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 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

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

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

best car i've had is a focus

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

...I bought my black focus zetec in April 2003, and it has been one of the best cars I have had. It has quite a good spec with power steering traction control, electric windows, air-conditioning and a heated front screen as this has been a god send in frosty weather a great piece of kit There is plenty of room in the five door version I have, and the driving position is next to none. The driving position suits me because it is high and being over 6 foot tall is excellent for me. You also notice from this position you are quite high I can see the sun roof on many other makes of car when out driving. The Interior of this car is also very good the seat material is hardwiring and the plastic (that all cars have these days) is good quality it looks good and hard warring. The dash board is very ergonomically and well set out to with a good...

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

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

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

Focus - does exacally what it says on the tin

Advantages: Average, cheap to run, cheap to buy, does what it says on the tin
Disadvantages: small boot, sensitive about biting point for a diesel

...The focus is my 3rd car.. My first was a echonimical 106 and my second a racy, alfa spider.... So the focus is a bit dull and a bit boring. It offers no exitement when driving compared to some other cars. But, the focus is a cheap to run cheap to maintain, sensible car. It really does everything it is supposed to do. I brought it for miles, and I have driven about 15,000 in just over 6 months and no problems. I like the focus, its like the friend that listens to all your problems and never causes you grief or stress, the focus is comfortable to drive, it has good all around visibility, you can park it dead easy, you can drive it dead easy. The only thing I find it that when its cold its especially easy to stall, and this is a diesel which is unusual, but not something cronic to put you off buying the car. I find the focus is...

krissharm 14.12.2006 · Read review
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Review of Ford Focus 1.8 TDCi Hatchback

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

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