Ford Focus - end of old range or start of new range??

changes · 27-08-2010 01:51PM #1

Hi,

I am thinking on getting a ford focus diesel and was wondering if an 04 old model would be a wiser buy than an 05 of the new model.

The newer models are quite a bit dearer, would they justify the extra €3000 it would cost to go from the 04 (old model)to the 05 (newer model).

no1beemerfan · 27-08-2010 02:25PM

If you intend on keeping it a while then yes as it is a better car.

Skuxx · 27-08-2010 02:32PM

I don't know anything about the focus but as a general rule I was always told in a situation like this go for the end of line older model as all the faults will have been found and fixed whereas in the new model they will only be starting to show!!

bazz26 · 27-08-2010 02:33PM

1.6 TDCi in the newer model is superior to the 1.8 TDDi/TDCi available in the old model. If you can afford it I'd go for the newer model, actually it might be worth waiting until Dec/Jan when prices of the newer model fall especially with the imminent arrival of the all new Focus next March.

Henry Ford III · 27-08-2010 02:54PM

alan1990 wrote: »

I don't know anything about the focus but as a general rule I was always told in a situation like this go for the end of line older model as all the faults will have been found and fixed whereas in the new model they will only be starting to show!!

That's true in general but an 05 model has surely displayed all it's foibles by now

changes · 27-08-2010 03:13PM

Thanks for replies,

I'm starting to really like the shape of the newer model now i wasn't all that keen on it when i first seen it. Yeah i would be as well to wait till jan and maybe with it being a year older and the new model coming out the prices might drop a little.

They are looking for about 8000 to 9000 at the min for the 05 model which is little bit steep. They're priced the same as the VW Golf now.

af_thefragile · 27-08-2010 03:18PM

I drove a 10 Focus Diesel a couple of days ago and I found it awful to drive...
It is comfortable and the interior is alrite. But the drive is very very numb. They steering, the brakes, the accelerator, the gearbox, nothing felt like it was connected to the actual parts. There was absolutely no feel from anything. The steering didn't seem to be connected to the wheels, the brakes were either on or off with no sense of any feel of engaging... I just didn't like it...

I'ld say the older car has more feel and therefore would be better to drive...

no1beemerfan · 27-08-2010 03:20PM

changes wrote: »

......They are looking for about 8000 to 9000 at the min for the 05 model which is little bit steep. They're priced the same as the VW Golf now.

Gee...we didn't do too bad then. My gf bought her Jan '05 Focus II (1.4 petrol) in Aug '08 for €7.5 k in a private sale.

R.O.R · 27-08-2010 03:23PM

af_thefragile wrote: »

I drove a 10 Focus Diesel a couple of days ago and I found it awful to drive...
It is comfortable and the interior is alrite. But the drive is very very numb. They steering, the brakes, the accelerator, the gearbox, nothing felt like it was connected to the actual parts. There was absolutely no feel from anything. The steering didn't seem to be connected to the wheels, the brakes were either on or off with no sense of any feel of engaging... I just didn't like it...

I'ld say the older car has more feel and therefore would be better to drive...

Er.........OK

Henry Ford III · 27-08-2010 03:25PM

af_thefragile wrote: »

I drove a 10 Focus Diesel a couple of days ago and I found it awful to drive...
It is comfortable and the interior is alrite. But the drive is very very numb. They steering, the brakes, the accelerator, the gearbox, nothing felt like it was connected to the actual parts. There was absolutely no feel from anything. The steering didn't seem to be connected to the wheels, the brakes were either on or off with no sense of any feel of engaging... I just didn't like it...

I'ld say the older car has more feel and therefore would be better to drive...

It's probably/arguably the best handling car in it's class!

af_thefragile · 27-08-2010 03:30PM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

It's probably/arguably the best handling car in it's class!

Its very numb though...

Compared to my Puma atleast. You get so much information about the road surface and tyre grip from the steering in my car. Also you can feel the brakes work in my car, they're not just on/off. You can almost feel the brake pads pressing against the discs through the feedback from the pedal...

