Buying privately - things to watch out for on a Focus?

[convert]

neil_cardiff said:

convert said:

The main problem is the scum that break into the to nick the stereos / frontplates / airbags....

You are joking right? (about the airbags)

Nope a friend of mine had his broken into @ Meadowhell car park.
They took the steering wheel and passenger airbag!

[neil_cardiff]

southpaw said:

neil_cardiff said:

Strong cars are Foci(?)

Oh, and Christian, good choice for once - a sensible compromise if you can afford the insurance: handling, not too fast, and reliable + strong.

I'm off to have a look at a Saxo 1.4 now (just to see what its like), unfortunately just missed out on a nice MG ZR but the Focus 1.6 is a strong contender - cheap insurance and looks pretty good with some subtle mods - I saw a black Focus in black, tints and tinted lights. Looks the dogs

Christ, I'm having all sorts of issues here in my head, thinking about TDi Estates, and how much I can get to the gallon.

At least I could fit a off big sound system in it

[convert]

Used to get 42mpg out of my Tdi estate, went everywhere in it motorways at the legal limit with the aircon on, etc.

Got a friend who gets 50+ out of hers though..

[neil_cardiff]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

You really are looking at chavwagons I see.

[no offence to people who are not that own them, but if you asked me to name three chavwagons, they would be a Saxo, a ZR and a modified shoppping hatch (Corsa/Focus/Clio)..... will you be putting rally stripes on it too ? ]

Why would you want tinted lights and tinted windows ?

I don't think he's really going to be swayed at all from the path of chavwagon (no offence) but all we can do is sway him toward the better of the three.

The Focus seems to be in unanimous aggrement between everyone that the 1.6 Zetec would be a great car for Christian.

Just have to convince him to keep it wheel side up, and not festooned with all sorts of tat...

[grayme]

neil_cardiff said:

pdV6 said:

neil_cardiff said:

Christ, now I'm looking at one now - sooooo cheap!

An estate on a 1.8 would be sorted for a daily hack...

Nah - the 1.6 is a much better engine.

You reckon? Is the diesel worth bothering with (TDCI stil pricey)?

ssssshhhush, don't tell the SW boys, they'll only laugh at me

The TDCi is great, I get 50+ on a long journey, >42 commuting in jams to work.

Not the quickest to say 40, but joining motorways is really easy, it just keeps pulling.

[Yugguy]

er, when was there a 1.4 Focus? And who would have bought it? People who don't like movement?

And seriously, get a 1.8TDCI, far more driveable than a 1.6 petrol.

Edited by Yugguy on Friday 21st July 15:46

[neil_cardiff]

Yugguy said:

er, when was there a 1.4 Focus? And who would have bought it? People who don't like movement?

My old company used to have a pool Focus in 1.4 guise.

It got rolled twice, I crashed it, then my boss crashed it the next day.

Serves it right for being so puny I s'pose

[neil_cardiff]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

And change the water pump.....

1.4 Focus is still made - designed for Grandma and 17 year olds who woudl otherwise kill themselves if they travelled faster than a bicycle.

I don't think I ever got it over 92 in all my time trying.

[Frik]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

And change the water pump.....

1.4 Focus is still made - designed for Grandma and 17 year olds who woudl otherwise kill themselves if they travelled faster than a bicycle.

Old man's TDCi will do well 120 (allegedly) and has no problems in 77,000 miles.

Well except for the water pump 'course.

[pdV6]

Going back to the original question, our 1.6 Ghia in 2 years of ownership got through:

1 coil pack (unusual)
Front ARB droplinks (common, cheap)
Rear discs
Rear link arms
Power steering pump

Seems like a lot when you list it out like that, but most of it was covered by warranty and got done in & around regular servicing.

[GlenMH]

neil_cardiff said:

ssssshhhush, don't tell the SW boys, they'll only laugh at me

Spotted!!

[southpaw]

neil_cardiff said:

I don't think he's really going to be swayed at all from the path of chavwagon (no offence) but all we can do is sway him toward the better of the three.

