I'm after a cheap motor I can get a bike in, and I reckon a 2001-2003 1.6 Focus is a good all-round bet for my budget. Anyone got any tips for choosing a second-hand one? Models to look for or avoid? I work from home and do only 3-4 thousand miles a year, tops, so I don't need anything smart - just reliable, economical and cheap to fix when it does go wrong. Ta.
Bike Forum
2nd-hand Ford Focuses any good?
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Posted 8 months ago #
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I bought one in July, put nearly 8k on it since then with nothing more than petrol going in.
Mines a C-max and I can still average 47-50mpg with the right foot of a saint on the motorway, get 40 on the commute (A&B roads) with similar levels of self restraint.
Stuff to look for:
Rust (particularly the front suspension apparently?)
CV joints/driveshaftsOther than that they're pretty reliable.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Bombproof, never break down and cost buttons to run*
* - NB: comments may be biased as I have an 06 estate for sale
....though I did by a newer hatch version to replace it.....
Posted 8 months ago # -
Bombproof, never break down and cost buttons to run*
Well built, but my X-plate had several small niggling problems. Nothing terminal though.
Loads of fun to drive, cheap on spares and more room than a roomy thing in the estate. Only reason I didn't get an ST170 replacement was the vRS Skoda is quicker and less thirsty.
I had a 1.8 petrol Zetec estate until this happened:
The Focus by Pimpmaster Jazz, on FlickrThey're pretty safe too.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Cheers for this. Thinking of a hatchback - reckon it will fit 2 bikes with the seats down (in the car) and wheels off (the bike).
Posted 8 months ago # -
Mine's on ebay right now - an estate like the one above, but in slightly better nick
Did you walk away from that unscathed PJ?Item no. 280745312261 btw...
Posted 8 months ago # -
Petrol or diesel?
Avoid the 1.6 TDCi unless it has an immaculate Ford service history and comes with a decent warranty. It does nasty things to turbos, which in turn do nasty things to the engine if it isn't kept absolutly pristine.I know someone who's got through 3 turbos under warranty. I had to pay to have mine re-fitted (out of warranty), but they ballsed up and it trashed the engine, potentially leaving me with a £5k bill. Except i was able to prove they ballsed up and I threatened the Ford dealer with the small claims court so they gave me a new car. With the 2.0TDCi engine
Posted 8 months ago # -
I run an X-reg petrol estate and it's a brilliant car. Good grip and handling. I've done over 80k in it (now at 130k), been to the Alps twice, not had to do anything other than fit tyres and oil and the odd service (and maybe a timing belt). Fits two bikes in the back no problems.
I'd buy another tomorrow. It's very much like the two above (well one of them)
Posted 8 months ago # -
wl - Member
Cheers for this. Thinking of a hatchback - reckon it will fit 2 bikes with the seats down (in the car) and wheels off (the bike).
Yep, plenty of room for bags etc with 2 bikes with front wheels & seatposts off (standing vertically).
Posted 8 months ago # -
Nice one - thanks everyone. I'll be buying petrol - all the evidence points to it being a better bet in terms of reliability. Probably 1.6 because it's cheaper on tax, gas and insurance, but should still be powerful enough for my needs.
Posted 8 months ago # -
My 2K one has been reliable as ****, but I pay through the nose for tax with a 1.8 petrol, compared to my g/f's new shape 1.6 TDCi . Her's is hugely and I mean hugely better on fuel, but half of that might be my heavy right foot.
It starting to rust (estate rear door) now but I can't see any reason to replace the car. I don't treat cars well (pamper wise, it get regularly serviced).. never have never will.Just make sure you get the heated front windscreen (& mirrors), walk away from any with out it
, this 'makes' the car (especially with winter on the way)Quick fault to watch for is the gear lever spring, they tend to go and can easily be replaced (fiddly but easily), but it something to use as a haggle ammo
Posted 8 months ago # -
In 2005 I bought a X-Reg, 3-door 1.6 Focus which accommodated 3 riders & bikes numerous times. I ran it for 5 years/30k miles with no issues (save a new pair of front tyres). Great car around town too. Only sold it cos small person arrived.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Mine was shit, 55 plate with low mileage 1.6 petrol. Fuel economy was crap and I replaced - Air con pump, power steering pump, full front suspension and so much more that I can not remember right now. It was going rusty around the rear wheel arches and the sills were going rotten a wheel fitter said he was nervous of putting a jack under it.
I would have shot it if I could afford to and had a gun. Sold it to some mug who thought they were bulletproof
Posted 8 months ago # -
jp-t853 - Member
Classy.
Sold it to some mug who thought they were bulletproofPosted 8 months ago # -
I've got an 06 petrol LX and pretty happy with it. The AC leaked from new but they eventually fixed that (under warranty) and the power steering burst a hose at 3 years (fixed under warranty) but no other issues since.
Fuel economy isn't brilliant but that's about the worst fault I can think of.
Posted 8 months ago # -
I've got an old school 1.8 diesel estate Focus and it is a solid little car. Easy to get 50mpg from and swallows pushbikes / family camping trips.
The advantage of the crude oil burning tddi over the more modern tdci is their lack of tech and that means they are more straight forward as an older second hand poposition.
If you don't get a Zetec or a Ghia they tend to be quite basic, in fact even the top ones seem to be missing some toys you get on other cars.
Posted 8 months ago # -
Mate has had a 1.8 TDi for some years now. Has been 100% reliable. Slightly slower but older type engine without the fancy (expensive) gubbins of the TDCi. On the look out for one myself soon.
