Buying privately - things to watch out for on a Focus?
Discussion
Just wondering if I can have some advice. I've found a car in the PH classifieds which has just had a new engine fitted, I assume due to the old one blowing up when the cam belt snapped. Click here for the ad 
Should I avoid cars like this - might there be further damage to other parts of the car?
I also can't find any buyers guides specific to Focus' (most owners club produce them). Is there anything specific to look for or do they just need a general check over?
Should I avoid cars like this - might there be further damage to other parts of the car? I also can't find any buyers guides specific to Focus' (most owners club produce them). Is there anything specific to look for or do they just need a general check over?
And don't worry Dave, I'll be off to Max Power forums instead of PH soon 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.
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 
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...
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 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...
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
SamHH said:
neil_cardiff said:
Whenever I see a Focus with alternative indicators/lights etc I just thing 'twat'.
I think that attitude is unfair. People do all sorts of things to make their cars look nice; what's wrong with changing the lights? Do you think the same thing about 911s with different light covers? And were you not recently asking about putting larger Audi TT wheels on your Golf?
Arguably, buying stuff like 911 GT3's falls into the same category. You could of course even extend it to rebodied cars such as the DB7 Zagato, just adding new bits to the same chassis to change the looks, but most if not all people say "wow" when they see one, not "ooh, look at that chavy piece of tat" Sorry, but can we get back on topic? I just don't want this to turn into a big debate about bodykits or modifying cars
Oh, and tonker, I think they are painted drums but look like discs due to the angle of the camera
Edited by southpaw on Friday 21st July 22:30
Just got back from looking at a Focus. Only 2 stamps in the service history, 12k and 22k miles and its now on 75k. And the rear drivers side arch has 2 small dents in it and was rusting - is this normal? I thought Ford gave a 12 year rust guarantee or something?
Anyway, if anyone see's a nice 1.6 Zetec for under £3k tell me
Anyway, if anyone see's a nice 1.6 Zetec for under £3k tell me
Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff