the pumps and reliability isin't an issue.

bazz26

Ghia was sold in 5 door hatchback here too as I had one. 3dr with similar spec was the Titanium.

batman_oh

Will give it a look at the weekend so. The extra few goodies would be nice!

dh0011

OP one piece of advice about going to a dealer. Make sure that they have been in business a long time. A lad that sets up shop can often be selling ****e and disappear very quickly. I got caught like this when I was 21.

Rick Rod

batman_oh wrote: »

http://www.ascars.ie/viewanad.php?ad_id=965410

Howdi, jut about to purchase the first car between myself and herself (both of us 32!) and have heard good reports about this model Focus. I have been on bikes my whole life and borrowed cars the odd time but wouldn't be well versed in them at all. We are looking for something in this range (1.4-1.6 hatchback up to about €5500).

This particular car seems to be priced a good bit below other, similar cars in dealers so I'm not sure if that's a good or bad sign? Anybody ever dealt with this place? Herself wants to go dealer but if it's not a main dealer that probably offers little in terms of guarantee!

You need to be knocking €1750 off that lad

Wilberto

Just a thought but are the petrol engined Ford Focuses not incredibly thirsty?? I don't have one myself (although I did have an older model which was 1.2 petrol which was also fairly thirsty) but it's just something I've heard about the Focuses. Apart from that though they are pretty reliable cars (as you'd expect from a recognised, reputable manufacturer, and, apparently, fantastic to drive too.

El Guapo!

I have a 06 focus 1.4
If I could choose again I'd definitely go for a 1.6
The 1.4 is way too sluggish and not very economical. It was a bit if a shock to say the least when I changed from my 2.2 320ci and tbh, I'm not saving a hell of a lot on petrol even compared to that!

batman_oh

Rick Rod wrote: »

You need to be knocking €1750 off that lad

Off 4500? Not seen many private below 4k and almost no dealer ones

L-M

El Guapo! wrote: »

I have a 06 focus 1.4
If I could choose again I'd definitely go for a 1.6
The 1.4 is way too sluggish and not very economical. It was a bit if a shock to say the least when I changed from my 2.2 320ci and tbh, I'm not saving a hell of a lot on petrol even compared to that!

That's a lie. Having owned a driven 1.4"s and a 320, theyre an absolute and utter pig on fuel.

El Guapo!

Limerick man wrote: »

That's a lie. Having owned a driven 1.4"s and a 320, theyre an absolute and utter pig on fuel.

No I'm not a liar. I was merely trying to get the point across that the 1.4 isn't nearly as economical as one might think.
But good job on the exact type of smart arse post that makes so many people not want to post in this forum.
Excellent work.

L-M

Its not a smart ass post, it's an informative one.

El Guapo!

Limerick man wrote: »

Its not a smart ass post, it's an informative one.

Limerick man wrote: »

That's a lie.

Yep. Very informative, constructive, and welcoming.

L-M

El Guapo! wrote: »

Yep. Very informative, constructive, and welcoming.

Half my post must have gotten lost in translation there!

Edit: I also didnt call you a liar, I merely stated that what you posted was a lie.

El Guapo!

Limerick man wrote: »

Half my post must have gotten lost in translation there!

Edit: I also didnt call you a liar, I merely stated that what you posted was a lie.

Therefore, making me a liar.

Listen, I don't want to derail the OPs thread so I'll leave it there. I just think that the attitude from some posters in the forum can be off-putting and I've heard quite a few Boards members say the same thing and that's why they avoid the forum, which is a shame. And if a mod of the forum is coming across with the same type of attitude to posters, then it doesn't really sit well with onlookers.
I'll leave it at that. If you want to continue on with a discussion, feel free to pm me.

Best of luck to the OP in finding a car.

L-M

Just as a note, I did not intend for my post to be smart arsed, but giving incorrect information on a thread in motors, about motors, to someone who is buying their first car is a pointless exercise.

If people aren't posting here because they are giving wrong info and are being called up on it, I don't think any of the regular, informative posters will have a problem with that.

El Guapo!

Limerick man wrote: »

Just as a note, I did not intend for my post to be smart arsed, but giving incorrect information on a thread in motors, about motors, to someone who is buying their first car is a pointless exercise.

If people aren't posting here because they are giving wrong info and are being called up on it, I don't think any of the regular, informative posters will have a problem with that.

What wrong info did I give?
I said they're not great on fuel. (Which is a fact.)
I said I switched from my old car to the focus and I'm not saving a hell of a lot on fuel. (Which is also true.)

There's no lies in there. I gave my experience of owning a 1.4 focus.

JohnBoy26

Can we get some mods in here to stop this bickering...oh wait...:D