Mk2 Focus on it's last legs?

[HellDiver]

Well, looking for a new motor to replace the Mondeo which is on it's last legs.

Decided to check out a new Focus - I know there's a new model due soon, but obviously Ford are really running the old model out.

There's Style, Zetec, Sport, and Titanium. There's a choice of the 100hp 1.6 petrol, the 145hp 2.0 petrol, or two stty 1.6 TDCI in 89hp or 110hp.

So engine choice is, useless, thirsty, miserable and rubbish.

They've lost a new car sale, and I'll be chasing up used, either a 1.8 petrol or 2.0 diesel.

You'd think they'd choose better engines for the Mk2's dying days, wouldn't you?

[DannyVTS]

My grandad has the 1.6 and averages 31mpg

He had the 1.8 before that, and 2 2.0 Mk1's before them.

It's obviously his driving style, but they are all the same mpg as far as his driving goes.

[Biker's Nemesis]

No 1.8 diesel?

[mnkiboy]

They're not going to start putting new engines in an old design. All new range of engines is coming in the MK3 Focus though.

The 110bhp 1.6 TDCi isn't bad economy wise, but the petrol engines are distinctly average these days. Depends what you're after I guess.

[HellDiver]

doogz said:

Which engine would you rather they put in it?

They used to put the 1.4, 1.6 100hp, 1.6 Ti-VCT 115hp, the 1.8 Duratec, 2 litre Duratec, 2.5T in petrols. 6 different engines.

They used to put the two 1.6, the good old 1.8TDCI and the 2.0TDCI in for the diesels. 4 different engines.

Now they're down to the junk of the range, none breaking the 110hp mark apart from the 2 litre which is too hard on juice to be useful over the 1.8.

[HellDiver]

Biker's Nemesis said:

No 1.8 diesel?

No, it's gone. It'd be my second choice after the 1.8 petrol which is also gone.

[Superhoop]

Don't be so quick to dismiss the 1.6 diesel - okay it'll never set your pants on fire, but it is quite frugal...

After all, Peugeot, Citroën, Mazda, Volvo, Ford and BMW (used in the Mini) amounts others can't all be wrong

[Biker's Nemesis]

Superhoop said:

Don't be so quick to dismiss the 1.6 diesel - okay it'll never set your pants on fire, but it is quite frugal...

My last Focus was the 1.6 TDCi Sport, quite nifty power and fuel economy wise.

[HellDiver]

doogz said:

I deleted my post because i realised it was a bit pointless.

Seriously though, why are you even considering spending that sort of money on a new Ford Focus. Madness!

Glad you're not the only one.

Why am I thinking of a new Focus? My old car is shagged, I've got the money to buy a new car, and I like the Focus. Or I did, before they took all the good engines away.

[HellDiver]

Biker's Nemesis said:

Superhoop said:

Don't be so quick to dismiss the 1.6 diesel - okay it'll never set your pants on fire, but it is quite frugal...

My last Focus was the 1.6 TDCi Sport, quite nifty power and fuel economy wise.

We have a heap of the 1.6TDCI Focii at work. I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy.

Perhaps the 1.6TDCI is better when remapped, but I doubt it. They come with drum brakes as well, which is a bit British Leyland for my liking. I haven't had a car with rear drums for 11 years...

[mnkiboy]

Can't you get a 6 month old version of the one you want, with a healthy amount knocked off the new price?

[Biker's Nemesis]

HellDiver said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Superhoop said:

Don't be so quick to dismiss the 1.6 diesel - okay it'll never set your pants on fire, but it is quite frugal...

My last Focus was the 1.6 TDCi Sport, quite nifty power and fuel economy wise.

We have a heap of the 1.6TDCI Focii at work. I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy.

Perhaps the 1.6TDCI is better when remapped, but I doubt it. They come with drum brakes as well, which is a bit British Leyland for my liking. I haven't had a car with rear drums for 11 years...

Mine didn't have drum rear brakes. It was 2006 (56)

[roscozs]

Get yourself a Ford Focus Titanium 2.0 TDCI through Ford Direct. Good engine, loads of kit and far cheaper than a brand new model.

[HellDiver]

roscozs said:

Get yourself a Ford Focus Titanium 2.0 TDCI through Ford Direct. Good engine, loads of kit and far cheaper than a brand new model.

And ex-rental. I don't want an ex-rental, been there done that with a Vectra that needed rear pads and discs at 16k and an engine at 18k. I got it 8 months old, 16k on the clock, straight off fleet.

[xrv]

HellDiver said:

roscozs said:

Get yourself a Ford Focus Titanium 2.0 TDCI through Ford Direct. Good engine, loads of kit and far cheaper than a brand new model.

And ex-rental. I don't want an ex-rental, been there done that with a Vectra that needed rear pads and discs at 16k and an engine at 18k. I got it 8 months old, 16k on the clock, straight off fleet.

They are not all ex-rental on ford direct. Just find on with low milage that has been used as a company car for a Ford employee. If you are willing to wait and your dealer is worth anything then they will find you a good one. Just be ready to buy it as soon as they call you because good cars dont sit on the system too long.

[Biker's Nemesis]

Biker's Nemesis said:

HellDiver said:

Biker's Nemesis said:

Superhoop said:

Don't be so quick to dismiss the 1.6 diesel - okay it'll never set your pants on fire, but it is quite frugal...

My last Focus was the 1.6 TDCi Sport, quite nifty power and fuel economy wise.

We have a heap of the 1.6TDCI Focii at work. I wouldn't wish one on my worst enemy.

Perhaps the 1.6TDCI is better when remapped, but I doubt it. They come with drum brakes as well, which is a bit British Leyland for my liking. I haven't had a car with rear drums for 11 years...

Mine didn't have drum rear brakes. It was 2006 (56)

Found a picture of it.

[va1o]

Ok the petrols are a bit past it, but whats wrong with the diesels? The 1.6 TDCi is widely used by many manufacturers and is a superb little engine, probably best in its class. Really smooth and punchy, and good fuel economy.

[va1o]

HellDiver said:

roscozs said:

Get yourself a Ford Focus Titanium 2.0 TDCI through Ford Direct. Good engine, loads of kit and far cheaper than a brand new model.

And ex-rental. I don't want an ex-rental, been there done that with a Vectra that needed rear pads and discs at 16k and an engine at 18k. I got it 8 months old, 16k on the clock, straight off fleet.

You realise the vast majority of Ford Focus' are going to be ex-fleet/ ex-rental/ ex-demo or worse still ex-AA driving school? When new most of them go to fleets rather than private buyers.

[maniac0796]

HellDiver said:

Perhaps the 1.6TDCI is better when remapped, but I doubt it. They come with drum brakes as well, which is a bit British Leyland for my liking. I haven't had a car with rear drums for 11 years...

Hope you realise drum brakes provide more braking force than disc brakes, and that rear brake calipers that share the handbrake operation are prone to seizing up and needing new calipers after a few years?

Edited by maniac0796 on Tuesday 25th January 19:11

[anonymous-user]

There's always the ST