Help me choose a 2008ish diesel focus

sleepyholland

I need a second car. It will be used for 2 trips a week 250km each - all motorway.
The car will be parked up for the rest of the week.
In trying to balance all needs, economy & budget I think a 2008 diesel focus will suit (considered Corollas, Civis, C4s etc - but focuses provide good value and choice). Is there anything I should look out for? Should I try and get one that is post timing belt change or lower mileage?

Basically I just want a reliable, economical, semi-comfortable car.
Was looking at this shortlist as the locations are handy.

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-ford-focus-1-6tdci-style-90bhp/12291463

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-focus-1-6-tdci-2008-nct-04-18-tax-08-16/12313054

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/08-focus-diesel-nct-2-18-low-tax-rate/11942925

and a curve ball
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2010-citroen-c4-1-6-diesel-5dr-h-b-nct-07-18-taxd/11970893

bazz26

If your looking for a reliable car then your really walking through a minefield with that 1.6 TDCi/HDi engine. It is a very temperamental engine that has zero tolerance for neglect or lack of proper maintenance. Even properly maintained ones can prove problematic.

If I were you I'd look at the Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30, you will probably pay a bit more for them upfront but will probably cost less over time when total cost of ownership is taken into account.

sleepyholland

thanks for the steer bazz.
I was drawn to the Focus as I know a couple of people who've had little trouble with that model engine - but they would be very regularly serviced and maybe they've been lucky.

I'll see what i30s and Ceeds I can find.

Are Mazda 3 diesels of this age okay? My brother had a Mazda 6 with that notorious 2 litre engine. It didn't end well.

punisher5112

Check out Fabia and Octavia or superb depending on you budget.

Also consider Mondeo as a better engine to focus.

Auris diesel may suit also

sleepyholland

Thanks for the suggestions.
I had a Fabia before - loved that little car.
Mondeo might be a good idea - the enormous hatchback boot would be handy.

These couple look clean, once mileage checks out.
Although the 2 grand asking price difference would make me wonder about that "scratch".

https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/ford-mondeo-1-8-diesel-2008/12260687
https://www.donedeal.ie/cars-for-sale/2008-mondeo-diesel-6speed-74000-miles/11659817

almostover

Get a focus with the 1.8 tdci engine. A far batter engine than the 1.6. Just make sure the timining belt has been done or if it hasn't then budget accordingly. They're a good motor with plenty of torque, not quite as economical as the 1.6 but will return 55mpg easily on motoroway runs. A far more reliable prospect.

colm_mcm

Another Ceeed/i30 recommendation here. far less risky than a Focus.

grogi

almostover wrote: »

Get a focus with the 1.8 tdci engine. A far batter engine than the 1.6. Just make sure the timining belt has been done or if it hasn't then budget accordingly. They're a good motor with plenty of torque, not quite as economical as the 1.6 but will return 55mpg easily on motoroway runs. A far more reliable prospect.

The one with the wet belt? Excellent indeed...

grogi

colm_mcm wrote: »

Another Ceeed/i30 recommendation here. far less risky than a Focus.

The 1.6 8V variant (DV6C and DV6D) is much better than the older 1.6 16V (although I don't know it they did put them in Focus) - with more room in the head the sealing of the injectors has been modified and the engine does not throw soot back into the oil anymore.

Much better choice - but made only from 2011 onwards...

sleepyholland

grogi wrote: »

The 1.6 8V variant (DV6C and DV6D) is much better than the older 1.6 16V (although I don't know it they did put them in Focus) - with more room in the head the sealing of the injectors has been modified and the engine does not throw soot back into the oil anymore.

Much better choice.

So you're saying find a Ceed or an i30 with the 1.6 8V not 16V?

Is this difference obvious from looking at the engine or by the age of the car?

grogi

sleepyholland wrote: »

So you're saying find a Ceed or an i30 with the 1.6 8V not 16V?

Is this difference obvious from looking at the engine or by the age of the car?

No, about the Focus. Just check the engine code...


Nevertheless for 2008 I would go with a Kia/Hyundai (Kias would be just out of warranty - so majority still being serviced at the dealers) or a 2.0 HDI/TDCI car. They did make Focuses with it as well, the best engine in a Focus for 2008.

bazz26

Focus didn't get the revised 1.6 TDCi engine until the MkIII model was launched in 2011.