Which Ford Focus?

Conchy

Decided on getting a ford focus because it fits my budget and I like the look of them. The only thing I am not sure about is which model to get the 1.0 petrol EcoBoost or 1.6 Diesel?

Currently looking to get a 2013 to 2015. Never had a diesel car before and I'm not sure if it would suit the milege I do. Only would drive about 12.000 km per year.

Anybody have any advice which to get?

punisher5112

Conchy wrote: »

Decided on getting a ford focus because it fits my budget and I like the look of them. The only thing I am not sure about is which model to get the 1.0 petrol EcoBoost or 1.6 Diesel?

Currently looking to get a 2013 to 2015. Never had a diesel car before and I'm not sure if it would suit the milege I do. Only would drive about 12.000 km per year.

Anybody have any advice which to get?

You don't need diesel but I've heard some horror stories of the ecoboost.

Diesel is of no use to you at all.

is_that_so

Conchy wrote: »

Decided on getting a ford focus because it fits my budget and I like the look of them. The only thing I am not sure about is which model to get the 1.0 petrol EcoBoost or 1.6 Diesel?

Currently looking to get a 2013 to 2015. Never had a diesel car before and I'm not sure if it would suit the milege I do. Only would drive about 12.000 km per year.

Anybody have any advice which to get?

Diesel is great, nice power to it. Had an ST 1.6 of that vintage, also my first diesel. Loved the drive. Generally have not found a lot of difference in how you drive them.

colm_mcm

I wouldn’t be keen on either engine. Something like a 1.4 Kia Ceed or Hyundai i30 would be infinitely less risky.

Dia_Anseo

I've owned Focus 1.6 tdci Mk3 2011 to 2014 model and never had an issue with it.

The 1.6 tdci is a very reliable unit in the Mk3. There were unreliability issues associated with the 1.6tdci unit in the Mk2 but it's been slightly tweaked for the mk3. Of course if you don't look after your engine or using it inappropriately you'll get engine and dpf issues in any make of car.

I'd buy another 1.6 tdci Focus. The 1.0 petrol I'd be dubious about as there have been widespread manufacturing fault with it. There's a 1.6 petrol non turbo that would be a safer bet than the 1.0.

colm_mcm

At 7000 miles per year, there’s a good chance it’s doing mainly short trips. A bit ridiculous getting a diesel focus just because the petrol option is too risky. Just get something else.

Henry Ford III

This is pretty silly.

The Focus is a very good car, and has sold in huge numbers for years. The 1.0T engine is outstanding, and is reliable too. The odd failure happens but overall it is solid.

Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine has been voted 2017 International Engine of the Year “Best Engine Under 1.0-liter” for the sixth year in a row – meaning the compact and powerful three-cylinder petrol engine remains undefeated in its category since launch in 2012.

Parts are readily available for Foci, and they are relatively inexpensive too.

p.s. They are also good to drive.

Conchy

colm_mcm wrote: »

At 7000 miles per year, there’s a good chance it’s doing mainly short trips. A bit ridiculous getting a diesel focus just because the petrol option is too risky. Just get something else.

Yeah after looking more in detail at reviews there are still a few doubts about the older 1.0 ecoboost engine.

Any other cars you would recommend?

colm_mcm

Personally I’d go for a non turbo petrol, unless you like the characteristics of a turbo’d car enough.
Non turbo cars like Kia Ceed 1.4 Hyundai i30 1.4 , Toyota Auris 1.33, Honda Civic 1.4, mazda3 1.5 would all be worth a look.
That’s just my own preference anyway.

Dia_Anseo

Henry Ford III wrote: »

This is pretty silly.

The Focus is a very good car, and has sold in huge numbers for years. The 1.0T engine is outstanding, and is reliable too. The odd failure happens but overall it is solid.

Ford’s 1.0-liter EcoBoost engine has been voted 2017 International Engine of the Year “Best Engine Under 1.0-liter” for the sixth year in a row – meaning the compact and powerful three-cylinder petrol engine remains undefeated in its category since launch in 2012.

Parts are readily available for Foci, and they are relatively inexpensive too.

p.s. They are also good to drive.

I agree. Just suggesting that there's a less complicated 1.6 petrol available too, still 280 euro to tax.
I'm not suggesting avoid the petrol so you must get a diesel Focus.

The Korean alternatives are a dreary place to be and parts are expensive. They also give clutch/dmf issues and dpf issues. All diesels do!

That 7,000 miles could be mostly motorway or N road driving for a prolonged distance. We don't all live in the middle of city centres you know!

colm_mcm

To be fair, dpf issues on Hyundai’s and Kias are almost non existent. The Korean models I suggested were petrol anyway.

And of course, the OP might do nothing but motorway driving for a few hours once a week. The probability is that that’s not the case.

Henry Ford III

colm_mcm wrote: »

Personally I’d go for a non turbo petrol, unless you like the characteristics of a turbo’d car enough.
Non turbo cars like Kia Ceed 1.4 Hyundai i30 1.4 , Toyota Auris 1.33, Honda Civic 1.4, mazda3 1.5 would all be worth a look.
That’s just my own preference anyway.

To each their own but all of those would be pretty/fully dull in my opinion.

Turbo charged engines are proven tech providing better power, torque, emissions, and mpg (if driven with that in mind).

colm_mcm

Meh, I never got this love for a Focuss

Mk1, yeah it was revolutionary. After that I just don’t get it.

