My trusty Focus estate.

Advantages: Frugal, spacious, built well, handles brilliantly, looks pretty good...
Disadvantages: Not the quietest of diesels.

...Last month I got myself another car. I wanted something economic as I do a hell of a lot of mileage so I wanted a diesel. In the end I got the car I'm writing this review on: A 1999 (V) Ford Focus 1.8TDdi [AC] LX Estate. It cost me £1,600. Got 104K miles (106K now) and had had a full service history til 79K, with a cambelt change at the last service. And to be so blunt, I'm chuffed to bits with it. Anyway, so lets get down to business. - The engine. On the Focus timeline there are two types of diesel engine. The TDdi and the TDci. The latter came along later to be the diesel engine now used in new Fords, it's more powerful, slightly more economic and basically a more refined engine. Well, I couldn't afford that, so I've got the old engine instead. And when I say old, I mean it's old, you find it as far back as the Mk3 Fiestas, although...

Ant309 27.04.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus Estate 1.8 TDCi Duratorq

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

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

My Ford

Advantages: All
Disadvantages: No

...* Rating: * On the road price: £11,195 - £15,395 * For : Dynamics, build, smart styling * Against : Noise, mean kit Driving: The Fiesta's forte. Ford really knows how to make cars handle, so even the cheapest Fiesta will thrill the driver in you. Steering is crisp (all models have a leather wheel), corners are taken tidily and enthusiastically yet the ride remains supple too. A class act, enhanced on the Zetec S model to perfection. Indeed, it's better than the ST, which has more grip but less finesse. The ST's engine is quicker but noisier than the 1.6-litre Zetec-S too. No Fiesta engine is quiet though, while road and wind noise also join the cacophony. But supportive, high-set seats and a spot-on driving position pleases, making up for the lack of space for the clutch foot. Marketplace: Plentiful choice is sensibly...

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

  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

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

58 Plate - Ford Focus Zetec 1.8i Zetec

Advantages: Great to drive. Great to look at. Very fast - never short of any power. Great safety features.
Disadvantages: MPG around town.

...I picked this car up December 2008. What an amazing car. Amazing to look at. And amazing to drive. It's very comfortable front or back. Lots of leg room if you're a rear passenger. Has all the safety features you want: airbags; ABS; ESP etc. This 1.8i engine is quite fast if you push it. Even if you've got a cars full and a full boot. You're never short of power. Coming off a busy roundabout, especially. Add around 4000rpm then bring the clutch up, floor it, it'll push to 35MPH in 1st with no drama. The car can be heavy on fuel around town. I've tried to do as 'economy drive' as I could possible do, and I can only reach, according to car's computer, 29.2MPG. It went down to 28.8MPG the other day. But as soon as you hit the motorway, and cruise at around 65-70MPH, it will bring you back wonder figures. Around 45-50MPG. If you go over 70...

Greeny1980G 01.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8i 16V Zetec

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

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