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 1.6 Zetec

Advantages: A great car from all angles
Disadvantages: Not as many extras included as I would have liked

...I am now the proud owner of a ford focus 1.6 zetec and for the first time in many years I have actually found a car that pretty muc suits all my needs. I have spent many a time in cars that are too big, too small, not suitable, not comfortable etc but this is everything I could ask for. I own the three door version but the doors open widely and when the front seat is moved forward there is plenty of room to get anyone in the back, even my mother in law who is disabled. The back of this car is extremely spacious, comfortably fitting 3 large adults in. The boot size is deceiving in that it looks pretty small but is very spacious indeed. Perfect for all those shopping bags as well as a childs pushchair. The actual drive of this car is superb. Mine runs on unleaded and is very economical. I can get over 200 miles to £35...

bexx0907 27.06.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6

Ford Focus Ghia 2ltr saloon. (Update 22nd May 05)

Advantages: Good all round visibility, responsive acceleration, on board computer, fold-down rear seats.
Disadvantages: difficult removal of rear headrests

...I have always loved Ford Escorts and tended to go for the mid-range sporty machines - a very Zen-like, middle-of-the-road attitude - (1.6 early types, and later the XR3i and finally the 1.8 si). I would probably still be driving one now if Ford hadn't replaced it with the Focus. As far as I was concerned, if it aint broke, don't fix it so I was a little timid when it came to this new model. "Haven't you got any Escorts?" I asked the saleman. He looked at me as if I had just landed from another galaxy and then proceeded to show me this light blue metallic Focus Saloon Ghia. "This is Ford's flagship," he assured me and due to the fact that the rear seats fold down, there is probably more room in there than in your Escort." He was right - the boot was surprisingly roomy and the car a good bit longer. I was beginning to get well...

derek-j-a 28.04.2005 (22.05.2005) · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 2.0

Ford Focus LX 1.6 TDCi Estate

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,

...I own the 2005 (05) version which I bought at one year old with 14500 miles on the clock. So, after almost two years of ownership and me adding a further 18000 miles, would I recommend it? After trading in my Honda Civic (1996 reg), I can quite comfortably say that this car is miles better. But that is what is expected, given that technology moves on. The most obvious place to start is the problems I've had. Repairs under warranty :- After about 27000 miles, the hose pipe at the Exhaust Gas Regulator (EGR) had began to erode( can be a common problem). The tell tail sign is huge amounts of black smoke when accelerating. This was changed by the local Ford dealer. (would have cost in the region of £50) After 29000 miles, I noticed a clunking from the front of the car, even on minor bumps on the road. Again, up to...

bferg 25.01.2008 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus Estate 1.6 TDCi

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 1.6 - Shocking!!

Advantages: Handling and Looks
Disadvantages: Customer Service, Bodywork, Transmission...

...Two years ago I decided to buy a brand new car, and after much research I decided upon the Ford Focus 1.6 (old style now). Everything I had read pointed towards a really good choice. So I went into my local Ford dealer and a week later I had my nice new car. First thoughts were a good looking car, well built, fantastically smooth to drive, held the roads amazingly well. All of the equipment worked wonderfully well and I absolutley loved my new car. Then the problems began.... After two weeks the Airbag Modulator failed, so I went back to the dealer, and they replaced the faulty part within a few days. They wouldn't let me have a courtesy cat so was left hanging around the dealers for a few hours. All work was under warranty so no cost to me. Three weeks after the Modulator fault I was washing the car and noticed tiny rust spots...

dansellers 27.03.2007 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6

Ford Focus 1.6 zetec

Advantages: handling, value for money, performance
Disadvantages: badge snobbery, plastic trim

...I drive a 2002 model of this Focus. I acquired it reluctantly from a family member a couple of years ago however I am very pleased with it. It looks quite bland to many but I think it's quite understated, which I like. I have had a few "sporty" cars over recent years but the handling of the Focus is better than any of them. Staying within the speed limits, on B roads it's really enjoyable and stays nice and flat round corners. When people talk about the handling I use to think that the average driver who uses a car to commute and go on family trips wouldn't really notice it much but I have to say I do. As for performance it drives well on motorways and has all the acceleration you'll ever likely to need. On top of that, the exhaust has quite a nice tone too. Loses it's punchiness if there are 2 adults in the back...

north_north_west 01.08.2008 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6

Ford Focus Flight 1.6 16v

Advantages: Ease of use , smooth gear changes , good price
Disadvantages: None as of yet

...Thought i would write a review , since a couple of weeks ago i done something that i swore i would never do again and that was buy a new Ford Car. About 12 years ago i purchased a Ford Escort brand new from Ford and not only was the service dreadful but the car was a complete and utter bag of nails that wouldn't have pulled you out of bed in the morning never mind away from a set of lights !!. Anyway , have been pondering about purchasing a new car and despite liking the look of the Focus my previous experience with Ford stopped me from previously considering purchasing one. Anyway , seen an add in a local paper for the above model , with the addition of Alloy wheels and Metallic paint as a "Special" on this edition for Scottish customers , so along i went to my local Reg Vardy dealership to have a look , very nice experience it...

Smurf1873 26.05.2004 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6

Ford focus Ghia 1.6 VVTI 2005

Advantages: Great handling, comfortable, good specification
Disadvantages: Too costly for main dealer service, noisy on motorways

...is mainly down to the control blade rear suspension. It really is superb. The engine is ok, the 115bhp is acceptable, but for round town it's more than enough, quite economical too. Around town usually returns mid 20's, and on the motorway with the cruise control on you can get mid 40mpg. It's a little noisy though at motorway speeds, even with the Ghia's extra sound proofing. The spec on the Focus is really quite good - all round electrics, cruise control, cd, aircon, self dimming rear view mirror, alloys, velour seats (quite comfortable with the lumbar support adjustment), to mention just the main items. It even has a aircon cooled glove box. It has been quite reliable, but the car is only covering 4,000 miles a year. It needed a coil pack last year, as this was shorting and causing a mis-fire. I was not impressed...

honeygmonster 24.07.2009 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6 Saloon

Lets Focus On The Zetec...

Advantages: Spaceous, Excellent Handling, Low Insurance Group, Comfortable and Stylish.
Disadvantages: Has the family stigma attached to it which does not do it justice.

...I apologise now if I get too enthusiastic in describing this car, but I think the details will do it justice. The Ford Focus Zetec is in the higher end of the model range and often comes with uprated extras over the base models. My particular car came with what Ford call the 'Climate Pack'. This is a handy combination of air conditioning, heated front windscreen, heated mirrors and heated washer jets. These gadgets can seldom be appreciated in the warmer months, but are an absolute Godsend in winter. If you are looking to buy a focus, make sure you check it has the climate pack. Where most spend twenty minutes scraping ice off their windscreens on frosty winter mornings, you can simply start the engine and press the heat buttons for the front and rear windows. In just under three minutes, the ice would have melted - no more cold...

Goran 13.02.2006 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.6