Dia_Anseo

Henry Ford III wrote: »

To each their own but all of those would be pretty/fully dull in my opinion.

Turbo charged engines are proven tech providing better power, torque, emissions, and mpg (if driven with that in mind).

I concur with your comments on Korean cars being dull. Not saying the Focus makes your heart skip a beat either.

Speaking a person who has had Focus Mk3 tdci that was reliable. I'd personally stay away from the 1.0 EcoBoost as Ford UK said they would give refunds on 1.0 EcoBoost engine repairs......however Ford Ireland have not said this.

https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ford-ecoboost-engine-failures-customers-receive-refunds

If I wanted a petrol hatchback I'd consider the Focus 1.6 petrol than the other petrols that was mentioned in previous posts.

ba_barabus

Dia_Anseo wrote: »

If I wanted a petrol hatchback I'd consider the Focus 1.6 petrol than the other petrols that was mentioned in previous posts.

I'd recommend a 1.33 Auris over one, more economical and refined. Far from perfect as a car I'll grant you.

Or, from personal experience, I'd recommend a 1.2TSI Golf, Yeti Or Octavia. We're on our second and they've been great.

Conchy

ba_barabus wrote: »

I'd recommend a 1.33 Auris over one, more economical and refined. Far from perfect as a car I'll grant you.

Or, from personal experience, I'd recommend a 1.2TSI Golf, Yeti Or Octavia. We're on our second and they've been great.

Yeah I would imagine the Auris would be very reliable, have had no issues with any Toyota car I had before so I like them. But I would really like the look of a Golf, would the 1.2 TSI be reliable? I know someone that had an older 1.4 petrol golf and it was a disaster but I would imagine they have improved since that.

ba_barabus

Conchy wrote: »

Yeah I would imagine the Auris would be very reliable, have had no issues with any Toyota car I had before so I like them. But I would really like the look of a Golf, would the 1.2 TSI be reliable? I know someone that had an older 1.4 petrol golf and it was a disaster but I would imagine they have improved since that.

We've had two 1.2TSI Yetis and they've been great. One had a timing chain and one a timing belt. People say the chain can give issues but we had none. Love them but fuel economy in the manual was 40-42mpg but they drove great.

u140acro3xs7dm

I had a 1.6 tdci focus mk3. It was reliable, but underpowered, if you hit any sort of traffic the arm will be torn out ya with all the gear changes.

As I mentioned it was reliable - oil, filters and tyres was all I ever needed to spend on it, and I stuck roughly 140k on it in 4 years, and still going strong.

Incredibly dull though, the driving position isn't great for long journeys, and no power - I think it's about 90hp. Fuel wise you'd probably get about 42-45mpg.

Dia_Anseo

Declan Juicy Illness wrote: »

I had a 1.6 tdci focus mk3. It was reliable, but underpowered, if you hit any sort of traffic the arm will be torn out ya with all the gear changes.

As I mentioned it was reliable - oil, filters and tyres was all I ever needed to spend on it, and I stuck roughly 140k on it in 4 years, and still going strong.

Incredibly dull though, the driving position isn't great for long journeys, and no power - I think it's about 90hp. Fuel wise you'd probably get about 42-45mpg.

That must have been a bog standard Edge with 90bhp

Most come with 115bhp Zetec and Titanium

chicorytip

Conchy wrote: »

Decided on getting a ford focus because it fits my budget and I like the look of them. The only thing I am not sure about is which model to get the 1.0 petrol EcoBoost or 1.6 Diesel?

Currently looking to get a 2013 to 2015. Never had a diesel car before and I'm not sure if it would suit the milege I do. Only would drive about 12.000 km per year.

Anybody have any advice which to get?

The best is the 1.5 litre diesel 120 bhp version introduced in 2015.

Casati

chicorytip wrote: »

The best is the 1.5 litre diesel 120 bhp version introduced in 2015.

That 1.5 120bhp a cracking car to drive, much nicer than the VAG 1.6 105/110bhp with 5 speed gearbox.

I’ve heard other economist issues with gasket leaks leading to engine being destroyed, not just the 1.0 but also the 2.3 so would be slightly nervous about one when good diesel options are plentiful and probably cheaper

Henry Ford III

Casati wrote: »

That 1.5 120bhp a cracking car to drive, much nicer than the VAG 1.6 105/110bhp with 5 speed gearbox.

I’ve heard other economist issues with gasket leaks leading to engine being destroyed, not just the 1.0 but also the 2.3 so would be slightly nervous about one when good diesel options are plentiful and probably cheaper

2.3l Ecoboost was in the RS model only. It is a weapon. It's also 4wd and a bit pricey.

Casati

Henry Ford III wrote: »

2.3l Ecoboost was in the RS model only. It is a weapon. It's also 4wd and a bit pricey.

No it’s in the Mustang too

colm_mcm

Casati wrote: »

No it’s in the Mustang too

Mustang isn’t a Focus.

steven1987

I have a 2015 - on 6sp 1.5tdci titanium focus in magnetic grey 😎

It's a lovely car to drive reliable engine is so much better than previous 1.6tdci versions

I have had 1 problem with this (starting motor) I replaced with upgraded version stop start took its toll

I could not recommend the ford focus 1.5tdci any higher

ShamoBuc

Had a focus for 10 years, 1.4 petrol, no real power but no problems either, very reliable.. Have the 1.0 EcoBoost petrol 125bhp, really nice drive with a bit of poke too.