The Focus seems to be in unanimous aggrement between everyone that the 1.6 Zetec would be a great car for Christian.

Just have to convince him to keep it wheel side up, and not festooned with all sorts of tat...

It won't be "festooned with all sorts of tat", just some nice wheels maybe and subtle mods like new indicators etc. Nothing so blatent at a full bodykit or stripes etc Still, at least my suggestions are getting more sensible...

Edited by southpaw on Friday 21st July 19:14

[Frik]

southpaw said:

It won't be "festooned with all sorts of tat", just some nice wheels maybe and subtle mods like new indicators etc. Nothing so blatent at a full bodykit or stripes etc

But why?

[southpaw]

Frik said:

southpaw said:

It won't be "festooned with all sorts of tat", just some nice wheels maybe and subtle mods like new indicators etc. Nothing so blatent at a full bodykit or stripes etc

But why?

Because I want to. IMO it makes the car look better. And its far more important that I think my car looks good than if you do...

[ferrisbueller]

southpaw said:

Frik said:

southpaw said:

It won't be "festooned with all sorts of tat", just some nice wheels maybe and subtle mods like new indicators etc. Nothing so blatent at a full bodykit or stripes etc

But why?

Because I want to. IMO it makes the car look better. And its far more important that I think my car looks good than if you do...

The BiB will love it too.

[wmg100]

Why not go for the fiesta 1.6 Zetec-s. Same engine as the focus, but already has nice wheels, body kit etc as standard so no probs on insurance. They handle like gokarts and are cheap aswell.

[neil_cardiff]

ferrisbueller said:

southpaw said:

Frik said:

southpaw said:

It won't be "festooned with all sorts of tat", just some nice wheels maybe and subtle mods like new indicators etc. Nothing so blatent at a full bodykit or stripes etc

But why?

Because I want to. IMO it makes the car look better. And its far more important that I think my car looks good than if you do...

The BiB will love it too.

You'd be better off saving that money for a set of decent tyres like F1s or Proxes, and going on a Ride Drive course to learn how to drive properly.

Whenever I see a Focus with alternative indicators/lights etc I just thing 'twat'.

The Focus is a handsome car as it is, and maybe a set of OEM wheels would help make it nicer.

OEM is the way forward, not Halfords/Max Power specials on indicators.

Also, all these lights are quite often not BS marked, so illegal, and additionally fit crapply.

I've seen some shocking Golfs with all sorts of tat on, the only nice ones that are not standard are ones that have used OEM parts for VERY subtle changes.

Edited by neil_cardiff on Friday 21st July 20:35

[southpaw]

You lot won't like the Saxo then

*awaits Dave posting burberry cap again * I havn't seen it yet by the way, and prefer the Focus interior far far FAR more, but this is quite cheap and looks ok standard IMO

I know theres a very much "all go and no show" ethos on here, however car insurance for young drivers is a killer anyway. As I said to bluespanner earlier, "the way I look at it, I'm probably going to crash and its probably going to be in a huge ball of flames, you only live once so feck it. If it makes me happy, thats enough for me". Yes probably not the best thing but thats life.

You might thing adding thing to a Focus is crap, but its not the best looking car and in my eyes there are a few simple things that could be done to make the car look better. Obviously I will probably grow out of it when I can afford to insure a better looking/performing car and the older generation dont agree with it, but when you were young did you not dream of XR3i's and Cossie's with big spoilers? (Can't think of any older examples, sorry ). Its just about being young. Thats another advantage of the ZR in my eyes - pre modded out of the box. Just not sure if I can afford one.

So sorry if you don't agree with me or like that I'm talking about, but thats me. I'd like it on the record that I'm not a chav but I'm young and stupid

Edited by southpaw on Friday 21st July 21:20

[neil_cardiff]

Fairy Muff

I'll still tut and subtly shake my head when I see yer car though

Edited by neil_cardiff on Friday 21st July 21:24

[southpaw]

neil_cardiff said:

Fairy Muff

I'll still tut and subtly shake my head when I see yer car though

Fine by me

Tonker, erm...what is it?