Is the Mk 1 Focus becoming a classic?
Discussion
I've had my 2003 Focus for 12 years, and I still love driving it. No ABS, no other driver aids, just a couple of essential dials (heater and lights), and a great driving position. I'm still seeing a lot of them around, particularly the blue one (like mine), and I'm almost at the stage of nodding to other drivers.
I was thinking about a change (Seat Leon TDI 150 FR), but I keep on liking the Focus, but it's only me, since everyone else thinks it's a heap, and I'm sure they feel sorry for me for having to own such a thing. Welding on the last two MOT's was a little concerning (hence the lookout for something else), but everything else is sweet.
What's your opinion on these (it's a 3 door), am I driving a potential classic, and should I keep it?
I was thinking about a change (Seat Leon TDI 150 FR), but I keep on liking the Focus, but it's only me, since everyone else thinks it's a heap, and I'm sure they feel sorry for me for having to own such a thing. Welding on the last two MOT's was a little concerning (hence the lookout for something else), but everything else is sweet.
What's your opinion on these (it's a 3 door), am I driving a potential classic, and should I keep it?
I also have a mk 1 Focus, the facelifted version. Every time I think of replacing it, it just keep on going. Great to drive, not too uneconomical, despite being an old 2.0, and keeps me entertained on the commute to work.
The Focus was 20 last year so surely it can't be too far from classic status. Although, like the MK5 Golf GTi, I do wonder if it's held in relatively high regard partly because the car it replaced was sometimes perceived as not being very good. And my Dad had an old Escort...
I have seen a few posts in other threads advising people to hang onto their mk1s and not bother upgrading to the mk2 if given the choice. Dynamically, it seems that later Focuses (Focii?) may have struggled to match the original
The Focus was 20 last year so surely it can't be too far from classic status. Although, like the MK5 Golf GTi, I do wonder if it's held in relatively high regard partly because the car it replaced was sometimes perceived as not being very good. And my Dad had an old Escort...
I have seen a few posts in other threads advising people to hang onto their mk1s and not bother upgrading to the mk2 if given the choice. Dynamically, it seems that later Focuses (Focii?) may have struggled to match the original
Seat dealer popped the Focus inspection details into the computer, and it came up with the part ex range of £100 for clean and -£80 for average (negative means I pay them to take my car in part ex). Mine was clean, but it shows that anything you do to the car (new rear tyres for MOT last month, new front calipers last year, etc.) has zero effect on a car's price. I'll give the Leon a test drive today.
We have a 1.6 2001 MK1.5 Focus Ghia (with the rare ABS option) in the fleet which my Daughter drives.
I think it'll be another 5 years till they become classic. There's still just too many of them about (because they're still really good cars and difficult to replace).
Rust seems to be the killer. Mechanically they're solid.
I think it'll be another 5 years till they become classic. There's still just too many of them about (because they're still really good cars and difficult to replace).
Rust seems to be the killer. Mechanically they're solid.
Great cars.
I had a 2.0 Ghia when they first came out as my company car then a mk2 for a couple of years.
Girlfriend had a mk1 tddi which did 180k miles which got scrapped last year when the clutch went and we replaced it with another mk1 1.6 zetec which has done only 60k miles and cost £350.
Still a nice car to drive.
Main issue seems to be be rust on the rear edge of the sill and rear suspension mounting point though this can be welded up fairly cheaply.
Parts and servicing is cheap as chips.
I think a mk1 particularly a 3 door in zetec trim is the nicest looking.
I had a 2.0 Ghia when they first came out as my company car then a mk2 for a couple of years.
Girlfriend had a mk1 tddi which did 180k miles which got scrapped last year when the clutch went and we replaced it with another mk1 1.6 zetec which has done only 60k miles and cost £350.
Still a nice car to drive.
Main issue seems to be be rust on the rear edge of the sill and rear suspension mounting point though this can be welded up fairly cheaply.
Parts and servicing is cheap as chips.
I think a mk1 particularly a 3 door in zetec trim is the nicest looking.
I drive a very tatty 2002 1.8 estate, which I have from new. I spend pennies on it. It's an exercise in how many years/miles I can get out of it for the bare minimum expense. It never gets washed or vacuumed. It's my station car park, fishing, tip car etc. The bodywork looks like someone has gone over it with a hammer.
But it is mechanically rock solid & it seems to have got faster with age. So, I can understand that if you have a decent looking, well spec'd saloon you'd be thinking about potential classic status.
But it is mechanically rock solid & it seems to have got faster with age. So, I can understand that if you have a decent looking, well spec'd saloon you'd be thinking about potential classic status.
Just re-booting this old thread to say, yes the MK1 Focus is becoming a classic, having bought one 3 weeks ago.
I came to my MK1 from a MK4 ecoboost zetec hire car and I am absolutely amazed, because even on s
te 7 year old front Firestone tyres and 13 year old rear budget tyres, which are clearly well past their best in terms of grip, the old car is simply faster than the new one in many tight handling situations. Example; there's an exit slip road near me from a dual carriageway, which tightens nicely as you go round it. In the new car, I simply didn't feel like I could take it at more than 35 MPH (not helped by the lifeless steering). The other day in my Mk1, I sailed round at 40MPH, which as fast as I've managed in any car I've tried around it. The new car obviously has more outright grip, but the old one is just more pointy and more understeer resistant in tight spots.
The chassis in the MK1 was simply brilliant for its time and I'm convinced it remains a match for many moderns 20 years on. If that doesn't define "classic" I don't know what does!!