Posted 8 months ago # -
i am running around in a 1.8 TDCI company car.It had done 155K and has not missed a beat. My FiL has a 1.6 Focus (Petrol) just had a new clutch but other than that tyres and petrol has been all it has required. good fun to drive to!!
Posted 8 months ago # -
+1 for heated windscreen
a godsend, wouldnt have a car without one now.
Posted 8 months ago # -
I like basic - less to go wrong. The car won't get used much anyway, so comfort's not that big a deal. Cheers anyway.
Posted 8 months ago # -
If you're getting it to carry bikes around in, get the estate... It doesn't drive that differently to the hatch but the difference in convenience is huge. Though the hatch does still have a ridiculously big boot to be fair.
I really dislike the 1.6... My dad's got one and it's good fun to hustle but for everyday driving around the power delivery's a bit wrong, it's tuned for peak power for some reason. Great fun when you're on it, but you aren't always.
Mine is the old diesel, 1.8 TDDI. Pretty basic engine but it's economical and durable. It's given me some minor issues- all general age-related things though, nothing exceptional or model-specific. I gather rust in the front of the sills, just behind the front wheels is a common one and I can see why, there's a massive water trap there constantly refilled by the daft sound deadening foam, which is a massive sponge!
It's also surprisingly nice to drive, especially compared to the competition. Engine has lovely delivery, gearbox is decent, handling even on the LX model is surprisingly good. Quite a lot of body roll on the LX model but it doesn't seem to upset it.
And the cargo hold (it's too big to be called a boot) is just ridiculously huge. Right now mine has my Dare in it, proper massive long downhill bike with big wide bars. Seatpost is up, both wheels are still fitted, I just rode up to the car and threw it in.
Incidentally- it's for sale
£1200, Edinburgh area, 115000 miles and 12 months MOT. Money allows a bigger, newer car so I'm eyeing up an Alhambra or similiar
Posted 7 months ago # -
Had my 02 plate 1.6 for nearly 4 yrs , never really cost me much in repairs (i'm a Ford technician
) I love it and its done nearly 100k now but starts and drives perfectly .
* TIP * You can fit two bikes in ACROSS the back seat and this free's up the boot for gear . Lift the seat bases up and the frames will fit in ok , usually upside down . Then fit wheels in after !Posted 7 months ago # -
Northwind - Member
This is the estate with the back seats down I take it? Pondering a bike-lugger purchase too and have the Focus/Mondeo estates on my shortlist (along with a Berlingo as a leftfield choice) but I'm torn between the hatch & estate.
If you're getting it to carry bikes around in, get the estate...And the cargo hold (it's too big to be called a boot) is just ridiculously huge. Right now mine has my Dare in it, proper massive long downhill bike with big wide bars. Seatpost is up, both wheels are still fitted, I just rode up to the car and threw it in.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Aye, seats down. Nothing really magic about it though, they just looked at all the tricks you can to make a boot bigger- seats that fold completely flat, low floor, no lip on the boot, and as little wheelarch encroachment as possible- then used them all. I had a hire Avensis estate earlier this year and the difference was ridiculous- that's a bigger car in every dimension, but the boot was cramped by comparison.
Mondeo is even bigger of course.
Maybe this is just me but honestly I can't see any reason to buy anything but an estate, if you plan to use it as a bike lugger.
Posted 7 months ago # -
TDCI's can cost you BIG WHEN the turbo goes etc etc.
My 04 1 owner 60k Focus had a new steering rack (very expensive), clutch release bearing (common problem on fiesta/focus over a certain age) and a gearbox seal.
It drives far better than VW Golfs and cheaper/break just as often.
One thing to remember the saying...Fix Or Repair Delay came from somewhere.
Posted 7 months ago # -
hora - Member
TDCI's can cost you BIG WHEN the turbo goes etc etc.
True of absolutely every turbo car though.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Just saying- don't bother paying a premium for diesel as all mpg savings will be wiped out at somepoint on a secondhand diesel Foci!
Plus don't expect anywhere near Fords claimed mpg figures for petrols. I can drive 'normal' and mpg av is still circa 30mpg on a 1.6 manual and similar on a 1.7 Yamaha Puma
Posted 7 months ago # -
Diesel isn't just about economy though, they're nicer engines all round, particularily in lower performance applications. I'd still choose a TD even if the economy was identical to the nearest equivalent petrol.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Love mine. It's a 2001 2 litre petrol estate, I've had it for maybe 5 years. Drives nicely, has enough room to land a light aircraft in the back with the seats down. Would buy another one tomorrow.
Posted 7 months ago # -
Did you walk away from that unscathed PJ?
Few bumps and scrapes and a bitten tongue.
Whiplash is now making a second appearance though.
Posted 7 months ago # -
wl - the Zetec has got a far better trim - second hand it's worth the few extra bob.
The 1.8 petrol engine is a little thirstier in the official statistics, but realistically you don't have to rev the absolute nuts off it to go anywhere. The 1.6 is good and both engines are super-flexible, but the 1.8 is undoubtedly torquier which does help on longer drives and motorways, especially if carrying kit.
My old Zetec handled wonderfully - probably better than my Skoda - and little things like the seats folding flat (so the boot is all the same level) and no lip on the end of the boot (so you can sit on it under the door as well as slide heavier loads straight in) are touches you only miss when they are gone. Given the option I'd definitely go for the estate again, especially if carrying loads. And keep an eye out for the ones with built in roof rails (standard on estates from '01 on, IIRC).
Posted 7 months ago # -
Aye, I wish I'd held out for a Zetec, much nicer package and not that much more expensive.
Posted 7 months ago #
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