But I think its an unfair comparison. I just didn't like the feel of the Focus... I found it too numb for my taste.

Henry Ford III · 27-08-2010 03:43PM

af_thefragile wrote: »

Its very numb though...

Compared to my Puma atleast. You get so much information about the road surface and tyre grip from the steering in my car. Also you can feel the brakes work in my car, they're not just on/off. You can almost feel the brake pads pressing against the discs through the feedback from the pedal...

But I think its an unfair comparison. I just didn't like the feel of the Focus... I found it too numb for my taste.

Your Puma is a sporty small car. It's supposed to be pointy, squirky and responsive. Driver inputs are answered quickly. The downside is it's small, and quite firm ride wise.

The Focus is a much bigger heavier vehicle. It rides well and handles very well amongst it's peers. It's much more an attempt at a car that'll satisfy the needs of the biggest market. There's nothing wrong with the braking system at all.

Because of all that it's hard to compare them. Perhaps a Focus ST or RS would be nearer what your used to?

p.s. It'd be wrong to expect a Focus drive like a Puma, or vice versa.

af_thefragile · 27-08-2010 03:54PM

^Yup I guess so.

I just don't like how soft and numb modern cars have become...
But then I guess that's what most people want.

I'll stick to the sporty cars.

Henry Ford III · 27-08-2010 04:02PM

Your next car (if you want to stay with Ford) might be a Fiesta Zetec S 1.6?

I've had one for a while and they are great fun, easy on the pocket, and a hoot to drive.

af_thefragile · 27-08-2010 04:16PM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Your next car (if you want to stay with Ford) might be a Fiesta Zetec S 1.6?

I've had one for a while and they are great fun, easy on the pocket, and a hoot to drive.

Gonna try to keep the Puma running for another 3-4yrs.
Might need a new engine, vinyl wrap it in matt black or if I have a money give it a respray...
Won't have money to get a new car till I graduate from college.
After that its gonna be something nice.
Maybe a BMW M3 or Honda S2000 or Lotus Elise or maybe even a Jag XKR if insurance permits!!

focusowner · 27-08-2010 04:44PM

ive had 3 1.8 tddi focus diesels and found them to be slightly slow compared to a 1.9 tdi model as per a golf van for instance but then again they 3 i had were completely bulletproof and never once had an issue with them

i went to trade up to a new shape focus diesel recently and was warned away from them as the engines are sh1te as they as peugeot hdi engines under the focus bonnet and a quite trawl of the net will show up dodgy turbos ,and injectors etc with the newer models

id pick the older model but id be patient and wait for a spotless one with low mileage

ps 2 of the 3 tddi s i had had 130k+miles on the engines and ran perfectly well

pajo1981 · 27-08-2010 06:54PM

focusowner wrote: »

i went to trade up to a new shape focus diesel recently and was warned away from them as the engines are sh1te as they as peugeot hdi engines under the focus bonnet and a quite trawl of the net will show up dodgy turbos ,and injectors etc with the newer models

Peugeot don't make the injectors or turbos.

bazz26 · 27-08-2010 08:07PM

focusowner wrote: »

ive had 3 1.8 tddi focus diesels and found them to be slightly slow compared to a 1.9 tdi model as per a golf van for instance but then again they 3 i had were completely bulletproof and never once had an issue with them

i went to trade up to a new shape focus diesel recently and was warned away from them as the engines are sh1te as they as peugeot hdi engines under the focus bonnet and a quite trawl of the net will show up dodgy turbos ,and injectors etc with the newer models

id pick the older model but id be patient and wait for a spotless one with low mileage

ps 2 of the 3 tddi s i had had 130k+miles on the engines and ran perfectly well

I've had the 1.6 TDCi/HDi engine in my previous Focus and had no issues with it, very nippy and frugal engine, it had covered 80k miles on it when I sold it. Have the same engine in my current Volvo S40 with similar mileage now and again no issues. Only real gripe is that the way Volvo have geared the engine in the S40, it's dog slow in the lower gears.

