Ford Focus TDCi 1.8 Ghia (2004)

Advantages: High MPG, Comfortable, Quite and plenty of leg room.
Disadvantages: Extra costs hidden in services

...During the second years service (2006) the dealer discovered the scuttle cover was warped and needed replacing. New scuttle cover / pollen filter cover was fitted, and anti-bacterial spray treatment applied - the cost was over £44.00. (Removal of the scuttle destroys the seal and it has to be replaced). As the car is less than 2 years old I suggested it should come under a warranty replacement. The dealer said I would have to take the issue up with Ford. This I did and the Ford customer service department stated they have no history of there being a problem with the Focus scuttle cover, the scuttle cover is part of the trim and is therefore not covered under any warrantee agreement, and they would not honour any refund to me. I said that I have the part that was removed and would be willing to send the part to them...

BAZ1951 05.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec C-MAX.

Advantages: Roomy, upmarket quality & quiet.
Disadvantages: Hand brake position needs getting used to.

...7 footers! Upholstery is plain side panels with inset silvery zig zag finish, it comes in 2 colours according to the paint colour.ie Dark has light upholstery & light has dark finish. TOYS, adjustable steering column, upwards & in & outwards. Intermittent variable wipers with the advantage of speed for front match the speed for the rear wiper. If the front wipers are on and you go into reverse the rear wiper automatically wipes. Built in computer, giving mileage, MPG, amount of fuel left in tank, average speed, low outside temp and for those of you that go abroad changeable miles to kilometres. The engine, comes in 1.6 petrol/1.6 turbo diesel, 1.8 petrol & 2litre turbo diesel. Rated at 110 BHP for 1.6's, 120 BHP and 136 BHP. Fuel consumption so far has been impressive, todate I am achieving 36-36.5 MPG. Mileage is now at 23...

Beefy 28.11.2003 (14.09.2007) · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8

  Why I'm not fussed about the Focus

Advantages: Lots of them around. Cheaper now in the old shape
Disadvantages: Please see below

...When I got rid of my Fiat Punto 1.9 JTD this time last year I was in the market for a slightly larger vehicle. I was having a love hate relationship with the back end of the Renault Megáne and the Citroen C4 was not released then (what it is about me and French cars I don't know!) although I thought that would be the ideal car. Nothing much was doing it for me (it's all about emotions when I buy a car) so we decided to go and have a look at Ford, in particular the Focus. We had heard great things about the Focus and it seemed only natural to go and see what they had on the forecourt. On arrival at Ford we were greeted with the sight of a Ford Focus Zetec 1.8 TDCi in silver with the climate pack for just over 10 grand (with 15K miles). We test drove the car and it's higher powered brother (the one with 115 horses as opposed to...

josarah 09.06.2005 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

Focus 1.8 TDCi - a great not so little car

Advantages: Fantastically economical for its class
Disadvantages: High torque from engine can be expensive on tyres

...I've had a Focus 1.8 TDCi for a little over a year, following a two year stint from a Fiat so I may be a little over enthusiastic about the Focus! However, I've been driving for over 20 years (Oh God that long...) and have driven a silly number of cars over this time. I think I've found a car I finally can settle with for at least the rest of the finance term!!! Which is unusual as I get bored very quickly! The feel of the car overall is one of comfort but without the disconnected feel you can get in some larger cars and you really can have the confidence in the motor to pull hard when you need it. Inside, the car feels roomy for its class and the seats seem to hug you quite nicely. I used to have to sit at a slight angle in many of my older cars to reach pedals and steer yet in the Focus I can sit in a relatively normal position...

S1monPage69 12.09.2008 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

Ford Focus Zetec 1.8

Advantages: A roomy and stilish car
Disadvantages: Every other person has one

...My Focus is now coming up to 3 years old (W reg) and has covered about 17000 miles. I have had the car from new and replaced a very tired Austin Maestro 1.3. I tend to keep my cars for a long time, so running costs and reliability are very inportant to me. The car, so far has been very reliable and has given no problems so far. Most people now know what the Focus looks like, so I wont bore you with the details. Many cars, however, have appeared to have copied it including Ford with its latest Fiesta and Mondeo designs. The only critisism is the rear end; it looks very boring. The new Focus has rubber inserts in the bumper assembly which does help the styling a little. The car is very quiet and the handling superb. The 1.8 engine is smooth and packs a lot of punch, especially climbing hills. There is very little evidence that...

