RichardS2005

Going to look at 2000 - 2002 Ford Focus's over the weekend is there anything in particular to look out for?

Most of them are around 50k - 60k miles, 1.6 or 1.8, Zetecs or LX with air con and less than £3k.

I guess the usual service history, no smoke misfires, all electrics work but is there anything else that they are known for?

Cheers,

Richard
p.s. if anyone knows of a bargain going in the Leeds/Harrogate area give me a shout!

Matteeboy

I have "sourced" two similar Focuses for mates recently.

One went for a 2.0 Ghia Estate, the other went for the 1.6 Zetec, both around £3.5k.
They are actually pretty reliable cars (recommended them over the poor handling mk4 Golf and many others) and are a hoot to drive.

Petrol wise, go for the 1.6 Zetec or the 2.0 - Not so keen on the 1.8.
Might struggle with a diesel at that price but it MUST be the TDCi not the TDi - The TDCi is much much better.

Just do the usual checks and you should be fine.

Playsatan

iTrader: (2)

Check for rust at the bottom of the tailgate window and where the wing mirrors meet the top of the doors. Both well know problems.

stilover

Check for water ingress into the front passenger footwell.

If I remember right it comes inn through the air filter. A common Focus defect.

Had in on my RS, and everyone else I know who've owned a Focus has had the same problem. Should be sorted by the dealer though.

RichardS2005

Cheers for the replies

What is the difference in the 1.6 and the 1.8 - economy or performance?

trails

iTrader: (41)

the 1.8 is a Zetec and basically the same as the 2.0 lump and is the old generation cast-iron block and similar fuel economy; I got around 30 odd to the gallon from a 1.8.

the 1.6 is a Zetec SE and is an alloy-block; this was always good for around 35 odd to the gallon.

the 1.8 and 2.0 litre are very similar in performance terms, there is only 15bhp difference (115-130), the 1.6 is defiantly slower but of the three handles more neutrally because of the lighter alloy block...hth.


ian

NACRO

Be aware that ABS was an option on the 1.8 and many cars didn't have it. Think the 2.0 had it as standard. Worth looking out for one equipped with it IMO.

The 1.8 is better than the 1.6 IMO, just because it's less of a slug. It is old tech though and I'd choose the 2.0 over it.

trails

iTrader: (41)

its easy to spot too; rear disks denote ABS or reflex pack installed on 1.8's.

i'm going to buy myself a phase I 2.0 ESP when I've killed my current run around...and bluefin to 140bhp

rallying1

My wife has a 1.6 focus zetec estate on a 01 plate, and I used to have a 1.8 3 dr hatch.

The 1.6 is as flat as a turd, dont even go there, the 1.8 was much better, my mate had the 2.0 ltr and to be fair I didnt feel much difference driving it although his fuel consumption was dreadful compared to my 1.8.

as before the only rot places are bottoms of doors, under plastic mounts for the wing mirrors and on the estate some have a problem with the rear window seal.

go for the zetec rather than the LX as they handle a lot better as they have slightly uprated suspension.

if you want to be bored to death by Focus anoraks try FFOC :: Ford Focus Owners Club Im sure you will get the inside leg measurement of every model ever produced.

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

You would have thought they would have fixed this problem, the mk1 mondeo (yup back to 1993) suffered the same problem, it ends up being just a seal in the pollen filter box which is under the grille by the window, costs next to nothing to fix though

Also, if you can find a 1.8 then get one, they are rare but give you the best of both worlds in both performance and economy

Tony

RichardS2005

Cheers guys - I found that forum, hoping that there would be some for sale, lots of focus's with carbon bonnets though!

Hopefully looking at a low mileage W reg car tomorrow, bit expensive though at £3,495 hopefully can get it down closer to £3k

robby

I had a ST170 for a couple of months - 2 weeks of water getting under carpet (pass front) which turned out to be the pollen filter cover seal (just over £2) - this bonds the scuttle panel to the bottom of the windscreen

Exhaust heatshield rattles - the bolts holding it on react with the shield so corrode through - couple of stainless cableties sorted that

Rust under wing mirrors on door tops and tailgate edges

Other than these little things it was a desent car

leef44

I was looking for a Focus a few years ago. Research showed the 1.6 to be more reliable than the 1.8 and 2.0. I don't know why and the faults were small niggle ones rather than major ones. This led to overall customer surveys to show the Focus as only above average in reliability (but still better than VW Golf).

I've had our Focus 1.6 Zetec for 3.5 years now and it's been perfect. I would go for Zetec climate - which has better suspension, air con, front windscreen defrost (very useful in winter).

The handling and steering feel is superb for a family car. Performance is bound to be a bit poorer but is fine for ragging.

I believe at that age it does not comes standard with ABS but I've never found the need for it - the brakes are great.

RichardS2005

I used to love my old WRX's non assisted brakes... used to keep me on my toes!

sti-04!!

Make sure there are no lights on in the dash.

I have my mates one in at the moment, he bought it with the batt light on

The alternator has been changed twice along with repairing broken wires in the loom & its still there plus he needed a clutch.

Thick ****