Focus 1.6 Ti-VCT Zetec - any good?

[theWOAT]

This one to be precise for now - http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

Other models for similar pricing I should consider? (4500 upwards to 6000)

[MissChief]

I'd be trying to find an Ecoboost if I could, ideally a 125PS 1.0 or a 1.6 150PS. Not sure if you'll get them at that price though.

[theWOAT]

Are there any problems with the model though in general? I mean I could probably knock a bit off then part ex my current banger of a corsa to get it close to 5k.

By my looking, that would seem like a solid price, and the cars general feedback is strong, but like to have PH to put me off if needs be, never know when website reviews are bought.

[ElectricSoup]

I'm looking at getting one of these as a learner car for my 17 year old lad - either the 85bhp or 104bhp version for insurance group reasons (the Ecoboost 1.6 and 1.0 are higher insurance groups so I've ruled them out). Would be a 2012-2014 car at my budget (sub £4k, the less the better).

So I'm not looking for it to be a perfomance car but I'm interested in the reliability of this particular engine in the Focus. Anyone got any further experience/knowledge since this thread was posted 5 years ago please?

[Zetec-S]

Aren't these the Sigma engines used in the Focus since the original was introduced back in the late 90's? Tried and tested over 15+ years, I think they have a pretty good reputation for reliability.

We've had a couple of Mk1 Focus's with the 1.6 petrol, the last one did over 150k miles with no issues and would have kept going if it wasn't for the rest of the car being a bit tired and me wanting something a bit newer/quicker for my 50 mile a day commute.

Obviously by modern standards they're a bit slow, mpg was mid to high 30's "normal" driving, sensible motorway driving saw 40+, even managed 50 once.

[ElectricSoup]

Thanks, that sounds good to me for my requirements. No need for cutting edge perfomance and technology! Reliable and cheap to maintain/run are the key needs.

A 12/62 reg car with about 80k miles on it would be ideal I think. I'd need to use the car myself for the odd motorway run, sometimes with 4 on board and a small dog, and a few soft bags, I expect a 104bhp version would be adequate for that on the odd occasion.

[cknotty]

Yes, these are the Sigma engines going back to the Mk1 Focus, maybe earlier too? The VCT part is variable camshaft timing. We have this engine in our 63 plate C-Max - it's great around town as there is no turbo lag if you need to pull out quickly. Cruises perfectly fine on the motorway, just don't expect it to perform like a sports car or a turbo diesel! 70mph is about 3200 rpm. Average fuel economy on the computer when I looked yesterday was 41mpg from a mix of local driving and motorway.

Cambelt change is 10 years or 125k miles according to Ford, but it may be wise getting it changed before then for peace of mind if it hasn't been done

[ElectricSoup]

Thanks for the camblet info, I was just about to ask that!

I suppose that means only really high mile Mk3s with this engine have had a cambelt change.

So on a 2012 car, if it hasn't had one it's due one very soon, so I'll factor that in to any offers I might make on one. Cheers, really helpful.