changes · 27-08-2010 08:34PM

It would be nice to get an 05/06 new model focus but 7 or 8K is alot of money. It might be wiser to get a 02 or 03 old model and try to get a decent one for €3000 to €4000K and wait till i can afford an 08 model in a few years time (thanks to old gormley's messy road tax system).

stylers · 27-08-2010 10:06PM

if you do go for a TDCi focus (the 1.6) make sure its been regularly serviced and had proper oil changes, they are a good engine but will self destruct if mistreated and not serviced properly..

dave45dave · 27-08-2010 10:13PM

Quit all the sh*t talk about different engine and model numbers , just splash the cash and buy a tdi caddy

:):):):):):):):):):):):):)

richardsheil · 27-08-2010 10:15PM

changes wrote: »

Thanks for replies,

I'm starting to really like the shape of the newer model now i wasn't all that keen on it when i first seen it. Yeah i would be as well to wait till jan and maybe with it being a year older and the new model coming out the prices might drop a little.

They are looking for about 8000 to 9000 at the min for the 05 model which is little bit steep. They're priced the same as the VW Golf now.

My nephew bought an 05 3 door with 120,000km for 5250- they are out there for a good price. Keep looking

johnos1984 · 27-08-2010 10:15PM

dave45dave wrote: »

Quit all the sh*t talk about different engine and model numbers , just splash the cash and buy a tdi caddy

A diesel Caddy yesterday

Mc Love · 27-08-2010 11:14PM

is it true that the new model focus, wont have a 3dr option?

bazz26 · 28-08-2010 12:00AM

I think the 3dr is going down the same route as the Astra Sporthatch and Megane Coupe in that it will share very little body panels with the 5dr and aimed at a more younger audience. It will not arrive at the same time as the other models for sure anyway.

Mycroft H · 28-08-2010 12:41AM

focusowner wrote: »

i went to trade up to a new shape focus diesel recently and was warned away from them as the engines are sh1te as they as peugeot hdi engines under the focus bonnet and a quite trawl of the net will show up dodgy turbos ,and injectors etc with the newer models

[Citation Needed]

French bashing again.

Its used in Volvos, fords, peugots, citroens and the mini diesel too.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the 1.6hdi engine.

Its economical (70mpg is achievable) and a decently powerful unit for its size. While it doesn't have the pull of a 2 liter diesel its more then adequate in the smallish focus. No problems in 40,000 miles.

Back to the Op question. If it were me, I would go for one of the older focus models. You could possibly get a high spec run out model for much less then a new one. The older car isn't in any way less of a car driving wise

Henry Ford III · 28-08-2010 06:10AM

Mc Love wrote: »

is it true that the new model focus, wont have a 3dr option?

Might not be called a Focus. Might be called a...........

bazz26 · 28-08-2010 12:42PM

Henry Ford III wrote: »

Might not be called a Focus. Might be called a...........

Word has it will carry the Capri name...

ShatterProof · 28-08-2010 01:48PM

af_thefragile wrote: »

I drove a 10 Focus Diesel a couple of days ago and I found it awful to drive...
It is comfortable and the interior is alrite. But the drive is very very numb. They steering, the brakes, the accelerator, the gearbox, nothing felt like it was connected to the actual parts. There was absolutely no feel from anything. The steering didn't seem to be connected to the wheels, the brakes were either on or off with no sense of any feel of engaging... I just didn't like it...

I'ld say the older car has more feel and therefore would be better to drive...

Well if you are here then i'd say the steering and breaks were connected

shawnee · 28-08-2010 06:14PM

Had an 02 focus diesel ghia model for a couple of years. Brilliant performance and very comfortable. Put up 50k on it and had hardly any problems. Missed it when I sold it:D:D

Ford Focus - end of old range or start of new range??

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