Ford Focus 1.8 Zetec C-MAX.

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

...,000 and engine seems very lively. Have just had the screen washer pump pack up, but this will be replaced under warranty! Security, full remote central locking with deadlocks. It has an interior alarm & you can specify perimeter alarm( extra). Engine immobiliser. Shielded door locks. Price wise, there have been some discounting on some of the models in the range and the LX and Zetec models are the ones to buy. Some problems have been encountered with the electronic parking brake fitted on the Ghia models but Fords are on top of this. Still the best engines to go for are the Diesels, the 2.0 Litre is a little flyer! Will keep you posted as to how the C Max fares in the future. Have now bought the focus hatchback as replacement (01/09/2007), but used the C max to go to Harwich in before getting it, carried 4 adults and luggage for a cruise and had...

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

The Focus C-Max 1.8 LX

Advantages: good reliable small family vehicle
Disadvantages: none as yet

...I bought the c-max in late 2006 as i was in need of a more reliable car than the dreaded Vauxhall Vectra i was forced to drive round in. I had to keep to the larger size vehicles as i have a wife and two little cherubs to cart around so i needed something as spacious as the Vectra. The Focus c-max was suggested to me by a friend as he was, and still is, an avid Ford fan, at present driving a Focus 1.6 zetec. I had taken a few cars out on test drives, such as the galaxy and the Mondeo, I even test drove a Zifira, even though it had the hated Vauxhall logo on the front. The mondeo was top of my list for space and drive until i jumped behind the wheel of the Focus C-Max. This is a family car with everything one requires. To drive one of these is a pleasure in itself with the power assisted steering and the gear lever in just the right...

blissman70 31.10.2007 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus C-MAX 1.8

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 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

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

...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

The best Ford

Advantages: Truely excellant car.
Disadvantages: Didnot have it long enough. Everyone got one

...At the start of this review I am going to let everyone know why little old me has been missing from ciao for a while. I am currently trying to tidy my house up, as it?s gone up for sale since Monday just gone. Since I am now married I am looking to move to a newer house, and my time is required on painting everything in site ? This includes my pet Chinchillas is they would stay still long enough!!!. Hopefully I should be back to my normal crap opinions from the New Year!. ************************************************************************* Right, now for my opinion on the lovely Ford Focus I hired last weekend to go and see my Nana down in Stafford. I picked up my car last Friday morning and the first thing I notice was the numberplate Y*** WEE. This would be my first drive in this model of car and wondered if the ability...

bazza1603 13.12.2001 (15.12.2001) · 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