I always said I wouldn't touch any Ford with a barge pole. That was until I was looking for a new car recently. For the money I had to spend (around 10,000GBP) it was a question of balancing getting a nearly new car against a couple of years old car which would have had a higher list price when new.
I decided to go for the option that will (hopefully) cost me less money. I now have a 9 month old Focus 1.6 Zetec with Air Conditioning pack (which includes the heated front screen).
Just so that you know the Focus comes in a number of variations: 1.4, 1.6; 1.8 and 2.0 engine sizes and LX, Zetec, and Ghia trims. There is also a sporty ST170 (170 BHP). And there is just about to be released an RS model (over 200 BHP and the replacement for the Escort Cosworth)
The engine size choice will be down to you. 1.6 and under, from late Y plate onwards will get you the lower (120GBP) Road Fund Licence (Tax Disc). And generally
speaking the smaller the engine the more miles to the gallon you will do.
The real decision is what to look for in the trim options. The LX model now comes with Air Conditioning as standard, but has not a heated front screen.
The Zetec comes with nothing but most cars will have had a climate pack fitted (a 500GBP factory option). This gives you Air Conditioning and the heated front screen (it also has heated wing mirrors and windscreen washer jets). In my view this is the one to go for, as the heated front screen is amazing! I used it for the first time recently and was expecting it to be like a rear screen on a normal car and take a few mintes before I could drive off. I was moving off in about 30 seconds with a totally clear screen! Until you have one you won't know what you are missing.
The Ghia model has the Air Con, heated front screen and electric front seat. The only other difference is the addition of a bit of fake wood in the dashboard trim. I can't imagine why anyone needs an electric front seat. How often do you move the drivers seat in your own car?
My opinion is to go for the Zetec and make sure it comes with the climate pack. You then get the best of both worlds; the cheaper car and all of the features you need from the more expensive version.
Now you know what you are avoiding when the salesman tries to push you into that nearly new Ghia version, how does it actually feel to own one?
Driving
This is the car's strong point. It really does handle well. I have just changed from a Peugeot 206 (which are rated as great handling cars). The Focus beats it hands down. It has a much better ride; is quieter; has a better stereo (although I must admit as a spend a fair bit of time in the car I did upgrade this - but I still have the standard speakers (for the moment)); and corners better. The handling of the Focus amazed me. The reason I always said I would never touch a Ford was the sloppy way the old Ford's went round corners and the whole lack of quality in the switchgear and in the gear change. They really were awful cars.
This car corners like it is on rails. The only downside to the handling is that you do not get a lot of feedback through the steering wheel to tell you how hard the front wheels are working. Finally the gear change is lovely with the gear stick moving with a lovely notchy feel into the next gear.
Inside
This is the biggest revelation to me. The plastics, for a car of this price are good quality. The heater controls have been rubberised to get rid of any tackiness and the instruments are well laid out. Ford have put a lot of effort into the little things, by taking ideas from other manufacturers. They have take Mercedes' idea for the fog lights. These are operated from the main headlight switch (which is like one of the heater dials) and you pull the switch once for front lights and twice for front and rear. When you switch off the main lights at the end of the journey it automatically pushes the switch back in, so you can't start your next journey with your fog lights accidently left on. The stereo has fingertip remote controls on the steering column, and these are not far off the quality of the Renault system, which is reknowned as being the best. Seats are firm and supportive and the steering wheel adjusts for hight and reach, so you can easily find the most comfortable driving position and arrive at the end of your journey not too tired. There is loads of space inside. You are not cramped at all and there is plenty of shoulder space between the driver and front passenger. It's my car so I'm not sitting in the back for anyone, so I can't really comment on the rear space, save to say I drive with my seat quite a long way back and there appears to be ample legroom behind me.
Running Costs
I have been averaging 34 MPG, but I do most of my driving on back roads and then in town, so that is not too bad as far as I am concered. Based on that I would expect a good 40MPG on a longer run, with some motorway driving. Obviously this is going to vary on how you drive and which engine size you have, so I won't dwell on this point too long.
I have a friend who has bought an ALFA 147 (the car I wanted, if I could have stretched a few more thousand). He has just had an intermediate service which cost him 288GBP. The main dealer was charging 70GBP per hour!! I am expecting to pay about 60-100GBP for my first service which will not be for 10,000 miles yet!
So as you can see I am expecting the running costs to be good, which was one of the main reasons for buying the car after all. I am not too sure how it will fare with depreciation, but from what I have seen for the 2 year old cars that were for sale at around 2,000GBP less than this one, it is likely to lose about 1,500GBP per year, which is average, so I am not overly concerned. After all cars are expensive when you buy and cheap when you sell!
General
As I said before Ford have nicked some good ideas from others. There is a handy function where the interior light comes on when you unlock the door. The light comes on as well when you have finished a journey and switch off the engine. The remote control on the keys is excellent, with an option to open just the boot without unlocking the whole car. Handy if you are a bit worried about leaving your car unlocked while you are not in it. Additionally you shouldn't be able to annoy other people by leaving your fog lights on from the day before. (One of my pet hates and the sooner all cars have this the better)
Problems
There have been a few minor points: The rub strip (the strip of plastic that runs down the doors that stops your car getting scratched when people open their car doors into your car (or the other way round!)) is only stuck on and is coming loose (not good for a 9 month old car). Aparently this is a bit of a Ford trait and is easily fixed by sticking it down again. Surely they could just use stronger glue to start with?
This is a minor point and really hasn't detracted from what I have found to be an excellent car.
Sorry if this sounds like a Ford Focus advert, but I really am converted. If Jeremy Clarkson (who has the same view of the old Fords as I did admits to liking these cars they must be good!
Definitely recommended as a cheaper option than other cars in the same class.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Good review - I just dont understand how these cars are outselling the new Astras.
And I say that as someone who's dad has worked for Ford all his life.
I've got a new Astra SXi Digital and I would buy one of those over the Focus any day!
hixey101 25.03.2005 19:01
This is what I drove on my driving lessons (recently passed) and overall I'd say its a great car, recently drove the new style one too, and thats even better, although the hadbrakes in the wrong place!
Advantages: Spaceous, Excellent Handling, Low Insurance Group, Comfortable and Stylish. Disadvantages: Has the family stigma attached to it which does not do it justice.
Goran 13.02.2006 (13.02.2006)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ford Focus 1.6
Advantages: Excellent all round car that looks amazing Disadvantages: The price!
firebeermetal 31.05.2007 (31.05.2007)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of FordFocus1.6i Duratec 16V
shumphries100 20.07.2007 (20.07.2007)
·
Read review
Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of FordFocus Titanium 1.6 5dr
Advantages: Comfortable, good handling, nice driving position, economical, good load carrier, 3 year warranty - no servicing required. Disadvantages: Not a lot of "extras as standard", no ISOFIX for child seat,
exceptional by (5%):
very helpful by (91%):
helpful by (5%):