STUARTSTIRLING 21.01.2003 (05.02.2003) · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8

My Ford

Advantages: All
Disadvantages: No

...grouped in easy-to-follow trims; Style, LX, sporty Zetec and luxurious Ghia, with a racy ST hot hatch range-topper. Three-and five-door variants are offered, with three-doors taking a sportier stance, to the detriment of driver visibility. Engines include a gutless 1.25-litre and preferable 1.4-litre petrol, plus two TDCi diesels - 1.4-litre and 1.6-litre. Again, the larger unit is better. Toping the range are 1.6-litre and 2.0-litre petrols, the latter with 150bhp. No Fiesta is particularly well equipped though, and high-tech features such as voice activation and Bluetooth telephone all cost extra. But interior finish was much improved in 2006 when the car had a mild facelift. Owning: Retained values of the Fiesta are average, but economy is good (even the 1.4-litre petrol averages 45mpg) and insurance ratings are OK. Servicing from a Ford...

Monica020783 24.10.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

best car i've had is a focus

Advantages: lots of room, good engine, mpg
Disadvantages: none

...alarm and immobiliser for optimum security. The car also has side impact air bags and passenger and driver airbags which gives and added sens of safety. The engine being a 1.8 turbo diesel is very punchy although I have done 90mph in it I wouldn?t say there would be much left over 100mph. From 0 to 30 mph the car isn?t to nippy but when the turbo kicks in at 30ish the car sits you back in your seat. The best part of this car and engine is the fuel consumption I can get between 45 and 55 mpg which is very good compared with other cars I have had. I bought the car for £6000 second hand , brand new the car ranges from £8995 to £11995and found it a good investment the tax isn?t the lowest bracket at £95 for 6 months due to it being diesel. I like this car and even with it being a common car this tell me it must be good and I can see why; I...

dingoo 23.02.2004 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

Best diesel hatch now at bargain prices!

Advantages: Performance, Economy
Disadvantages: No ABS

...I bought my Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Zetec (52 plate) about a month ago. I?m impressed with the interior design of the car ? it?s well laid out and the driving position is excellent. The seats are comfortable and my car came with a climate pack (air-con, heated front screen and door mirrors). The heated front screen is particularly useful. Needless to say, being a Focus the handling is excellent. The Zetec model has sports suspension and really does grip the road exceptionally well. What makes this car special is the TDCi engine. It has 113 Bhp, which isn?t exceptional, but when combined with the huge amount of torque on offer (250Nm), delivers powerful and effortless acceleration, even from low revs (anything above 1500 rpm). The ?overboost? function is also useful, delivering a short burst of extra torque when the pedal is fully...

James_titcombe 27.01.2005 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

Focus makes 'Va Va Voom' a reality not a promise

Advantages: Fast ,precise handling,quiet and purposeful
Disadvantages: some water leaks

...My Focus TDCi Ghia purchased last year as an import via a car suprermarket. It is my first brand new car and I am delighted with it. The TDCi engine is a standard bearer for modern diesel engines.The car,fitted with the more powerful 115 ps engine,has proven to be exceptionally quick and powerful in that all important mid speed range. The official quoted figures show that it is quicker 30 to 70 than the equivalent two litre model. In addition the serious level of low torque at very low revs (1750 rpm) gives the car exception pulling power. It is quite able to tow my caravan at 60mph in an absolutely effortless fashion.Solo it is quite possible to obtain better than 53mpg at legal and 'supra legal' motorway speeds... Urban motoring means that 45mpg is a more realistic figure with 34 mpg being possible when towing. The car has been...

kandmf 12.07.2004 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

First Focus Foray - Final Update

Advantages: Nice drive, economical, practical.
Disadvantages: None really, unless you're a badge snob.

...Just a quick update as I have now owned the Focus six months, the extra information is at the end. I have only owned my Focus for about a month so you need to bear in mind this review is based on first impressions. As with my previous car review I will update it regularly when things go wrong, hopefully not! I bought my 1999 V plate Focus 1,8 Diesel for £4,950 which sounds very cheap, but it has done 70k miles which means it is a reasonable price. I did a lot of research on the internet before buying, the Ford Diesel unit which the Focus uses is well tried and tested being based on an old design, a bit harsh compared to modern versions but it is strong enough to easily last to 150k miles and beyond so I wasn't too concerned buying such a high mileage unit. It is important if buying a high miler to make sure you get service history...

DavidJWest 16.11.2002 (15.10.2009) · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 DI