Buying a focus

Cogsy88

Would a galway reg car with a lot of water in the spare wheel we'll send alam bells ringing in you head? And has anybody had any dealings with motor mania?

Noccy_Mondy

Ahh no, Galway people are a sound bunch! Regarding the water, it can easily get in and will stay there until it is manually drained out, so I wouldn't worry about that, well it depends how long the water was in there actually. What age is it?

Cogsy88

Wat about the big tidal surge and floods in January? Looks like it had a wing and bumper painted also. It's 02 smells quite musty aswell.

Noccy_Mondy

Well if the water went high enough to go into the boot, then there would be a lot of cosmetic damage done elsewhere in the car, and if it was salt water, I doubt it would be for sale again (beyond economic repair). That said, it could happen! They have a few focus' on their page, do you have the link?
Edit: Is it the 2003 one?

Cogsy88

Ders over spray on the toe eye on the front cause the cover is missing and on the petrol filler cap. Here's the link. yea 03 sorry.

http://www.carsireland.ie/county/dublin/ford/focus/detail.php?ad_id=1051097&r=s.php%3Fm%3D26%26o%3D253%26l%5B%5D%3D10%26g%3D2

Cogsy88

Gonna have a look at this one tomorrow.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-3-door-nct-04-2015-93k-miles/6780233

Noccy_Mondy

I take it that you have seen the car already? Looks like a really nice car. Would be tempted to buy it myself if it was straight! Very strange to have the heated leather seats and parking sensors. It's a UK import from what I can see. Look, if you think something isn't right with it and if it sends your alarm bells ringing, then just walk. There are plenty of other focus' out there, maybe not with leather, but I'm sure that's not a deal breaker. It's overpriced for what it is IMO.

Cogsy88

It is uk. Got him down to 2800 I put a 200 euro deposit on it cause I did like all d extras and got a bit over excited at the time. But did a quick search about motor mania on boards their and I think il walk.

Bpmull

My mk2 focus had a leak near the wheel arch where the wires for the lights go through the floor to be grounded the water traveled down into the spare wheel well and filled up. It lead to a damp smell until I figured out it had water in it. I dried all the carpets sucked out the water and sealed the hole and it was fine. Once the water wasn't there for years it's not really an issue.

Cogsy88

Bpmull wrote: »

My mk2 focus had a leak near the wheel arch where the wires for the lights go through the floor to be grounded the water traveled down into the spare wheel well and filled up. It lead to a damp smell until I figured out it had water in it. I dried all the carpets sucked out the water and sealed the hole and it was fine. Once the water wasn't there for years it's not really an issue.

He blamed the valeters. But I've never seen a wet and dry vac produce dat much water.

Bpmull

Cogsy88 wrote: »

He blamed the valeters. But I've never seen a wet and dry vac produce dat much water.

There's a 90% chance it's the same problem as I described caused it. It's a common enough problem on the mk2 could be an issue on mk1. Provided the water wasn't there for years there should be no rust and it means it's just a matter of cleaning up the mess and sealing the hole.

cerastes

Cogsy88 wrote: »

Gonna have a look at this one tomorrow.

http://cars.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-3-door-nct-04-2015-93k-miles/6780233

How did you go with the deposit on the other one?
The one in the link above seems not too bad, low ownership, service history, timing belt, could be they left some wiggle room in there for a buyer to negotiate, I wouldnt mind it if a 4 door wasnt so necessary.
Whats the 1.6 petrol engine like? mpg/reliablity? is the 1.6 also a zetec?
Ive only ever heard of the diesels and the 1.4 engines.

IMO the first car is way overpriced

Cogsy88

Bpmull wrote: »

There's a 90% chance it's the same problem as I described caused it. It's a common enough problem on the mk2 could be an issue on mk1. Provided the water wasn't there for years there should be no rust and it means it's just a matter of cleaning up the mess and sealing the hole.

Sure I'm gona hav a look at another one tomorrow all is not lost.

Cogsy88

cerastes wrote: »

How did you go with the deposit on the other one?
The one in the link above seems not too bad, low ownership, service history, timing belt, could be they left some wiggle room in there for a buyer to negotiate, I wouldnt mind it if a 4 door wasnt so necessary.
Whats the 1.6 petrol engine like? mpg/reliablity? is the 1.6 also a zetec?
Ive only ever heard of the diesels and the 1.4 engines.

IMO the first car is way overpriced

Jus put a deposit on it cause u won't find another one wit dat spec in the Ireland and got a bit excited. Yes it's zetec, the 1.6 has a fair bit of poke. Mpg wise ders only bou 3 or 4mpg difference between 1.4 and 1.6 and on motorway their abou the same.

All the zetecs are tough little units. Have two of them in the family one 17 and on 10 years old and never any major problems.

cerastes

Cogsy88 wrote: »

Jus put a deposit on it cause u won't find another one wit dat spec in the Ireland and got a bit excited. Yes it's zetec, the 1.6 has a fair bit of poke. Mpg wise ders only bou 3 or 4mpg difference between 1.4 and 1.6 and on motorway their abou the same.

All the zetecs are tough little units. Have two of them in the family one 17 and on 10 years old and never any major problems.

Yes I had a zetec 1.25, another family member has it still, there was a bit of poke out of it for the engine size, I nearly think it could have pushed a focus along, I dont do the mileage for a few mpg's to matter too much, reliability and economy, but I kinda regret not going onto another petrol and a ford too, just dont know much of the 1.6, only heard bad things for the 1.4 but it was usually about power, never heard complaints of reliability, maybe the focus in 4 door as I was happy enough with the reliability of the fiesta when I had it.

I think that second car looks ok myself, hard to say without seeing it in person and if you think the other one was resprayed?
I had a bit of a second take when I saw the corner of a reg plate in the boot picture, but it looks like the same number, so just the original plate/s.

Cogsy88

cerastes wrote: »

Yes I had a zetec 1.25, another family member has it still, there was a bit of poke out of it for the engine size, I nearly think it could have pushed a focus along, I dont do the mileage for a few mpg's to matter too much, reliability and economy, but I kinda regret not going onto another petrol and a ford too, just dont know much of the 1.6, only heard bad things for the 1.4 but it was usually about power, never heard complaints of reliability, maybe the focus in 4 door as I was happy enough with the reliability of the fiesta when I had it.

I think that second car looks ok myself, hard to say without seeing it in person and if you think the other one was resprayed?
I had a bit of a second take when I saw the corner of a reg plate in the boot picture, but it looks like the same number, so just the original plate/s.

Yea the non standerd reg plates are a nct fail, Numbers are to small. Yea my mam has the 1.4 in a fusion and it's a bit sluggish but never gave any trouble.
Did the motorcheck on the Kerry one and everything checks out, it's even an irish car. An Irish focus wit dat spec is rare.

MuppetCheck

A valeting company would remove the carpet before cleaning. It's a lot easier.

Cogsy88

MuppetCheck wrote: »

A valeting company would remove the carpet before cleaning. It's a lot easier.

I was thinking dat. Il probly steer clear of it.

Cogsy88

@cerastes. The zetec was actual developed by yamaha and Mazda.