My first car, a Ford Focus

[ghosts_cloak]

Hey guys, here is my new Focus MP3. It's a 1.8 petrol, and I have just had 2 new tyres, air and oil filters, engine oil and spark plugs etc. I know its not a TVR but its pretty special to me, I think its brilliant! I have managed to scuff the wheels a little as I live in such a ridiculously narrow street at uni that if you want your wing mirror to last more than a week you have to get within a cm of the kerb, not easy for a new driver in a new car (I learnt in a Corsa).





Gareth

[Frik]

Great first car!

Enjoy it.

[Martin_Hx]

Aye far better than i had as my first car all 800cc of it !

[renmure]

Your car looks fab.
Definately a step up from my 1st car.... a Hillman Avenger,
Drive it carefully

[Allblackdup]

Great first car! Had one myself and loved it!

Can thoroughly recommend the owners club at www.FFOC.co.uk if you're interested.

Gaz

[blowy84]

first car!!!!! you jammy wotsit, very lucky to have that for a first car. i would have ended up in a hedge very quickly if i had a 1.8 zetec as a first car!!!!!

[Podie]

Cool, time to explore Ford's modular build and buying bits of fleabay

[ghosts_cloak]

Hiya guys, thanks for the comments! I agree, it is great for a first car! The plan is for it to last me at least four years though so I didn't want a "banger" that was already on its last legs. Its large enough to carry lots of stuff to and from Uni, and a capable motorway car as well as being "fun on the twisties".
Hmm I am interested in the comment about Fords "modular build", I am still pretty clueless about cars, what does this mean? If it involves modifications that may be off the cards for at least another year - insurance is steep as it is!
Cheers, Gareth

[Podie]

Ford (like most other mass manufacturers) change some detail parts on higher model cars. What this means if that if you have the basic spec car, you can often fit bits from higher end models in the range.

In many cases Ford fit the same wiring loom to all cars of a type, eg Focus or Mondeo, as it’s cheaper than having several versions. Net result is, that you can find and fit all sorts of things. In the Mk2 Mondeo’s things like trip computers are often retro fitted… and footwell illumination (only fitted on the Ghia models) is simply a case of finding the bulb holder and fitting them. Another common one are interior lamps. Basic spec cars have one lamp… yet higher end models have map reading lights in a different fitting, that literally pops out and replaces the other unit.

[justlivyalife]

First thing I did when I got my Mondeo was to fit bulbs into the bulbholders :thumbs:. Very nice for a first car mate - well done .

[flattotheboards]

Thats a nice first car, i started in a fiesta.

[ghosts_cloak]

Podie said:

Ford (like most other mass manufacturers) change some detail parts on higher model cars. W.....

Haha thats awesome, I will have to look into this further! Cheers for the advice, as apart from the wheels it is a base spec Zetec (cassette player, no trip comp etc)
Gareth

[Jon944S2]

That's a nice 1st car to have, enjoy it.

I started of with a sort of ford, A Volvo 850T5 with the 850R exhaust and an ECU Remap was quite quick but a little boring.

[snotrag]

Not sure if your car will have it, but lots of Fords do.

Got a little digital odometer readout under your speedo?

Theres a little button sequence you can do to turn it into a neat little computer, it does things speed, RPM, instantaneous MPG, etc etc. Look it up on a Focus Forum!

Nice car aswell, my mates had one for a couple of years, very early one, 1.8 Zetec 3dr just like yours.

Edited by snotrag on Thursday 10th January 12:38

[Podie]

ghosts_cloak said:

Podie said:

Ford (like most other mass manufacturers) change some detail parts on higher model cars. W.....

Haha thats awesome, I will have to look into this further! Cheers for the advice, as apart from the wheels it is a base spec Zetec (cassette player, no trip comp etc)
Gareth

Thought it was an MP3..? Should have a CD/MP3 player for a start..!!

[Funk]

Correct number of doors for a young man-about-town as well..

[ghosts_cloak]

Hi :-)
Yup it is an MP3, minus the MP3 compatible CD player. I don't know why, it just didn't come with one! I'm not too fussed anyhow, for now, as I need all my concentration to drive, never mind singing along to music!
I will have to go and check for that lcd screen.. not sure off the top of my head.
Cheers,
Gareth

ps: I went out for a quick drive before, great fun. The only real thing that annoys me is that I cant really tell where the end of the bonnet is when maneuvering, any tips for me guys?

[Funk]

ghosts_cloak said:

Hi :-)
ps: I went out for a quick drive before, great fun. The only real thing that annoys me is that I cant really tell where the end of the bonnet is when maneuvering, any tips for me guys?

When you feel a bump, stop moving forward.

[snotrag]

ghosts_cloak said:

ps: I went out for a quick drive before, great fun. The only real thing that annoys me is that I cant really tell where the end of the bonnet is when maneuvering, any tips for me guys?

Get in, and get a mate to walk around the car with a garden cane. Trust me, it works.

[ghosts_cloak]

snotrag said:

Get in, and get a mate to walk around the car with a garden cane. Trust me, it works.

Brilliant idea! Seeing as the responses are flowing in thick and fast (until I post this probably :-P) perhaps I could get some more driving advice if anyone can help please?

1: Clutch control: I sometimes feel that I make too much use of the clutch when getting going from stationary/manouvering. Is the idea to keep at the biting point until the car starts to roll and then get your foot up ASAP? I tend to bring it up quite slowly...

2: Parallel parking in a narrow street: I guess the cane trick mentioned above will help with this, but the problem in my street is that I feel as though the front swinging out will catch cars on the opposite side of the road, so I always try and find a big gap and pull in forwards. Hints/tips?

Thanks a lot guys,

Gareth :-)