I came to my MK1 from a MK4 ecoboost zetec hire car and I am absolutely amazed, because even on s
te 7 year old front Firestone tyres and 13 year old rear budget tyres, which are clearly well past their best in terms of grip, the old car is simply faster than the new one in many tight handling situations. Example; there's an exit slip road near me from a dual carriageway, which tightens nicely as you go round it. In the new car, I simply didn't feel like I could take it at more than 35 MPH (not helped by the lifeless steering). The other day in my Mk1, I sailed round at 40MPH, which as fast as I've managed in any car I've tried around it. The new car obviously has more outright grip, but the old one is just more pointy and more understeer resistant in tight spots.The chassis in the MK1 was simply brilliant for its time and I'm convinced it remains a match for many moderns 20 years on. If that doesn't define "classic" I don't know what does!!
greenarrow said:
Just re-booting this old thread to say, yes the MK1 Focus is becoming a classic, having bought one 3 weeks ago.
I came to my MK1 from a MK4 ecoboost zetec hire car and I am absolutely amazed, because even on ste 7 year old front Firestone tyres and 13 year old rear budget tyres, which are clearly well past their best in terms of grip, the old car is simply faster than the new one in many tight handling situations. Example; there's an exit slip road near me from a dual carriageway, which tightens nicely as you go round it. In the new car, I simply didn't feel like I could take it at more than 35 MPH (not helped by the lifeless steering). The other day in my Mk1, I sailed round at 40MPH, which as fast as I've managed in any car I've tried around it. The new car obviously has more outright grip, but the old one is just more pointy and more understeer resistant in tight spots.
The chassis in the MK1 was simply brilliant for its time and I'm convinced it remains a match for many moderns 20 years on. If that doesn't define "classic" I don't know what does!!
Ford have always excelled at making a regular car drive impeccably well for what it is. I get to drive a reasonable number of modern "premium" (according to a hire car company - Volvos, Jaguar XE, Merc C Class, etc) cars through work, and my mk4 Mondeo drives better than all of the ones I've tried so far. I came to my MK1 from a MK4 ecoboost zetec hire car and I am absolutely amazed, because even on s
te 7 year old front Firestone tyres and 13 year old rear budget tyres, which are clearly well past their best in terms of grip, the old car is simply faster than the new one in many tight handling situations. Example; there's an exit slip road near me from a dual carriageway, which tightens nicely as you go round it. In the new car, I simply didn't feel like I could take it at more than 35 MPH (not helped by the lifeless steering). The other day in my Mk1, I sailed round at 40MPH, which as fast as I've managed in any car I've tried around it. The new car obviously has more outright grip, but the old one is just more pointy and more understeer resistant in tight spots.The chassis in the MK1 was simply brilliant for its time and I'm convinced it remains a match for many moderns 20 years on. If that doesn't define "classic" I don't know what does!!
In time they will be, but not yet as they are still too numerous and nostalgia hasn't kicked in yet!
Also, there is also only the RS model as a halo. The ST170 looks good but isn't that fondly regarded overall. The standard LX, Zetec etc will not be as desirable as classics so values will not be huge.
Also, there is also only the RS model as a halo. The ST170 looks good but isn't that fondly regarded overall. The standard LX, Zetec etc will not be as desirable as classics so values will not be huge.
Hub said:
In time they will be, but not yet as they are still too numerous and nostalgia hasn't kicked in yet!
Also, there is also only the RS model as a halo. The ST170 looks good but isn't that fondly regarded overall. The standard LX, Zetec etc will not be as desirable as classics so values will not be huge.
I reckon everybody said that about Mk1 & 2 Escorts back in the day Also, there is also only the RS model as a halo. The ST170 looks good but isn't that fondly regarded overall. The standard LX, Zetec etc will not be as desirable as classics so values will not be huge.
We bought a 2003,mk 1.5 1.6 zetec for my GF a couple of years ago for £350. It’s gone through 2 mots now with straight passes.
Some advisories on the recent mot mot to do with corrosion on brake lines which we’ll need to get sorted.
Other than that I’m always so impressed when I drive it as to how well it drives.
Everything feels really crisp particularly the steering .
This one replaced a mk 1 tddi which clicked up 175k miles.
Some advisories on the recent mot mot to do with corrosion on brake lines which we’ll need to get sorted.
Other than that I’m always so impressed when I drive it as to how well it drives.
Everything feels really crisp particularly the steering .
This one replaced a mk 1 tddi which clicked up 175k miles.
mike74 said:
mrsimmers said:
Love my MK1
]
Lovely on the outside, tacky and cheap looking on the inside, the blue and black leather is just so naff.]
To be fair they are not that bad, worked on a RS a few years ago, paintwork, belts and some bits and pieces. I had a mk1 2.0 Zetec ESP. One of the only cars I never modified, it was a great car out the box. Bought used from a Ford dealer in WGC at 45k, missus took it on at 90k, sister in law ran it till 140k. Ford even warrantied the tailgate and both rear doors for rust which surprised me. I'd go as far to say it might be the FWD equivalent to the MX5....
Rebumping this thread....I'm curious to know for anyone who owned a MK1 focus for a few years what did you replace it with? As I have no idea what to get next (will need to be a 4/5 door)
I've had my 3 door mk1 for 10 years now, my do-it all car for everything and I really don't want to end up with something that's nicer to sit in but ultimately drives and handles crap, lifeless etc
Mazda 3, Focus mk2, Leon or Volvo S40 spring to mind (prefer n/a to turbo but willing to be converted).
I've had my 3 door mk1 for 10 years now, my do-it all car for everything and I really don't want to end up with something that's nicer to sit in but ultimately drives and handles crap, lifeless etc
Mazda 3, Focus mk2, Leon or Volvo S40 spring to mind (prefer n/a to turbo but willing to be converted).
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