Cheap run around - Focus 1.8 TDCI - Viewing tomorrow
Discussion
Hi
My girlfriends step-dad has decided to buy a new car as his old Fiat Bravo has packed in so is going to get scrapped. I have been having a look out the past couple of days and noticed a Focus TDCI for him which we are viewing tomorrow.
He does about 80 miles per week, basically to work and back plus one trip to the shops.
I know petrol will work out cheaper in the long run but this seems the best buy out of the petrol and diesel cars we have been viewing.
Heres the info; 2002 Focus LX 1.8 TDCI 115, service history, 81,000 miles and 1 previous owner.
Everything looks OK, clutch was done not too long a go.
Apart from the obvious is there anything else to check on these cars/engine?
also do you think this will last him a few years like the Fiat and be cheap/cheerful motoring?
My girlfriends step-dad has decided to buy a new car as his old Fiat Bravo has packed in so is going to get scrapped. I have been having a look out the past couple of days and noticed a Focus TDCI for him which we are viewing tomorrow.
He does about 80 miles per week, basically to work and back plus one trip to the shops.
I know petrol will work out cheaper in the long run but this seems the best buy out of the petrol and diesel cars we have been viewing.
Heres the info; 2002 Focus LX 1.8 TDCI 115, service history, 81,000 miles and 1 previous owner.
Everything looks OK, clutch was done not too long a go.
Apart from the obvious is there anything else to check on these cars/engine?
also do you think this will last him a few years like the Fiat and be cheap/cheerful motoring?
I had a 53 plate Zetec one of them, I got rid about 5 years ago with 130k+ miles on it.
I had to change the clutch/DMF which was I think about £1200, so not fun (At about 75k). But beyond that it was always reliable and cheap to run, it did tend to eat front tyres a bit but nothing excessive. Great drive too.
If I recall when I was reading up on them you had to check for rust around the boot lid where the handle is, because this is very prone to rust.
Also check that the footwell on the passenger side is dry because they can leak there, but for the life of me I can not remember why, but a leak is a bad thing and it was a known thing to happen.
I had to change the clutch/DMF which was I think about £1200, so not fun (At about 75k). But beyond that it was always reliable and cheap to run, it did tend to eat front tyres a bit but nothing excessive. Great drive too.
If I recall when I was reading up on them you had to check for rust around the boot lid where the handle is, because this is very prone to rust.
Also check that the footwell on the passenger side is dry because they can leak there, but for the life of me I can not remember why, but a leak is a bad thing and it was a known thing to happen.
Thanks for the heads up, will check that.
I know from previous experience that they tend to rust around the arches.
He is 63 years old and does very few miles, virtually none on the motor way. Things like tyre's wearing quickly wont affect him much as they will probably last years!
I never realised these had a DMF/Clutch, It is listed that its been done to the tune of £600 so will check the paperwork for it.
I know from previous experience that they tend to rust around the arches.
He is 63 years old and does very few miles, virtually none on the motor way. Things like tyre's wearing quickly wont affect him much as they will probably last years!
I never realised these had a DMF/Clutch, It is listed that its been done to the tune of £600 so will check the paperwork for it.
I genuinely GENUINELY wouldn't bother for 4000 miles per year.
You'll get a better car in every aspect for less money. On the MK1 the 1.6 is fine, it's not the last word on grunt but it's perfectly capable.
Sorry dude, but at this end of the market and especially with such few miles I just wouldn't.
You'll get a better car in every aspect for less money. On the MK1 the 1.6 is fine, it's not the last word on grunt but it's perfectly capable.
Sorry dude, but at this end of the market and especially with such few miles I just wouldn't.
This is just a common rail version of the old Endura 1.8 engine and is capable of huge mileage. I had one with 285K miles and knowing its previous history as a taxi the engine itself had never been apart. Just check the history to see when the cambelt was done and if you buy it always use good quality fuel filters like Delphi or Mann as these are down to two microns and will protect the pump better than inferior makes and always 5W30 fully synthetic. We used to use Shell Helix on our Mk2 ,Mk3 Mondeos and 1.8 Focus and regularly saw 300-400K miles from them.
JCKST1 said:
also do you think this will last him a few years like the Fiat and be cheap/cheerful motoring?
If "a few years of cheap motoring" is the requirement, and the budget is roughly a grand, then surely he'd be better off looking at unfashionable Jap stuff like Almeras, Civics and Corollas?Thanks for the advice everyone.
Another Focus has popped up local so might be worth viewing, here they are;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-FORD-FOCUS-1-8-TDCi...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-1-6i-16v-2004...
As said before he is looking for the cheapest tax, insurance etc.
Another Focus has popped up local so might be worth viewing, here they are;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-FORD-FOCUS-1-8-TDCi...
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ford-Focus-1-6i-16v-2004...
As said before he is looking for the cheapest tax, insurance etc.
Quick update, went to view the Focus which was a pile of s
t. Arches where badly rusted and front bumper had been sprayed with a can!
On the other hand we have seen a 2002 1.4 Fiesta Zetec local to us.
85k on the clock and 10 stamps in the service book. Looks like it's been very well looked after so hoping to buy this in the morn.
Done a little research on that engine and seems fairly bulletproof.
Hoping to get it for £1100ish.
t. Arches where badly rusted and front bumper had been sprayed with a can!On the other hand we have seen a 2002 1.4 Fiesta Zetec local to us.
85k on the clock and 10 stamps in the service book. Looks like it's been very well looked after so hoping to buy this in the morn.
Done a little research on that engine and seems fairly bulletproof.
Hoping to get it for £1100ish.
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