Focus 1.8 v 2.0 and 1.6 v 1.8

[zebedee]

Am in the market for a Focus and have a dealer looking for a 1.6 or a 1.8. I drove the 2.0 and the 1.8 and couldn't tell any great difference - the 2.0 didn't seem a quick car, and the 1.8 was OK. Is the 1.6 much slower than the 1.8 or deficient in other areas, or would I be just as happy with a 1.6 as a 1.8?

Any power and performance (particularly in-gear accelaration) figures would be much appreciated

Cheers

[pAntscat]

I take it that it's not a new shape one as they don't do a 1.8 petrol lump anymore.

My Muvver has just swapped a 00Y-1.6 for a 53-1.8 and she says that the difference is amazing... the 1.8 has a lot more go and seems to be more economical too.

Having previously had a 3dr 2.0 zetec for 6 months I thought it was pretty impressive - plenty of go... but I can't really say how it compares with the 1.8.

Have you thought about the 1.8 tdci? My brother had one for a while and I was quite impressed with that... great fuel economy too!

[zebedee]

the diesels seem to be quite a bit more to buy secondhand. Think I'll go for a 1.8, unless he comes up with a bargain 1.6

[Mannginger]

I've got an 05 Focus with the 1.6 TiVCT engine. In it's range it's fine (although below 3000 rpm it's a little sluggish) and to be honest I also found that there wasn't much extra from the 2 litre version. Certainly not enough for me to jump at the 2 litre if I were to buy another petrol Focus.

For Mway work I find the 1.6 to be relaxed enough and has enough poke to sit on 90+ with no effort.

Cheers

Phil

Edited to add: Of course the thing that the 2.0 litre has over the 1.6 is that it has all round disks - and I could tell the difference with those!

>> Edited by Mannginger on Thursday 19th January 19:06

[White_van_man]

iv given all three a good thrashing, the 1.6 is shocking compared to the 1.8 and the 1.8 to the 2ltr i didnt notice that much difference. my dad has had his 1.6 for about a year and regrets it, he wish's he kept the 1.8 he gave to me

[joethebhoy]

If its a quick focus you are after then i would recommend the ST170.

However if its a very quick focus you are after it has to be the focus RS. The RS is the best focus ford have made without a doubt and makes a lot of more expensive cars look like nothing out on the road. The handling is awesome as is the power in any gear. There really is no other car on the road (with the exception of evo's etc) that will pass you in an RS.

So if i was you i wouldnt waste my time with any 1.6 or 1.8 or 2.0 for that matter as there is really only 1 focus worth owning and that is the little imperial blue 1.

[zebedee]

sadly with a budget of 3.5k (and a wife who has had a full licence for less than a year) I think the ST and RS are out of reach, the 1.8 will only just be in reach to be fair!

Thanks for the input though, I think I will definitely hold out for a 1.8

[pantscat]

The 1.8 is definately the pick of the petrol bunch.
Better econonmy that the 2.0 and nearly as much poke!

[plfrench]

Mines a 1.8 and it seems to go very well for what it is. I've driven the new 1.6 Focus and that it very slow in comparison.

My missus has a Zetec-S fiesta which has a slightly higher output version of the 1.6 found in the Focus, and mine will beat that to 60 quite happily and after that really pull away. It is only the Fiesta's lower weight and gearing which helps it at low speeds, and the Focus the 1.6 wouldn't have this advantage.

You do need a few revs to get the 1.8 going (there is a notciable step up in performance at about 4k) and the 1.6 is a fair bit smoother, but I would say no contest between the two.

You can have mine for £3k if you're struggling to find one for £3.5k!!!

Paul.